Favorite OD Pedal

[staybobo]

Which of these OD pedal(s) would you use in a live band setting?

1. VVT Amps X-Drive OD
2. Analog.Man King of Tone
3. Xotic Effects BB Preamp
4. Hermida Audio Zendrive
5. Bogner Ecstasy Red Overdrive Pedal
6. Bogner Ecstasy Blue Overdrive Pedal
7. Custom Tones Ethos Amp with TLE Switch
8. BlackStone Mosfet Overdrive
9. PaulCAudio Timmy Overdrive Pedal
10. Other{Explain Below}

 

[Aceman]

Re: Favorite OD Pedal

None.

TS-9

Those pedals, while certainly good, do nothing IMO that a half dozen other pedals can't do for 1/3 the price, and no one in the audience cares.

I'd rather have a plain jane TS9 (and do) and cheap @$$ TS7 tone lok as a backup to bang around than take any of those out. I'd also still have change for a bunch of strings which will do more for my playing and sound than the minor tone mojo any of those things impart.

That's just me. YMMV

 

[jimijames]

Re: Favorite OD Pedal

I voted analogman KoT - I've never played one but it uses very nearly the same circuit as the original Marshall BluesBreaker. The General Guitar Gadgets clone of that pedal is my favorite OD to date.

 

[Gone_Shootin]

Re: Favorite OD Pedal

I love the Bogner pedals, but don't really consider them to be overdrive pedals. They're more of a preamp than anything.

My favorite overdrive pedals, though, are the Fulltone OCD (for when I want a cleaner boost), and the older white painted MXR Wylde Overdrive modded to run 18 volts (it has a way of adding grit, aggression, and harmonicly bluesy character to an amp's tone).

 

[SongsForTheDeaf]

Re: Favorite OD Pedal

Other (Vox Bulldog tube distortion)

I like the punch and cut this pedal has without being harsh and the pure balls

 

[ken361]

Re: Favorite OD Pedal

Bogner red/blue! very amp like and tone full period! and I was plug in amp guy for 6 years. These sound great and smooth loud! Ace being a old Kiss fan you will love the red

 

[ErikH]

Re: Favorite OD Pedal

None of the above.

Boss SD-1
or Boss SD-1 modded to OD-1 specs (8-pin opamp version)
or Boss OD-1

Since the OD-1 has been out of production for years, modding an SD-1 is as close as I can get.

 

[erksin]

Re: Favorite OD Pedal

Coloursound Overdriver or a kickass treble booster for me please.

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Favorite OD Pedal

I'm a big fan of the Boss BD-2 and SD-1. Both work great as overdrives for live playing.

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: Favorite OD Pedal

I swear by my BB Preamp.

 

[Rodney Gene]

Re: Favorite OD Pedal

None.

TS-9

Those pedals, while certainly good, do nothing IMO that a half dozen other pedals can't do for 1/3 the price, and no one in the audience cares.

I'd rather have a plain jane TS9 (and do) and cheap @$$ TS7 tone lok as a backup to bang around than take any of those out. I'd also still have change for a bunch of strings which will do more for my playing and sound than the minor tone mojo any of those things impart.

That's just me. YMMV

I am grateful I am not stuck with a TS9 type circuit. :18: (My 'TS9' is a Paisley Drive)

Ace, what have you played that is 1/3 the price of an Ethos preamp wTLE switch that matches its tone-shaping functions or circuit design?
I am pretty intimate with that pedal having recently done a bunch of sessions with it.

TS9 is a classic mid voiced OD. Its sound and circuit are well known, infinitely copied, predictable and familiar in what it can deliver. But there is so much it cannot do nor would be expected to do.
Preference is once thing, but there is nothing subtle between a TS9 and the transparency of sound from a Zen Drive, BF Honey Bee or Wampler Ecstasy as examples.

As for the audience, I agree with you, they don't care what you use. But we don't choose our tools or tone for them. What they do care about however is inspired playing and I think whatever gets you there is a the right choice.

Respect,

RG

 

[SongsForTheDeaf]

Re: Favorite OD Pedal

the SD-1 is pretty wicked too but cuts too much bass and gets a little honky with my setup when used alone.. stacked with my EHX hot tubes it rips though!

 

[Aceman]

Re: Favorite OD Pedal

My personal fave is actually my Stamps Drive-O-Matic

 

[SirJackdeFuzz]

Re: Favorite OD Pedal

Right now, it is a 50/50 split between these two :

 

[Mad-Max]

Re: Favorite OD Pedal

An Ibanez TS-9 has done wonders for me. Simple, 3 knobs, adjustability, and efficiency at half the price. I personally have the 30th Anniversary version, so it looks flashy

Also, a Boss SD-1 Super Overdrive has done the job well also, and works extremely well for half the price of a Tubescreamer, so a good cheap alternative for me. In fact, I just purchased one the other day :smokin:

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Favorite OD Pedal

Other: None. I'd rather use two amps and an AB box than any sort of OD pedal. There is so much control that way. You can choose any two amps you want, and set them up however you want with all the cool knobs and controls on each amp. And you don't get that sound and weird feeling from adding more gain and dirt before the amplifier's pre-amp. I've never used a pedal that sounds better to me than an amp's natural distortion.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Favorite OD Pedal

Any of the ones listed will do the job, provided you have a good amp.

I just got the Bogner pedals and they sound great, but they're so new I don't have any real experience with them yet.

So far, my Klon Centaur, Barber LTD silver, Way Huge Green Rhino, and T Rex Moller have been the most useful. One of my favorites for turning a clean Marshall into a roaring Marshall is the Guv'Nor II. It's just got the right voicing and control over the EQ.

So from your list, I'd say the Ethos, Bogner Blue, and King of Tone.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Favorite OD Pedal

i had a kot and it was great, sold it to a friend of mine who needed it more than i did. the only pedal that i have at every gig is timmy. i have two. one is on my little board and the other lives in my cable bag that comes to every gig. timmy is a great pedal. i use it as a volume/mid boost with just a touch of added gain. i play live every week and i havent found anything i like as much with my rig

 

[EET_FUK]

Re: Favorite OD Pedal

Got 2:

BD-2----->SD-1

I love each one separately and they compliment each other perfectly. All I need as far as OD pedals go.

 

[jon the art guy]

Re: Favorite OD Pedal

I have a Zenith Drive, which is a slightly modified DIY Hermida Zendrive, and I think it's really beautiful sounding. I've heard a lot of good stuff about the BB, and I'll probably build one in the future, along with some of the other Xotics.

If it stems from a TS808, it'll be great. My opinion of OD is that is should add some dirt, but not overhaul your tone or sound like a different amp. A Distortion pedal can lead it by the nose wherever it wants...

But I think I'm all confused about what Overdrive is anyway. The Zendrive does what I think OD is. I've heard amazing things about a Timmy too, and it's on my build list.