Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 8 stores. Prices updated .

Sweetwater
4.0 (9)
$124.98
Guitar Center
4.5 (30)
$125.99
Amazon
4.5 (268)
Used
Reverb
5.0 (36)
$101.34 New
$58.75 Used
Musician's Friend
4.0 (148)
$125.99
Thomann
4.4 (167)
$109.00 $105.00 $4.00 · All time low
Gear4Music
£104.75

Average Price: $112

Standard/Professional

$70

$201+

Price Tier

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High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 5 merchants for "Boss ODB-3 Bass OverDrive". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

Unleash the beast in your bass with the Boss ODB-3 Bass OverDrive pedal, meticulously engineered to cater to the modern bassist's needs. The pedal serves up a wide range of tones, from a subtle overdrive to a roaring distortion, satisfying your craving for every conceivable contour of sound. It is designed to respect the fullness of your bass sound, ensuring no muddiness even when handling the lowest notes on 5-string basses.

To retain the strength and presence of your original bass signal, Boss has integrated a balance control that allows you to mix the effect with the dry sound. This feature is a game-changer, giving you the flexibility to dial in the perfect blend of distortion and clean bass tone. The ODB-3 is not just an overdrive pedal, it doubles up as a 2-band EQ, making it a versatile addition to your gear setup.

Whether you're aiming to recreate the aggressive, fuzzy bass tone of modern genres or just looking to add some growl to your sound, the Boss ODB-3 Bass OverDrive pedal is your ticket to massive, bone-shaking bass distortion.

Key Features:

  • Tailored to cater to the needs of modern bassists
  • Wide range of tones from a mild overdrive to a hard distortion
  • Balance control for mixing effect with bass signal
  • 2-band EQ capability
  • Compatible with 5-string basses
  • AC adapter or 9-volt battery operation
  • Backed by a 5-year warranty

Owner's manual

Boss ODB-3 Bass OverDrive User Manual

Product specs

Pedal Type Bass Overdrive
Inputs 1 x Instrument
Outputs 1 x 1/4"
Power Source 9V DC power supply (sold separately)
Batteries 1 x 9V
Height 2.4"
Width 2.9"
Depth 5.1"
Weight 1 lbs.

FAQs

Is the Boss ODB-3 Bass OverDrive pedal suitable for live performances?

Yes, the Boss ODB-3 is designed for live use, offering robust construction and a wide range of overdrive tones that cut through in a live band setting.

Can the Boss ODB-3 Bass OverDrive be powered with a 9V battery?

Yes, the Boss ODB-3 can be powered using a single 9V battery, or alternatively, with a 9V DC power supply.

Does the Boss ODB-3 work well with both active and passive basses?

Yes, the Boss ODB-3 is compatible with both active and passive basses, providing versatile overdrive tones for different bass types.

What type of overdrive sound does the Boss ODB-3 produce?

The Boss ODB-3 delivers a powerful, punchy overdrive specifically tailored for bass, allowing for a wide range of tones from subtle grit to full-on distortion.

How does the Boss ODB-3 compare to using a guitar overdrive pedal on bass?

The Boss ODB-3 is specifically designed for bass, maintaining low-end frequencies and providing a tailored overdrive that complements bass guitar tones, unlike many guitar pedals that may lose low-end clarity.

BOSSchannel

BOSSchannel

BOSS ODB-3 Bass OverDrive [BOSS Sound Check]

Video thumbnail for BOSS ODB-3 Bass OverDrive [BOSS Sound Check] by BOSSchannel

BOSS ODB-3 Bass OverDrive [BOSS Sound Check]

BOSSchannel

BOSSchannel

Video thumbnail for Boss ODB-3 Bass Overdrive Demo by The Bass Channel

Boss ODB-3 Bass Overdrive Demo

The Bass Channel

The Bass Channel

Video thumbnail for Boss ODB-3 Bass Overdrive | Reverb Demo Video by Reverb

Boss ODB-3 Bass Overdrive | Reverb Demo Video

Reverb

Reverb

Video thumbnail for Boss Bass OverDrive ODB-3 - DEMO by Victor Hugo Targino

Boss Bass OverDrive ODB-3 - DEMO

Victor Hugo Targino

Victor Hugo Targino

Video thumbnail for Boss ODB-3 Bass Over Drive Sound Check by 阪口 かなう[Kanau Sakaguchi]

