I'm starting to search for a new drive pedal

JohnnyGuitar

JohnnyGuitar

New member
For the last 2 or more years I've been playing in jazz groups. So the Big Muff was good for driven solos and the weird tones were fun, but I've tried to play the songs I'm working on with it today and the result was less then pleasing.

I feel a little rusty in the business of distortion pedals because I'm going through a pretty radical change in style right now. What was enough only for soloing once doesn't work anymore... not even for solos actualy. :smack:

So...

What I'm looking for is something that would:
a. drive the amp and not make it lose volume.
b. something good for classic rock, hard rock, fusion...
c. good dynamics.
d. work well with a Peavey Classic 20 or with other EL84 amps (that's my clean tone, and I'm sticking with it :)).

We have most of the mass produced labels here - Ibanez, Boss, MXR, Digitech (almost in any store), Marshall, Rocktron.

So I'm going to test a pedals next week. I would love to get a few pointers...
 
Re: I'm starting to search for a new drive pedal

When you go to test pedals, take your amp and one of your guitars with you. That way, you know exactly how it'll sound with your set up... For what you stated, I think an Ibanez Tubescreamer would be a most excellent choice. Try one out when you're out trying pedals! Good luck!
 
Re: I'm starting to search for a new drive pedal

HolyDirt said:
When you go to test pedals, take your amp and one of your guitars with you. That way, you know exactly how it'll sound with your set up... For what you stated, I think an Ibanez Tubescreamer would be a most excellent choice. Try one out when you're out trying pedals! Good luck!
Click to expand...

+1
However, I think I'll do the testing firt without the amp because it's hard work here when all of the bigger stores are placed in places with no close parking. It's a relativly lite amp but it might be too much...

Before I'll buy I might come back with the amp, or I might just order online.

I am also looking for tips on what pedals to check and what pedals to avoid...
There are the 5 Digitech distortion pedals in any shop here... (and I don't remmember trying one actually).
The Marshall Gov'nor, Bluesbreaker, Jackhammer in more then half of them (tried all of them, not sure if I like them).
Carl Martin is something I really want to test again. It has been a few years since I played one, and now pedals like the Heavy Drive are an option.:fingersx:
I love the Tube Screamer but I think I might need something with more dirt...

It might take me more then a few trips to find what I want... So many pedals so little time.
 
Re: I'm starting to search for a new drive pedal

PLEXITONE!

It was made for british type amps.

You have a soft drive, and can boost it to very heavy, and you have a clean boost.

Its a great sounding pedal, but it aint the cheapest neither.

ts-9 or BD-2 could be good for what you want as well.
 
Re: I'm starting to search for a new drive pedal

Boss BD-2 - PERIOD !!!


Fantastic vol. boost, and the best gain in any Boss OD/Dist unit that i know off !

Sounds GREAT with a Classic 30, so i take it the C20 will sound simmilar . . .

IMHO, the best OD south of $150.00 !


My 2cents !
 
Re: I'm starting to search for a new drive pedal

have ya tried a boss ds-1?

I'm not tryin' to state somethin that might be obvious... it's just an awesome pedal.
 
Re: I'm starting to search for a new drive pedal

The Digitech Distortion Factory is pretty sweet. It has models of 7 different pedals. I haven't A/B'd it with any of the originals, but the bottom line is it has a bunch of different drive tones available.

The really cool part is controls not available on the originals, like mid controls for a Rat or Big Muff.
 
Re: I'm starting to search for a new drive pedal

If you can't decide - Digitech Distortion Factory

There is never a reason NOT to own a Boss DS-1

And if it's Tube screamer you want, I say get the Turbo, you may find a couple of more preferable tones there in addition to classic TS-9
 
Re: I'm starting to search for a new drive pedal

I've tried the DS-1... it's a good pedal IMO. Don't know if I was in love with it...
The Plexitone might be a little over my budget, and over my needs... It has so many options that I might be tweaking instead of playing. :)
I want to retry some Rat pedals, I remmember not liking them once but I know things have changed now.

Wow... I don't know if I'll have time today but I'm enjoying the idea... :dance:
 
Re: I'm starting to search for a new drive pedal

If it's an overdrive you're looking for i would go for the Timmy made by Paul Cochrane. It beats the hell out of a tubescreamer, and the amount of compression vs. dynamics can be set by two dips inside. Also it can boost about three times as much as a tubescreamer.

And if you're looking for something with a little more hair on it, i would go for the ZVEX Box of Rock. It has fantastic dynamics and an insane amount of boost available. Also it cleans up great when you turn down the volume on yer guitar.

Yup
 
Re: I'm starting to search for a new drive pedal

Hello

On my board are various pedals for various sounds, and guitars. I would say that there are several things that may work for the tone in your head, only you will know for sure. This said, I am going to suggest you try the SD SFX-03 on channel one. It will do most everything, and you can use channel 2 as you desire. The OD-3 may do it, I acutally like it better with many guitars than any of the other very expensive pedals I have had or used for a boost. It is more natural sounding to me than most TS style pedals. The traditional TS options are also good if you are searching for a more traditional tone there.

Dale
 
Re: I'm starting to search for a new drive pedal

Just see if you can try the pedal out in a similar situation to what you'll be using it in. Many pedals will sound crappy when you're playing by yourself at low volumes, but suddenly become the tone of God when you're playing with another guitarist, bassist, drums and at deafening volume.
 
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