AB vs ABS

[htsamurai]

now lets not let this turn into the good ol FF vs ABS thread


which do you prefer and why?
i myself LOVE my ABSynth (HTSynth as some have come to call it) but havent tried the regular AB

for those of us who've tried both whatcha think? i know one is based off of the other but i figure they're still quite different yo

[metalmariachi]

Not to sound ignorant, but what is an AB, to you mean the Algal Bloom?

Guessing the ABS is referring to the AB-Synth.


God send them to school and the still can’t write a complete word.

ZDM2

MM

[Nychthemeron]

Having owned neither of them, I prefer the sound of the Algal Bloom over the AB-Synth. However, I think the AB-Synth has much more versatility as a pedal and can make some great noises.

[Caesar]

God send them to school and the still can’t write a complete word.

et tu, MM.

[Caesar]

The Algal Bloom is a little lower gain, but very usable. It can roll back to an almost clean dark booster. It can get a crunchy Marshall type overdrive. It can be a rich, creamy fuzz face. It isn't the way-out high-gain oscillating fuzzes that we get used to on the ILF boards. I don't think I could compare the two. It's like comparing flathead screwdriver to a Phillips-head screwdriver.

[FuzzHugger]

I won't chime in personally on preference, cause they are very different / have different purposes as pedals.

But on the differences...

They're both high-gain on full, but in different ways (and with pretty different results!).

The Algal Bloom has dirt+gain+fuzz, resulting in the final sound. Then all of the controls that act on that.
The AB-Synth has fuzz+gain+fuzz, (layered fuzz), then the Trip mode.

The Algal Bloom is about natural-as-possible fuzz, fantastic note separation, amp-like, ideal fuzz. Cranked, it gets a little scambled edge, and dialed back has lots of nice overdrives. Like a great classic fuzz with some upgrades and a wider range.

The AB-Synth is high gain all-around without much gain reduction (but a nice texture control and fuzz/shape control). It's surging,sizzling, juicy high gain fuzz! Like the AB, it is very harmonic in nature (more overtone here). Not your traditional oscillating fuzz (long sustain in oscillation mode that then turns into stutters as you sustain...then blips). Roll back on your volume control for octave down and synth bass.

[Caesar]

Like a great classic fuzz with some upgrades and a wider range.

That's what I was trying to say. You're a bit more succinct.

[metalmariachi]

Great description.

Algal Bloom fits my playing and style more than the AB-Synth.
But I could find uses for both and love their sound.

MM

[Wizard]

i wish there was an eggo waffle option being i have never played either

[Bellyheart]

ABS, because I'm a "more" is better kinda guy