Boss ODB-3 Bass Over Drive Sound Check

阪口 かなう[Kanau Sakaguchi]

阪口 かなう[Kanau Sakaguchi]

Video thumbnail for BOSS - Bass Overdrive ODB-3 by Bass Stuff

BOSS - Bass Overdrive ODB-3

Bass Stuff

Bass Stuff

Video thumbnail for Boss ODB-3 vs. MXR Bass Overdrive by The Bass Channel

Boss ODB-3 vs. MXR Bass Overdrive

The Bass Channel

The Bass Channel

Video thumbnail for D for DISTORTION? Boss ODB-3 bass overdrive. by the wetter bass

D for DISTORTION? Boss ODB-3 bass overdrive.

the wetter bass

the wetter bass

Video thumbnail for Need Some Bass Distortion? || Boss Overdrive ODB-3 Demo (No.86) by Greg's Bass Shed

Need Some Bass Distortion? || Boss Overdrive ODB-3 Demo (No.86)

Greg's Bass Shed

Greg's Bass Shed

Video thumbnail for Boss ODB-3 Bass OverDrive Pedal Review by Freddy Desposorio

Boss ODB-3 Bass OverDrive Pedal Review

Freddy Desposorio

Freddy Desposorio

Video thumbnail for Testing a Pedal I Haven’t Played For 20 Years | Boss ODB-3 Bass Overdrive by Made on Tape

Testing a Pedal I Haven’t Played For 20 Years | Boss ODB-3 Bass Overdrive

Made on Tape

Made on Tape

Reviews

PROS

  • Versatile; provides a range from subtle overdrive to intense metal distortion

  • Durable, withstands rough handling and heavy use

  • Easy to adjust with sensitive controls for precise sound shaping

  • Blend knob allows for a mix of clean and distorted signals

  • Low EQ knob helps retain low-end frequencies despite distortion

  • Wide range of sounds, compatible with various music genres

  • Provides clear, strong signals regardless of settings

  • Convenient dual-band EQ for easy tone sculpting

  • Can be used as a guitar pedal for unique tones

  • Offers a unique sound not easily replicated by other pedals

CONS

  • Knobs can be jumpy, making fine-tuning difficult

  • May produce unwanted noise when overdrive is high

  • Can boost output level too much, causing volume control issues

  • Harsher distortion may not suit all tastes

  • Some settings can sound synthetic or too artificial

  • Finding the right sound setting can be time-consuming

  • Battery drains quickly if not unplugged

  • Not the most versatile when used with other pedals

  • Tends to lose low-mids, affecting overall sound warmth

  • Some users find it more suitable for guitar than bass

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Boss ODB-3 Bass OverDrive.

Features and functionality

  • The blend knob incorporates too much drive early, potentially overpowering subtle overdrive desires.

    Source
  • It effectively boosts high-end frequencies, making it useful for brightening dark tones, such as those from a Big Muff pedal.

    Source
  • With the gain set low, the pedal provides a desirable drive sound, despite some describing higher gain settings as producing a "can of bees" effect.

    Source
  • The ODB-3, despite its overdrive label, is widely noted to function more effectively as a high-gain distortion pedal, particularly suitable for heavier music styles.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Combining with EHX Bass Big Muff enhances low-end boost, making it stand out in live mixes.

    Source
  • The ODB-3 is praised for its performance on both bass and guitar, offering a powerful fuzz effect and acting as a boosting preamp for other drives.

    Source
  • Noted for its compatibility with modulation effects, enhancing its versatility for users interested in complex soundscapes.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Wampler mods are suggested to tackle high-end harshness and excessive gain issues, improving overall pedal usability.

