Need a OD pedal

Re: Need a OD pedal

I like my Fulltone GT-500 - OD and Distortion - good clean boost too.
 
Re: Need a OD pedal

if you dont wanna spend to much, I think the Boss SD-1 is great for price, as is the blues driver. But if you wanna spend a little bit more money, the Fulltone Fulldrive is very nice, and the Fulltone OCD.
 
Re: Need a OD pedal

if you dont wanna spend to much, I think the Boss SD-1 is great for price, as is the blues driver. But if you wanna spend a little bit more money, the Fulltone Fulldrive is very nice, and the Fulltone OCD.
There are also alot of mods for the boss pedals including a mod by Indyguitarist (see link in sig) that makes the sd-1 fulltone like. You can order these pedals pre modded if you want.
 
Re: Need a OD pedal

Can someone describe a little the characteristics of the Bad Monkey? I'm a bit interested myself in trying one out. Is it a tight sounding pedal or flabby and fat? Is it bassy or does it have a more focused tone. What is the quality of the overdrive? Is it kinda creamy or does it just sound bad?
 
Re: Need a OD pedal

Can someone describe a little the characteristics of the Bad Monkey? I'm a bit interested myself in trying one out. Is it a tight sounding pedal or flabby and fat? Is it bassy or does it have a more focused tone. What is the quality of the overdrive? Is it kinda creamy or does it just sound bad?


Here you go! I really like this demo and think the the 'Bad Monkey' sounds great here. I like that it has 2 tone controls [bass and treble] as well as both a vol. control and a gain control.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nRcHc7FMFo
 
Re: Need a OD pedal

It's hard to go wrong with the Bad Monkey. I would have bought it when I tried it if I didn't already have the SD TTC.
 
Re: Need a OD pedal

wntbtw - are you by chance also on the Metro Amps forum? Someone with the same username posted the same sort of question over there.

As I'm guessing you are on the Metro forum, I'll just briefly repeat my recommendation from over there. Consider the PPIMV and check out a Tonebone Classic. The guy who built my 50-watt head said that he's not really an overdrive/distortion pedal kind of guy but he said the TB Classic really retains the sound of the amp and adds the extra drive and/or dirt that you can lose when playing a plexi circuit at a low volume level.

I'm still trying to find a Classic to check out myself but from what Bobby (the builder) and another friend of mine who's been in music retail for decades have told me, the Classic really sounds like the right piece of gear for someone in your position and mine.
 
Re: Need a OD pedal

Yes, that`s me--busted! Ha! Ha! I`m asking a bunch of questions all over the place! Thanks for your recommendation. Quite a few had 'high praise' for the 'Bad Monkey' and at $50, I ordered one and should have it tomorrow. So i`ll give a report on it.

And unfortunately I`m having 'issues' with the new amp--too 'clean' for a 'cranked' Marshall JMP reissue--I`m talking Fender 'Twin Reverb clean' --ugh! Marshall`s aren`t suppose to be 'clean' when they`re cranked --right?!?

Thanks again.

wntbtw - are you by chance also on the Metro Amps forum? Someone with the same username posted the same sort of question over there.

As I'm guessing you are on the Metro forum, I'll just briefly repeat my recommendation from over there. Consider the PPIMV and check out a Tonebone Classic. The guy who built my 50-watt head said that he's not really an overdrive/distortion pedal kind of guy but he said the TB Classic really retains the sound of the amp and adds the extra drive and/or dirt that you can lose when playing a plexi circuit at a low volume level.

I'm still trying to find a Classic to check out myself but from what Bobby (the builder) and another friend of mine who's been in music retail for decades have told me, the Classic really sounds like the right piece of gear for someone in your position and mine.
 
Re: Need a OD pedal

how clean are we talkin'? that's a non-master volume right? those old single volume control marshalls have got a bunch of clean headroom.
 
Re: Need a OD pedal

how clean are we talkin'? that's a non-master volume right? those old single volume control marshalls have got a bunch of clean headroom.

Hey! We` re talking 'Fender Twin Reverb cleans' and this is a Marshall JMP reissue that is closer to the `73 circuit than the `68 circuit--the `73 circuit is a more aggressive circuit.

Yep it`s a 4 holer!

Bought a brand new one back in `74 and it started to distort at '3' and at '4' it sounded perfect--any louder and it became 'greasy'. This one, however, doesn`t 'break-up' until '6' and doesn`t sound that good even at that volume either. I have researched this subject and others have their`s start to 'break' at '2' which is what I`d like for mine to do. Just got it last week and the seller told me that the tubes are new, but I`m going to re-tube it anyway If it still isn`t right then I`ll try some different pre-amp tubes and if there`s still a problem then I`ll have a tech work on it.

An OD pedal will be fine for the 'bedroom volumes' but I want it to 'stand on it`s own' when it`s time to turn it up alittle. I just have to 'tweek' it and i think it will be fine.

Thanks for your comments.
 
Re: Need a OD pedal

wntbtw - glad to see you here, too!

As for your head, maybe it's the preamp tubes. What bottles are in yours? I've got a Tung-Sol in V1 and Mullards in V2 and V3. Check out the Tube Depot or Eurotubes or some of the other tube sellers and see what they might recommend for a plexi like yours. By the way, is your amp setup with a shared or split cathode on V1? That can make a difference in the amount of gain you'll get. If your amp is basically early '70's specs, it should be a split cathode arrangement if your amp is the Lead circuit.

Also, what EQ settings are you using? As it sounds like you've got a lot of previous experience with plexi-style circuits, you probably know quite well that cranking up the presence and the other tone knobs can add some grit.

