I tried a bunch of pedal today... MXR, T Rex, Zvex, MI Audio, and... New Pedal Day!

[Pierre]

T Rex Mudhonny: Well it's muddy, thick and mean. Very fuzzlike in many ways. I get the same thing by putting my Big Muff on top most drive channels so... not worth it. Nice pedal if you dig this kind of tones, but if you have a muff, it may not be worth it.

MXR Boost/OD: Average pedal at best. It sounded good but didn't excite me. I spent way less time with it than with the others.

Zvex box of rocks: WOW. Absolutely BEAUTIFUL sound. 120 pounds so it was a little too much compared to what I wanted to spend. I could have afforded it but not justified it... But wow do I want one now. It really is a NICE sound.

MI Audio Blues Pro: THE WINNER! Beautiful tone, plug and play, 'fuzz' switch for a cool variation, and only 70 pounds. The cost of a Boss Blues Driver Really no contest actually. That's a NICE pedal right there, especially for the cost. Different alltogether from the BOR. Which is partly why I bought it. I'll sell the SD1, DS1 and Bad Monkey and get the BOR, with the Blues Pro in front

 

[tone4days]

Re: I tried a bunch of pedal today... MXR, T Rex, Zvex, MI Audio, and... New Pedal Da

T Rex Mudhonny: Well it's muddy, thick and mean. Very fuzzlike in many ways. I get the same thing by putting my Big Muff on top most drive channels so... not worth it. Nice pedal if you dig this kind of tones, but if you have a muff, it may not be worth it.

MXR Boost/OD: Average pedal at best. It sounded good but didn't excite me. I spent way less time with it than with the others.

Zvex box of rocks: WOW. Absolutely BEAUTIFUL sound. 120 pounds so it was a little too much compared to what I wanted to spend. I could have afforded it but not justified it... But wow do I want one now. It really is a NICE sound.

MI Audio Blues Pro: THE WINNER! Beautiful tone, plug and play, 'fuzz' switch for a cool variation, and only 70 pounds. The cost of a Boss Blues Driver Really no contest actually. That's a NICE pedal right there, especially for the cost. Different alltogether from the BOR. Which is partly why I bought it. I'll sell the SD1, DS1 and Bad Monkey and get the BOR, with the Blues Pro in front

besides 'nice' can you tell us a bit more about the BOR and BP? ... what guitar did you play thru them? what amp did you play theminto? what kind of tones did they get? low gain? hi gain? mid gain? buzzy/fizzyness? smooth sustain? compressed?

thanks
t4d

 

[Pierre]

Re: I tried a bunch of pedal today... MXR, T Rex, Zvex, MI Audio, and... New Pedal Da

Hehe sorry still a bit excited.

Amp was a Laney LC30 with a 12'' speaker. I was using my own Strat with Custom8/QP/SSL1

The BP is basically a smoothed out, balanced TubeScreamer with a fuzz mode. It does NOT sound like a TS, thankfully. It's a thick, harmonic overdrive... kinda like how I use my SD1 right now, for mid gain standalone OD. Real nice lead voice. It's not a very bright pedal unless the fuzz switch is on.

The BOR is supposed to be a JTM45 sound. It's a quite transparent sounding OD, not a lot of gain at all. But very, very musical, not harsh, doesn't quite sound like anything else I tried. It's very clear for chords too (due to the low gain too of course) and cleans up quite nicely with the guitar's volume knob. It's a low gain distortion but it's absolutely brilliant. I LOVED it.

Now keep in mind I LOVED the BP too, especially given its price, but it's a different sound. Thicker, more OD like than low gain distortion if you see what I mean.

 

[wahwah]

Re: I tried a bunch of pedal today... MXR, T Rex, Zvex, MI Audio, and... New Pedal Da

Before you buy the Box of Rock, you should hear how the MI Audio Crunch Box matches up with the Blues Pro. I've got a Vexter (made in Taiwan) Box of Rock, and I'm selling it because it doesn't suit my rig as well as the Crunch Box. MI always intended the CB and BP to work together. I really want to hear a US made BOR, because despite all of the claims of similar components, I have a strong feeling that the US versions would be substantially better.




Cheers..................................wahwah

 

[bungalowbill]

Re: I tried a bunch of pedal today... MXR, T Rex, Zvex, MI Audio, and... New Pedal Da

I got a Blues Pro last week and it is the best low/mid gain od pedal I have so far used. I use the Crunch Box for higher gain stuff and the BP for mid gain and a bad monkey for cleanish boost.....I'm thinking about a boost n' buff when I get the bones.

If you want those M I audio pedals to really shine, run them on 18 volts...it really opens them up and makes them very touch sensitive and amplike.

 

[Pierre]

Re: I tried a bunch of pedal today... MXR, T Rex, Zvex, MI Audio, and... New Pedal Da

I used to have a Crunchbox, but I had to sell it. I'm building one, I should probably get back to it...


