MXR Distortion '78 vs. Mad Professor "1" vs. ?

[treyhaislip]

I owned a Mad Professor "1" pedal and loved it but sold it after getting a Rat because I just never used it. I kinda wish I hadn't as I need a similar but different drive than my Rat. Since I couldn't convince myself to keep it before I thought about looking elsewhere and liked what I saw about the MXR Distortion '78. Has anyone used these two pedals? I'm looking for the drive sound of the late 70's early 80's rock–not looking for metal tones. Thoughts on the two or any suggestions?

Edit: FWIW, I play through a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe with an Eminence Legend speaker, upgraded caps and soldering, and a modded drive channel (sounds more like a Mesa now.)

 

[Hecubus]

Re: MXR Distortion '78 vs. Mad Professor "1" vs. ?

MI Audio Crunch Box, Barber Direct Drive (Compact), or Wampler Pinnacle are all good alternatives and versatile drives. The Wampler is a similar tone to the "1". The Crunch Box sounds more like a JCM800 and the Barber is more of a 70s looser warmer drive.

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: MXR Distortion '78 vs. Mad Professor "1" vs. ?

MI Audio Crunch Box, Barber Direct Drive (Compact), or Wampler Pinnacle are all good alternatives and versatile drives. The Wampler is a similar tone to the "1". The Crunch Box sounds more like a JCM800 and the Barber is more of a 70s looser warmer drive.

Thanks for the info–I like the sound of the MI Audio Crunch Box.

 

[JeffB]

Re: MXR Distortion '78 vs. Mad Professor "1" vs. ?

The 78 is a modded DS1.

By itself I think it sounds like ****, Just like a regular DS1. As a boost for an already driven amp, it's cool. I sold mine but it was fun for a pseudo fuzz type tone on a strat (think Trower) or as a lead boost for the bridge pickup of my Gibsons.

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: MXR Distortion '78 vs. Mad Professor "1" vs. ?

The 78 is a modded DS1.

By itself I think it sounds like ****, Just like a regular DS1. As a boost for an already driven amp, it's cool. I sold mine but it was fun for a pseudo fuzz type tone on a strat (think Trower) or as a lead boost for the bridge pickup of my Gibsons.

Hmmm...I have a Keeley modded DS1 and the Mad Professor "1" did not sound like it...perhaps I should just get another one and swallow my pride of selling it and now having to repurchase it. lol

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: MXR Distortion '78 vs. Mad Professor "1" vs. ?

The two i was considering were the "1" and Pinnacle. The "1" was clearanced at GC so it was out of stock... I went with the Pinnacle. Pretty good tone, you have to get the Mid Contour set correctly for your guitar and amp, but it's my "Marshall" type distortion for my small board. Quite a few here either own or used to own the Pinnacle, it seems a major complaint is that it is "spongy". That's kind of the idea, isn't it?

The MI Crunch Box is a great sounding pedal too. I keep wanting to try an Xotic SL Drive and a Marvel Drive as well.

 

[hydro]

Re: MXR Distortion '78 vs. Mad Professor "1" vs. ?

It may not be quite what you are looking for, but the MXR Distortion III is a pretty inexpensive distortion and I really love mine. It has a lot of midrange. The distortion is woolier/less fine grained, much less buzzy than a DS-1 and more like a tube screamer on steroids. It also gives you a level control with a lot of room above unity gain.

 

[Gone_Shootin]

Re: MXR Distortion '78 vs. Mad Professor "1" vs. ?

Are you going to use it purely as a boost, or are you wanting to get some distortion from it, or are you looking to use it purely as a distortion pedal?

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: MXR Distortion '78 vs. Mad Professor "1" vs. ?

Are you going to use it purely as a boost, or are you wanting to get some distortion from it, or are you looking to use it purely as a distortion pedal?

I was wanting to use it as more of a warmer distortion compared to my Rat...so not purely a boost and yes for some distortion...the nice thing about the "1" is the included Reverb that I really liked.

