Distortion pedal + Clean Amp users?

Closed Eye

Closed Eye

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I'm considering doing a change to a clean amp (Fender Reverb or Blues Deluxe probably) with a fuzz, distortion box, and boost for solo parts rather than amp distortion.

Before I did this, I wanted to know who else on the board currently does distortion pedals into clean amps both LIVE, for Jamming purposes, and what your gear is!

Thanks for the help, look, info!
 
Re: Distortion pedal + Clean Amp users?

Well I play a SS amp because [a] I ain't gone tube yet, but mostly because I don't play electric venues, and I don't want my neighbours moanin', when I really drive.

However, I play rack/pedal/FX Board into my amp. My amp stays clean these days. My amp's distortion is good, but I like to tinker with variety. Now I'm in this mindset I doubt I'll go back to amp distortion, right or wrong [and it may well be in other's HO's]. My primary goal is to go Stereo first, then Tube.

Personally, once you've put a Fuzz, RAT, or Big Muff into a tube, you'll be forever chasing that tone... and never satisfied until you fulfill the desire. IMHO!
 
Re: Distortion pedal + Clean Amp users?

I run pedals both ways. Below is my current favorites. Add OD-3, Bad Monkey, Little Big Muff, DD-7 and Skreddy Lunar Module to the list.
 
Re: Distortion pedal + Clean Amp users?

I own a Deluxe Reverb and a Super Reverb. The Super was my main amp for a whole bunch of years. When I was gigging with this amp I was using a Boss Super Overdrive as my boost/OD pedal. I would run the amp to 4½ to 5½ on the volume which with single coils stayed pretty clean, with HB pickups I had to roll the volume back a bit if I wanted it real clean, but no biggie. I then used my Boss SOD to get a little more grind and boost my volume and add a little suatain to it. Keep in mind SRV used a Super Reverb for a lot of his stuff with a TS9 for overdrive. This is a great combination.

Today I am using my Deluxe Reverb with my band for rehearsals only! On my board I have a Boss CH1 chorus, a DD3, a TS9 Vox 847 (modded) and my tuner. The DR is not a clean amp as many people believe it to be. The DR is in fact hard for me to get a good clean sound out of it. The volume at about 4 to 5 and that overdrives the amp pretty hard. I am planning on upgrading the speaker in this which will help increase headroom and keep it cleaner, but right now its hard to keep it clean and with a heavier guitar like a Les Paul the bottom gets a little farty, so I think I may go with a G12H30 or maybe a Jensen 15" speaker to help keep it cleaner.
 
Re: Distortion pedal + Clean Amp users?

Turbo Rat through a Peavey Classic 20... I use a HWY1 Strat, Maxon FL9 Flanger and a Vox wahwah with it.

I like the result but I'm thinking about upgrading them both to a Vox AC15 (or maybe even go for something more expensive) and a ToneBone Hot British Distortion.
 
Re: Distortion pedal + Clean Amp users?

my 2 favourite amps i own are a 1982 JCM 800 2204 and an early 5150 half stack... between these great amps i can get most of my favourite medium to hi gain distortion sounds i want... but they are not practical amps for me at all... i've gigged with the 5150 and soundmen hated it... cops hated it too as they shut us down at a few places for the volume...

what i found to be extremely practical is a used and cheap C30 combo with some common pedals in front of it's clean channel... i like to use a Boss Line Selector pedal and switch to a different loop with higher gain pedals for louder solo tones... it's like having a multi channel amp set up for sure!!!!! it has so many uses it's insane! I add an extention cab for some bigger space.... or if i ever have a louder show oneday i can use my C50 head into my Marshall cab and use the same pedals!
 
Re: Distortion pedal + Clean Amp users?

I've done both staright in and the dirt box/clean amp thing.

When I've had an amp that has a decent MV set up, such as a JCM 800, or a Peavey Classic Series amp, I'm straight in.

However, I used a dirt box during the years I was using a Fender Twin or a Hiwatt. It sounded great! However, even though the amps themselves didn't dish out the dirt the way I liked it then, they still were running pretty hot.

I've actually been experimenting w/something similar lately. I've been using a Maxon RI 808 in front of the clean channel of my Fender Super 60. Or, having the crunch channel set low, and using the OD. All at volumes lower than the stuff described above. Seems like there may be some possibilities.
 
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