Boutique Pedals???

[casblah]

OK, so here's the skinny...I'm looking for a boost/OD pedal to push the front-end of my 2204. I really only need a boost, but it would be nice to have the option of adding a little dirt, to the mix. Over the years, I've tried many pedals (TS808/TS9, SD-1, MT-2,DS1,DOD,Blues Drivers, etc.etc.etc.; but they all seem to squish, or alter the signal too much. I've even tried the modded pedal thing, but still, not x-actly what I'm looking for. Are the pricey-er boutique pedals THAT much better than the store-bought varieties? I've looked at all the different manufacturers until my head nearly exploded...and it's hard to tell a "good" one, from a "bad" one. What makes a "better" pedal? JFETS, FETS? I could really use an education, here. I kinda like things simple, so 3 knobs or less, would be ideal for me. Please share your experiences, and your knowledge...and me will love you long-time.....:6: Thanks for any input

 

[devastone]

Re: Boutique Pedals???

If you are handy with a soldering iron, here's a good choice for less than boo-teek: http://www.buildyourownclone.com/tri.html.

I'm using the Mighty Mouse and Script Phaser and they sound good.

 

[joelap]

Re: Boutique Pedals???

Try a fulltone Fulldrive or an indyguitarist modded SD-1 modded to f*llclone specs (basicly a fulldrive in an SD-1 box). Highly recommend the indyguitarist f*ullclone modded SD-1, because it really preserves the integrity of the input and adds some grit or boost to the signal.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Boutique Pedals???

With OD pedals, you often get what you pay for, simply because highly regarded boutique pedals with a good rating and higher price tend to be the ones you remain happy with. It's better to spend $200 once, rather than $70 a bunch of times.

With Marshalls, I've liked Fulltone FDII, OCD, Banzai Coldfusion, Z Vex Super Hard on, Carl Martin Plexitone, T. Rex, HBE, Xotic etc. Most of them sound more natural and thicker than unison. It's not a bad idea to buy and sell them for a few months on the used market, then when you find one that's perfect, keep it, and consider it another channel for your amp.

 

[PUCKBOY99]

Re: Boutique Pedals???

With OD pedals, you often get what you pay for, simply because highly regarded boutique pedals with a good rating and higher price tend to be the ones you remain happy with. It's better to spend $200 once, rather than $70 a bunch of times.

With Marshalls, I've liked Fulltone FDII, OCD, Banzai Coldfusion, Z Vex Super Hard on, Carl Martin Plexitone, T. Rex, HBE, Xotic etc. Most of them sound more natural and thicker than unison. It's not a bad idea to buy and sell them for a few months on the used market, then when you find one that's perfect, keep it, and consider it another channel for your amp.

+1

Like many, I've learned this the hard way.

If all you want is a clean uncolored boost & you like the tone of your amp the way it is, I recommend the Burris Boostier. For the added OD option, grab the Boostiest.

The CM Plexitone is also GREAT with a Marshall. :bigthumb:

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Boutique Pedals???

If you want a clean boost that does not mes with the tone but woudl also like the option of adding a tad bit of dirt from the pedal get a Banzai ColdFusion and be done with it...

 

[casblah]

Re: Boutique Pedals???

Thanks for the replies fellas...As of now, I'm kinda eye-ing up the Fulltone OCD...seems reasonably priced; and it seems to be a rather, popular seller. But I still would like to research things more....keep the suggestions flowin'

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Boutique Pedals???

Thanks for the replies fellas...As of now, I'm kinda eye-ing up the Fulltone OCD...seems reasonably priced; and it seems to be a rather, popular seller. But I still would like to research things more....keep the suggestions flowin'

The OCD is cool but keep in mind the OCD was not really made as a boost but rather a stand alone distortion for an amp w/o a master volume or in a setting where you can not crank the amp to distortion on it's own...it might be a tad much to use as a boost...

 

[Dr.Mavashi]

Re: Boutique Pedals???

The OCD is cool but keep in mind the OCD was not really made as a boost but rather a stand alone distortion for an amp w/o a master volume or in a setting where you can not crank the amp to distortion on it's own...it might be a tad much to use as a boost...

So, would you say that it was also meant to be run on the clean channel i.e. as distortion pedal or its still an overdrive meaning you take the amp to the point or just a little after of break up and then kick it in ???

