Who makes the best Colorsound Overdriver (clone)?

Discussion in 'Effects, Pedals, Strings & Things' started by cajone5, Jan 30, 2012.

Page 1 of 3
  1. Jan 30, 2012 #1
    cajone5

    cajone5 Some guy Silver Supporting Member

    Messages:
    2,732
    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2009
    Location:
    Portland, OR
    I know there are reissues and clones out there but I'm curious if anyone has really put them through their paces and found that something stood head and shoulders above the rest. I have played the reissue and sonically it was pretty fantastic although I sold it for a few reasons...

    1. Enclosure was too large to remain pedalboard friendly
    2. Didn't like the reversed in/out jacks
    3. Unity (or close) volume was impossible with the drive knob maxed into that awesome fuzzy OD territory
    4. Only operates on battery

    So I'm looking for something smaller and more pedalboard friendly with a 9v power port and the ability to hit unity on the master volume even with the drive knob maxed.

    Any thoughts or recommendations? :munch
     
    cajone5, Jan 30, 2012
    cajone5, Jan 30, 2012
    #1
  2. Jan 30, 2012 #2
    dysorexia

    dysorexia Senior Member

    Messages:
    2,576
    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2010
    I like the Black Forest.
     
    dysorexia, Jan 30, 2012
    dysorexia, Jan 30, 2012
    #2
    Custom50 likes this.
  3. Jan 30, 2012 #3
    Sun Creature

    Sun Creature Supporting Member

    Messages:
    1,384
    Joined:
    Feb 16, 2011
    Location:
    In between places
    +1, heard nothing but great things about the Black Forest. Plus it seems slightly more versatile than the original Coloursound OD.
     
    Sun Creature, Jan 30, 2012
    Sun Creature, Jan 30, 2012
    #3
  4. Jan 30, 2012 #4
    cajone5

    cajone5 Some guy Silver Supporting Member

    Messages:
    2,732
    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2009
    Location:
    Portland, OR
    Cool -- listening to the PGS clip now :phones -- sounds great as a fuzz but does anyone know if the pedal can still be used as a fattening EQ/boost like the original? That's probably how it would be used by me 70% of the time so that tone is also very important.
     
    cajone5, Jan 30, 2012
    cajone5, Jan 30, 2012
    #4
  5. Jan 30, 2012 #5
    cj_wattage

    cj_wattage Vendor

    Messages:
    6,473
    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2008
    Location:
    Hopatcong, NJ
    The Black Forest can do the almost-clean big boost thing pretty well. It's remarkably dynamic.
     
    cj_wattage, Jan 30, 2012
    cj_wattage, Jan 30, 2012
    #5
  6. Jan 30, 2012 #6
    PlexiFuzz

    PlexiFuzz I know karate. Voodoo, too.

    Messages:
    8,723
    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2005
    I recently had the opportunity to spend some time with Basic Audio Futureman, and I thought it truly excelled using it the way you describe. I loved it as a fattening/EQ boost that could also add some fuzzy hair if needed. I played it into my Fargen, which was running variously on the edge of breakup, dirty, and really dirty. Would love to check out a Black Forest at some point.
     
    PlexiFuzz, Jan 30, 2012
    PlexiFuzz, Jan 30, 2012
    #6
  7. Jan 30, 2012 #7
    lux_interior

    lux_interior Member

    Messages:
    5,387
    Joined:
    Aug 5, 2008
    Location:
    Somewhere between heaven and hell
    Ι haven't done lots of research on it, but I think that the Black Forest only has the Overdriver as a starting point for the circuit, and is not meant as a reproduction. Maybe the Throbak accomplishes this better (http://www.throbak.com/2006/11/overdrive_boost.html). Lots of past TGP threads on the same Overdriver clones subject with very useful info.
     
    lux_interior, Jan 30, 2012
    lux_interior, Jan 30, 2012
    #7
    krz4fx likes this.
  8. Jan 30, 2012 #8
    Rumblefish

    Rumblefish Silver Supporting Member

    Messages:
    2,697
    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2006
    Location:
    N. texas
    Gtr Player mag did a shootout and the Prescription Elec. RX Overdriver won.I used to have a colorsound and I like my RX a lot more.
     
    Rumblefish, Jan 30, 2012
    Rumblefish, Jan 30, 2012
    #8
    James likes this.
  9. Jan 30, 2012 #9
    cubistguitar

    cubistguitar Member

    Messages:
    5,336
    Joined:
    Mar 22, 2009
    Location:
    Augusta GA
    I have the Throbak Overdrive Boost, really like it for fattening and lead breaks, you can dial in how much it will break up too, very nice. I am quite interested in the Black Forest, it looks super good, very smart re-think of the circuit.
     
    cubistguitar, Jan 30, 2012
    cubistguitar, Jan 30, 2012
    #9
  10. Jan 30, 2012 #10
    Devin

    Devin Low Voltage Supporting Member

    Messages:
    3,191
    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2010
    Location:
    Pittsburgh
    monsterpiece COD !!! i have it and it is my favorite (and only) boost.
     
