BOSS ODB-3 Mod

Before the Mod, the ODB-3 was noisy as heck... mix control was very "touchy" and couldn't get my bottom end back (Bass EQ is the first FX in my chain)unless BYPASS... Nor was there any impressive amount of sustain/gain (nothing worth TONE-SUCKING and level drop!) After the Mod: Tons of Gain!, EQ is USEABLE, more variety of over-drive/distortion sounds, sustain up the ying yang, and best pedal I've ever used for achieving the Metal-Edge Harmonic Overtones on Bass guitar. I sampled the tone both on ART Nightbass SE Pre-Amp/headphones and also with a Vintage Ampeg B-15 Head with Hartke 4X10 XL Halfstack Bottom. Tone was similar with solid state as it was with real tubes (that don't distort easily). Bass guitars: Fender Musicmaster Fretless with Active Bartolini, G&L L2000 with Active, 5-String Fender Jazz with Passive Pickups.

It's a BOSS, but with all the "cheap stuff" gutted... I trust it even more... No B.U.

Having the Mod Service performed was simple! Go to ebay.com, search on pedalhacker  If you don't see a mod available, go to his online store or send an inquiry- Send him the pedal, he performs electronic "miracles" on it and sends it back (usually within the week and super fast shipping)- You can ask for certain "customizations" to your specs (not too many others will give you this type of "tailor made" service) He even accepts Pay Pal as payment. Before the Mod, I was ready to get rid of it in a bad way... I spent hours trying to dial in a "usable" tone for myself- all to no avail... It didn't seem to rank as an overdrive or a distortion in my opinion.. More like a NOISEY, tone-sucking fuzzbox, with loss of bottom end (and nothing pleasing to the ears...) After the th MOD- Holy Crap!, Sounds like a dam Vintage SVT in a huge concert hall (as if you can feel the warmth coming off the tubes- only it doesn't weigh as much as a Buick!). It took a little patience in getting the sound I wanted, but before the Mod, the pedal didn't have a chance in my book...  I found that it is easy to dial-in lots of BALL-CRUSHING BASS if you use a Bass with Active Pickups or  a clean Compressor/Sustainer in front of the pedal.

Pedalhacker (Mike) is an AWESOME dude... very personable and very honest, he is very gifted in what he does and very accommodating in the area of customer service...  I could tell in my dealings with him (both Live and via e-mails), it was his PASSION... Not about the $$ but what he truly enjoys doing.  Coming up with new customizations is what he thrives on, I've returned stuff to him to that wasn't exactly what I was looking for and he was happy to "comply" (of course I felt compelled to compensate him for his valuable time, even though he never demanded) These are the types of people you want to stay in this type of business- Please Support Him!

I would consider myself a Veteran Musician with lots of experience. I play out live and some studio work- Styles vary from Modern Rock, Funk, Jazz, Classic Rock Heavy, R&B, Blues... I think this effect works awesome for Classic 70's Funk and Rock, as well as a unique effect for some Modern Rock pieces. It seems most certainly useable for a Thick Rock-n-Roll distortion, but cranked FULL, it is the Ultimate Metal Shredder (but not CHEEZY). I've identified some of Flea's tonal "tricks" in using this pedal (after Modding anyhow) Think DEEP PURPLE "SMOKE ON THE WATER" and you can get it !! Pedalhacker (Mike) is one of the most honest, hard working innovators in this area of "Modding". Not only is he very knowledgeable in what he does, he takes pride in his work but open to feedback and very accommodating. He has excellent support skills, and very personable... In addition, I feel he charges a very modest fee for the results of his efforts, and stands behind his work... Many thanks goes out to him, and I want to share my gratitude with others- which is the whole reason I am submitting this review!!