Boss OC-3 / The pedal every gigging jazz guitarist needs to own

[ruger9]

All these pedals could benefit from an effect-only out option that could be sent to a dedicated bass amp. Separating the bass part spatially really helps the illusion. IMHO.

That's a great idea.

[grahambop]

All these pedals could benefit from an effect-only out option that could be sent to a dedicated bass amp. Separating the bass part spatially really helps the illusion. IMHO.

The Boss OC-3 has got that option (not sure if you knew that).

[Peter C]

The OC 3 works great in poly mode with a just a tad more than a hint of the octave note behind the normal guitar sound. You then have to learn how to "play the pedal" by adjusting your picking or strumming* technique to avoid unwanted wobbly overtones as much as possible. (*Entirely possible if you work on it). You can thus get a very full sound, maybe enough to make up for the lack of a bass guitar - it depends on the player.

As a replacement for bass guitar, (ie to imitate a bass), forget it, IMO.

[citizenk74]

The OC 3 works great in poly mode with a just a tad more than a hint of the octave note behind the normal guitar sound. You then have to learn how to "play the pedal" by adjusting your picking or strumming* technique to avoid unwanted wobbly overtones as much as possible. (*Entirely possible if you work on it). You can thus get a very full sound, maybe enough to make up for the lack of a bass guitar - it depends on the player.

As a replacement for bass guitar, (ie to imitate a bass), forget it, IMO.

A couple centuries ago (seemingly) I had an Electro Harmonix Octave Divider. In order to get the effect to work, you had to pluck the string at exactly half of the sounding length of the particular note. It was quite a discipline that I used used sparingly for effect during leads.* At that time I had no desire to fire a bass player. That was to come later as my better angels became worn down with use.

* The fact that it was so hard may have had something to do with my new-found and hitherto unseen self control.

[citizenk74]

The Boss OC-3 has got that option (not sure if you knew that).

No, I did not. I've been on something of a pedal binge of late, focusing on the rude, crude, and lewd tonal possibilities of various overdrive/distortion/fuzzzzzes. I had a Jordan Boss Tone before I could play guitar, or even had one. The die, so to speak was cast. Why?

It was there.

[Jonah]

I think separate amp is almost a must... to make it sound more or less decently you need to tweak the knobs differently than you would for your guitar mostly.


By the way... when you use separate amp for bass efeect output - which amp do you use?

I tried another small guitar amp I had - and it worked but the tone was still poor enough and volume was relatively low...

What would be your choice for a small venue? Some bass amp would work better?

[steve burchfield]

Wasnt Tal Farlow one of the first to use a similar device? Answer: Yes