    Devin, Jan 30, 2012
    Devin, Jan 30, 2012
    #10
  11. Jan 30, 2012 #11
    cuz/karl

    cuz/karl Supporting Member

    Messages:
    2,704
    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2004
    Location:
    detroit
    This^^^^I had the Throbak,I liked the Rx MUCH better.
     
    cuz/karl, Jan 30, 2012
    cuz/karl, Jan 30, 2012
    #11
  12. Jan 30, 2012 #12
    cubistguitar

    cubistguitar Member

    Messages:
    5,336
    Joined:
    Mar 22, 2009
    Location:
    Augusta GA
    how does the Rx compare to the throbak?? very curious
     
    cubistguitar, Jan 30, 2012
    cubistguitar, Jan 30, 2012
    #12
  13. Jan 30, 2012 #13
    cuz/karl

    cuz/karl Supporting Member

    Messages:
    2,704
    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2004
    Location:
    detroit
    Wish I could be more specific but I never had them at the same time for direct comparison but I do remember being on the fence about the Throbak and ultimately sold it cuz I just wasnt stepping on it.Then I came across a deal on an old purfboard area Rx and was instantly stoked about it right out of the gate.Been quite a while now and still love it.I do recall liking the EQ'ing better + the overall gain sound was better,exactly how eludes me.
     
    cuz/karl, Jan 30, 2012
    cuz/karl, Jan 30, 2012
    #13
  14. Jan 30, 2012 #14
    cpricecpa

    cpricecpa Member

    Messages:
    612
    Joined:
    May 13, 2008
    Location:
    Eastern NC
    Check out a Wilson BC109. I have one. Nice unit.

     
    cpricecpa, Jan 30, 2012
    cpricecpa, Jan 30, 2012
    #14
  15. Jan 30, 2012 #15
    wundergussy

    wundergussy Member

    Messages:
    9,543
    Joined:
    Jun 3, 2010
    Location:
    Portland OR
    This
     
    wundergussy, Jan 30, 2012
    wundergussy, Jan 30, 2012
    #15
  16. Jan 30, 2012 #16
    Black Arts Mark

    Black Arts Mark Member

    Messages:
    199
    Joined:
    Apr 11, 2010
    Location:
    Shrine of the Holy Tone, Chattanooga TN
    Thanks for the good words.
    The Black Forest is indeed based on the CS OD. I changed a few values to make it work better to my ears, and the added 6 way rotary switch can set the amt. lows/woolyness/woof you want in the circuit. From thin and crunchy to a halfcocked wah type of setting to a completely bottom heavy wooly fuzz. If you are looking for a faithful CS OD circuit, you'll find something close, but this is a bit more of a versatile modern take on it.
     
    Black Arts Mark, Jan 30, 2012
    Black Arts Mark, Jan 30, 2012
    #16
  17. Jan 30, 2012 #17
    cajone5

    cajone5 Some guy Silver Supporting Member

    Messages:
    2,732
    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2009
    Location:
    Portland, OR
    Sounds like the Rx might be what I'm looking for -- I've got a WTB ad in the emporium at the moment so hopefully that pans out :aok
     
    cajone5, Jan 30, 2012
    cajone5, Jan 30, 2012
    #17
  18. Jan 30, 2012 #18
    imguitardan

    imguitardan Member

    Messages:
    3,780
    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2007
    Location:
    Columbus, OH
    Check out the Basic Audio Futureman.
     
    imguitardan, Jan 30, 2012
    imguitardan, Jan 30, 2012
    #18
  19. Jan 30, 2012 #19
    cajone5

    cajone5 Some guy Silver Supporting Member

    Messages:
    2,732
    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2009
    Location:
    Portland, OR
    I totally dig the basic audio stuff but it seems like that pedal (from the demos anyway) doesn't do the same fattening eq'd clean boost that the original overdriver does. It does a great job at the fuzzy OD stuff but doesn't seem to have the clean range on the drive knob.
     
    cajone5, Jan 30, 2012
    cajone5, Jan 30, 2012
    #19
  20. Jan 30, 2012 #20
    meterman

    meterman Member

    Messages:
    7,407
    Joined:
    Jun 24, 2002
    Location:
    ATL
    I've been curious about that pedal for a long time, I have their Germ and it is a really sweet clean boost and fuzzy overdrive as well.
     
    meterman, Jan 30, 2012
    meterman, Jan 30, 2012
    #20
Page 1 of 3

Share This Page