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Post by bluzsteel on Mar 7, 2006 7:21:54 GMT -7
the Xotic rep is sending me the BB Pre amp and the AC Booster to try out. do any of you guys use both of these? I own a RC and looking on the website I was amazed at the tones of the BB. just wondering if the BB is a do it all. or the AC can fill some of the spots , my RC is gonna stay as a leave on pedal
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Post by Curt on Mar 7, 2006 7:33:09 GMT -7
Hey Dave, throw me your left overs !!! LOL
I know Arun uses both AC and BB, let me know, I was thinkin' AC/RC would work for me.
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Post by bluzsteel on Mar 7, 2006 7:44:57 GMT -7
haven't married the Zen yet..... still lookin
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Post by Lefty on Mar 7, 2006 8:05:09 GMT -7
I've had the AC on two occasions. With Fender type amps it was great. Nice mids to help you get heard, good drive, and the EQ is cool too. With my Z amps it didn't fare so well. Maybe because they already have a bit of Vox in the mix. It seemed to push the mids to mush, and really clutter up the tone of my Z's. I've been really curious to try the BB. I'm always on the look out for a grab and go pedal that will sound good at all volume levels. So far the Mosferatu is on top of the heap. I prefer my Pro Analog pedals but they shine at high(er) amp levels. Hey Dave, if you like I could send you my Mos for a test drive...but be sure to send it back
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Post by bluzsteel on Mar 7, 2006 8:09:58 GMT -7
I might take you up on that I like what Alf does ,its just maybe the zen aint for the Z
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Post by billyguitar on Mar 7, 2006 9:05:03 GMT -7
I think the BB is one of the better pedals out there. A little fizzy on top maybe but a very natural overdrive.
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Mar 7, 2006 9:19:30 GMT -7
I actually drove downtown Seattle the other day to buy the BB and it was gone before I got there. GRRRR! I think their sound clips are great, but I wanted to try it out first. Now I'm thinking I'm going to have to buy before try via the web, because the BB seems to be be unobtanium around here.
Anyone here bought direct from prosoundcommunications.com? Any issues?
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Post by iggs on Mar 7, 2006 9:24:30 GMT -7
I have the BB and love it ... can't wait to crank it on my 6545 when it arrives. Tried both AC and BB in the store and went for the BB because of a bit more gain and more of a distortion vs overdrive type sound, it's a mid gain pedal IMHO, less gain then OCD or CrunchBox but more then AC or Barber LTD for example.
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Post by James on Mar 7, 2006 9:26:53 GMT -7
Mr. Bluzsteel, please send us your thoughts on the AC and BB after you give 'em a run!
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Post by James on Mar 7, 2006 9:39:21 GMT -7
I tried the BB with a strat and a Maz 38 at Peeler music in toledo and bought it on the spot.................it just had such a beefy tone.......but minus any mush or compression.......lots of fuzz if you want.............very musical. I had already had an AC on order........by the time it came, I was married to the BB...........The AC is still being tested.......I found that it can be used to add a tiny bit of hair to any tone coming from the amp.......whether its driving a clean signal or already dirty signal....and "seamlessly" so that you don't hardly know its on when you click it on.............What I don't like is that I don't like the gain it has to offer after about 8 or 9 oclock......too much mid for me.....I suppose thats when you kick on the BB........but, I just feel like there might be a pedal or 2 out there that do what the AC does, but, also have a wider range of drive...........more versatile for the $ ...........still trying the AC out though........
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Post by Deleted on Mar 7, 2006 11:40:45 GMT -7
Hi Dave, I use a BB preamp and the RC booster. I also use a analogman maxonod-9/silver. I had an ac booster and ended up preferring the Tube screamer for those tones. I found the AC to be a little nasally. The BB on the other hand still knocks me out with the tone in produces. It stacks really well after the Maxon and before the RC. If I want a more fat Eric Johnson lead tone I just boost the BB with the Tube screamer. If I want more of a Jimi tone or a more classic Marshall tone I boost it with the RC booster. Actually the sound boosted with the RC is just huge. It is really transparent and does not make a Strat sound like a lespaul. It does add that marshall magic to your sound. It has a lot more lower mids in the sound compared to the midrange hump the ac has. It has a bit of a scooped sound in comparison to the ac but is still beefy sounding. I am thinking about replacing the maxon OD-9 with the MJM Blues Devil overdrive. It is supposed to be one of the best ts-808 drives around. I also don't need as much gain as the Maxon can produce. Anyway, enjoy the pedals and let us know your final thoughts on them.
