Distortion pedal opinions

TRex

TRex

New member
I'm look around for a distortion pedal to add to my rig. I'm looking for some different flavor distortion that can add a bit of icing on top of my amps dirt, and make its own flavor when on its own. Vague I know, but that's all I can think off. What you all think I should look out for?

I'm running a Les Paul (59'/JB) into a wah to a Joyo TS copy into my Jet city JCA2212. Mostly playing classic rock, thrash/Classic Metal, hard rock, and pop punk.

I have been mostly looking at a used Proco Rat, used Suhr Riot, or Joyo US dream. Seems like the Suhr (and by extension the Joyo) are quite amp like, and from demos sound a bit too like my amps normal distortion. The Rat seems like what I need, a kinda fuzz than can layer over a dirty amp, or work with a clean. I'm not sure how either respond to boosting from a pedal like a TS.

What are your thoughts?
 
Re: Distortion pedal opinions

ProCo Rat - Will add a nice flavor, great for clean or dirty amp

Suhr Riot/US Dream - Will knock your socks off lol Those are pretty over the top pedals, I would say the US Dream would be a good one to try–dirt cheap and a great sounding pedal. I use the Suhr Riot because it seemed a little more clear/articulate and more controllable but the US Dream is an awesome pedal. Oddly enough, the US Dream sounded better (to me) with ambient tones than the Riot.


Honorable mentions:

Boss DS-1 - Classic pedal and great one to have in your arsenal

Mad Professor Golden Cello - Technically it's an overdrive pedal BUT it has a singing quality to it that is almost fluid...hard to explain and just an awesome pedal.

Mad Professor Stone Grey Distortion - I love this pedal, super articulate distortion sound but more in the high gain

Way Huge Fat Sandwich - You can really dial in the tone you want on this pedal
 
Re: Distortion pedal opinions

If you're suffering from having too much money you have only one option ;)



Klon...
 
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Re: Distortion pedal opinions

treyhaislip said:
ProCo Rat - Will add a nice flavor, great for clean or dirty amp

Suhr Riot/US Dream - Will knock your socks off lol Those are pretty over the top pedals, I would say the US Dream would be a good one to try–dirt cheap and a great sounding pedal. I use the Suhr Riot because it seemed a little more clear/articulate and more controllable but the US Dream is an awesome pedal. Oddly enough, the US Dream sounded better (to me) with ambient tones than the Riot.


Honorable mentions:

Boss DS-1 - Classic pedal and great one to have in your arsenal

Mad Professor Golden Cello - Technically it's an overdrive pedal BUT it has a singing quality to it that is almost fluid...hard to explain and just an awesome pedal.

Mad Professor Stone Grey Distortion - I love this pedal, super articulate distortion sound but more in the high gain

Way Huge Fat Sandwich - You can really dial in the tone you want on this pedal
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That description of the RAT sounds like what I need.

If I want a riot, I think I'm going to have to go US Dream because of the typical price tag.

If i dont go riot/dream, at some point I think I'll pick up a US dream for kicks. I have been hearing great stuff.

But if any of those are at my local shop, I'll definitely try one out.

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Re: Distortion pedal opinions

TRex said:
That description of the RAT sounds like what I need.

If I want a riot, I think I'm going to have to go US Dream because of the typical price tag.

If i dont go riot/dream, at some point I think I'll pick up a US dream for kicks. I have been hearing great stuff.

But if any of those are at my local shop, I'll definitely try one out.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

The Rat is a great pedal–just got one back in. Some use it more for a boost while others use it for nice crunch, more gain and even all out fuzz when turned all the way up. The Rats are built like tanks too.

I don't think you could go wrong getting a US Dream...cheap and awesome!
 
Re: Distortion pedal opinions

czarokrates said:
If you're suffering from having too much money you have only one option ;)



Klon...
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Whole I'm at it I'll get a PRS[emoji14]
Haha, not over the top at all. ;)

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Re: Distortion pedal opinions

Gotta be a private stock 10 top though. Also, throw out your Amp and get a Dumble too.


