How does a Fulltone OCD compare to an Ibanez TS808?

In my opinion, it kicks it ass... ;)

Very different pedals. OCD is more amp-like, and tube like. TS808, and similar pedals, have that op-amp flavor going on.

Are you thinking of replacing your TS?
 
They aren't a fair comparison, since they are the same purpose at all. I'd use the OCD as a distortion box in front of a clean / semi-clean amp to add gain, and lots of it!

The TS808 is more of a boost / overdrive / something to "push" an amp even more. I've owned a OCD, and it's a really cool pedal. Since you are probably going to use it to push your rebel in a clean setting, it would be really cool. If you looking for something to push an amp more, then the TS808 / Sparkle Drive / TS9, etc. is the way to go.

Totally different uses / purposes for the pedals. It's like comparing a metalzone to a boss overdrive pedal...totally different purposes for those pedals. I think you'd be best served having both!
 
The OCD is a drive pedal, it stands for Obsessive Compulsive Drive, which was meant as joke towards all the guys that make huge deals out of the TS pedals. It's not really meant to be a distortion box, but the chip Mike used has the capability to go into distortion and not just drive. In my opinion, the OCD is everything a TS wants to be. More sensitive, better tone, cleans up better, drives better, eq's better, it's just better all around. Another cool thing is the gain is fluid and usable along it's entire travel, unlike a TS which sounds good in about 2 spots. Working right along with that, one of the coolest things is the HP/LP switch, which allows you to use it as a mid-bump TS style pedal, or even more of a flat clean pedal. I love that because some songs need that TS saturation and some songs need just a boost. You just gotta remember to readjust before you start the song.. Or buy two OCD's.
 
Well. I've got my TS808 Reissue (stock). It's the last thing I need to look at in my full pedalboard updgrade.

The main things is that I need to make it True-bypass. I do love the pedal. But, I was questioning the expense of modding it to TB, or finding something that's already TB, that sounds just as good, or even better. I want it as an OD, not distortion. I have a Keeley Modded Rat 2 for that, and obviously amp distortion too. -D
 
Just replaced my modded TS-9 with an OCD about 2 weeks ago. Really is hard to compare the two pedals in some respects. The TS does one thing really well while the OCD does about 5 things really well. The TS was great at pushing an amp, especially my Rebel but the thing that drove me nuts was the lack of bottom. IMO it's somewhat comical that they come with a tone knob because they don't seem to really to have any spectrum...it's either treble or more treble which is obviously one of the reasons they're frequently modded. What sold me on the OCD is it's versatility. The drive knob can give you that push OR if you want to use it as a more of a distortion box, you can flip the switch and crank the drive for a really nice fuzzy type high gain. The tone knob actually functions, unlike the TS if you roll it back you can get more bottom if you want it which is really helpful if you're playing SC Pups. Finally the thing that is most impressive to my ears is the dynamic response of the OCD. If you back off your attack or your volume knob you it cleans up really nice and converely if you dig in to the string a little more you'll get that extra bite and some great harmonic overtones.
 
aeroic":3c18vq8a said:
They aren't a fair comparison, since they are the same purpose at all. I'd use the OCD as a distortion box in front of a clean / semi-clean amp to add gain, and lots of it!

The TS808 is more of a boost / overdrive / something to "push" an amp even more. I've owned a OCD, and it's a really cool pedal. Since you are probably going to use it to push your rebel in a clean setting, it would be really cool. If you looking for something to push an amp more, then the TS808 / Sparkle Drive / TS9, etc. is the way to go.

Totally different uses / purposes for the pedals. It's like comparing a metalzone to a boss overdrive pedal...totally different purposes for those pedals. I think you'd be best served having both!
Click to expand...

What he said... :lol: :LOL:
 
Well, I went to pick up a wah today... I'll say what it is soon, in the thread I have about changing wahs...

viewtopic.php?f=26&t=43182

But, while I was there, I tried the OCD. I tried it through a Lonestar they had at the shop. It gave me a good idea of the pedals sounds, since I own a Lonestar as well.