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Post by bluzsteel on Mar 7, 2006 11:45:42 GMT -7
Mr. Bluzsteel, please send us your thoughts on the AC and BB after you give 'em a run! will do , will have all three to compare
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Post by bluzsteel on Mar 7, 2006 11:48:48 GMT -7
Hi Dave, I use a BB preamp and the RC booster. I also use a analogman maxonod-9/silver. I had an ac booster and ended up preferring the Tube screamer for those tones. I found the AC to be a little nasally. The BB on the other hand still knocks me out with the tone in produces. It stacks really well after the Maxon and before the RC. If I want a more fat Eric Johnson lead tone I just boost the BB with the Tube screamer. If I want more of a Jimi tone or a more classic Marshall tone I boost it with the RC booster. Actually the sound boosted with the RC is just huge. It is really transparent and does not make a Strat sound like a lespaul. It does add that marshall magic to your sound. It has a lot more lower mids in the sound compared to the midrange hump the ac has. It has a bit of a scooped sound in comparison to the ac but is still beefy sounding. I am thinking about replacing the maxon OD-9 with the MJM Blues Devil overdrive. It is supposed to be one of the best ts-808 drives around. I also don't need as much gain as the Maxon can produce. Anyway, enjoy the pedals and let us know your final thoughts on them. great stuff here guys , thanks , Ive really fell out of love with the tube screamer, got old ones new ones, maxon 808 , none of em work anymore for me . banking on one of these
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Post by billyguitar on Mar 7, 2006 11:53:10 GMT -7
When i tried the BB I liked setting it for low gain o/d. Sounded great, I don't do high gain so I didn't try that.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 7, 2006 12:20:50 GMT -7
Hi Dave, I use a BB preamp and the RC booster. I also use a analogman maxonod-9/silver. I had an ac booster and ended up preferring the Tube screamer for those tones. I found the AC to be a little nasally. The BB on the other hand still knocks me out with the tone in produces. It stacks really well after the Maxon and before the RC. If I want a more fat Eric Johnson lead tone I just boost the BB with the Tube screamer. If I want more of a Jimi tone or a more classic Marshall tone I boost it with the RC booster. Actually the sound boosted with the RC is just huge. It is really transparent and does not make a Strat sound like a lespaul. It does add that marshall magic to your sound. It has a lot more lower mids in the sound compared to the midrange hump the ac has. It has a bit of a scooped sound in comparison to the ac but is still beefy sounding. I am thinking about replacing the maxon OD-9 with the MJM Blues Devil overdrive. It is supposed to be one of the best ts-808 drives around. I also don't need as much gain as the Maxon can produce. Anyway, enjoy the pedals and let us know your final thoughts on them. great stuff here guys , thanks , Ive really fell out of love with the tube screamer, got old ones new ones, maxon 808 , none of em work anymore for me . banking on one of these I know what you mean Dave. I have started to fall out of love with the Tube screamer type overdrives as well. Maybe I need to get another BB. ;D
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Post by 6strang (aka Paul) on Mar 7, 2006 14:49:05 GMT -7
The BB can produce a really nice thick tone that has a beefy bottom end. I get a pretty healthy Marshall tone from the AC too. For an extra kick I hit my Keeley/Voodoo Lab Sparkle Drive with just a slight hint of distortion. It adds a bit of the ts-808 sound to the AC.
I do need to point one thing out though...at bedroom levels these pedals sound different than when you are playing at stage volume. There is a huge difference IMO. When I first got the AC and the BB I was just a tad disappointed...then the wife and baby went to Grandma's to visit and I got to crank up the Mazerati...wow, tone for days.
Bottom line: the xotic pedals are cool, and it is fun to tweak. They sound good with my Vibrolux and Dr. Z.
Question: Any recommendations on running the RC before or after the BB? I am currently running mine before the AC, Sparkle Drive and BB. I use a Fatboost at the end of the chain for leads. Comments??
Thanks, 6Strang
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Post by Deleted on Mar 7, 2006 15:02:26 GMT -7
Hi 6strang, nice name. I run the RC after the BB at the end of the chain. I find it helps the overall sound in that position. I like it there because if I need more of any sound I am using it is there the moment I step on the RC. With most effects that are not overdrives it just gives me more without distorting or changing the tone. With the bb and maxon OD-9 it fattens the tone and gives me a lot of sustain, and I mean sustain for days. I really like using it as a boost for solos whether clean or dirty. Great pedal.
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Post by James on Mar 7, 2006 19:55:46 GMT -7
I wanted to change my earlier description of the AC.......I said I did not like the gain past 8 oclock.....well, just got back from a practice where I plugged into my friends old Pro Reverb and it took the BB and AC brilliantly. I was using the AC for every shade of dirt from absolute clean Boost to all out dirty......and it delivered big tone! I especiaslly love putting gain on zero and using it as a clean boost........seemed to do just what the RC does with this setting.......
I guess I made my earlier observations based on the pedal through the RT 66 and it definately sounds different with the Pro where I can get a cleaner signal.
anyway, like 6strang said........lot of fun tweaking with these xotic pedals...
