Right Now, I play a 59 bassman reissue (or a crate clean tube amp) and use distortion pedals for my distortion sounds, and I almost always play with distortion. Are there any pros cons to doing it this way...since I already have the bassman, pedals are much cheaper than a new amp...
Is it okay to use pedals as main distortion?
- Thread starter G&Legacy
- Start date
Fender_Punk
BerriesAndCreamologist
Re: Is it okay to use pedals as main distortion?
I'd say tube amp distortion, especially that of a Bassman is much better than most pedals you find, but that's me. If you like it, go for it.
I'd say tube amp distortion, especially that of a Bassman is much better than most pedals you find, but that's me. If you like it, go for it.
krankguitarist
Krankitupologist
Re: Is it okay to use pedals as main distortion?
Few years back I had a similar setup...I plugged into a Marshall jcm800 2203 on the low input and used pedals for my dirt. I was able to get it to sound pretty rockin with a keeley-modded DS-1 ultra and an aphex guitar xciter.
Though, to be honest, now that I got my KRANK I don't miss my old setup at all.
Few years back I had a similar setup...I plugged into a Marshall jcm800 2203 on the low input and used pedals for my dirt. I was able to get it to sound pretty rockin with a keeley-modded DS-1 ultra and an aphex guitar xciter.
Though, to be honest, now that I got my KRANK I don't miss my old setup at all.
Empty Pockets
BadHairDayologist
Re: Is it okay to use pedals as main distortion?
So not okay. Turn those amps UP!
So not okay. Turn those amps UP!
Vasshu the humanoid typhoon
Unseen
Re: Is it okay to use pedals as main distortion?
Well.....like alot of other players have done, and do!!
As long as the amp sounds good, then most pedals will sound good as well....and never mind the idealist comments^
Well.....like alot of other players have done, and do!!
As long as the amp sounds good, then most pedals will sound good as well....and never mind the idealist comments^
3
34029324079
Guest
Re: Is it okay to use pedals as main distortion?
tube distortion versus solid state diode clipping from a cheap pedal?
if thats the case, the answer is obvious. I mean if I walk in a club I want to hear tone. otherwise its back to the discotec hehe
tube distortion versus solid state diode clipping from a cheap pedal?
if thats the case, the answer is obvious. I mean if I walk in a club I want to hear tone. otherwise its back to the discotec hehe
drpietrzak
New member
Re: Is it okay to use pedals as main distortion?
Context and tolerance. There are pros that rely on pedals, and those that do not. Let your ears and the front row be the guide.
Context and tolerance. There are pros that rely on pedals, and those that do not. Let your ears and the front row be the guide.
rainsong86
Member
Re: Is it okay to use pedals as main distortion?
let me get this straight.. if I buy a solid state amp with a really decent clean channel than it doesn't make a difference whether I play through a Boss MT-2 or use the amps distortion (because it's basically the same thing right?).. but it's A LOT different using a distortion pedal through the clean channel of a tube amp instead of using the tube amp's distortion.. unless of course it's a "tube pedal" like that seymour duncan thing
let me get this straight.. if I buy a solid state amp with a really decent clean channel than it doesn't make a difference whether I play through a Boss MT-2 or use the amps distortion (because it's basically the same thing right?).. but it's A LOT different using a distortion pedal through the clean channel of a tube amp instead of using the tube amp's distortion.. unless of course it's a "tube pedal" like that seymour duncan thing
3
34029324079
Guest
Re: Is it okay to use pedals as main distortion?
cant you just roll back the volume on the neck pup and use it as your clean? just boosting the distortion with a pedal is cool. but ya, a tin sounding thin peircing feedback sound of a pedal is not favorably looked upon.
cant you just roll back the volume on the neck pup and use it as your clean? just boosting the distortion with a pedal is cool. but ya, a tin sounding thin peircing feedback sound of a pedal is not favorably looked upon.
3
34029324079
Guest
Re: Is it okay to use pedals as main distortion?
so you could maximize solid state sounds with solid state sounds to mimic tube sound? lol I dont get it. use your own judgment in that case :banana:
so you could maximize solid state sounds with solid state sounds to mimic tube sound? lol I dont get it. use your own judgment in that case :banana:
Philcguitars
New member
Re: Is it okay to use pedals as main distortion?
Gilmour uses pedals for distortion, and I'd settle right now for 1% of his worth!
Gilmour uses pedals for distortion, and I'd settle right now for 1% of his worth!
rainsong86
Member
Re: Is it okay to use pedals as main distortion?
well I was posing a question which relates to the thread.. basically I was suggesting that it doesn't matter whether you're using a pedal for your distortion when it's through a solid state amp because it's basically the same thing (except one is built into the amp and the other is in a pedal of course).. but it does matter whether you use the amp's distortion as opposed to a pedal with a tube amp
StrangeSound
GlossesForNothin'
Re: Is it okay to use pedals as main distortion?