    Source
  • Some users express interest in modding the ODB-3 to improve its sound, using it as a test model for pedal modification experiments.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Noted as a top-performing option within its price range, despite not being the ultimate bass distortion pedal.

    Source
  • There are mixed opinions on its pricing; some believe $80 is high compared to the $40-$50 range it can be found at, especially considering its polarizing nature.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Joyo Ultimate Drive is mentioned as a preferred replacement, offering more practical tonal options for some users.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners appreciate its versatility, noting that it can inspire new musical ideas and writing when used on bass.

    Source
  • Described as especially useful with seven-string guitars, the ODB-3 delivers a pleasing drive sound when integrated into complex setups.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Owners suggest rolling off the bass volume to 25% and adjusting the pedal to Level @ 2, Lows @ 1, Highs @ 10, Balance @ 9, and Gain @ 10 for subtle breakup.

    Source
Add

4.0 out of 5

Based on 30 Reviews and 168 Ratings

5 star
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lost_in_reverb

King Buzzo

I bought it because of King Buzzo from Melvins,my guitar turned to a monster with this pedal,it sounds pretty good on a guitar to be honest,so fuzzy and heavy!

odonata

Not my type

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.

chona23

Great Overdrive bass

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

metal_messiah

Gnarley tones out of this bad boy

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.

rik_4gen7

first bass pedal

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.

carlos_guerra

Very decent bass overdrive

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.

jordan_windram

Fantastic for a slightly more aggressive tone

Used it for a dirty base tone, not as a huge distortion, fantastic use for it

From Gear Setup
pitchy

A good standard/starting point for bass overdrive

Standard bass overdrive used in merge effect loops with clean sound.

I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with this pedal, despite it remaining in my Bass setup. Works well with certain applications, but not in others (ie active bass)

pablo_prieto

Excelente

Estoy super conforme con este pedal me da el drive con distorsion que siempre quise muy Les y Flea,

bigbadtonewolfatlanta

Good for guitar, not bass

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

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Flea uses Boss ODB-3 Bass OverDrive

Flea

Bassist

Red Hot Chili Peppers

...
Verified via Photo

This photo of a Flea pedalboard reveals at one point he used the Boss ODB-3 Bass OverDrive pedal. More recent photos and videos of his pedal setup show this pedal is no longer used by him in a live setting (photo originally sourced from ratsound.com).

See how Davie504 uses Boss ODB-3 Bass OverDrive

Davie504

Bassist

...
Verified via YouTube

At 1:44 minute mark, Davie shows his Boss ODB-3 bass overdrive pedal.

See how Simon Gallup uses Boss ODB-3 Bass OverDrive

Simon Gallup

Bassist

The Cure

...
Verified via YouTube

During The Cure's performance of "Close To Me" at Vector Arena in Auckland on July 21, 2016, Simon Gallup used the Boss ODB-3 Bass OverDrive, as seen in the YouTube video by Joycy I.

See how Buzz Osborne (aka King Buzzo) uses Boss ODB-3 Bass OverDrive

Buzz Osborne (aka King Buzzo)

Singer, Guitarist

Melvins

...
Verified via Premierguitar

King Buzzo's pedalboard is sparse, but essential. It starts with a Boss TU-3 tuner before going into a Boss ODB-3 Bass OverDrive (which is always on), MXR Dyna Comp, a Jimi Hendrix 70th Anniversary Octavio Octave

See how Nate Mendel uses Boss ODB-3 Bass OverDrive

Nate Mendel

Bassist

Foo Fighters

...
Verified via Photo

During a live performance, Nate Mendel can be seen using a Boss ODB-3 Bass OverDrive pedal, identifiable by its distinctive color. This is confirmed by a user-uploaded photo.

See how Alex Webster uses Boss ODB-3 Bass OverDrive

Alex Webster

Bassist

Cannibal Corpse

...
Verified via Photo

BassPlayer.com interviewed Bassist and founding member of Cannibal Corpse and Blotted Science, Alex Webster around May of 2012. Among the items Alex lists as his gear at the time was a BOSS ODB-3 Bass Overdrive Pedal.

