NPD Vintage ROSS Distortion

[Securb]

This was my first distortion pedal and I always wondered if I should have sold it. The short answer is yes and no. When I went from a New Wave Punk band to a Metal band I switched to a MRX Distortion + looking back that was the right pedal for the gig. However, this baby rocks and I am glad I got sentimental and had to hear it again. The Ebay description read "a mix between the MXR Dist+ and TS" the guy couldn't have been more wrong. The pedal doesn't sound as good dimed so you can't push it to "metal" levels, it really never gets there anyway. It has a very buzzy fuzz like distortion - from 7 - 10 o'clock I think it is much more like a fuzz. The sound is grainy but very articulate you Jack White, Dan Auerbach fanboys would love this thing.

Around 10- 2 o'clock the tone started to take on a very Ted Nugent like feel. I started playing Stranglehold and Cat Scratch Fever and it sounded right in the pocket. Around 3 o'clock you start getting some usable early metal tones and it is easier to pull some harmonics and pinches off but past that point you are really not adding anything to the tone and there is some loss of articulation. It is funny paying $70 for a pedal I originally bought for $49 but in the long run it sounds just as good if not better than some of the boutique analog fuzz/overdrives out there. I haven't tried it with a boost in front of it yet but I am guess that is when it will really sing. I am more than happy with the purchase and glad I got sentimental for this box.

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: NPD Vintage ROSS Distortion

How long ago did you get your first one?

And is that 9V cozy original?

 

[Securb]

Re: NPD Vintage ROSS Distortion

How long ago did you get your first one?

And is that 9V cozy original?

Everything is the box was original including the brochure for the pedal line with the prices. The box is beat to crap but everything inside is showroom, as you can see. I got my original in 1980.

 

[Dr. Vegetable]

Re: NPD Vintage ROSS Distortion

Nice score! That is a fun pedal. Not very "hi fi" but it gives good dirt.

I have three Ross pedals. Of these, only the (made in USA) Distortion has a battery cozy. The Taiwan-built Phaser and Compressor that I have just use a little foam to keep the battery from rattling around.

Happy New Distortion Day!

 

[Zombiwoof]

Re: NPD Vintage ROSS Distortion

The Ross Distortion pedal was a tweaked Distortion+, just like the Ross Compressor was a tweaked DynaComp. They just did some "improvements" on the MXR circuits. There are just a few different components or component values in the Ross Distortion compared to the MXR Distortion+. I have a brown US-made Ross Distortion and a block logo Dist+, and they have a similar sound. I really like the recessed knobs on the Ross pedals, that was a great idea that IMO more pedals should use.

Al

 

[DankStar]

Re: NPD Vintage ROSS Distortion

Dig my Ross distortion too. Yours is in much better condish!

 

[Securb]

Re: NPD Vintage ROSS Distortion

The Ross Distortion pedal was a tweaked Distortion+, just like the Ross Compressor was a tweaked DynaComp. They just did some "improvements" on the MXR circuits. There are just a few different components or component values in the Ross Distortion compared to the MXR Distortion+. I have a brown US-made Ross Distortion and a block logo Dist+, and they have a similar sound. I really like the recessed knobs on the Ross pedals, that was a great idea that IMO more pedals should use.

Al

They both have that graininess but IMO the MXR+ has much more gain and more defined overtones. I am so far digging the ROSS with the lower gain settings were as I feel the sweet spot on the Dist+ is the gain around 3 o'clock. They are both amazing boxes and add their own vibe to the board.