NPD: Green Rhino (and OCD comparison)

[The Interceptor]

I scored a 2nd-hand Green Rhino this week. Hard to believe around these parts, but I've never had a Tube Screamer-type pedal, other than the Jekyll side of a J&H. So I figured it was time to test one out, and why not a true-bypass jobbie with big knobs and more options?

The comparison for me was my OCD (V4). I use the OCD with gain at about 9 o'clock. The OCD pedal must have a funny EQ; it doesn't have a mid hump, and it's kind of dark...but trebly. I find it great for rhythm work but a little lacking for single note stuff.

By comparison, the GR is darker and very smooth. Really good sustain for a lowish gain pedal too. So far I haven't tweaked the 100 Hz knob much but it can add so much bass that it gets a bit woofy.

Is it better than the OCD? Not necessarily, but it is different. For now I have the GR on the board and the OCD is taking a break.

 

[gibsonguitar1988]

Two different animals and two great pedals. I see the OCD on a ton of boards. I never understand why some people don't like it. It's the Tubescreamer of this generation. It's a classic. It's the best Crunch Box there is IMO for that Zeppelin type crunch and riffs.

I use both on my board. I use the Green Rhino for leads and blues, and the OCD for those Heartbreaker-type riffs and crunchy rhythm. There really is no better pedal than the OCD for that kind of stuff. That said, the OCD is a love/hate and polarizing pedal. Seems like with people there is no middle ground with that one, they either love it or hate it, I'm the former. That said, I prefer other pedals for leads but for rhythm it doesn't get any better than a v4 OCD.

I think both need a place on your board because one can't do both things, they are so different and you need both really. OCD for rhythm/base dirty tone and GR for leads/solos. The OCD is a flat EQ pedal with transparency and a lot of low end and brightness. The Rhino is midrangey (although it can be controlled by the small knobs on the MkII) and will help you cut through the mix better. You should try setting the OCD for the rhythm or base tone and putting it first, then put the Rhino after it and kick it on for a solo. I don't like the GR for rhythm, just like I don't like the OCD for lead. I like transparent pedals for rhythm, midhumped pedals for lead. I never understood using transparent pedals for lead or midrangey pedals for rhythm. I think in order to cut through everyone needs a TS type pedal for their solos. You want your rhythm to be transparent, and your solos to be cutting through. If you midboost your rhythm, it will be muddy and all muffled.

Just my views on using both pedals. I've used them for a couple years now and love them both. Don't get rid of the OCD just yet.

 

[AXXA]

Those 2 pedals should stack wonderfully. I love TS into OCD, both with lower gain. Give it a try!

 

[The Interceptor]

Two different animals and two great pedals. I see the OCD on a ton of boards. I never understand why some people don't like it. It's the Tubescreamer of this generation. It's a classic. It's the best Crunch Box there is IMO for that Zeppelin type crunch and riffs.

I use both on my board. I use the Green Rhino for leads and blues, and the OCD for those Heartbreaker-type riffs and crunchy rhythm. There really is no better pedal than the OCD for that kind of stuff. That said, the OCD is a love/hate and polarizing pedal. Seems like with people there is no middle ground with that one, they either love it or hate it, I'm the former. That said, I prefer other pedals for leads but for rhythm it doesn't get any better than a v4 OCD.

I think both need a place on your board because one can't do both things, they are so different and you need both really. OCD for rhythm/base dirty tone and GR for leads/solos. The OCD is a flat EQ pedal with transparency and a lot of low end and brightness. The Rhino is midrangey (although it can be controlled by the small knobs on the MkII) and will help you cut through the mix better. You should try setting the OCD for the rhythm or base tone and putting it first, then put the Rhino after it and kick it on for a solo. I don't like the GR for rhythm, just like I don't like the OCD for lead. I like transparent pedals for rhythm, midhumped pedals for lead. I never understood using transparent pedals for lead or midrangey pedals for rhythm. I think in order to cut through everyone needs a TS type pedal for their solos. You want your rhythm to be transparent, and your solos to be cutting through. If you midboost your rhythm, it will be muddy and all muffled.

Just my views on using both pedals. I've used them for a couple years now and love them both. Don't get rid of the OCD just yet.

Agree with all of your comments, especially with respect to rhythm vs lead. Not sure I want to run 2 x overdrives on my pedal board though; I already run 2 x distortions plus a fuzz and that seems a bit of overkill already. I have a couple of fuzzes that I like, so I just periodically swap them out. Might be like that for the overdrive too.

Don't worry, the OCD won't be sold.

 

[dysorexia]

I never liked the OCD. Was my first boutique pedal and just about every pedal I've tried since has done the job better.

 

[Eclipseall]

I agree that the OCD is very love/hate with everyone. I love it. I play metal and I use it as a boost for higher gain pedals for leads. Its definitely great for that, I also have a couple of TS pedals that sound different and sit perfectly along side the OCD. As for it being tht best pedal for Zeppelin like stuff....it definitely is. Everytime I use it for more rock type tones...I have to play Custrard Pie.

 

[harpinon]

I run mine right after a Barber 1/2 gainer (always on) set pretty low on the gain and it is massive sounding. The tone is very fuzz-like, but warm and so smooth. I have to keep the gain nearly at zero or it sounds like stacked muffs.
Personally I LOVE the thing this way. Alone, its still pretty good, though.

 

[angrytroll]

aren't rhinosz grey & not green?

 

[The Interceptor]

Ok, so I've done a few days of testing and then I tried the OCD again. The OCD doesn't have the sustain or the smoothness of the Green Rhino, but for me it is EQ'd nicer. The GR is too muddy to use with the neck pickup on my Les Paul. I tried the OCD on my Strat, thinking it would sound a bit thin compared to the GR, but not so.

Yet again the OCD has taken down another challenger. I give it plenty of opportunities to leave the board but it always comes back.