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Mantra or Black Forest?

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 5:05 pm
by Instant Dan
I need a new overdrive and was originally looking at the OCD and the Mantra but forgot about the Black Forest. Both claim to be versatile but which would you choose?

Re: Mantra or Black Forest?

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 6:02 pm
by stripes
one overdrive to rule them all
Image

Re: Mantra or Black Forest?

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 6:40 pm
by insubordination
Having played those two, and the Fuck, they are all different, and all great in different ways.

For the price, the BF might be the best and most versatile, though the Mantra can be powered up to 18v for increased headroom, and sounds fantastic on bass. I know some dudes on here use the Fuck on bass, but I think the Mantra has more low end. The Fuck excels at brighter low gain, and the Mantra has a Baxandall tonestack and is a little thicker and darker overall, gets sort of fuzzier with more gain. Fuck, of course, has the Crackle which is cool on in its own. Black Forest is good at pushing a tube amp a little harder, not as good with a clean amp really, I'd choose either of the other two for that.

Soooooo in conclusion, they all rule. :thumb:

Re: Mantra or Black Forest?

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 6:43 pm
by DarkAxel
Black Forest is very versatile, but at least from the duel Fuck X BF, it came out second and didn't really impress me that much. Fuck can be also extremely versatile ;)

i haven't tried Mantra, but being a fan of Blackout Effectors, i doubt it would be a bad choice either

Re: Mantra or Black Forest?

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 6:47 pm
by Casavettes
I'm in love with my black forest at the moment. As said above, it's really great at pushing an amp.

Re: Mantra or Black Forest?

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 7:05 pm
by DarkAxel
It's awesome at stacking as well, but it hasn't charmed me on it's own and i just couldn't justify having it just for the stacking

Re: Mantra or Black Forest?

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 7:29 pm
by Casavettes
thats how i felt when i first got it. it really grew on me for some reason, i like the way it cuts through a mix maybe.

Re: Mantra or Black Forest?

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 8:19 pm
by Almonds
I have an EQD White Light which I freaking love for the stuff I play. It can get as thick or thin as you want. I also have a Fuck and would never get rid of either...the Fuck is a little bit warmer rather than bright from the WL

Re: Mantra or Black Forest?

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 8:43 pm
by huggernaut
I've always wanted to try the Mantra.

Black Forest didn't do it for me, some kind of funny sizzly high end decay thing that I couldn't get into.

Fuck is great too, but I like The Elements most of all I think.

Re: Mantra or Black Forest?

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 9:00 pm
by Chankgeez
I tend to use the Black Forest more as a boost.

Re: Mantra or Black Forest?

Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 4:37 am
by DarkAxel
huggernaut wrote:Black Forest didn't do it for me, some kind of funny sizzly high end decay thing that I couldn't get into.


glad i'm not the only one who hears it :lol:

Re: Mantra or Black Forest?

Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 5:33 am
by benjuro
DarkAxel wrote:
huggernaut wrote:Black Forest didn't do it for me, some kind of funny sizzly high end decay thing that I couldn't get into.


glad i'm not the only one who hears it :lol:


I love Black Forest but that funny high end twinge definitely needs to be dialed OUT. Not easy to do but it a little patience and tweaking make it disappear...BF definitely has grown on me over time. Initially I didn't see it as very able to CRUSH on it's own--definitely a great stacker--but there's some pretty serious fuzz and low end on tap there as well.

But I'm also a huge Blackout fan...have never had one, but I'm sure Mantra would treat you well. If only Kyle would bring back the black-on-black...

Re: Mantra or Black Forest?

Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 10:13 am
by Instant Dan
The more I listen to the BF, it does what my 1980 dod 250 clone already does, maybe jut a little more volume and gain on tap.

Re: Mantra or Black Forest?

Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 10:52 am
by Casavettes
What benjuro said.

That black on black mantra finish is sexy as hell.

Re: Mantra or Black Forest?

Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 10:56 am
by Casavettes
huggernaut wrote:I've always wanted to try the Mantra.

Black Forest didn't do it for me, some kind of funny sizzly high end decay thing that I couldn't get into.

Fuck is great too, but I like The Elements most of all I think.


Elements is a great pedal. I love mine.