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Boutique Pedals???

So, would you say that it was also meant to be run on the clean channel i.e. as distortion pedal or its still an overdrive meaning you take the amp to the point or just a little after of break up and then kick it in ???

Probably both, but the OCD is a gainier pedal than the FDII's 1st stage.
The Banzai Coldfusion is a clean boost that has a decent amount of gain on tap, and that one is better for taking a medium OD Marshall over the top, while still sounding fat. One thing I said in my last post was "thicker than unison." That's usually the difference between a good OD and a cheaper one you'll find at Guitar Center. Inexpensive OD's will usually sound OK, but they make the sound a little narrower than your amp's natural sound.

One pet peeve I have about a lot of pedals is that they use those small aluminum boxes with the switch too close to the knobs..(Zvex/OCD/Xotic). It's easy to overstep and hit the knobs. I tend to favor designs where the pedal is larger and the knobs are set back a bit.....like the FDII, Plexitone, and Coldfusion.

Oh yeah, another great pedal for Marshalls is the Maxon OD-820.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Boutique Pedals???

I woudl call the OCD a full on distortion pedal that, IMO would be better suited intop a clean(ish) amp while TS type pedals, Full Drive type pedals and boosts like the COldfusion are far better, again IMO into an already driven amp.

 

[JumpMarine]

Re: Boutique Pedals???

Here's a quick clip to show what the OCD can do as a boost:

Gear Used: Home Built Ironsounds 18 watt TMB head into g12h30/G12m
Strat-Chubtone El Gordo/'63/'63
OCD
Samson CO1 USB mic placed 4 feet away
Ntrack Studio 5.0 to record
Settings:

Amp-Normal Channel, Vol maxed, Tone 4 oclock
Strat-Bridge, vol max, tone rolled back to 6
OCD-Vol maxed, Drive all the way down, Tone in middle, Hi/Lo set to hi

1st part is just amp gain alone then you can hear me click on the OCD

http://www.soundclick.com/util/downloadSong.cfm?ID=4576849&key=C54B33C3-C

 

[casblah]

Re: Boutique Pedals???

All this info, has proven to be quite useful...thank you guys! Another concern I had is the volume/level control on the boutique pedals....For instance, my SD1 pedal sounds it's best when the level control is dimed...anything lower than that, and the sound becomes compromised. However, when my Marshall is cranked, the input from the SD1 is "too hot" (because the level is maxed), and feedback is the result. So my question is: Does the volume control on these stomp boxes have to be dimed, to sound their best???

 

[Skarekrough]

Re: Boutique Pedals???

I found God in the ZenDrive. It was pricier than I typically would spend and I had to wait over 4 months for it, but in the end it's the best pedal I've ever plugged into and has some serious range to it; it's no one-trick pony.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Boutique Pedals???

With OD pedals, you often get what you pay for, simply because highly regarded boutique pedals with a good rating and higher price tend to be the ones you remain happy with. It's better to spend $200 once, rather than $70 a bunch of times.

With Marshalls, I've liked Fulltone FDII, OCD, Banzai Coldfusion, Z Vex Super Hard on, Carl Martin Plexitone, T. Rex, HBE, Xotic etc. Most of them sound more natural and thicker than unison. It's not a bad idea to buy and sell them for a few months on the used market, then when you find one that's perfect, keep it, and consider it another channel for your amp.

Hi GJ.....I just sold my OCD on flea bay....Guess I Like my own pedals and I didn't really see what all the OCD hype was about,plus I still have no use for Mike Fuller! LOL :laugh2:

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Boutique Pedals???

The amount of volume on tap all depends on the pedal...some pedals do not have enough volume to be used as a boost while other have more than enough.

 

[Stratman]

Re: Boutique Pedals???

Get a SFX 03 or a Plexitone type pedal.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Boutique Pedals???

Get a SFX 03 or a Plexitone type pedal.

I still love my Plexitone pedal and the 03 still intriques me! The OCD was getting on my nerves,so I sold it.

My Vox Valvetronix 120 head is still my #1 used all around amp to date for me.

 

[random_guy]

Re: Boutique Pedals???

I love my sfx-03, but the prescription electronics germ sounds like what you're looking for.

 

[drpietrzak]

Re: Boutique Pedals???

Get a SFX 03

+1 SFX03