| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
Goran
Double Platinum Member
Sweden
2203 Posts |
 Posted - 02/14/2009 : 09:29:43
|
Yesterday I got the Cool Cat Vibe and Cool Cat Transparent Overdrive and tested the.m
The exterior is a nice metal case beautifully paintworked. Seems sturdy enough but not as good as Boss, much better than Behringer.
True bypass (I�ve checked this) and very nice work inside, surfacemounted components, Made in China.
Vibe: This pedal uses bulbs and photocells just as an Uni-Vibe (I think this is a clone of some newer Vibe-pedal). Sounds good, sucks some treble and boost the signal a bit, just like an old Uni-Vibe does. Instant Robin Trower/SRV or Hendrix. Better Vibe than the one in Boss PW-10.
Transparent OD: This is a really nice pedal, sweet, transparent and dynamic. Much better than Bad Monkey (a very good OD). Very good pushing a tube amp into tone heaven. Great for blues, country and classic rock. Great using to push other pedals.
I like this pedal a lot, it�s said to be a copy of the Timmy Overdrive, never tested that.
These pedals are great, not the crappy small pedals we�re used to se from Danelectro. Very good price! If all pedals in this serie are as good as these, Boss got some serious competition!
http://www.coolcattone.com/pdf/G&B_CoolCat08.pdf |
Edited by - Goran on 02/14/2009 09:32:21 |
|
|
zerksies
Double Platinum Member
USA
3406 Posts |
Posted - 02/14/2009 : 14:33:29
|
| they always seemed cheap to me.even cheaper with the price |
 |
|
|
silvertone6120
Gold Member
USA
609 Posts |
Posted - 02/14/2009 : 15:55:27
|
| The line looks interesting, but for some reason they've not added a delay unit to it...slightly disappointed in that because I really like the BLT slap echo pedal they had out a few years back. |
|
|
|
Laurie
Double Platinum Member
Canada
4854 Posts |
Posted - 02/14/2009 : 16:53:49
|
| I picked a cool cat up in a bargain bin for $25 a few months ago. It's actually not too bad at all... If I didn't have tube vibrato on the Fender amp, I'd probably use it all the time. |
|
|
|
Dr. Bob
Moderator
Australia
6593 Posts |
Posted - 02/15/2009 : 01:19:29
|
Hi Goran
These look pretty good,
other than for the non standard rectangular case.
I guess you could do a custom shape, cutout on the foam in a BCB-60, too bad if you have the BCBC-6.
Regards Dr. Bob |
|
|
|
verivorax
Platinum Member
Canada
1185 Posts |
Posted - 02/15/2009 : 16:16:52
|
They're pretty nice - a substantial feel. SUPER cheap, which is their best feature maybe.
They might do a delay in the future, but at these prices, it might not ever happen. I'd prefer less selection with higher quality sound (and bypass).
These also bring to light the simplicity of TBP, and makes more people wonder why Boss is unwilling to make that step.. |
|
|
|
Laurie
Double Platinum Member
Canada
4854 Posts |
Posted - 02/15/2009 : 16:31:47
|
quote:
Originally posted by verivorax
These also bring to light the simplicity of TBP, and makes more people wonder why Boss is unwilling to make that step..
I've been making a few pedals for a few months now... And I've had some interesting experience that makes me think Boss are doing the right thing. I've had at least three TBP (3PDT) foot-switches (from different manufacturers) go flakey on me. A bit of contact cleaner injected down the shaft under pressure has fixed the problem, but I think Boss' choice is because of reliability.
The standard Boss switches are actually 1970's/1980's computer keyboard switches. Back when computers were massively expensive and things like keyboards were built to last with an individual switch for every key (that's why the actuator on the Boss switch is shaped like a cross - it's what the keycap sits on). I replaced a slew of these switches in old mid-range computers in the early 1990s after they had been flogged by operators for 10+ years. Millions of operations.
