Need Distortion Pedal Recommendations

[some_dude]

I need something with high gain and somewhat (but not totally) scooped mids.

I'd also like something that's not too expensive. I just need something to get me through those times where I wish I still had a Rectifier.

After listening to all the clips at Boss, Digitech and Line6 the closest sounds to what I want is the Boss Metal Zone, Metal Zone models on the Digitech pedals, and the Black 13 Anthrax pedal that Digitech makes.

I've never used a Metal Zone in real life... does it really suck as bad as everyone says it does?

Anyone try the Anthrax box?

Any other suggestions?

 

[51501984]

Re: Need Distortion Pedal Recommendations

I had a Metal Zone a few years back and I thought it was pretty cool. It`s definetly a high gain pedal.

 

[Fresno Bob]

Re: Need Distortion Pedal Recommendations

Most people here can't stand the Boss Metal Zone. I for one, think it definately has potential with a bit of tinkering.

One particular tone I dug out of it was when it was loaded with a dying battery (dimmed led)...or if you have one of the power blocks that has the 'SAG' feature, it'll work the same. That got things pretty thick for me.

Then, one day, a buddy of mine scored a super cheap Boss Heavy Metal pedal (HM-2 I think...) for 30 bucks.

I was easily able to dial in the dying Boss MT-2 sound I liked. Surprised the hell out of me. It had better control over the frquecncies and added some interesting nuances.

I'd say give em both a shot.

 

[nebucanazza]

Re: Need Distortion Pedal Recommendations

Check out the AMT Metallizer, or other AMT offerings in the high gain area.Their site has lots of clips, so you might find what you are looking for.Also,the Rocktron Zombie might work for you, being cheaper.

 

[thespricket]

Re: Need Distortion Pedal Recommendations

Ive heard good things about the line 6 uber metal.

 

[Fresno Bob]

Re: Need Distortion Pedal Recommendations

I, myself, am actually waiting for Fulltone's new GT-500. It'll be $225 US sugg retail, which may be a bit more than you want to spend. Supposedly out mid Feb.

http://www.fulltone.com/cshframe.html

I'll let you know what I think.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Need Distortion Pedal Recommendations

every pedal sucks for someone. I for example can't stand MXR Distortion+. They are the Kabala of fuzz for some guys. The M-Zone's para mid sounds like something that will get you what you want...

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Need Distortion Pedal Recommendations

I'm gonna recommend the Digitech Distortion Factory. It does the MZ really well, plus it does cool **** like give you a Rat or Big Muff with tweakable lows and mids.

Being into stoner/doom stuff, I have a feeling you'd really dig the Muff with extra EQ.

 

[Rich_T]

Re: Need Distortion Pedal Recommendations

I picked up a Metal Muff the other day and I love it. One of the most flexible drive pedals around, tons of gain, 14dB boost and cut in each EQ band, great stuff. The top boost is useful too.

 

[WhoFan]

Re: Need Distortion Pedal Recommendations

oddly thru some amps the Boss Mega Distortion pedal can have a high gain Mesa Boogie like sound... Not 100% of course.... but that pedal thru some amps clean channels can sound great and thru others it can sound nasty... Best i have heard it was thru a blue Traynor.... i bought one and i don't like it too much thru my amps..... back at the store the Traynor makes it sound great...

Depending on what amp you have try the boss Mega Distortion

 

[emilio]

Re: Need Distortion Pedal Recommendations

i'll recommend you not to get the digitech death metal distortion it sucks nuts.

 

[emilio]

Re: Need Distortion Pedal Recommendations

coconut sized!

 

[SirJackdeFuzz]

Re: Need Distortion Pedal Recommendations

Check out the AMT Metallizer, or other AMT offerings in the high gain area.Their site has lots of clips, so you might find what you are looking for.Also,the Rocktron Zombie might work for you, being cheaper.

. . . i'll 2nd the Zombie !

 

[SirJackdeFuzz]

Re: Need Distortion Pedal Recommendations

I picked up a Metal Muff the other day and I love it. One of the most flexible drive pedals around, tons of gain, 14dB boost and cut in each EQ band, great stuff. The top boost is useful too.

Probably more a fuzz-like distorto-sound than an out-an'-out DS-1 distortion, but a VERY GOOD candidate for high gain !!! :smokin:

 

[tubeman87]

Re: Need Distortion Pedal Recommendations

Trust your ears, look around for a Metal Zone, I found one a few years back in a pawn shop (caution) for $25 and it worked just fine. Sound, it's a hi gain pedal, to me it sounded ok, it wasn't a triple rec but it sound good for what it was, and thats the key. Alot of players buy these pedals thinking its gonna make'm sound like Van Halen or Stach, and when it doesn't they say it sucks. You have to look at it for what it is, does the pedal do what it's supposed to do, and if it does do you like the sound.

If you try pedals thinking they are going to sound like your dream amp, you will be disappointed.

Try the Metal Zone, if you like it great, if you kind of like it, check around for some mods. Robert Keeley www.rkfx.com has a Metal Zone mod thats supposed to be really good.

 

[DankStar]

Re: Need Distortion Pedal Recommendations

if you're looking for something just to goof around with and are going to spend around 30 to 70 bucks and use it to produce all of your distortion, i'd get a used behringer v-amp (the blue bean). you'll have a distortion pedal, modeller, headphone amp, modulation, preamp all in one. it's got a rectifier modeller which should satisfy your craving until you can get the real thing again, and it would provide you with a million more options over a typical stompbox. my 2 cents.

 

[some_dude]

Re: Need Distortion Pedal Recommendations

....which should satisfy your craving until you can get the real thing again....

Hmm...

I think I'll just save my money and put it towards another Recto (Rectoverb this time).

 

[daemon barbeque]

Re: Need Distortion Pedal Recommendations

Well..
Rocktron Rampage.Great price and Distortion.72 db gain ,really clear ,and silent.The Gain structure do not change alot ,but the scooping and treble/Bass knobs are really effective.I love it and it works fine

The Black 13 is a great ,Robust and good sounding box.But it's too steriel ,and really noisy.about double noise as the Mega Distortion.That's why i didn't buy it!
I am waiting for the new Seymour Duncan Metal Distortion.I think it will be a great dirtbox!

BTW ,Rocktron Silver Dragon is amazing.You havet to change the tube in it ,but for that price ,you can't get a better one...

Vox Bulldog Distortion is great too.But it's like...not enough i think.I found it too crunchy ,like a Vox AC30 in Hulk mode.

That's all what i used ,use or tried...
I hope it helps!
Cheers!

 

[jerryjg]

Re: Need Distortion Pedal Recommendations

Rat, SD-1. Big Ben Vox Bulldog, Duncan SFx-03 , Marsahll Guv'nor, Big Muffin. - I wouldnt screw around with anyo of those others you gusys mentioned. Youll never get them to sound decent on a cheap amp, let alone a great amp. I jst saw the post above me, and I would defer to his judgement as he seems to have a better knowlege of distortion pedals.

 

[Rich_T]

Re: Need Distortion Pedal Recommendations

Rat, SD-1. Big Ben Vox Bulldog, Duncan SFx-03 , Marsahll Guv'nor, Big Muffin. - I wouldnt screw around with anyo of those others you gusys mentioned. Youll never get them to sound decent on a cheap amp, let alone a great amp. I jst saw the post above me, and I would defer to his judgement as he seems to have a better knowlege of distortion pedals.

You kidding? I've got great metal tones out of an SD-1, Big Muff, Metal Muff, Rat and the SFX-03. Just because its not to your taste doesn't make the tone bad. I get some pretty crushing tones with all of those pedals through my Marshall JMP head.