I think the Rat would be a pretty good addition. Completely out of left field you could try something like an Ac Booster too.
 
Re: Distortion pedal opinions

Personally I use a 4 knob pedal based on the crunchbox... so, the JHS Angry Charlie perhaps? Or the Super Crunch Box? I used to use a RAT, but switched to the new pedal.

RAT works far better with a dirty amp, though.
 
Re: Distortion pedal opinions

I have a real original Rat and a US dream.


If you are getting a Rat - I recommend a Proco Solo. OR…the Mooer Black Secret is awesome! Black Secret and US Dream would be about 80 bucks of awesome.

If a DS-1 - get a Keeley Mod.

Someone here has total love for the Metal Master….never a bad choice. I'm sure at least one option will work on it's own and one will be good to layer. PRobably a few other decent ones too!
 
Re: Distortion pedal opinions

I've never used any of those pedals, but I can tell you about what I have and how they sound when I use them with my preferred settings.

Wylde Overdrive - Gobs of harmonics and adds an aggressive growl. It definitely changes the character of your amp's tone. My preferred settings are volume cranked, distortion all the way down and the tone at around 1 o'clock.

OCD - Adds some grind/growl and harmonics, but nowhere near what the Wylde does. So your overall tone sounds the same. My preferred settings are basically the same as the Wylde except I usually only have the volume at around 1 o'clock and the switch is usually set to HP.

Soul Food - It basically just gives me more of what I already have. It makes things a little more crisp too. The settings I use are basically what I do with the OCD, although sometimes I will turn the distortion knob up, depending on my mood.
 
Re: Distortion pedal opinions

Aceman said:
I have a real original Rat and a US dream.


If you are getting a Rat - I recommend a Proco Solo. OR…the Mooer Black Secret is awesome! Black Secret and US Dream would be about 80 bucks of awesome.

If a DS-1 - get a Keeley Mod.

Someone here has total love for the Metal Master….never a bad choice. I'm sure at least one option will work on it's own and one will be good to layer. PRobably a few other decent ones too!
Click to expand...

The Mooer copy looks cool! 2 voicings, cleaner look, and small footprint on the board. I'm going to definitely look it over and are if a local store carries them.

Gone_Shootin said:
I've never used any of those pedals, but I can tell you about what I have and how they sound when I use them with my preferred settings.

Wylde Overdrive - Gobs of harmonics and adds an aggressive growl. It definitely changes the character of your amp's tone. My preferred settings are volume cranked, distortion all the way down and the tone at around 1 o'clock.

OCD - Adds some grind/growl and harmonics, but nowhere near what the Wylde does. So your overall tone sounds the same. My preferred settings are basically the same as the Wylde except I usually only have the volume at around 1 o'clock and the switch is usually set to HP.

Soul Food - It basically just gives me more of what I already have. It makes things a little more crisp too. The settings I use are basically what I do with the OCD, although sometimes I will turn the distortion knob up, depending on my mood.
Click to expand...

Those are all great over drives from what I hear. If I ever fall out of love with my TS copy, I'll be taking a look at those.


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Re: Distortion pedal opinions

treyhaislip said:
Apparently not...wow, I wonder why?
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He's been trying to focus on new designs for a while. For example, the Red Dirt OD is his TS mods, along with mods to the circuit he was unable to do on a stock board, like a FET input buffer.
 
Re: Distortion pedal opinions

PFDarkside said:
He's been trying to focus on new designs for a while. For example, the Red Dirt OD is his TS mods, along with mods to the circuit he was unable to do on a stock board, like a FET input buffer.
Click to expand...

Ah, well best of luck to him! I had one of his modded DS-1s and loved it.
 
Re: Distortion pedal opinions

I am fortunate enough to have one of his modded MT-2 Metalzones.

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