Whatever you use..DO NOT use too much gain
Whatever you use..DO NOT use too much gain
rainsong86
Member
Re: Is it okay to use pedals as main distortion?
yea.. I see where you're coming from.. I sold a mesa 2 channel dual rectifier to some guy and the first thing he did was dime the gain.. the tubes just sounded oversaturated, there was crazy feedback whenever he took his hand off the strings, and the EQ knobs were basically useless at that point.. I keep my recto gain at 1-2 o clock for my heaviest of tonesWhatever you use..DO NOT use too much gain
James Rock
Active member
Re: Is it okay to use pedals as main distortion?
Well tube amps tend to make pedals sound better. Don't forget the tone isnt just coming from the pedal its colouring the already gorgeous tone from the bassman. In some cases amp distortion isnt better (i like my pedal into my amp on the edge of break up more then the amp flat out because the eqing is better) That said i think using distortion over an extremely clean sound isnt that good u need a little tube break up. I like using an overdrive into an eq with mids and lower treble boosted into an AC30's normal channel!!!!) So the eq pushes the preamp getting crunch and then the overdrive pushes that into DISTORTION!
Well tube amps tend to make pedals sound better. Don't forget the tone isnt just coming from the pedal its colouring the already gorgeous tone from the bassman. In some cases amp distortion isnt better (i like my pedal into my amp on the edge of break up more then the amp flat out because the eqing is better) That said i think using distortion over an extremely clean sound isnt that good u need a little tube break up. I like using an overdrive into an eq with mids and lower treble boosted into an AC30's normal channel!!!!) So the eq pushes the preamp getting crunch and then the overdrive pushes that into DISTORTION!
wahwah
GumbyLoveologist
Re: Is it okay to use pedals as main distortion?
Yes, it's ok to use pedals as your main distortion. It's also ok to use pedals to overdrive the front of a tube amp. Most often the best results come from having the amp set up just at the point of slight overdrive, which means that you can get a good clean sound by backing off the guitar volume a touch. It is also important to choose your pedals wisely after investigating quite a few options. A Bassman style amp is a perfect candidate for good quality overdrive or distortion pedals, and you might also want to look into a good quality treble booster (BSM, Keeley JavaBoost, or other Rangemaster style clone) to push the front of the amp for a classic overdrive tone.
There will always be purists who will argue that the only decent tones are derived from running straight into an amp, but those purists would then have to argue the point with Jimi Hendrix, David Gilmour, Ritchie Blackmore, Eric Clapton, Brian May, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Rory Gallagher and a host of other legends who all had some form of germanium or silicon treble booster, overdrive, fuzz or distortion between guitar and amplifier when achieving their legendary tones. Ironically, many so-called "purists" also maintain pure anonymity.
Cheers..................wahwah
Yes, it's ok to use pedals as your main distortion. It's also ok to use pedals to overdrive the front of a tube amp. Most often the best results come from having the amp set up just at the point of slight overdrive, which means that you can get a good clean sound by backing off the guitar volume a touch. It is also important to choose your pedals wisely after investigating quite a few options. A Bassman style amp is a perfect candidate for good quality overdrive or distortion pedals, and you might also want to look into a good quality treble booster (BSM, Keeley JavaBoost, or other Rangemaster style clone) to push the front of the amp for a classic overdrive tone.
There will always be purists who will argue that the only decent tones are derived from running straight into an amp, but those purists would then have to argue the point with Jimi Hendrix, David Gilmour, Ritchie Blackmore, Eric Clapton, Brian May, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Rory Gallagher and a host of other legends who all had some form of germanium or silicon treble booster, overdrive, fuzz or distortion between guitar and amplifier when achieving their legendary tones. Ironically, many so-called "purists" also maintain pure anonymity.
Cheers..................wahwah
PFDarkside
of the Forum
Re: Is it okay to use pedals as main distortion?
Just to echo what's been said, a tube amp with a little clip boosted by an OD can get you a great sound. No to mention the entire world of interesting Fuzz Face and Big Muff variants out there. I used to be "100% tube distortion only!" but I've realized that if it sounds good, it sounds good. There's a world of difference between crappy pedals and good pedals, though...I think you almost need that tube amp base to get the sound most of us have in our head. It's like Diode clipping is ok (Later Marshall JCM800s used diodes...) but you need the tubes to warm it up.
Just to echo what's been said, a tube amp with a little clip boosted by an OD can get you a great sound. No to mention the entire world of interesting Fuzz Face and Big Muff variants out there. I used to be "100% tube distortion only!" but I've realized that if it sounds good, it sounds good. There's a world of difference between crappy pedals and good pedals, though...I think you almost need that tube amp base to get the sound most of us have in our head. It's like Diode clipping is ok (Later Marshall JCM800s used diodes...) but you need the tubes to warm it up.
Re: Is it okay to use pedals as main distortion?
depends. if you are playing at a volume that you can jump the channels and crank the amp up to 7 or 8 then i would use the amp for distortion. if you can only run the amp on 2 or 3 then pedals make much more sense. i think the tone that you get from a cranked tube amp is much better than pedals but it also isnt very practical in many situations
depends. if you are playing at a volume that you can jump the channels and crank the amp up to 7 or 8 then i would use the amp for distortion. if you can only run the amp on 2 or 3 then pedals make much more sense. i think the tone that you get from a cranked tube amp is much better than pedals but it also isnt very practical in many situations
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