It may not be quite what you are looking for, but the MXR Distortion III is a pretty inexpensive distortion and I really love mine. It has a lot of midrange. The distortion is woolier/less fine grained, much less buzzy than a DS-1 and more like a tube screamer on steroids. It also gives you a level control with a lot of room above unity gain.

Thank you for the suggestion! I am always open to looking up new things, may not be "what I am looking for" but it very well work for what I am looking for or just be another awesome pedal.

The two i was considering were the "1" and Pinnacle. The "1" was clearanced at GC so it was out of stock... I went with the Pinnacle. Pretty good tone, you have to get the Mid Contour set correctly for your guitar and amp, but it's my "Marshall" type distortion for my small board. Quite a few here either own or used to own the Pinnacle, it seems a major complaint is that it is "spongy". That's kind of the idea, isn't it?

The MI Crunch Box is a great sounding pedal too. I keep wanting to try an Xotic SL Drive and a Marvel Drive as well.

I will look into the Pinnacle–playing thru a Fender I get the brilliant cleans but definitely am shooting for a Marshall warmer tone.


I sat down last night and actually worked on my floor board for the first time in a while–I was able to dial in my Vox Satchurator for some great lead tones but ended up doing something funky between my Boss DS-1 and EHX Soulfood and now they sound like crap in the mix... Didn't have enough time to

Looks like I will be picking up a Suhr Shiba for a great price this weekend and have a Suhr Riot coming in early next week. After my gig this weekend I will probably just start over–I've tweaked it too much where stuff isn't working together; rather, I have a great tone here and there but together...

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: MXR Distortion '78 vs. Mad Professor "1" vs. ?

Isn't a Riot Marshall based as well?

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: MXR Distortion '78 vs. Mad Professor "1" vs. ?

Isn't a Riot Marshall based as well?

Yes, I just ordered the Riot. I was working on my pedal board last night and somethings just didn't jive with my playing and guitars like they use to. I'm basically hitting reset after this weekend. lol

 

[Gone_Shootin]

Re: MXR Distortion '78 vs. Mad Professor "1" vs. ?

I was wanting to use it as more of a warmer distortion compared to my Rat...so not purely a boost and yes for some distortion...the nice thing about the "1" is the included Reverb that I really liked.

Ok, if you haven't tried a Fulltone OCD, you may like it. I use mine purely as a boost with the gain all the way down and the output cranked, but it does have some nice warm distorted tones in it. I just don't use it for a distortion pedal because my amps cover everything I could ever want and I have a couple Bogner pedals too. And actually, now that I mentioned it, look into the Bogner Extasy pedals if you haven't already. They're spendy, but they live up to the hype and are worth it.

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: MXR Distortion '78 vs. Mad Professor "1" vs. ?

Ok, if you haven't tried a Fulltone OCD, you may like it. I use mine purely as a boost with the gain all the way down and the output cranked, but it does have some nice warm distorted tones in it. I just don't use it for a distortion pedal because my amps cover everything I could ever want and I have a couple Bogner pedals too. And actually, now that I mentioned it, look into the Bogner Extasy pedals if you haven't already. They're spendy, but they live up to the hype and are worth it.

I don't think I used the Fulltone OCD--would definitely be interested in giving anything a shot! I was very interested in the Bogner Pedals--saw the price and wondered if they were really worth it, but am still interested--more interested if the Riot and Shiba don't do it for me.

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: MXR Distortion '78 vs. Mad Professor "1" vs. ?

ocd ftw

 

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: MXR Distortion '78 vs. Mad Professor "1" vs. ?

I used to own the 78. I played it through a Peavey Windsor set clean and got all my grit from the box and I liked it a lot. It sounded like Marshall Crunch in a Box. YMMV.

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: MXR Distortion '78 vs. Mad Professor "1" vs. ?

So...after getting a Suhr Riot and Shiba Drive along with a Dunlop Way Huge Fat Sandwich...I no longer need the '78 or the "1" pedal.

If you haven't tried the Riot or Shiba then you are seriously missing out IMO. The Dunlop Way Huge drive is incredible...very unique voicing options.