Crunch Box or OCD for dirty solos?

[chrisrbr]

The title kind of states the question. I have a couple clean boosts. But would like to step on something to add some volume to cut through for solos, along with adding some harmonics and dirt. From what I read the OCD may be more touch sensitive?
CB may lack bottom? don't want to answer my own question.
Not looking for a fuzz---yet. not what I need.
I play the typical party rock at clubs - 80's to present type stuff to give you an idea.

thanks for any ideas.

[mgarrison99]

chrisrbr,
I have both boxes and find myself fighting over which tones are best for different songs. The Crunch Box is a great "set it and forget it" box to get some cool hard rock rhythms (think AC/DC or Buckcherry). The OCD has a definite bass boost but it is very versatile with the toggle switch and settings. Probably more so than the Crunch Box. You could probably tweak it to give your amp (or the Crunch Box), more balls for your solos.

My setup is an OCD (for soloing) -> Blues Pro (mild crunch) -> Crunch Box (heavy rhythm/) -> Marshall Guvnor Plus (for scooped hairmetal). Plus my amp lead channel (Carvin Bel Air with hasselr mod), gives me 5 ODs/Distortions! Talk about being indecisive!

Good luck!

[cameron]

I think both the Crunchbox and the OCD are better suited for giving you a crunch rhythm sound than as a boost for solos.

If you're getting your rhythm sound from your amp and you want to stomp on something to fatten up your sound for solos, you're probably better off with something in a Tube Screamer vein. Many fine variants of that classic design are available.

A treble booster type pedal might also be a good choice.

[FLYING V 83]

MI Blues Pro would be a better soloing pedal.

[chrisrbr]

Actually I use a FD2 mosfet for light to med OD rythm. wanted to put a CB or OCD after it for the solo boost. I play my tube amp clean, but just near the break-up point.

[Keith SIO]

Crunch Box > a light/medium OD (mule) is a great soling tone. So I doubt crunch box is what you need if you are running the FD2 as your main rythm tone to be boosted for solos. Look into the tone factor cream pie deluxe or any booster maybe?

[mgarrison99]

I heard the AC Booster is a fantastic Tube Screamer with more bass. Can't go wrong with folks like EJ endorsing it!

[jezzzz2003]

The CB excels at both rhythm and lead if you ask me, I dont use anything else so thats gotta say something, I was an excentric pedal slut before I had my CB, always looking for the perfect lead pedal, this is it for me.

Id tried stacking many different combos, as well as individual O/D's, too many to mention.

If you think EVH then youre on the right track.

[astigtigas]

is MI Audio Crunch Box true bypass?

[Last Nerve]

Yes.

Since everyone mentions EVH with the Crunchbox, does anyone get those same tones out of the OCD?

[astigtigas]

thanks Last Nerve

[Waxhead]

I use an FD2 Mosfet before a Crunchbox > Mesa amp.

The CB will give you a great rhythm or lead tone if you want that cranked marshall tone. If you want a different type of distortion - don't get a CB - simple. My Mesa covers American distortion tones better than any pedal ever could. Listen to the clips posted here recently by PJH to hear how good the CB is for crunch marshall tones - both lead & rhythm.

Likewise the FD2 is great both as a rhythm and solo pedal for a very different set of OD tones. The two pedals are totally different and mutually very complementary IMHO.

On the bypass issue - there's no official info on that from MI Audio but I can report I've heard zero tone suck on my amp when I put the CB in line.