I need a new overdrive pedal.

Axl H

Axl H

Blowthebloodydoorsoffologist
Hey.

Basically I need a new OD pedal, my birthday is up and I have been wanting to have one for a long time, but which one?

I like 80s hair metal guitar tones, my inspiration with tones are:
Mick Mars (Esp. the lead tone during the Home Sweet Home solo).
Carlos (Quiet Riot during Metal Health).
Matthias Jabs.
Adrian Smith.
Ken hammer.
Randy Rhoads.
And others.

I am looking for something in their ballpark, but my own preference would be:
Smooth (Not totally flushing out the notes), but yet a bit raw.
Suited for both Lead and rhythm (But it would mainly be a lead pedal).
Can cover alot of ground.

I have looked at:
Boss BD-2, SD-1, OD-3.
Rocktron Austin Gold.
MXR distortion+ RI.

Rid says the Dist+ reissue sounds bad, but from the clip at MXR I thought it sounded fine.

Out of those 5 which one would suit my needs good?

And no other suggestions please, I wont use Tubescreamers etc.

Btw. Where can one get soundclps of the Rocktron and MXR?

Thanks.
 
Re: I need a new overdrive pedal.

Hi . . .


. . . Rocktron has great clips on their own site, btw !


Of the ones listed, my fav. is the BD-2 - by a long shot !

Fantastic gain & vol. boost, if you want to use it as a plain booster and not always as an OD !

Have you given the RAT a listen !
That is the ONLY pedal that i use as much as my BD-2 !
I am also sure that the BD-2 will be a great pedal for your needs, but so too the RAT !

I also, imho, think the Austin Gold is a very underrated pedal, but is tooo smooth for what you are asking for !

Sweet gain with that slight gritty rawish break-up = BD-2 - all the way !
 
Re: I need a new overdrive pedal.

What amp are you using?


I would venture to say, without knowing about your amp, that a DS-1 or a modded one might be what you're looking for.
 
Re: I need a new overdrive pedal.

I have ENGL Screaer 50 through a 4x12", it sounds fantastic, its just like it gets a bit fizzy on the top with too much gain, and its really a solobooster I want.

I already have DS-1 with a Germanium in it, it sounds cool but not really a solo booster.
 
Re: I need a new overdrive pedal.

Down to personal preference mostly this one mate - although I've just got the tweak fuzz and im well impressed:dance:
 
Re: I need a new overdrive pedal.

I'd say going to a music shop and trying them all out would be the best idea:banana:
 
Re: I need a new overdrive pedal.

AH^DK said:
Hey.

Basically I need a new OD pedal, my birthday is up and I have been wanting to have one for a long time, but which one?

I like 80s hair metal guitar tones, my inspiration with tones are:
Mick Mars (Esp. the lead tone during the Home Sweet Home solo).
Carlos (Quiet Riot during Metal Health).
Matthias Jabs.
Adrian Smith.
Ken hammer.
Randy Rhoads.
And others.

I am looking for something in their ballpark, but my own preference would be:
Smooth (Not totally flushing out the notes), but yet a bit raw.
Suited for both Lead and rhythm (But it would mainly be a lead pedal).
Can cover alot of ground.

I have looked at:
Boss BD-2, SD-1, OD-3.
Rocktron Austin Gold.
MXR distortion+ RI.

Rid says the Dist+ reissue sounds bad, but from the clip at MXR I thought it sounded fine.

Out of those 5 which one would suit my needs good?

And no other suggestions please, I wont use Tubescreamers etc.

Btw. Where can one get soundclps of the Rocktron and MXR?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

I am sorry guys but these are classic examples of TS808/TS9 especially Smith and Jabs. Today Adrian Smith is using TS9 reissue precisesly as the solo booster, two issues of guitar player magazine ago his rig was on the last page. Now, but what realy will get you close to that sound is John Spina mod of TS9 reissue. Now I know you said you don't wanna use tubscreamers, but the fact of the matter is, that's what that sound is .... On "Balls to The Wall" "Russian Roulette" "Restless and Wild" Wolf, used MXR distoriton +, but that's a slightly different tone, a little more rounchy, but my John Spine TS9 gets me pretty close to it too when turn the volume on the guitar all the way up and drive on the TS9 a notch or two up from usual.
 
Re: I need a new overdrive pedal.

AH^DK said:
I have ENGL Screaer 50 through a 4x12", it sounds fantastic, its just like it gets a bit fizzy on the top with too much gain, and its really a solobooster I want.

I already have DS-1 with a Germanium in it, it sounds cool but not really a solo booster.
Click to expand...

TS9...
 
Re: I need a new overdrive pedal.

FWIW, Rid is right in that the reissue MXR Distortion+ sounds terrible, at least in my opinion.
 
Re: I need a new overdrive pedal.

Ibanez Metal Screamer, great for 80s metal. Thats all that i use mine for. I have it up for sale ::spam:: If you're interested drop me a pm and i can give you some more info.
 
Re: I need a new overdrive pedal.

The Screamer 50 already has a solo boost - the VLS feature accessible via the z5 footswitch. I have no problem getting an 80's type tone outta my Screamer especially on the soft lead channel. I also use an 808 type od pedal and a boost pedal based on a Fulltone Phat boost for adding a little extra hair if required. I always use the VLS for solo boosting though.
 
Re: I need a new overdrive pedal.

+1 to the BD-2 . . . that pedal has way more boost/gain than you would think is neededfor a blues pedal . . .
 
Re: I need a new overdrive pedal.

Boss SD-1. Not as much clipping as the BD-2 but very effective. Turn the drive all the way down, level all the way up and adjust the tone to taste.

What I did to mine was changed the clipping diodes out for 1N4001's, plus a few other mods. However, stock it is still a very good unit for using as a lead boost if you want a little bit of drive behind it.

I was never a Tubescreamer fan but they also work just as good. The major difference between them and the SD-1 is the clipping style, symmetrical (Ibanez) vs. assymetrical (Boss).
 
Re: I need a new overdrive pedal.

Well, I tried a bunch of pedals today:

Boss BD-2.
Boss OD-3.
Rat 2.
Keeley Fuzz Head.
EMMA Reezafratzitz.


BD-2: Fell alot to my taste, very natural AC/DCish in the sound, good for solos and rythm.

OD-3: Sounded good but not really to my taste.

Rat 2: Again nice sound but too compressed.

Emma Reeza: WAAY too compressed for my taste.

Fuzz Head: Lets just say this one got to number one on the wish list!! It sounds awesome, very 70s :D I just had to play Smoke on the water, Born to be wild and those classics. It killed, I just loved its raw uncompressed tone.

So the list is a Fuzz Head and a BD-2, hoping to get both ;)

Thanks to all of ya :)
 
Re: I need a new overdrive pedal.

I like the BD-2 a lot also. Consider some of the crazy mods available from Keeley, if you're interested. I am thinking of the Freak Fuzz mod, but I really like the stock version right now.
 
Re: I need a new overdrive pedal.

WEll I think Rid can have it for a few days to see what crazy stuff it can do.

He made a DOD FX86B death Metal sound good, thats a BIG accomplishment :D
 
Re: I need a new overdrive pedal.

SD Twin Tube will do this very well. BD-2 is decent at this as is the OD-2 and SD-1 for alternatives. TS9 is classic.
 
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