And it's NOW I'm hearing you're selling your BOR? :doh:

 

[FAC]

Re: I tried a bunch of pedal today... MXR, T Rex, Zvex, MI Audio, and... New Pedal Da

I have a Box of Rock that I use into a victoria 20112 (fender tweed deluxe style). I don't have much experience with distortion pedals (currently, it is the only one I own...went on a quest in December and this is the one I came home with), so I can't really wax eloquently about its sound versus other pedals that I own 'cause I don't own any others, but it gives me a very classic rock vibe...AC/DC comes to mind, I think...as you say, not a high gain device, but very, very cool.

It is worth mentioning that the box of rock has the added feature of a separate switchable boost in the same pedal, which is nice with the tweed. I feel there is a tiny bit of low end lost when the boost is engaged, so it is not "totally transparent", but actually that is probably a good thing to keep the deluxe from bottoming out with humbuckers, etc.

The Zvex website says the box of rock is best used with a clean marshall to get an accurate JTM45 sound...but I really like it with my tweed, even when the tweed is on 12 (yep, it goes to 12).

 

[wahwah]

Re: I tried a bunch of pedal today... MXR, T Rex, Zvex, MI Audio, and... New Pedal Da

Yeah, the BOR is already up on eBay just for a local sale. I'm going to try the Jetter Gain Stage Purple which has just come out, same price as the BOR, but more of an early 70's Plexi sound than a JTM45. It's going to have to be pretty good to beat out the Crunch Box, but I've got a feeling it will be. The Jetter is aimed at running through blackface style amps, which is what I use, so it will be interesting. Enjoy that Blues Pro, they're a great OD.



Cheers.................................wahwah

 

[Pierre]

Re: I tried a bunch of pedal today... MXR, T Rex, Zvex, MI Audio, and... New Pedal Da

Playing the BP now. Well it DOES sound like a Tube Screamer... but better More bass, more balanced EQ, not shrill and nasal and annoying like some TS can be.


Annnnnd it's VERY clear sounding too! Man I'm loving this pedal.

Edit 2: There's that midspike I usually don't like when using the bridge pickup... but I don't mind it this time. It's a very clear type of gain and a very musical overdrive.


I have 7 days to return it just in case I want the BOR instead... but I doubt

 

[tone4days]

Re: I tried a bunch of pedal today... MXR, T Rex, Zvex, MI Audio, and... New Pedal Da

thanks, enjoy

 

[millsart]

Re: I tried a bunch of pedal today... MXR, T Rex, Zvex, MI Audio, and... New Pedal Da

Yeah, the BOR is already up on eBay just for a local sale. I'm going to try the Jetter Gain Stage Purple which has just come out, same price as the BOR, but more of an early 70's Plexi sound than a JTM45. It's going to have to be pretty good to beat out the Crunch Box, but I've got a feeling it will be. The Jetter is aimed at running through blackface style amps, which is what I use, so it will be interesting. Enjoy that Blues Pro, they're a great OD.

Cheers.................................wahwah

Wow, I thought you were really digging the BOR. Anything in particular happen to change your opinion of it ?

I've got the CB myself which I'm a pretty big fan of though its hard to shake that 80's metal vibe it gives me. I just picked up a modded Boss DS-2 which might be able to fill that same role (at a much cheaper price)

I was thinking of checking out a BOR myself based on your experiences but perhaps now I won't. The Plexitone is another that I've been wanting to get my hands on as well.

Basically I want a really rich cranked Plexi type of tone from a semi clean amp. Not as tame as a JTM45 as I want a bit more balls, but at the same time, I really don't want anything that crosses into the JCM800 area either.

Mind you I do love the JCM tones, but its just not what I'm after.

Surely someones got something to nail the plexi on 10 tone, shy of cranking the actual head which isn't practical for me.

For what its worth though, no amp I've ever played does sound better dimed than a Plexi. Its the essence of cranked amp tone.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: I tried a bunch of pedal today... MXR, T Rex, Zvex, MI Audio, and... New Pedal Da

Before you buy the Box of Rock, you should hear how the MI Audio Crunch Box matches up with the Blues Pro. I've got a Vexter (made in Taiwan) Box of Rock, and I'm selling it because it doesn't suit my rig as well as the Crunch Box. MI always intended the CB and BP to work together. I really want to hear a US made BOR, because despite all of the claims of similar components, I have a strong feeling that the US versions would be substantially better.Cheers..................................wahwah

Trust me when I tell you this...if you don't sig the Vexter you'll feel the same about the handpainted USA version...it's the same parts on the same board, just a different paint job. I've looked inside both as well as compared both head to head at the same time...if you close your eyes the only difference is the price.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: I tried a bunch of pedal today... MXR, T Rex, Zvex, MI Audio, and... New Pedal Da

I've got a T. Rex Mudhoney. It's an interesting pedal since it does UGLY in a beautiful way. It's like a river of mud flowing down a hillside. Like the dirty little love child of Hendrix and Sabbath.

It's one of the only pedals that can sustain forever when you hold a note. That's one thing I use it for. If I'm already using a lead tone on my amp, I can hit the Mudhoney and it doesn't sound like a fuzz then.....it just turns the note into the same thing a Sustainiac pickup does. I could grab a note while I hit that pedal, and hang on it for an hour!