Are you jumping the inputs at all? That can add low end but it seems like it can take away a bit of distortion if you have Volume II down fairly low. If you're just using the "high treble" channel, what do you have the unused channel volume set at? It seems like in some amps, the unused volume control can affect gain.
 
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Re: Need a OD pedal

It sounds like you're already on your way to a solution, but for inexpensive, readily available overdrive pedals, I like the Boss DS-1 and the Ibanez TS-7. Both will let plenty of the character of your guitar through, and they're very nice for hot-rodding an already overdriven preamp section for more complex overtones.
 
Re: Need a OD pedal

Hey! Yeah, I already checked the pre-amp tubes--they were EH 12ax7`s which i think are 'bright' so for now i have a Mullard reissue in V-1 and it sounds warmer. And to tell you the truth, i`m not sure if my '1987xl' is a shared or split cathode. Still experimenting w/ the 4 EQ settings--it`s a pretty 'bright' amp [which is it`s reputation!] so at loud volumes it is really 'bright'--not sure at this point if I want to clip the bright cap--I`ve heard both 'pros and cons' about doing that. Yes i am 'jumpering' the 2 channels, adding a touch of Ch 2 volume which warms it alittle. If I only run thru Ch 1, then Ch 2`s vol. is 'off'. Obviously I have more experimenting to do! This amp is LOUD right from the 'get-go'--my original `73/`74 JMP was a little 'tamer' at lower volumes but then sounded as good as any Marshall when the volume was at '4' [11 o`clock]. I`ll put in new power tubes [JJ`s] and a bias soon and maybe try some other pre-amp tubes and hopefully that will make it sound like it should. Thanks for your help.



wntbtw - glad to see you here, too!

As for your head, maybe it's the preamp tubes. What bottles are in yours? I've got a Tung-Sol in V1 and Mullards in V2 and V3. Check out the Tube Depot or Eurotubes or some of the other tube sellers and see what they might recommend for a plexi like yours. By the way, is your amp setup with a shared or split cathode on V1? That can make a difference in the amount of gain you'll get. If your amp is basically early '70's specs, it should be a split cathode arrangement if your amp is the Lead circuit.

Also, what EQ settings are you using? As it sounds like you've got a lot of previous experience with plexi-style circuits, you probably know quite well that cranking up the presence and the other tone knobs can add some grit.

Are you jumping the inputs at all? That can add low end but it seems like it can take away a bit of distortion if you have Volume II down fairly low. If you're just using the "high treble" channel, what do you have the unused channel volume set at? It seems like in some amps, the unused volume control can affect gain.
 
Re: Need a OD pedal

Hey! Yeah, I already checked the pre-amp tubes--they were EH 12ax7`s which i think are 'bright' so for now i have a Mullard reissue in V-1 and it sounds warmer. And to tell you the truth, i`m not sure if my '1987xl' is a shared or split cathode. Still experimenting w/ the 4 EQ settings--it`s a pretty 'bright' amp [which is it`s reputation!] so at loud volumes it is really 'bright'--not sure at this point if I want to clip the bright cap--I`ve heard both 'pros and cons' about doing that. Yes i am 'jumpering' the 2 channels, adding a touch of Ch 2 volume which warms it alittle. If I only run thru Ch 1, then Ch 2`s vol. is 'off'. Obviously I have more experimenting to do! This amp is LOUD right from the 'get-go'--my original `73/`74 JMP was a little 'tamer' at lower volumes but then sounded as good as any Marshall when the volume was at '4' [11 o`clock]. I`ll put in new power tubes [JJ`s] and a bias soon and maybe try some other pre-amp tubes and hopefully that will make it sound like it should. Thanks for your help.

You're welcome for the input. Always fun to trade info with another plexi player.

When I was deciding on preamp tubes, Bobby at RJS recommended reading the 12AX7 reviews at The Tube Store. The reviews were pretty helpful. Their review of the Mullard says that it's a pretty even, flat tube with evenly balanced triodes and perhaps better suited for stereo equipment. However, I thought that might make it better suited for V2 and especially the PI. The same review really praised the Tung-Sol and I think if you read their review, you might see how it could apply to your situation. Perhaps a Tung-Sol in V1 is a cheap and easy experiment for your amp. Here's the review: 12AX7 reviews

As for the bright cap, Bobby offered to install one for me but said that he found it wasn't really necessary if you crank the amp. As such, I had him leave it out. I have read of several guys actually putting the bright cap on switch so that they can toggle in and out depending on the volume and playing situation.

Have you tried setting the volume up higher on the channel II when you are only plugged into the first channel? I've read that in some designs, the unused volume control can actually tap off some signal to ground or otherwise reduce the signal. It might be worth checking that out.

Good luck to you! I hope you have your amp up and running to your satisfaction soon.
 
Re: Need a OD pedal

Thanks very much for your great help to me 'flieger67`. Those Tung-Sol`s probably would be great so with your recommendation, i will probably order some. Getting together with a friend latter today to check the bias on the power tubes--hopefully it will only need an adjustment but I have some fresh JJ`s if they`re needed. My friend loves Shuguangs and has some he wants for me to try so we`ll start there. I have heard good things about Mullards--back in the 60`s they were the stock pre-amp tubes for the JMP Plexis so that`s why i`ll keep them close too. Also putting a `59 Model B into my `69 SG so I`m hoping that I`ll be hearing some nice tones later this afternoon. Thanks again--very much--for your thoughtful and kind help.
 
Re: Need a OD pedal

I'de go with the Fulltone OCD or the Fulldrive 2 mosfet, although they are pretty pricy. The BYOC overdrive/overdrive II is also a good way to go if you dont mind building your own. There are tons of mods you can do to those.
 
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