Boss ODB-3 Bass OverDrive Effects Pedal

Standard bass overdrive used in merge effect loops with clean sound

I noticed this pedal watching a rig rundown of Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist, Flea. He uses it most noticeably on the bass intro to Around The World.

When I decided to switch from multi-effects to stomp-boxes I knew that I needed both an overdrive and a separate E.Q. pedal so I didn't lose bottom end when I turn the overdrive on but this has saved a space on my board because I features a very effective 2 band E.Q.

This pedal is handy for thickening out the overall sound when our guitarist goes into a solo and I have to take over to fill things out. It takes a bit of fiddling to get it just right though.

If there is one thing that cannot be reproach to Boss ODB-3 it is the range of possible settings with 4 knobs: level, 2 in 1 EQ (low/high with cut/boost), balance (dry sound/OD) and gain. There is the problem: there is so many possibilities that playing with the effect is a little bit like trying to find your keys in your bedroom with all the lights turn off... More, all the sounds I could get are synthetic, sounding cold. Too artificial for me. But it is really a question of taste. Coupled with the BF-2, it could give some interesting spatial, distorted, futurist touch. Also, I had some difficulties to adjust the volume. When the pedal is engaged, it is either it boosts A LOT your output level (and you give a heart attack to the other band members) or it is not enough. I couldn't find the proper setting. I probably didn't have the patience to seek for the proper volume.

This definitely isn't the best OD pedal you'll ever play if you ever get the chance to try some high-end gear, but that's the situation with most Boss products. The ODB-3 was my first bass pedal, got it along with a Dolby Fuzz when I was younger and obsessed with trying to sound like Muse or Cliff Burton. I still use it.

The ODB-3 isn't without issues. For a start, it's hardly that functional. This thing is designed more to be used on its own or with a small collection of other pedals than alongside a whole array of weird effects. The balance never gets a perfect sound out, and you have to rely on the EQ mixing to get the right tone. However, this thing is perfect for the affordable price. The sound is great, the overdrive itself will blow the roof off, and I think most importantly: it's simple. This is a perfect pedal to start on, and then move on to some more intense, complicated stompers. It's not the best OD pedal you'll play, but it'll be a great tool to start on, and that's what it's there for.

Bought because King Buzzo uses one and I like his tone. Definitely more satisfied with this than all the other ODs and Distortions I've bought.

In particular, the use and sounding can be noted as the convenience of mixing an overloaded bass signal with a clean, unprocessed instrument signal for greater clarity and a more emphasized sound attack. Easy-to-use dual-band equalizer for high and low frequencies. You can note the convenient operation of the Balance knob for the convenience of controlling dry / overdrive bass sound. BOSS ODB-3 undoubtedly provides the very resonance necessary for bass guitarists playing in the styles of Techno, Rock, Funk, Industrial. The effect has been specially designed for use with bass guitars.

It's a good and cheap choice. It can't give you small amount of gain. So if you need cheap hi-gain distortion, that's the thing you've been looking for.

The odb-3 is a pedal with a good range of work. You can have a sharp and shiny overdrive or have a very deep and doughy effect. That range can be used for large solo or to satisfy a cool dirty sound for bass. In my experience I never find a low overdrive to defeat that in a price quality comparison. It's great for jobs when you do not know what you're going to require, because of the great versatility you have

This OD is really not for me, i prefer crunch and warmness. This one is very abrasive and sucks a lot of the low-mids. It has a lot of gain if that's your thing. If you like a fuzzy budget overdrive go-ahead, if you like clean and mid range sounds juts go with another pedal.

this is a classic pedal, a big part of Flea's sound. I acquired one when I was playing bass occasionally in a friend's industrial band. I put it out front of an old peavey bass amp but was never in love with it for bass. Later I witched over to an ampeg B25 and a fender bassman50 for amplification and just ran them so loud they were a little dirty and used a big muff for fuzz... in another friend's band I filled in on bass and was using the ampeg/fender setup a lot but wanted more hair at a lower level (this friend is a volume wimp who is always trying to get his stage volume down to a whisper) so I brought the boss back out and that was the sound of that band's low end, but I was never in love with it. It always sounds like a repurpoused or rather a re-tooled guitar pedal and doesn't touch a tube bass amp being hit hard. its particularly sterile through solid state bass rigs. There are a million sounds in this box from the 4 knobs, but none of them sound the way I want a bass to overdrive. That said, I've never found a pedal for low gain bass sounds I like better.... although since I am not primarily a bassist I stay in the cheap seats. One thing that's great about this pedal is the balance knob for clean blend, it helps with the preservation of low end for ass and also with disguising the for want of a better word, 'fake' OD sound. The stacked bass and treble controls, while clearly designed to be bass friendly, seem to work better for guitar with this circuit. When this came out treble and bass controls on any pedal not specifically aimed at metalheads were a novelty so I give it some points for that. I used this pedal a lot when recording guitars at home for synthetic sounding OD/Distortion that could reall be tuned in to hit the front end of my guitar amps a certain way. I got rid of this ages ago though, I just stopped having any use for it and couldn't justify keeping it...

Bought secondhand but it's still like the first day. I recommend to remove the batteries after using it for saving battery. Also you can plug in with a 9v charger. Sounds great for playing some Muse-style overdrive bass

I was not massively impressed by this pedal and I think I am going to sell it

I noticed that Buzz from the Melvin's had this on his pedalboard, SO I thought I'd add it to mine. When I pair it with my other pedals I can get some grit and chunk out of my amp. I know I need to add a Boss Bass 7-band EQ with this pedal.

Its really good. its got amazing sound and its not expensive either

The EQ on this puppy can provide a crazy amount of sounds, and the actual overdrive effect is crazy badass. This pedal is all I need.

Awesome sound, for bass, best OD pedal!!

Its a great sound can get really fart sounding when used on full though

Sounds horrible as an overdrive for bass, sounds awesome as a distortion for guitar.

I've had this pedal nearly 20 years. It still works. It still sounds great.

I now use BIAS FX but I keep this little monster around and on my board for a back up plan in case my shit fails.

First off, this pedal take some dialing in for a good sound. At least for me, as I'm only looking for a little more grit and drive on occasion. Pay close attention to the Dry/OD knob and this pedal will sound great, but it doesn't take much. The 2 band EQ is a nice feature to sculpt that dirt tone once you get there.

A great solution for us the dirty sound lovers!

Isn't the most versatile bass overdrive pedal, but when you learn how to use it properly, it's a very good weapon. I think that it's really more a fuzz/distortion pedal than an overdrive.