"Dark" HBOD option???

[Your name here]

So when was the general change -serial number wise -between these earlier, darker Bees and the brighter ones? I don't remember ever seeing a definitive answer to this question...

I've got #195. I've never owned any others to compare to...

[tonewave]

yes the old HBOD's are darker than the BF's, and according to reports, the newer BJFE's
and similarly the newer 2 stomp bjfe MGMV's are brighter than the older one stomp MGMV's
I spoke to Bjorn about the MGMV and he said it was his way of making the vibe sound more balanced

with the HBOD I think its most likely a case of more tops than less bottom, at least that what I heard when I
a/b'd with the BF and my old bjfe.
the newer HBOD's add a little sparkle to the top end, whereas the older ones actually rounded off the high end
but more importantly I think there is something different with the mids as well, but thats harder to define
chewiness is one word that springs to mind, but thats not too helpful is it really

the funny thing is the HBOD was one of the first BJFE's I ever got, and it really took me a while to "get it"
I was quite bummed about what it did to my highs, and lows,
but then the dynamics became apparent and, well, it hasn't left my board since

I have been planning on asking Bjorn or Donner if it would be possible to change a few components in the BF HBOD to make
it sound like the older darker HBOD. Maybe its a simple case of different value resistor/cap's here and there?
Maybe it could become an official mod? A "folk" mod ?

so Donner, Bjorn, is this a realistic concept?

[thesjkexperience]

I would be in line for one, but (since the 4 knob Genie is out of the bottle) maybe a high cut knob? It has been a while since I tried the BF HBOD, but I do not remember a HBOD that couldn't get really dark it just has that top end that needs to be trimmed to taste. Of course JMHO and YMMV etc....

[SteveA]

Great idea! HBOD with 4 knob to adjust treble presence! Wonder if it'll happen. I do prefer the bottom (CCW) side of the nature knob on the HBOD when used alone though I used to stack it more at the CW position with the MH, etc...

[amp boy]

run your HBOD at lower voltage and it seems darker to me.

[Donner]

Right you can run the Bee down to 5v for a little darker and mushier sound ...... we have talked about a run of 'original' Bees as it would actually involve parts changes ..... the Bee has evolved over the last ten years, and it was even darker to start with .....

But when I want that sound I run the SBEQ after as it has that warming ceiling and the treble/bass adjustments in the right place... have any of you tried this first ?

[duaner58]

Right you can run the Bee down to 5v for a little darker and mushier sound ...... we have talked about a run of 'original' Bees as it would actually involve parts changes ..... the Bee has evolved over the last ten years, and it was even darker to start with .....

But when I want that sound I run the SBEQ after as it has that warming ceiling and the treble/bass adjustments in the right place... have any of you tried this first ?

I would try that if you could make me one!?

No but really an original run of bees would be SICK SICK SICK! I'm sure w/ extra knobs and SBEQ's and all that you could come "close" but.......

[Hulakatt]

Right you can run the Bee down to 5v for a little darker and mushier sound ...... we have talked about a run of 'original' Bees as it would actually involve parts changes ..... the Bee has evolved over the last ten years, and it was even darker to start with .....

But when I want that sound I run the SBEQ after as it has that warming ceiling and the treble/bass adjustments in the right place... have any of you tried this first ?

That's how I run my Bee! I love me a good dark bee and I hardly ever turn off the sbeq now.

[I am Incinerator]

Not sure where BJFe HBOD #357 fit into the mix, but I loved that by it's lonesome or being pushed by the EGDM(s) and RRB I had. The SBEQ I had must have been a little buggy, because it didn't seem to offer much after the HBOD. I bought the SBEQ used, and it looked like it went through some mega use. The Timmy I had worked well after the HBOD.

I would love to see how the HBOD would interact with my current rig since I'm playing more humbuckers over teles these days.