Favorite OD Pedal

[thespricket]

Re: Favorite OD Pedal

Overshadowed by the OCD, the Fulltone Plimsoul has got to be my favorite overdrive. It also borders on the edge to distortion. Classic plexi in a box, it's that goto midlevel crunch.

I was lucky enough to get a TIM for next to nothing. I wasn't even looking for one, but I couldn't resist the deal. It's totally the best overdrive I've ever used. I also like having the TIM over the Timmy because the boost sounds great too, and it's nice to be able to control it too. It's the most transparent drive I've ever heard. I leave it set very clean, and I can leave it on all the time just to give my Blues Jr a little spank, and turn it off when I want super clean.

There are entirely too many overdriven out there to choose from, there are so many nice ones. It's great to see a lot of love for the SD1. I keep one of those around for when I'm on the go. I hear people talk them down, mostly because they're Boss, but I've gotten some fantastic sounds out of a strat into an SD-1 into a fender tube amp (usually a hot rod). I've even heard a DS-1 sound great with that setup.

The MXR Classic OD is also a really great budget OD, very similar to the SD-1.



Guitar->pedals->amp

 

[jeremy]

Re: Favorite OD Pedal

i had a tim for a while too and i liked timmy better. tim is great but i dont really need the boost and i did hear a touch of difference. my rig loves timmy, yours might like tim better

 

[the guy who invented fire]

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

Thats a rather bold statement and I'd bet big money that you've used less than 1/3 of the pedals on his list...

 

[the guy who invented fire]

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.

Don't base your opinion of a KoT on a BB...trust me, circuit similarities aside. Head to head they have little in common!

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Favorite OD Pedal

Coloursound Overdriver or a kickass treble booster for me please.

A man after my own heart!

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Favorite OD Pedal

Of the pedals on your list I have 2 of them...King of Tone and Blackstone.

They are both great pedals, both very unique and both very different!

Of the 2, if I had to choose it'd likely depend on the day but most days the KoT would likely win out.

That said the OD on my board right now is a ZVex Box of Rock and I've also been digging into the Way Huge Pork Loin lately...

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Favorite OD Pedal

I've played only one of those pedals, and yes, it's "Other". Fulltone OCD; I love that damned thing. If it had a DC motor in it, I'd keep one in the drawer of my nightstand.

 

[jimijames]

Re: Favorite OD Pedal

Don't base your opinion of a KoT on a BB...trust me, circuit similarities aside. Head to head they have little in common!

Well the GGG MBB clone I made also uses some MA856 diodes I got years ago that I forgot I had, and a NE5532 (I think?) op-amp. I tried The TL072 and the JRC4558D too. I mean, yeah I would need to swap out all the resistors for carbon comp, and get some nicer caps than what come with the kit, but the diodes and op-amp IME are the two biggest difference makers in the sound of an OD pedal.

I know it's not exact but that's as close as I'm gonna get on my budget. I also know you're a gear aficionado and I didn't mean to insult the KoT at all.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Favorite OD Pedal

Thats a rather bold statement and I'd bet big money that you've used less than 1/3 of the pedals on his list...

I will fully admit to NONE of them.

I'd bet big money that 1/3 or the owners of those can't play Mary Had A Little Lamb worth hearing, and that the other 1/3 are playing to a pile of dirty underwear in their bedroom. As for the remaining third, I think most of them don't use those.

There are ten thousand different flavors of dirt. Most of them are not that different. It always blows me away how people want "transparent" then go off in search of the uber-box of transparency. I don't believe in transparency. I believe the minute you go electric transparency is out the window and all there is is the tone of whatever is between the strongs and your ears. Number one is the amp. Every amp colors your sound in some way and no two sound alike. Once you start adding boxes, I think the quest for transparency is an oxymoron. You WANT color to the tone. Don't worry about it and just make sure the tone is a good one.

You can make a good tone with a Boss HM-2 and an Arion Delay through a Crate solid state amp if you use your ears and fiddle with the knobs. (Admittedly that'll take a while)
You can make a crappy tone through a Bogner Ecstasy with an OCD and a Maxon 9 series if you goof up. (Admittedly that won't be easy either)

And all the transparency in the world is gonna be lost through stage monitors.

So what is your point Christian? I think what you are trying to say is that I make a lot of good sense and that you are an argumentative sexy man (all be it a very gear knowledgeable one).

Look at the poll result. MOST respondents didn't choose any of them. Hmmmm......

Fine - you want REAL transparency? Buy a decent amp. There is NOTHING a decent amp won't do that those little boxes do. Set it right and use the volume knob to generate infinitely variable overdrive.


Read the post. The guy said IN A LIVE BAND SETTING. In a live band setting, I want THREE things: Sturdy, cheap, and Mid Boost. And thus I gave my opinion.

Sorry if a you don't like what a gigging pro like me has to say about these things....I think you have been sniffing the cork too hard bro. You sucked them up your nose and now have completely lost your sense of smell.