So.. Having said that, I'm going to compare it to the TS through my Rebel and through my LS, and post the results. In the end, I'm not keeping both. One will have to go! So, we'll see who wins! :thumbsup:
 
btw.

(personal opinion here) don't get the sparkle drive.. spend a 20 or 30 more bones, get the TIMMY, which is identical and support Paul, the man who invented it. :) the sparkle has cheaper switches too...

both would be good :) i have a TS 808 (maxon) now.. but hope to get a TIM in the coming year- and then an OCD down the road...
 
I have owned an OCD V-2 for about 3-4 years now. I like it so much that I may even try version 4 and run them for separate purposes. I used to use a Maxon Pro TS which was a great pedal but that was easily replaced by my BB Preamp :thumbsup:

I think you will end up keeping the OCD.
 
just echoing what's been said... they are 2 different pedals. I love my OCD because it maintains the tone of the guitar and amp, but pushes it harder (more harmonics and drive) - very transparent. Every TS changes the tone, in addition to adding drive. IMHO, the best thing about any TS is the pronounced mid-hump - which is somethimes desired (ie: Stevie Ray), sometimes not. OCD won't do that, nor will any TS I've ever played do what the OCD does...

OCD is my go to pedal for "just a little more", although I don't need it much with my MOD-50. OCD all the way!
 
Ok, then to point out what Finnster said... If the OCD is great, but it's really much different than a TS. Let's add the BB Preamp to the equation.

How's does the BB preamp compare to the OCD and the TS808? Is it more like the TS, or more like the OCD? Or neither?

The BB Preamp has an interesting name... But, it's too vague and general. A preamp (by definition) can do many different things, or produce many different results depending on which one it is. By this, I mean microphone preamps, recording preamps, guitar amp internal preamps, etc.
 
Kiteboarder":mv07enuk said:
Ok, then to point out what Finnster said... If the OCD is great, but it's really much different than a TS. Let's add the BB Preamp to the equation.

How's does the BB preamp compare to the OCD and the TS808? Is it more like the TS, or more like the OCD? Or neither?

The BB Preamp has an interesting name... But, it's too vague and general. A preamp (by definition) can do many different things, or produce many different results depending on which one it is. By this, I mean microphone preamps, recording preamps, guitar amp internal preamps, etc.
Click to expand...

I've owned all three.

I like the BB preamp for more of a distortion box to drive low to mid gain modules in my rigs the most (BMAN, DLX, COD, EG3/4). I'm not a fan of using them as much on top of high gain like the SL2, EG5, etc. I like using the TS to boost mostly. Or a sparkle drive too. I personally am in LOVE with the sparkle drive. I've owned one for at least 5 years, and it is the ONLY pedal that I have NEVER taken off of my pedal board!!! I use it more for boosts, for solos...to add a bit more punch to a tone, etc. What I like about the SD, is that is has a "clean" function that will allow you to mix pedal into your tone. That will help get rid of the "i lose my low end" issues that a normal TS9 or 808 has.

The OCD for me was a killer pedal that I used to overdrive (with a fair amount of gain mind you) a clean / low-gain tone. Killer marshall feel. But, after I got a modular preamp, I really never used it anymore. I wanted a good distortion style box and a good pedal to push the amp like a TS does. I really like the TS / SD for pushing the EG3/4 for soloing. I run the gain at about 10-11 oclock, tone at 9-10 oclock, clean at 8-9 oclock, and the Volume pretty much at 3-dimed. That really helps "fit the solo" into a mix more, and cut it through the mix with a bit less low end so it doesn't get muddied up, and a bit more mids to cut through even more.

Eric
 
Well, I finally had some time today to try the OCD and A/B it with the TS808. Well, you guys are right. They are totally different pedals. It's not a fair comparison.