Source http://www.bassplayer.com/artists/1171/alex-webster-to-the-extreme/26685

See how Adam Clayton uses Boss ODB-3 Bass OverDrive

Adam Clayton

Bassist

U2

...
Verified via U2interference

Adam Clayton has been using the Boss ODB-3 Bass OverDrive pedal intermittently for years, as discussed in the U2interference forum thread titled "Adam's Bass Effect."

See how Andy Bell uses Boss ODB-3 Bass OverDrive

Andy Bell

Guitarist, Bassist

Oasis

...
Verified via Photo

Andy Bell is confirmed to use the Boss ODB-3 Bass OverDrive, as evidenced by a photo he shared on his Instagram account (@andybebop) on September 6, 2025. The image, tagged with @davew80, showcases his gear and includes the Boss ODB-3 Bass OverDrive pedal.

See how Deryck Whibley uses Boss ODB-3 Bass OverDrive

Deryck Whibley

Singer, Guitarist

Sum 41

...
Verified via reverb.com

This Boss ODB-3 Bass Overdrive is owned by Deryck Whibley Of Sum 41

See how Fat Mike uses Boss ODB-3 Bass OverDrive

Fat Mike

Singer, Bassist

NOFX

...
Verified via Photo

In the provided photo, it is evident that Fat Mike uses the Boss ODB-3 Bass OverDrive pedal.

See how Ross MacDonald uses Boss ODB-3 Bass OverDrive

Ross MacDonald

Bassist

The 1975

...
Verified via TalkBass.com

"And finally Ross MacDonald of The 1975.

Boss tuner, Morley (volume or wah?), Empress Compressor, Boss OC-2, EHX Bass Micro Synth, Boss ODB-3, SansAmp Bass Driver DI, and a SansAmp Tri-AC."

See how Matt Freeman uses Boss ODB-3 Bass OverDrive

Matt Freeman

Bassist

Rancid

...
Verified via reverb.com

This Boss ODB-3 Bass Overdrive is Owned by Matt Freeman Of Rancid

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Boss ODB-3 Bass OverDrive, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Community setups

Show yours
alex_coma86

alex_coma86

Gear IQ 285

jeff_longo

jeff_longo

Gear IQ 250

jeff_longo

jeff_longo

Gear IQ 250

alex_coma86

alex_coma86

Gear IQ 285

jamesnotjim

jamesnotjim

Gear IQ 367

paw_marques

paw_marques

Gear IQ 124

alex_coma86

alex_coma86

Gear IQ 285

aravin_dhillon

aravin_dhillon

Gear IQ 1762

mamukagafrindashvili

mamukagafrindashvili

Gear IQ 279

kaindabassically

kaindabassically

Gear IQ 184

lou_pajarola

lou_pajarola

Gear IQ 166

wernerdejong

wernerdejong

Gear IQ 147

alex_coma86

alex_coma86

Gear IQ 285

N

nshane

Gear IQ 109

mamukagafrindashvili

mamukagafrindashvili

Gear IQ 279

mamukagafrindashvili

mamukagafrindashvili

Gear IQ 279

johnthunder

johnthunder

Gear IQ 85

lou_pajarola

lou_pajarola

Gear IQ 166

jeff_longo

jeff_longo

Gear IQ 250

jordan_windram

jordan_windram

Gear IQ 147

deadweirdo

deadweirdo

Gear IQ 240

4 alternative and related items for Boss ODB-3 Bass OverDrive, curated by the Equipboard community.

Boss SD-1 Super OverDrive

$59.00 - $69.99

similar sound

any good quality overdrive will do the trick, but is better whit a mix or balance control so you can add just a little amount of the OD to your signal path

Darkglass Electronics Microtubes B3K CMOS Bass Overdrive

$226.47 - $259.99

Vintage or Discontinued high-end alternative

The Darkglass B3K is a more modern and higher end version, although you may still prefer the boss!

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