Bob, I've been toying with the idea of an octave pedal for several years now. I've tried out several but haven't found one that I liked. If I can find one that has the sound I like I could deal with how it works. If I have to play a low note and let it add a higher octave that would be okay. If I have to play the higher note and let it add the lower, still okay. Whatever would get a pretty good octave with a decent sound, I'll work with it. I know I will not suddenly have an 8-string Alembic but I was hoping for more than I have seen so far.
There are two things I have not been happy with. First is that the ones I have tried color the tone too much. It sounds a bit like a synth bass, pretty distorted. It doesn't sound bad but I didn't buy an Alembic so I could color the tone beyond recognition. Second is that sometimes it added in another note like a fifth. I play lots of non-root notes. If the octave effect plays the I-VI-octave, that doesn't work at all.
I don't live near a good music store. I don't often have the opportunity to try these out. When I do I usually have the family with me. I don't put them through sitting for an hour of listening to me play the same thing over and over. I usually end up experimenting with the effect myself because the stores are GC-type places. The clerk can just plug the thing in and stand there and say Sounds pretty cool, huh? That's about all the help I've been able to get. I still consider myself in the market for an octave if there's one out there that will do what I want.
Bob, I would love to hear some on-off comparisons of the POG. I'm glad you like it. Thanks for mentioning that it sounds good in the band even though it doesn't sound that great solo. That's very usable info for me since I have only heard them solo. Thanks.
Rich