 

[Rodney Gene]

Re: Favorite OD Pedal

I will fully admit to NONE of them.

I'd bet big money that 1/3 or the owners of those can't play Mary Had A Little Lamb worth hearing, and that the other 1/3 are playing to a pile of dirty underwear in their bedroom. As for the remaining third, I think most of them don't use those.

There are ten thousand different flavors of dirt. Most of them are not that different. It always blows me away how people want "transparent" then go off in search of the uber-box of transparency. I don't believe in transparency. I believe the minute you go electric transparency is out the window and all there is is the tone of whatever is between the strongs and your ears. Number one is the amp. Every amp colors your sound in some way and no two sound alike. Once you start adding boxes, I think the quest for transparency is an oxymoron. You WANT color to the tone. Don't worry about it and just make sure the tone is a good one.

You can make a good tone with a Boss HM-2 and an Arion Delay through a Crate solid state amp if you use your ears and fiddle with the knobs. (Admittedly that'll take a while)
You can make a crappy tone through a Bogner Ecstasy with an OCD and a Maxon 9 series if you goof up. (Admittedly that won't be easy either)

And all the transparency in the world is gonna be lost through stage monitors.

So what is your point Christian? I think what you are trying to say is that I make a lot of good sense and that you are an argumentative dooshrocket (all be it a very gear knowledgeable one).

Look at the poll result. MOST respondents didn't choose any of them. Hmmmm......

Fine - you want REAL transparency? Buy a decent amp. There is NOTHING a decent amp won't do that those little boxes do. Set it right and use the volume knob to generate infinitely variable overdrive.


Read the post. The guy said IN A LIVE BAND SETTING. In a live band setting, I want THREE things: Sturdy, cheap, and Mid Boost. And thus I gave my opinion.

Sorry if a you don't like what a gigging pro like me has to say about these things....I think you have been sniffing the cork too hard bro. You sucked them up your nose and now have completely lost your sense of smell.

I realize this is an internet forum, so certain liberties are taken and mis-information is often overlooked. That said, this is a curious post and a mis-informed post in some places.

The term 'transparency' in regards to pedals just means the character and fundamental tone of the guitar and amp are still present when the pedal is engaged. You may not 'believe' in transparency, but this is a useful, desirable and an intentional quality found in great ODs and boost pedals. Its no oxymoron. It is very 'amp' like. Since you have no personal experience with so many of these pedals, it may be helpful to listen first. A great transparent OD is a joy to play and instantly understood for what it is.

I have 'decent' amps but some do not offer overdrive, even cranked. Being part of the 'remaining' 1/3 in your equation, I can say from experience that most professionals I know or tour with use OD pedals live and in the studio. OD pedals can offer a great deal more flexibility for your tone than just an amp in many cases. I realize the comment about 'cork sniffing' was directed at a specific user, but in truth it has zero relevance here as it was a broad sweep about the pedals in this poll and a broad opinion about countless professional players who may have developed an ear for subtleties in their tone. We each have our own standards of excellence and our own level of sound development or attune-ment. All are valid.

Some players (such as yourself) have admittedly never even played these pedals and have no experience with them to conclude an opinion. This has nothing to do with 'cork' sniffing', but how can there be anything credible about a closed-ended opinion that is based on speculation? Its silly if you want to be taken seriously or if you hope your 'opinion' will have any genuine influence.

Respect,

RG

 

[Aceman]

Re: Favorite OD Pedal

Wow Rod (<= see what I did there?)

I'm pushing the definition Rod. I know what transparency is - and by the way; My point stands. Transparency or not - good sound is good sound. Just because it is 'amp like' means little/nothing. What amp? If that's what you want go get that amp.

And be careful there Rod. I said I didn't OWN any of them. You have no idea how many of those I have actually played.

Countless touring pros use common everyday boxes because they are Sturdy, cheap, and easily replaced on the road. And they sound just fine. And they realized the nuances are totally lost over monitors and speakers and the crowd live.

The OP asked which of the above, and gave a list with an other option. I gave my opinion - which was other. My opinion is firmly in the camp of "a lot of boutique stuff is way over priced and people worry too much about tone live" camp. Totally valid. It is something to consider. I can think for myself, and I'm sure the OP can read all the views, and decide for himself.

You don't have to agree.

kiss Me,

Ace

 

[mrpinter]

Re: Favorite OD Pedal

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

Wow I'm impressed. Those Stamps pedals are really scarce. I don't have one but I used to do advertising for Robert Stamps. It's a small world in music business marketing/advertising. Have you any idea what became of Robert?

Incidentally, my fave OD is an out of print Earthquaker Devices model called the Chrysalis. It is NOT a clone of anything, it was designed to sound like guitar fx from the 70s, but more specifically - like those tones once they were processed and pressed on vinyl. Hard to describe, but it is simply a brilliant pedal.

