BB Preamp/Timmy combo alternative

[Telecaster Riot]

Hey y'all,

long time listener, first time caller...

I'm playing a Tele into a plexi(ish) Marshall clone and my pedals are:

TU-2 -> BB Preamp (AT) -> Timmy -> OD-9-> Carbon Copy -> DD-3.

I love the BB Preamp and the Timmy and I use them as always on pedals both on low gain settings and occasionally the OD-9 for leads.

Now I need some help for a backup pedalboard I'm planning on, one that I can leave at my friend's house for a few days without worrying too much about the dog getting sick on it or all kinds of abuse...
I have most of the replacements figured out but I need some help with the drive section. For leads an SD-1 will replace the OD-9 but I'm struggling with the BB/Timmy combo.

Now keep in mind I'm not looking for exact replicas or cheaper clones, but two pedals that work well together, same ballpark, same kind of vibe/sound and fun when stacked together.

Any help is much appreciated!

 

[blowtorch]

The Mosky is great

so is the danelectro timmy clone

I get you're not asking for clones, but there ya have it, anyway

 

[D_Malone]

There are other pedals that sound like the BB and Timmy, but what’s the point if you like them? I don’t understand.

The BB and MXR Timmy are both affordable used. Why not just get those?

 

[Telecaster Riot]

Sure, the MXR Timmy is the obvious choice but I somehow just don't like the idea of having the exact same copies and was wondering if maybe i'm missing out on something... also I'm not the biggest fan of mini pedals even though with always on pedals it should make no difference, I know...

 

[trandy9850]

There are other pedals that sound like the BB and Timmy, but what’s the point if you like them? I don’t understand.

The BB and MXR Timmy are both affordable used. Why not just get those?

This.

I have been using a BB Preamp for over 10 years…it’s a great pedal.

 

[ahiddentableau]

Timmy is really flat in terms of its EQ profile. The BB is so versatile with its active EQ thing that it's hard to recommend something there without knowing how you set it. Do you set it up like a treble booster? Do you keep it flat as well?

I like the Timmy a lot. For the flat gain thing it's pretty much the best circuit IMO.

 

[blowtorch]

it's weird, I've never gotten the timmy.
usually with most of these highly acclaimed circuits, at some point the light bulb goes off for me and it all makes perfect sense- notso with that one

 

[Telecaster Riot]

Timmy is really flat in terms of its EQ profile. The BB is so versatile with its active EQ thing that it's hard to recommend something there without knowing how you set it. Do you set it up like a treble booster? Do you keep it flat as well?

I like the Timmy a lot. For the flat gain thing it's pretty much the best circuit IMO.

Settings on the BB preamp vary depending on the situation, but mostly and especially when playing through my own rig:
volume around 12 o 'clock
gain around 9 o'clock
treble between 12 and 1 o'clock
bass between 11 and 12 o'clock

Timmy (and these setting almost never change)
toggle switch in the middle
gain and volume always in the same position, mostly around 10 o'clock
bass 12 o'clock
treble 9 o 'clock

So the BB does the "heavy" lifting if you will, while the Timmy just adds a slight boost with something extra that is really hard to describe for me. Maybe letting some upper mids shine through while filtering out more of the other frequencies? I'm not a very tech savvy guy so I'd rather call it magical haha!

Again, the pedals don't alter my tone in a drastic way, just a bit of compression/distortion but they seem to filter out some of the unwanted frequencies resulting in nice string seperation when playing chord stuff and a super dynamic sound that goes from a nice clean(ish) sound when playing soft to a really nice honky bite when digging in harder...

The danelectro mentioned might be what I'm looking for but where I live it's very hard get hold of one, I could buy one used but I'm looking for pedals that are readily available so I can test them before buying.
I think the SD-1 is a good reference point. It's very similar to the OD-9 (at least the way I use it) just as awesome but a bit cheaper and easy to replace if something goes wrong. This is how this whole idea started...

Over the years I've played other drive pedals (Rat, SD-1, OCD, Bluesbreaker, Klone-style pedals,...) but as far as I can remember nothing came close to the BB/Timmy situation so yes I might be very well end up with another BB (maybe the standard version) and the MXR Timmy but I really would like to find out if there are other pedals out there that I don't know about or forgot about that do (almost) the same thing.

