OD Pedal Suggestions for DRRI

[Rick1114]

I've got a DRRI I bought used that already had JJ's installed throughout. So it's got a slightly bigger sound w/ more bass and crunch than a stock DRRI. I also Biased it hot to 30ma for "bedroom" levels. I pulled the V1 tube and put a GT5751-M in V2. That's what I'm working with if that helps.

Anyway, now I ready to take this to the next level! I've heard good AND bad about the DRRI with OD Pedals. I am willing to spend to get it "right" the first time. What pedals should I be looking at? I've heard Analogman come up a lot. I'm pretty clueless though as to what's out these days. There's a real love affair going on with this amp and my Vintage Mahogany LP (think DerekTrucks) and I'd like to try to compliment that. I play everything from Blues to metal, but I'm searching for organic tones these days if that makes any sense!

Thanks in advance for your help!

Rick

 

[Rushfan2112]

Re: OD Pedal Suggestions for DRRI

I know a lot of od pedals don't like to play with the DRRI due to a bright cap in the vibrato channel (I think? Or is it on both channels?). That may be an issue.

 

[Rich_S]

Re: OD Pedal Suggestions for DRRI

Since most boutique pedals are variations on a couple of themes, I suggest trying some cheapos first, to see what you like, then moving upscale to get it just right.

Of course the two themes to which I refer are the Tube Screamer/Boss SD-1 and the MXR Disortion+/Boss DS-1. The former is more likely what you are looking for.

You can try them both for free at most music stores, and pick the one you like. After that, if it's "close but no cigar", use it as a reference to find the perfect mod or boutique pedal for you.

BTW, The Jauernig Gristle King is supposed to be an awesome TS-ish pedal. Guitar Player loved it, Greg Koch loves it, and I've seen pics of its insides - a work of art.

P.S. That Strat is your avatar is gorgeous. If I ever climb down off my High-Tele-horse and get a Strat, it will look like that.

 

[Bludave]

Re: OD Pedal Suggestions for DRRI

If you are playing thru a DRRI I am going to assume you are playing blues/classic Rock. After all thats what this type of amp does well. I have 1 '67 DR and it is an amazing little amp. The major draw back to a DR or thr RI is the lack of headroom due to the 22W of power. The positive is you can get some amazing tone at reasonably low volumes. One of the best small club amps ever. This is why the BF DR command more $ than a Twin from the same era. They are more usable in a variety of lower volumesituations.

As far as pedals, what I use and have used with very good results are:

1. Spina modded TS9. Great pedal overall, but in the DR it tends to push the bottom a little too much. When John mods his TS9 the gain is much stronger than a stock TS9 and it has a lot more bottom. If you spend some time and dial in the tone it can work real well.
2. Boss Super Overdrive. This is a suprisingly good pedal for $40.00. Its not quite as articulate as a TS9, but a real good OD pedal. This would be a good place to start.
3. TS808. A lot more money and a little more versatile than the TS9. This can be used in just about any guitar/amp configuration.
4. Marshall Bluesbreaker. This also is an OD pedal that I have always liked. I bought mine a very long time ago, and I know the new ones don't sound the same but its a good OD pedal.

The reality is with these amps they don't need to be pushed that hard with a pedal. What I usually do is set the volume out of the amp (about 5) to give me a good lead sound, then roll off some volume on the guitar to get it clean for chord work, and I set the OD pedal (My TS9) to add a little more volume and a little sustain.

Another option that you may want to consider is upgrading the speaker. A lot of people like to put a V30 or the G12H and I have even heard people using greenbacks in them. The Celestions will help keep the bottom more stable yet IMHO I feel they take some of the Fender out of it.

 

[drew_half_empty]

Re: OD Pedal Suggestions for DRRI

so if your complaint with the spina ts9 is too much bottom, then a stock ts9 would be about right, correct?

 

[Bludave]

Re: OD Pedal Suggestions for DRRI

Its not a complaint....... johns TS9 is the best I ever have played thru, but in a DRRI due to the weak bottom a pedal that has less push on the bass side may be better. I love Johns Ts9 and I use it with my Bogner Shiva. It has been on my board since I got it and I don't see any reason to remove it. I actually like the Super Overdrive with the DR. The reason is the amp does not need to be pushed as hard. At 22W once you get the volume at about 4 to 5 depending on the amp, the amp is already being pushed pretty well. I use the OD just for a volume increase and to increase sustain a little more. With a Humbucker guitar it sings really well, with sc guitars it has plenty of sparkle and spank. The stock TS9 RI is pretty bland at 100$, for 40$ I think the SOD is better for this amp.

If you want a pedal that has a lot more versatility, look at Xsissve's Monroe Drive. This pedal is a 808 on steroids. It has a bunch features not on the TS9 or any of the others listed. It has a bass boost(which I don't think you need with a DR). and it has 3 different gain settings all controlled tru a mini toggle. This is the most versatile OD pedal I have ever used, but for a DRRI it may be a lot more than what the amp can handle. I use this pedal with some different amps.

Hwere is a link to a review I wrote about the one I got from Mike.

https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=109474

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: OD Pedal Suggestions for DRRI

I have a couple of blackface DR's...I think to take them to the next step the stock speaker needs to be replaced with a Celestion G12H30 or Vintage 30. That gives them more headroom and volume and they sound alot better with pedals too since the cheapie speaker DR's comes with fart out when overdriven.

Mine sounds great with the Boss DS-1, Ibanez TS-808 or TS-9, and Fulltone '69.

But my current fave is the Homebrew Electronics CPR pedal. It's the best Compressor/Boost pedal I've ever used and I've have been using it live lately with my DR's. Very transparent and natural sounding.

Lew

 

[Brow]

Re: OD Pedal Suggestions for DRRI

I'll 2nd Lews comment about HomeBrew Electronics pedals, but i'd go for a Power Screamer Overdrive if I were in your position.

It's an OD pedal with footswitchable boost and a 3-way diode select switch that changes the sound from very open and dynamic to tight and relatively compressed. It's a great sounding pedal imo

I own a CPR Compressor myself and agree with Lew that it's a very natural sounding compressor unit (if that's what you're looking for).

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: OD Pedal Suggestions for DRRI

If you want to take your DRRI to the next level get a Celestion G12H30 for it, that IMO is the best speaker for a Deluxe Reverb. I would also clip the bright cap on the volume control and for an OD pedal the sky is the limit...there are tho\usands of OD pedals out there...for dirt with a Fender amp I almost always grab a Pro Co Rat, some guys go for Tubescreamers...it just depends on what you're looking for.