Good low gain overdrive pedal?

J

Jeremiah

New member
Hi everyone.

I'm on the lookout for a low gain overdrive pedal. The only drive/distortion pedal I currently have is a Marshall ShredMaster which is quite good at what it does, but I'd like something more subtle.

Ideally, I'm looking for something that can go from adding a tiny bit of grit to a mostly-clean sound, up to dirty blues at the top end of its gain range, but without affecting the overall EQ balance that much. I don't really want a tubescreamer type pedal as they tend to boost the midrange too much.

I also want an actual overdrive, not just a boost to get more drive from the amp, as I'd like something that will add a bit of drive without boosting the overall volume.

The other thing I'm looking for is for the gain control to add useable amounts of drive linearly over its entire range. One of the problems with the Shredmaster is not that it won't do low-gain, but that the gain control does nothing for the first half of its movement, then adds a huge amount of gain by turning it a tiny amount, making it almost impossible to dial in the right sound.

Also, I don't have the budget for anything boutique/hand wired etc, so unless some amazing used deal comes up (which seems to be rare in the UK,) it has to be relatively cheap.
 
Re: Good low gain overdrive pedal?

Xotic BB Preamp should be your first port of call, but it will probably be out of your price range.

Boiling Point is another one, but that is even more expensive.

Sorry, I'm not being very helpful!
 
Re: Good low gain overdrive pedal?

Ibanez Jet Driver, maybe the TurboTS9, ... I believe the Swollen Pickle has a mid dipping knob... But really, most under $90 ODs squash the fidelity in the bass range: coughing up for a $140 boutique style might be worth it to match your standards. Seriously

I like my Boss Blues Driver:its weak and tightens the bass w/ out castrating it outright but you might want a Monte Allum mod to improve the gain quality. If u could do it yrself, you could order the parts later.
 
Re: Good low gain overdrive pedal?

There are many pedals that could get you where you want.

I quite like the OCD and the TS808.

And as you are in the UK i could knock something up for you cheaper than most lesser retail pedals.

Shoot me a PM if you are interested.
 
Re: Good low gain overdrive pedal?

Definitely look into a Timmy. Get on the waiting list now - I believe it's about four or five months at this point, but getting a new one for $129 and waiting a few months is cheaper than getting a used one now for $160-180.
 
Re: Good low gain overdrive pedal?

Fulltone Fulldrive II, if you can swing it. I just picked one of these up to replace my MXR Classic OD (which is a great OD pedal). Like you, I wanted a very versatile OD pedal. I play in a cover band that does a wide variety of tunes and was intrigued by the Fulldrive. In my estimation, the Fulldrive II covers all the ground that a classic "green OD" pedal will, plus adds so many more tonal variations...I'm still exploring it, but after a few nights of noodling and one band rehearsal, I'm seeing that this thing will become a mainstay in my rig.

You can get a Fulldrive II here in the US for around $150.

Good luck in your quest.
 
Re: Good low gain overdrive pedal?

the only OD i use. it's less than 40 bucks. it has a tube screamer vibe to it, except it has more tone control.

f658a230.jpg
 
Re: Good low gain overdrive pedal?

Guys he was specific when he said not a Tubescreamer...if a TS is out then a Fulldrive or Bad Monkey is for sure out...

I'm waiting to see what his budget is but there are some good ideas in here!
 
Re: Good low gain overdrive pedal?

Ok, thanks for the recommendations so far

I definitely can't spend more than £80, and was hoping someone like Behringer or Danelectro would make something that would do the job for less than £50, lol...

Um, maybe I'm better waiting until I have more to spend, though I'm not sure that time will ever come...:(
 
Re: Good low gain overdrive pedal?

A quick search of eBay UK shows that Fulltone OCD's sell for right at the £80 mark...other options in that price I found quickly would be the ZVex Distortron and the ZVex Box of Rock and Xotic BB Preamp both are just above your £80 budget both coming in right at £90 give or take used.

I'd start with one of those 4 boxes for now and see what you think.

Best of luck!
 
Re: Good low gain overdrive pedal?

Jeremiah said:
Ideally, I'm looking for something that can go from adding a tiny bit of grit to a mostly-clean sound, up to dirty blues at the top end of its gain range, but without affecting the overall EQ balance that much. I don't really want a tubescreamer type pedal as they tend to boost the midrange too much.

it has to be relatively cheap.
Click to expand...

Sounds like an ad for the Boss Blues Driver BD2 which runs about $50 used in the US.

As mentioned above, there are a ton of modifiactions for this unit if wanted in the future.
 
Re: Good low gain overdrive pedal?

Thats 3 for modded BD2- it modifies your tone, make no mistake, but in a pretty usable way- it turns what you have tighter with more bite. After a bit, it's conceivable you'll forget it's on, theres some bass loss but the strings sound tighter. but i don't LOVE the gain: HOWEVER the Monte Allum mod video made me a believer & Im sure analogman doubles its appeal. It may or may not be compatible so testdrive it first if you can. Otherwise, expect some compromised sound or save up for something better...
I guess it kinda was designed as a TS alternative for blues, ...
 
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