 

[ClashCityTele]

Caline Orange Burst & Pure Sky.
Check this...

 

[Lorenz1973]

The Xotic BB circuit is really close to a Tube screamer, apart from the effective active eq section. So you can replace it with one of the million Tube Screamer based stompboxes.

About the Timmy, the EQD Westwood is an excellent replacement, but not cheap. Maybe is easier find a Timmy clone like Caline pure sky

 

[omahaaudio]

About the Timmy, the EQD Westwood is an excellent replacement, but not cheap. Maybe is easier find a Timmy clone like Caline pure sky

MXR® TIMMY® OVERDRIVE

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[Telecaster Riot]

The Xotic BB circuit is really close to a Tube screamer, apart from the effective active eq section. So you can replace it with one of the million Tube Screamer based stompboxes.

About the Timmy, the EQD Westwood is an excellent replacement, but not cheap. Maybe is easier find a Timmy clone like Caline pure sky

Ok, so I've been noodling around a bit, only at bedrooms levels, but still and I used the OD-9 as a substitute for the BB. To be honest, at least to my ears, they're very different and I really like the BB a lot more, but it kinda works, so jury is still out but for now I like it, especially when stacked with the Timmy it's close enough for me, so yeah, maybe a TS-Style pedal it is...
I still have to figure out the Timmy situation though. I'm not buying a cheap clone, I have too much love and respect for my Timmy pedal(s). So it's either the MXR version (still don't like the enclosure...) or a pedal that's a thing of its own but creates a similar effect when stacked with the TS pedal. I'll figure it out but still appreciate any input, so far, thanks!

 

[old school fender]

I second the Caline Pure Sky.

 

[Chiogtr4x]

Hey y'all,

long time listener, first time caller...

I'm playing a Tele into a plexi(ish) Marshall clone and my pedals are:

TU-2 -> BB Preamp (AT) -> Timmy -> OD-9-> Carbon Copy -> DD-3.

I love the BB Preamp and the Timmy and I use them as always on pedals both on low gain settings and occasionally the OD-9 for leads.

Now I need some help for a backup pedalboard I'm planning on, one that I can leave at my friend's house for a few days without worrying too much about the dog getting sick on it or all kinds of abuse...
I have most of the replacements figured out but I need some help with the drive section. For leads an SD-1 will replace the OD-9 but I'm struggling with the BB/Timmy combo.

Now keep in mind I'm not looking for exact replicas or cheaper clones, but two pedals that work well together, same ballpark, same kind of vibe/sound and fun when stacked together.

Any help is much appreciated!

I have this Caline dual OD/boost
Nice and simple

The OD side is Caline's Orange Burst ( Xotic BB preamp clone), paired up with a simple Boost ( Volume knob only)
Both sides can be used independently, or together.
So this pedal does not get into real distortion, but a good overdrive, which you can then give a volume boost to... very friendly.

*does not take battery ( wish it did- I prefer all my dirt pedals take battery, so I can just grab one for a jam or gig w/o board)

( cheap too at CheaperPedals.com)

 

[11 Gauge]

it's weird, I've never gotten the timmy.
usually with most of these highly acclaimed circuits, at some point the light bulb goes off for me and it all makes perfect sense- notso with that one

What's typically forgotten (or simply not known) is that Paul C. designed the Timmy to work with his Marshall. So if you aren't using a similar kind of amp, your results will obviously differ.

I think the vast majority of OD pedals are kind of 'baselined' to work with BF/SF Fenders and similar types of amps, because those are probably most commonly what the typical guitarist might be using. IMO, a Timmy probably isn't a good fit with the BF/SF amp voicing, because you need some kind of mid emphasis in those scenarios.

And with the gain/drive set at zero on a Timmy, it's basically a booster - that kind of stuff works great with some Marshalls and such, but IMO just kind of sounds like sonic poo with a Deluxe Reverb.

I mainly play amps like a Vibrolux Reverb or a Super Reverb, and the transparent overdrives have never worked for me. With those amps, I need MIDS.

 

[Telecaster Riot]

What's typically forgotten (or simply not known) is that Paul C. designed the Timmy to work with his Marshall. So if you aren't using a similar kind of amp, your results will obviously differ.