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Post by hollywood5150 on Mar 7, 2006 20:29:03 GMT -7
The AC is very similar to a tube screamer with less mids. The mids are there, but you can dial in bass and treble. The BB is a Marshall in a box. I was using the BB for low gain OD, and the AC for the heavier stuff. Since 6strang got my AC, I am now using the Zendrive for low OD, and the BB for the higher gain. Either way, there are many, many tones in the AC and BB. I prefer to run the boost after these pedals to get more of the tone when I need it. I don't think you can go wrong with either one of these pedals.
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Mar 9, 2006 23:28:45 GMT -7
Well I got tired of waiting for someone local to have the BB preamp in stock, so I ordered one this evening. Should be here in a few days, and I will put it to the test.
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Post by bluzsteel on Mar 10, 2006 7:06:00 GMT -7
my tracking # says tues, cant wait
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Post by garyh on Mar 10, 2006 8:54:42 GMT -7
The BB has been described here as a "Marshall in a box". The MI-Audio Crunch box is also described this way. Has anyone been able to compare the two? My guess is that the crunch box is pure high gain while the BB is more versatile but would like to know the difference.
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Post by iggs on Mar 10, 2006 9:42:58 GMT -7
I got both. CB is full-out melt your face kinda gain. BB is way less gain but still has that early JCM kinda vibe. CB has it's own sound, while BB is more transparent. BB has even less gain then OCD as well.
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Mar 10, 2006 10:10:50 GMT -7
I got both. CB is full-out melt your face kinda gain. BB is way less gain but still has that early JCM kinda vibe. CB has it's own sound, while BB is more transparent. BB has even less gain then OCD as well. That's what blows my dress up - slight gain, with that early Marshall crunch and dynamic. Hope it pans out better'n the fifteen or so crunch boxes sitting in my basement unused...
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Post by billyguitar on Mar 10, 2006 11:52:46 GMT -7
The BB to me, has an overdrive more like a single stage amp has. Not a cascaded sound like a Boogie. I think it will be a different sound than the Zen. I'm looking forward the Bluzsteel's compare and contrast.
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Mar 11, 2006 10:43:37 GMT -7
Looks like my BB will be here next Wednesday. Boo! I want it NOW!
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Post by James on Mar 11, 2006 11:35:55 GMT -7
Also looking forward to B'zsteel's comp"trast"...........At one point today I thought.....Bluzsteel gets his shipment on tuesday.........we'll know what he thinks by Wednesday..........weird world we live in now where these screen names represent people we know "virtrually" and they play roles in our lives............and decision making , but we may never meet in person.............
Its like all us Z users are cyberfriends............ I remember when "elroy" on the jetsons got his TV watch and I thought was the most amazing thing at the time.............and now ...IPOD..........yesterday I caught a couple of kids watching "wedding crashers" on an IPod in my calculus class.............I told 'em to put it away, but.......had they been watching Eric Johnson, live from Austin, well,maybe we'd a takin' another look at that!
BTW, heading over to Toledo right now to check out the RC booster...........I am thinking it will be just the pedal for my Rt 66......regarding xotic pedals........I have the AC and the BB and I find with single coils, I do not like the AC and the Rt. 66 combination, its nasally and "nueters" the high end sound on the strat ..........unless I crank the Treble control on the AC.......AC and Les Paul sound great with my RT 66............with RT 66 clean and driven.............OTOH..BB/Les Paul sound sort of nasally and nuetered with the RT 66...........
as another measuring stick.........both BB and AC sound just like the Josh Smith/Alan Hinds sound clips when I run them through my friends tricked out Pro Reverb....................they sound very very good, and do exactly what they are suppose to do.
I am thinking with a Maz Sr or Junior, all 3 of these pedals are gonna be pretty special...........with any PU combination.
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Post by Lefty on Mar 15, 2006 7:04:46 GMT -7
Bluz...well, what's the verdict?
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Post by bluzsteel on Mar 15, 2006 7:37:21 GMT -7
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I posted this somewhere else, to lazy to re type it
Ok , Rc stays on , just a great clean boost ,got rid of the fatboost was real dark after using RC. now to the AC, just playing it in the house has been a blast .just the right amount of mid there. it is so sweet. this is a keeper. overtones out the .................. BB well who ever said Marshall in a box hit it on the head . this is real distortion. without the funny overtones. very even. cant wait to hear it cranked this weekend i'll be back......................................my Ghia was saying "thank you master"
one more thing about about the AC, I cant remember the last time I had a rig with so much overtones that the harmonics were just waiting to feedback into rich overtones. you know ....hold a note and let it go to the Hendrix thang ........love it , just got to be quick enough to tame it....really nice
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Mar 15, 2006 10:20:36 GMT -7
Oh man... where IS that UPS truck?
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