OD in front of tube amp?

[PFDarkside]

Do nearly *all* hard rock and metal players with a really heavy tone use an OD in front of the amp? I've been experimenting with the ZW-44 in front of the Road King with the gain turned down, and it sounds incredibly heavy. I'm not even really boosting the level that much, 1 o'clock on the gain and volume.

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: OD in front of tube amp?

I think it varies from player to player. Most heavy players DO use an OD of some sort in front of their amp, tho.

 

[ErikH]

Re: OD in front of tube amp?

Back in the early days of metal, it was a necessity because the amps just didn't have enough gain. Nowadays, there's amps available with plenty of gain so it's not totally necessary, but like TO said, some still use 'em. I love the sound of a Marshall pushed with an overdrive, especially the Wylde OD. Great pedal, isn't it?

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: OD in front of tube amp?

Yeah, it is... Especially for $40 used at GC!

 

[Zerberus]

Re: OD in front of tube amp?

+1 on the current sentiment... most use and OD pedal, my V-twin / 2204 setup could also be considered such a setup...

I think part of it is also that most cheap SS combo´s sound lame pushed, and so most of us metalheads end up w/ a 40 buck Distortion pedal so that it sounds decent the first few years

 

[ErikH]

Re: OD in front of tube amp?

Sweet. I traded a Fulltone Distortion Pro for mine. The DP sounded like @ss and I couldn't get buyer for it.

Zerb, your setup is the traditional "great sounding amp with a kick in the nuts". :laugh2:
Suprisingly, my Crate SS practice amp sounds pretty good with an OD pushing it. On the OD channel I just roll the gain back about half-way.