I think the vast majority of OD pedals are kind of 'baselined' to work with BF/SF Fenders and similar types of amps, because those are probably most commonly what the typical guitarist might be using. IMO, a Timmy probably isn't a good fit with the BF/SF amp voicing, because you need some kind of mid emphasis in those scenarios.

And with the gain/drive set at zero on a Timmy, it's basically a booster - that kind of stuff works great with some Marshalls and such, but IMO just kind of sounds like sonic poo with a Deluxe Reverb.

I mainly play amps like a Vibrolux Reverb or a Super Reverb, and the transparent overdrives have never worked for me. With those amps, I need MIDS.

Interesting, I didn't know that about the Timmy pedal but it makes sense and I think it's something one always has to keep in mind with every drive pedal. If it works with a british style amp it might not work with an american style amp and vice versa.

Also, if I may say something a bit off topic, like I said in my first post, I've been lurking around in here every now and then over the past few years and your posts, 11 Gauge, have always been of great help and gave great insight, so thanks a lot for that!

Update on the TS-situation, I came across a fairly cheap used Lovepedal Valve Reamer which will arrive in a few days and is supposed to be a part of the TS family tree, so let's see how it will hold up against the BB!

 

[TokyoPortrait]

Hi.

I think I get what you are asking. Two pedals that work well together and do something similar to what you already have, but aren’t exactly what you already have, aren’t essentially the same as what you already have, and aren’t cheap clones of what you already have either.

But, that’s really tough. Clones - easy, the Orange Burst and Blue Sky by Caline. Not clones - easy, another BB and the MXR Timmy. But what you want - hard and a lot of speculation on our parts.

Me, I’d go different - two pedals of different types that work well together. That way, you can explore something new and add more sonic options to your palette.

How about any two out of the following - MXR Duke of Tone, Blues Driver Waza (or, Keeley Super Phat Mod), Way Huge Conspiracy Theory (or, any decent Klon styled pedal), Rat?

Pax/
Dean

 

[Old Deaf Roadie]

I run an EHX East River Drive into an MXR Timmy Nano with great success. Both are currently in production so sourcing them shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Telecaster Riot]

Hi.

I think I get what you are asking. Two pedals that work well together and do something similar to what you already have, but aren’t exactly what you already have, aren’t essentially the same as what you already have, and aren’t cheap clones of what you already have either.

But, that’s really tough. Clones - easy, the Orange Burst and Blue Sky by Caline. Not clones - easy, another BB and the MXR Timmy. But what you want - hard and a lot of speculation on our parts.

Me, I’d go different - two pedals of different types that work well together. That way, you can explore something new and add more sonic options to your palette.

How about any two out of the following - MXR Duke of Tone, Blues Driver Waza (or, Keeley Super Phat Mod), Way Huge Conspiracy Theory (or, any decent Klon styled pedal), Rat?

Pax/
Dean

Hi, I appreciate the suggestion about the sonic options and exploration, but I think I didn't do a great job of explaining the reasons for this topic in the first place so let me try again.

I'm absolutely happy with my pedalboard and the sound I'm getting from my BB/Timmy combo. It's my comfort zone, my happy place... my sound.

Now sometimes I need to take my stuff to places where I just don't feel comfortable bringing my gear, especially my beloved Timmy pedal.

For example, in a few months I may get involved in a project where the rehearsal room is an old barn on a big farm and there are dogs and chicken running around and all kinds of stuff and naked people... (ok no naked people but you get the picture).

Now keep in mind here in Germany a used BB and MXR Timmy will still set me back around 230-240 euros. Now add 2-3 more pedals and it's not exactly what I call a "feel free to pour some beer over it" kind of pedalboard.

That being said, I feel like the OD-9 (or any TS-style pedal) might be the answer. I've been nooodling around some more and put a GE-7 EQ in front of it and now it's sounding pretty close, not exactly the same, but close (and good) enough for what I'm looking for.

I still have to try it out in a "real life" situation, but for now I'm really happy with the results!

 

[11 Gauge]

Also, if I may say something a bit off topic, like I said in my first post, I've been lurking around in here every now and then over the past few years and your posts, 11 Gauge, have always been of great help and gave great insight, so thanks a lot for that!

My pleasure. I'm admittedly a hardcore pedal enthusiast who oftentimes knows the technical details, especially with many (or most) things OD/distortion/boost/fuzz/preamp/EQ or similar, so I enjoy helping when I can.