Need a Good, Affordable, Multi-Distortion Unit...

[Butch Snyder]

Hey guys,

I have been getting all my distortion from my amp. Lately though, I have been setting it from an optimum clean, punchy tone. I would like to add an external distortion unit. Here's what I need:

1. Multiple distortions in one box so I can go a little overdriven and then maybe really gainy.

2. It needs to be as affordable as possible. I looked at the Line 6 DM4. $250 at MF. The SFX-04 Twin Tube Mayhem Distortion, SFX-03 Twin Tube Classic Preamp Pedal, and Mesa Boogie V-Twin are all over $200.

What choices do I have beside buying two boxes?

 

[Reload in 5]

Re: Need a Good, Affordable, Multi-Distortion Unit...

What kind of distortion do you want? Plexitone is 2 channel plus clean boost. Can be had for $140 used........

 

[scottish]

Re: Need a Good, Affordable, Multi-Distortion Unit...

look for a used one of these: http://proguitarshop.com/store/distortion-pedals-c-12/zvex-vexter-box-of-rock-distortion-p-691

even new they are 199. christian and stratdeluxer have been raving about it recently.

 

[dominus]

Re: Need a Good, Affordable, Multi-Distortion Unit...

Boss ME-50.

 

[eschoendorff]

Re: Need a Good, Affordable, Multi-Distortion Unit...

Boss ME-50.

Yup. I have the ME-70 and for distortions, I liked the ME-50 just a little better.

 

[80's_Metal]

Re: Need a Good, Affordable, Multi-Distortion Unit...

you can buy a used zoom 505 on ebay for $30 totally programmable and lots of good tones.
Also the metal muff with top boost?

 

[guitfiddle]

Re: Need a Good, Affordable, Multi-Distortion Unit...

Boss OD 20 Drive Zone

22 different od/distortion models to choose from...basically the OD section from the ME-50 without the rest of the stuff. Looks to have 4 memory slots to write your own sounds into.

 

[Butch Snyder]

Re: Need a Good, Affordable, Multi-Distortion Unit...

Thanks for the input guys. Currently, I'm using my Boss ME-33. Not the best thing, but doable. The detractor with that unit is its larger footprint. I like the look of the ME-20. The Box of Rock has a very nice tone.

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: Need a Good, Affordable, Multi-Distortion Unit...

I dont like the "feel" of modelling pedals. They do offer a lot of sounds, but i feel kind of disconnected with the note. Perhaps the simplest option is just to get two pedals that give you the right sound and feel that you are after.
Classic, simple combo: Tube Screamer (or boss sd1) for leads and a blues driver for chords. They work well as a combo.
Trouble is, you could end up trying a dozen pedals and go back to using your amp and volume knob! I guess a lot of experimentation is in order.
Just remember - you don't always need to sound clear and punchy - its how you fit the band sounds that matters.

 

[Butch Snyder]

Re: Need a Good, Affordable, Multi-Distortion Unit...

Just remember - you don't always need to sound clear and punchy - its how you fit the band sounds that matters.

Thanks for the tip. I appreciate the advice...

 

[d1dsj]

Re: Need a Good, Affordable, Multi-Distortion Unit...

I'm sure there is a Digitec pedal that has about 6 or 7 classic drive settings.... just can't remember the model? It's a single pedal footprint area sized pedal thpough, and when I heard someone testing one out in a store it sounded pretty darn good. I'll see if I can find it.

Ah, here you go....
http://www.digitech.com/products/Pedals/DF7.php

 

[super rad stuff]

Re: Need a Good, Affordable, Multi-Distortion Unit...

^they also have the distortion factory, though i'm not sure if it's still around. it's got a few overdrive, distortion, metal distortion, and fuzz models.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Need a Good, Affordable, Multi-Distortion Unit...

If you want maximum versitility then the DM-4 from Line 6 is hard to beat...the sounds are not all dead on but they are all pretty decent and there is no where else I know of that you cen get 4 presets with options ranging from a Tubescreamer to a Metal Zone and all points in between including OD's, boosters, fuzzes and distortion pedals...

Now, if you want one or 2 really great sounds there are loads of other, and better options out there IMHO.

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: Need a Good, Affordable, Multi-Distortion Unit...

The DM-4 is good enough for The Edge FWIW.

I'd also try the Visual Sound Jeckyll and Hyde.

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: Need a Good, Affordable, Multi-Distortion Unit...

A dead clean amp with distortion on it doesn't sound good to my ears. A clean amp pushed into OD by a boost is heavenly. A slightly crunched amp with an OD/Boost/distortion can sound heavenly, too.

 

[Low_fidelity2100]

Re: Need a Good, Affordable, Multi-Distortion Unit...

Why not just pickup an SD-1, a DS-1, and a Big Muff (or little big muff if space is a concern)? Those, alone and combined will cover just about every sound you'll realistically need. Each is cheap on they're own, and really ya could get all three for less than $150 (even if you find a used Modded SD-1 and DS-1).

Personally I find that units that include multiple effects/dirt tend to do an ok job of each, but never a good job of any. You're better off getting a few cheap dirt boxes and mixing them together, than you are trying to get it all in one box. IMO.

Or if your dead set on an all in one box....Theres a guy (not me) on HC selling a digitech distortion factory for $50.
http://acapella.harmony-central.com/showthread.php?t=2574682

 

[andrizzle]

Re: Need a Good, Affordable, Multi-Distortion Unit...

I recently tried a buddy's Pod X3 Live that sounded incredible! If you're still running the Line 6 amp of yours you might wanna think about going that way... HOWEVER, it's a BIT PRICEY!

On the other hand if the Pod XT Live does roughly the same thing then I think it'd be right up your alley man, and it can be found on the used market for your price-range... It does a LOT more, so I don't know if that's the direction you'd like to go but the other things I'd recommend have already been listed.... Mainly the DM-4... good luck in yoru search

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: Need a Good, Affordable, Multi-Distortion Unit...

Some of the Black Star stuff??

 

[kjrocks]

Re: Need a Good, Affordable, Multi-Distortion Unit...

Maybe check out the Visual Sounds stuff. They have 3 double pedal that I can think of that might work. RT 66, Jeckle&Hyde and the Double something. Good quality stuff too.
I can always hook you up with Twin Tube Blue too

 

[Top Jimmy]

Re: Need a Good, Affordable, Multi-Distortion Unit...

Ibanez Jemini

Souped up tubescreamer and DS-1 in one box. You can always paint it if you hate the color

Or maybe Tech21
http://www.shopatron.com/products/productdetail/part_number=DD3X/1388.0.44698.0.0.0.0