Honestly, the OCD cannot replace my TS. I'll keep messing about with the settings and see, but so far, it seems I'm simply going to have to mod the TS to true-bypass, and keep it. The one thing I absolutely love about the TS is how smooth it plays full open chords. Most other pedals make full open chords sound too hairy.

For my music, I have some songs that require overdriven full open chords. At some points during the song I'll switch to more saturated distortion and power chords. I have yet to try a pedal that plays open chords as nicely as my TS. A great example of this is my song "Favor for You" on my myspace. That songs uses the TS in all the choruses.

I have a Keeley modded Rat 2. This pedal is much more like the OCD. Actually, although different, they are more or less in the same camp. The Rat is a bit hairier though. The OCD is a bit more controlled although it's still a bit fuzzy. The OCD is also more tight at higher distortion than the Keeley RAT 2.

What started as a shootout between the TS808 and OCD, turned into a fight between the OCD and the Rat 2.

Hmmmm... I'm thinking of starting a fight between the TS and a BB preamp now! Oh GAS!!! :D

Oh, by the way... There is no distortion out of any of my pedals, or any of my amps that I like more than the distortion of my Rebel 20.

That said, if there is an amp that can give me the cleans of my Lonestar along with the distortion of my Rebel, I might just have to sell everything to get it. Now, I know you guys are thinking (MOD). But, I'm serious, the clean tones of my LS are hard to reproduce. I admit I haven't tried a MOD yet... though. Hmmmm
 
You should really give the Mod series a try man. With all the modules that eggie has, and the talent around like Dave Freidman, Salvation mods, Pete's modifications..etc etc....You should be able to get what you want.

Best cleans I have had to date are w/ my M4 / VHT 2/90/2 or my Mod50.

I wouldn't have moved 100% to the modular series if I could get the tones I wanted with them. Best tone out there hands down, with the most flexibility.

On the TS / BB deal. I think the BB has more tones similar to the OCD vs a TS808 / SD. The BB can have a lot more "hair" to it than a TS808, and a lot more gain on tap. The EQ settings are VERY diverse with it. I run my BB at 9 oclock gain, 11 oclock volume, 10 oclock treble, and 1 oclock bass. I use it on my low - mid gain modules, and it's awesome! I tend to like my SD on the higher gain modules more, since those have enough "hair" :)

Eric
 
Hey, I've really been enjoying playing the OCD! I gotta be honest, I've been looking for any excuse to take it back to the shop. But so far, I'm enjoying it so much that I've been using it every day.

Like I said, it can't replace the TS808, so I'm going to have to send that one to Keeley to have it modded to True-Bypass.

So far, I'm pretty sure that when I show the upcoming photos of my new pedalboard, the OCD will be in it! -Danny :rock:
 
Kiteboarder":2w9xdczr said:
...That said, if there is an amp that can give me the cleans of my Lonestar along with the distortion of my Rebel,...
Click to expand...

I was listening to clips of the Egnater Renegade, sounds like it may do both?
 
rsm":2fz88rkl said:
Kiteboarder":2fz88rkl said:
...That said, if there is an amp that can give me the cleans of my Lonestar along with the distortion of my Rebel,...
Click to expand...

I was listening to clips of the Egnater Renegade, sounds like it may do both?
Click to expand...

Well, I'm 100% sure it can give me the distortion of the Rebel, and maybe even better. As far as the Lonestar, I don't know man. There's just something magical about the cleans in the LS. The only what to be able to tell is playing it when it arrives. There's not way I'll be able to tell through a vid.

The Lonestar's "magic" is not just in the sound. The feel of the amp is amazing. Plus, moving some knobs around you can change the feel quite dramatically. I've yet to play an amp that can do that like that. But, then again, there are many, many amps I haven't tried yet.

But on the other hand, while it has a good drive channel (and mine is modded to be better), it falls short of the distortion I can get out of my Rebel. Thus the experimentation with pedals. Apart from the fact, that the Rebel has only one channel and pedals can come quite handy with it too.
 
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