 

[erksin]

Re: Favorite OD Pedal

I had an original Stamps Drive-O-Matic and found it absolutely poo-like. No accounting for taste I guess. lol

I'm obviously pretty biased, but IMO Ace is talking out his glittery bunghole. Except about the part of wanting a pedal to push mids when playing live and nothing does more for you than a great amp.

 

[Rodney Gene]

Re: Favorite OD Pedal

I'm pushing the definition Rod. I know what transparency is - and by the way; My point stands. Transparency or not - good sound is good sound. Just because it is 'amp like' means little/nothing. What amp? If that's what you want go get that amp.

Pushing the definition? LOL. Your 'point' can stand Aceman, this isn't about defending a point or position. With respect, 'amp like' means dynamic, responsive and subtle. These are great qualities in a pedal that some of us find valuable. Some amps cannot achieve the responsiveness of certain pedals and some amp circuits are not 'transparent' at all. Besides we are talking about pedals, not amps. Again, I encourage you to use them.

And be careful there Rod. I said I didn't OWN any of them. You have no idea how many of those I have actually played.

I am always careful Aceman, by default. That is the natural result of asking for real-time, real-life clarification. There is no flame here, there is not even a debate here. Maybe we are reading different posts but you said you admit to using NONE of them when someone suggested you hadn't used 1/3 of them. Based on your replies, I would believe you have not used these pedals as well, at least not with any integral testing. So... you have either used them or you haven't. Both are OK with me.

I will fully admit to NONE of them...

So what is the reference point then? Close-ended, broad sweeping opinions are an epidemic on forums which have no credibility to me if they are based on perception and not experience. That's not personal, I don't care whose opinion it is.

Countless touring pros use common everyday boxes because they are Sturdy, cheap, and easily replaced on the road. And they sound just fine. And they realized the nuances are totally lost over monitors and speakers and the crowd live.

The term 'countless' means little in real life substance. Which 'pros' are you referring to? We may just have a different understanding of the term. Bar bands? Heavy Metal or Hard Rock acts? Certainly a degree of dynamics get lost on stage, but never to the point of being irrelevant to what gear we use. Tone has a 'feel' to it. We are often looking for the 'feel' live. We have stage sound / live sound and we have studio sound. For many players that I work with, that doesn't change much. For soe, it doesn't change at all. Browse through premier guitar rig rundowns of touring musicians and look at the reality of a modern musician on the road. You will find every manner of gear from high-end to mid-end, always chosen for tone and function, not for cheap/rugged factor. There are are always exceptions but they are few and again all paths are here are valid. Cheers.

Respect,

BTW, I only kiss my wife.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Favorite OD Pedal

oops - it actually did say use....I read that as owned. My bad.

 

[King IzzO)))]

Re: Favorite OD Pedal

TS-9

Plimsoul

I did mess with a walrus pedal that I really liked a while back, but I can't remember if it was the Voyager or the other one (I was testing all of their pedals at the same time). It's the one that sounds like a TS, go figure.

 

[Rodney Gene]

Re: Favorite OD Pedal

oops - it actually did say use....I read that as owned. My bad.

View attachment 47218

 

[Matt42]

Re: Favorite OD Pedal

I voted other. My two go to ODs are an OCD clone and a Mad Proffesor Sweet Honey clone (I dont have enough disposable income to afford the originals). I also use an AC Booster clone and an MXR Custom Badass OD set mostly for a boost. I'd love to pick up an MXR Classic OD, Wampler Paisley, Wampler Euphoria and a Caitlinbread 5f6.

 

[d1dsj]

Re: Favorite OD Pedal

Top of the pile is a Klon Clone built here in the UK by JuanSolo and next up is the Analogman PoT. However if I just want to give my amp some extra presence, sparkle and Ooomph I go to my Keeley T.M.B.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Favorite OD Pedal

Ace...calm down mate...no need to get yer panties in a bunch.

You can choose whatever OD pedal you want and since you are a "gigging pro" nobody will argue, least of all me...after all I work a real job for a living and gig during my off time.

My only point was you, with a single post slammed 9 different pedals, all of which are well known and respected by saying that they "do nothing IMO that a half dozen other pedals can't do for 1/3 the price", your words, not mine...

I simply do not see how you can say that if you have never tried them. I must assume one of two things either you are basing your opinions on youtube clips which is truly redundant or you are simply making blanket statements with zero facts or experience to back it up and based on the bulk of your posts I'm betting it's the latter but even so thats a bad thing to do...it helps prove that you have no idea what you are talking about and also that you are a bit of a ******...

Your other statement about "no one in the audience cares" while also a bone headed statement might be true most of the time...HOWEVER, I as a player (even thought not a "gigging pro" like yourself) can tell and it does matter to me.

Anyway, I was just giving my opinion and since I am not a "gigging pro" I'll bow out at this time and let you have it big boy.