Best Distortion Pedal On A Budget?

['59]

So I'm still in highschool so I can't quite afford all the fancy toys that you kids can. I realized that my only current forms of dirt are a Soul Food and a Big Muff. I'm looking for something in the middle. I want a big balls through the wall Marshall tone with good mids and big bass.

Also: If you choose other, please don't give me some $200 boutique pedal that could obviously stomp the other boxes. If it's out of my price range I don't want to hear about it.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Re: Best Distortion Pedal On A Budget?

I got my DOD Boneshaker on sale new for $40, with free shipping. Quite a lot of gain on tap and three band semi-parametric EQ plus a deep-bass knob. IMO can't be beat at the price.

DOD Gunslinger is also available at blowout prices; I don't own one but it has a reputation for good 70s-80s tones and an amplike feel.

EDIT: I've heard good things about the Badass 78. And the Rat is a classic, but you have to bear in mind that it's designed for goosing a driven amp- not at its best running into a clean one.

 

[Chris of Arabia]

Re: Best Distortion Pedal On A Budget?

Boss DS-1? Such a classic, it’s even got its own Wikipedia page

 

[stratguy23]

Re: Best Distortion Pedal On A Budget?

Suhr makes fantastic stuff, but being a boutique brand, doesn't belong in the same sentence as "on a budget".

For "Marshall-flavored distortion pedal on a budget", the immediate winner in my mind is the TC Electronic Dark Matter. Does a great JCM impression with all knobs at noon, and can be routinely found for $40.

 

[Chistopher]

Re: Best Distortion Pedal On A Budget?

I second the DOD Boneshaker. Not only does it have a pretty good base tone, it's got 9 (rather intuitive) knobs! There is gain and volume, which I would hope don't need explaining, a 3-band eq that controls not only how much you boost or cut each frequency, but you can choose the specific frequency as well. The Depth control essentially cuts the really low bass and I usually keep it all the way to the left.

 

[dave74]

Re: Best Distortion Pedal On A Budget?

Since you're not wanting to spend much anyways my suggestion is to hit some local shops and see what used pedal finds you.
I recently found a HM-2 in very good condition at a local shop for $55! (they must not keep-up with ebay/reverb pricing)

 

[Demanic]

Re: Best Distortion Pedal On A Budget?

Until you can find something else, have you tried running the Soulfood into the Muff? Dial in a decent tone with the Muff, but less distorted than you normally would. Then hit it with the Soulfood, but set to a lower gain, with higher overall volume, mess with the tone setting. It might give you what you're looking for until something better comes along.

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['59]

Re: Best Distortion Pedal On A Budget?

Until you can find something else, have you tried running the Soulfood into the Muff? Dial in a decent tone with the Muff, but less distorted than you normally would. Then hit it with the Soulfood, but set to a lower gain, with higher overall volume, mess with the tone setting. It might give you what you're looking for until something better comes along.

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Thanks, I'll try that.

I just got the chance to listen to some sound clips and I think I like the TC Electronics Dark Matter the most. I like the Gunslinger just for the tone, but the passive tone controls don't appeal to me. Are there any other pickups that are similar to the Dark Matter in the same price bracket?

I also listened to the Wampler Pinnacle, which is a phenomenal pedal, but quite a few steps above what I'm looking for in terms of cost.

 

[Securb]

Re: Best Distortion Pedal On A Budget?

Boss DS-1? Such a classic, it’s even got its own Wikipedia page

I see them all the time for $19 - 29 used. Great deal for such a fantastic pedal. That would be my move.

 

[Demanic]

Re: Best Distortion Pedal On A Budget?

Well, I have seen MT-2's going for that, so that would be my recommendation.

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[Gtrjunior]

Re: Best Distortion Pedal On A Budget?

I’d highly recommend a Blackstar HT-Dual pedal. It has both an OD side and a full on Distortion side. This pedal is so killer that I have 3.
You can get a good used one for about $100.

 

[Securb]

Re: Best Distortion Pedal On A Budget?

Well, I have seen MT-2's going for that, so that would be my recommendation.

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Nice choice lots of balls. The MD2 from BOSS would also be an inexpensive alternative. Lots of bottom and great EQ, I have one I use on my heavier gigs.

 

[Demanic]

Re: Best Distortion Pedal On A Budget?

I still think that a Big Muff + Soul Food should be able to be set up to give some very useable tones.
OP, just remember to use your ears, not your eyes.

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[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Best Distortion Pedal On A Budget?

Another vote for the DOD Boneshaker. As a lot of forum members did recently, I bought mine for $34.95.

View attachment 90511

 

['59]

Re: Best Distortion Pedal On A Budget?

Boss DS-1? Such a classic, it’s even got its own Wikipedia page

Another vote for the DOD Boneshaker. As a lot of forum members did recently, I bought mine for $34.95.

View attachment 90511

So far these two pedals sound like my best options, further sound clips of the Dark Matter still make me think it still has a horse in the race.

I like the whole tried n true idea behind the DS-1, but the trouble is I here as many shining reviews of it as I hear dislike. If this is mostly due to nostalgia and/or snobbery I do not know. I also here it has quite a few mods that can be done to it, so there's a good chance I can fish out a modded version if I put up a listing in the Trading Post.

The Boneshaker really looks nice on paper and I dig the versatility of the three band parametric eq, but I also get the idea that it's geared towards heavier genres and drop tuning, can it do more restrained levels, say from AC/DC, GNR, or EVH? Don't forget I have the Soul Food to pair with it.

If I could get reviews and pros/cons on the three of these pedals that would be great.

 

[Demanic]

Re: Best Distortion Pedal On A Budget?

Sometimes one can over think a decision.

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[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Best Distortion Pedal On A Budget?

The Boneshaker with the distortion turned all the way down does a nice AC/DC. I haven’t tried mine yet, but I’d be surprised if it couldn’t do a passable Van Halen and G’N’R. It’s pretty Marshall-flavored.

Also, the Boneshaker, in terms of versatility and quality of distortion, blows the DS-1 away so badly, it’s actually funny.

 

[YeRedHouseOverYonder]

Re: Best Distortion Pedal On A Budget?

Tone City Golden Plexi $50: Essentially a Carl Martin Plexi tone

Mooer 012 $77: BE-100 preamp

The Mooer pedals are interesting. I want a 009 which is modeled after an Engl Ritchie Blackmore amp.

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['59]

Re: Best Distortion Pedal On A Budget?

I looked at the Golden Plexi, but it appears to have issue with the the gain control almost being an on/off switch. I think I will go with the Boneshaker. Any tips on how to use it? I hear it is very tough to dial in.

 

[DavidRavenMoon]

Re: Best Distortion Pedal On A Budget?

I use a Joyo Ultimate Drive. It’s an OCD clone. I plaid $20 for it new.


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