 

[stuey222]

Re: I tried a bunch of pedal today... MXR, T Rex, Zvex, MI Audio, and... New Pedal Da

I have the MXR Boost/Overdrive, and I love it. It is a bit difficult to get good sounds out of at first, you really have to play with it a lot to find what you're after. It's also voiced way differently than most ODs on the market, not designed to sound like a Marshall or a Tubescreamer, but just different.

 

[wahwah]

Re: I tried a bunch of pedal today... MXR, T Rex, Zvex, MI Audio, and... New Pedal Da

Wow, I thought you were really digging the BOR. Anything in particular happen to change your opinion of it ?

I was thinking of checking out a BOR myself based on your experiences but perhaps now I won't. The Plexitone is another that I've been wanting to get my hands on as well.

Basically I want a really rich cranked Plexi type of tone from a semi clean amp. Not as tame as a JTM45 as I want a bit more balls, but at the same time, I really don't want anything that crosses into the JCM800 area either.

Mind you I do love the JCM tones, but its just not what I'm after.

Surely someones got something to nail the plexi on 10 tone, shy of cranking the actual head which isn't practical for me.

For what its worth though, no amp I've ever played does sound better dimed than a Plexi. Its the essence of cranked amp tone.

The BOR failed me at gig volumes, it was really brittle and lacked mids with my rig, which is not what you want from a "Marshall in a box" pedal! I think Zachary's suggestion that it works best with a Marshall is probably right on the money. That's why I'm now looking at the Jetter Gain Stage Purple. Brad Jetter has set out to make a Plexi type pedal that is specifically designed to work with blackface style amps. I'll let you know how it sounds when it arrives.



Cheers.................................wahwah

 

[millsart]

Re: I tried a bunch of pedal today... MXR, T Rex, Zvex, MI Audio, and... New Pedal Da

The BOR failed me at gig volumes, it was really brittle and lacked mids with my rig, which is not what you want from a "Marshall in a box" pedal! I think Zachary's suggestion that it works best with a Marshall is probably right on the money. That's why I'm now looking at the Jetter Gain Stage Purple. Brad Jetter has set out to make a Plexi type pedal that is specifically designed to work with blackface style amps. I'll let you know how it sounds when it arrives.



Cheers.................................wahwah

Seems sort of silly to have a "marshall in a box" that requires a Marshall doesnt it ? lol

I'll be anxious to hear your thoughts on the new pedal, especially since you've got a CB as well so you've got the same frame of reference to judge it from.

 

[wahwah]

Re: I tried a bunch of pedal today... MXR, T Rex, Zvex, MI Audio, and... New Pedal Da

Trust me when I tell you this...if you don't sig the Vexter you'll feel the same about the handpainted USA version...it's the same parts on the same board, just a different paint job. I've looked inside both as well as compared both head to head at the same time...if you close your eyes the only difference is the price.

That's good to know. The JTM45 sound is quite a specific animal, and can be a bit unruly, which is part of its appeal, but is quite a bit different in the mids to the later 4 input Plexi Marshalls. A local distributor buddy of mine will be bringing in the ZVex stuff soon, so hopefully I'll get to do the same comparison between the US and Taiwan made BOR's, but I hear ya!



Cheers................................wahwah

 

[wahwah]

Re: I tried a bunch of pedal today... MXR, T Rex, Zvex, MI Audio, and... New Pedal Da

Seems sort of silly to have a "marshall in a box" that requires a Marshall doesnt it ? lol

I'll be anxious to hear your thoughts on the new pedal, especially since you've got a CB as well so you've got the same frame of reference to judge it from.

My thoughts exactly! At least the Crunch Box has proven that Marshallesque tones can be squeezed from a wide variety of amps with the right pedal voicing, despite its obvious leanings toward the JCM800 side of things. The Jetter also has quite a specific task, but this time it's right in line with what I'm trying to achieve. Hearing will be believing!



Cheers................................wahwah

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: I tried a bunch of pedal today... MXR, T Rex, Zvex, MI Audio, and... New Pedal Da

Seems sort of silly to have a "marshall in a box" that requires a Marshall doesnt it ? lol

I'll be anxious to hear your thoughts on the new pedal, especially since you've got a CB as well so you've got the same frame of reference to judge it from.

I think it's mostly intended for the cranked Marshall NMV tone at more reasonable volumes.

 

[Pierre]

Re: I tried a bunch of pedal today... MXR, T Rex, Zvex, MI Audio, and... New Pedal Da

I think it's mostly intended for the cranked Marshall NMV tone at more reasonable volumes.

Exactly. If you have a Plexi without MV you can't play much at home. So get a BOR or a Plexitone and there ya go, you get 85% the same tone, whenever you want, at whatever volume you want.


It's normal they don't sound as good through non Marshall amps. A pedal is essentially a preamp. If you pair that Marshall preamp with say, a Fender or Vox power amp you'd get a different tone altogether, maybe not as complementing as pushing it through a EL34 power amp with loads of 12'' speakers. I made this experience with my own Plexitone.