Anyway, my point is that the switches Boss uses are proven reliable over decades of heavy use. I can see the 3PDT switches in the pedals I'm making now failing in 10-20 years (or maybe sooner if they are from a bad batch), and that doesn't sit well.
|
|
|
|
verivorax
Platinum Member
Canada
1185 Posts |
Posted - 02/15/2009 : 18:00:39
|
quote:
Originally posted by Laurie
I've had some interesting experience that makes me think Boss are doing the right thing.
Interesting observation.. also interesting is the link to old computer components. Does this mean we might find skeleton switches lurking in trashed C64s? 
Being a BOSS-only collector, I personally have no desire for TBP, but the internet-addicted music community is gaga over it, and BOSS is often denigrated for their "failure" to "keep up with the times".
In terms of the CoolCat pedals, Danelectro "seems" much more "in tune" with what the people at retail level are looking for. Especially dangerous for BOSS now with their huge price increase (in Canada anyway..). Lots of Jobbers still buy Boss for reliability, but the prices may reduce that somewhat.. You can buy 3 Cool Cat Choruses for the price of a single CH-1 or CE-5! |
|
|
|
Goran
Double Platinum Member
Sweden
2203 Posts |
Posted - 02/16/2009 : 07:31:00
|
quote:
Originally posted by Laurie
quote:
Originally posted by verivorax
These also bring to light the simplicity of TBP, and makes more people wonder why Boss is unwilling to make that step..
I've been making a few pedals for a few months now... And I've had some interesting experience that makes me think Boss are doing the right thing. I've had at least three TBP (3PDT) foot-switches (from different manufacturers) go flakey on me. A bit of contact cleaner injected down the shaft under pressure has fixed the problem, but I think Boss' choice is because of reliability.
The standard Boss switches are actually 1970's/1980's computer keyboard switches. Back when computers were massively expensive and things like keyboards were built to last with an individual switch for every key (that's why the actuator on the Boss switch is shaped like a cross - it's what the keycap sits on). I replaced a slew of these switches in old mid-range computers in the early 1990s after they had been flogged by operators for 10+ years. Millions of operations.
Anyway, my point is that the switches Boss uses are proven reliable over decades of heavy use. I can see the 3PDT switches in the pedals I'm making now failing in 10-20 years (or maybe sooner if they are from a bad batch), and that doesn't sit well.
Great point Laurie!
And it�s true that the Boss switches are very reliable, I have had over 100 old Boss pedals and very, very few of them have had had problem with the switch.
And I have had quite many pedals with mechanical switches, and a much higher percentage of them have had switch trouble for sure.
I have always thought that the main reason is that the switches Boss uses are cheaper, and this is true, but there is more to it as Laurie points out.
|
|
|
|
Laurie
Double Platinum Member
Canada
4854 Posts |
Posted - 02/16/2009 : 15:08:23
|
quote:
Originally posted by verivorax
Does this mean we might find skeleton switches lurking in trashed C64s?
Not C64, but the original Apple II (and I think original Mac). Also random mini-computers and mainframes.
|
|
|
|
midibuddy
Silver Member
Ecuador
285 Posts |
Posted - 02/17/2009 : 17:36:00
|
| I have an old IBM PC laying around... Do you mean I can use the keyboard switches as a replacement? It's nice to know that! |
|
|
|
Laurie
Double Platinum Member
Canada
4854 Posts |
Posted - 02/17/2009 : 19:33:09
|
I recall that the original PC had different switches. Worth a look though  |
|
|
|
pawnshop_trash
Gold Member
USA
603 Posts |
Posted - 02/17/2009 : 23:47:59
|
very interesting... who knew that the Apple IIe I used in high school was distantly related to the Boss pedals I use now?
but regarding the durability of Boss switches, it is worth noting that the Boss treadle and case design also helps protect the switch from crush damage. (consider that 1980s and newer Ibanez and DOD pedals also have electronic FET switching, but the fragility of their footswitches are well-known.) |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
Danelectr Cool Cat series
