Pedal for better cleans

[Guitar Toad]

I may be crazy. But I obtained an Ibanez SC-10 chorus from Saladin a few months ago. One of my complaints about the Reverend HellHound that I was borrowing was that it wasn't bright enough for my ears. And the clean was ok...not exciting or very interesting.

However, when using the SC-10 chorus it brightened up the tone and added some wonderful brightness and depth to the clean tones...even with the chorus effect at minimal settings. This pedal was guilty of coloring the tone...but in a good way. I was finally able to get very close to that Fixx clean tone that I was wanting. It helped produce clean tones that I could really enjoy.

This pedal made better cleans for the HellHound. Am I crazy? Anyone else see their clean tones improved with a chorus pedal?

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Pedal for better cleans

I may be crazy. But I obtained an Ibanez SC-10 chorus from Saladin a few months ago. One of my complaints about the Reverend HellHound that I was borrowing was that it wasn't bright enough for my ears. And the clean was ok...not exciting or very interesting.

However, when using the SC-10 chorus it brightened up the tone and added some wonderful brightness and depth to the clean tones...even with the chorus effect at minimal settings. This pedal was guilty of coloring the tone...but in a good way. I was finally able to get very close to that Fixx clean tone that I was wanting. It helped produce clean tones that I could really enjoy.

This pedal made better cleans for the HellHound. Am I crazy? Anyone else see their clean tones improved with a chorus pedal?

Yes.....A little bit of chorus set for a bit of ambience and added dimension is a nice touch to a clean tone...The key is to use it sparingly though...I only add chorus to a clean tone and never to an overdriven tone.

 

[ErikH]

Re: Pedal for better cleans

One of my favorite pedals to use for "clean" tones is the AMZ Mosfet Boost. It adds just the right amount of sparkle to the sound without "dirtying" it up. Set at unity gain, it's like a buffer adding back what was lost through the cable. Definitely a DIY project worth doing.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Pedal for better cleans

One of my favorite pedals to use for "clean" tones is the AMZ Mosfet Boost. It adds just the right amount of sparkle to the sound without "dirtying" it up. Set at unity gain, it's like a buffer adding back what was lost through the cable. Definitely a DIY project worth doing.

And building your own pedal(s) is extremely rewarding! I built like 6 pedals last year,but the one I Like the most,is the Vintage RAT that I built and tweaked alot further for a smoother tone..The MXR Phase 90 circuit I built is cool also...The Blue Magic pedal off of JD Sleep's(General Guitar Gadgets)is another one of my favorites that I put on my board..

 

[Artie]

Re: Pedal for better cleans

Thanks Erik. I was thinking of doing one of those. You just pushed me over the edge.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Pedal for better cleans

Thanks Erik. I was thinking of doing one of those. You just pushed me over the edge.

Go for it Artie! :fingersx: :laugh2: Everyone knows you got the know how buddy!

 

[ErikH]

Re: Pedal for better cleans

And building your own pedal(s) is extremely rewarding! I built like 6 pedals last year,but the one I Like the most,is the Vintage RAT that I tweaked alot further for a smoother tone..The MXR Phase 90 circuit I built is cool also...

I've been using my DIY booster (Marsha Valve) for a while now. No matter how many times I go through my other OD pedals and boosters, I always go back to it. I've used that one and the Mosfet Boost the most.

Thanks Erik. I was thinking of doing one of those. You just pushed me over the edge.

Glad to be of service.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Pedal for better cleans

I've been using my DIY booster (Marsha Valve) for a while now. No matter how many times I go through my other OD pedals and boosters, I always go back to it. I've used that one and the Mosfet Boost the most.


Glad to be of service.

It's pretty cool how we can build quite a few pedals,but there's always 1 or maybe 2 pedals that shine and will get most of the use!

 

[tone4days]

Re: Pedal for better cleans

i think it is a matter of how each of us subjectively defines 'better' ... for you, it seems that you were after a clean sound with much of the middle and lows scooped out ... to my ears, 'the fixx' sound (very cool!!) was very glassy and heavily processed (chorused, etc) ... so if your chorus pedal is scooping out the tone and putting in the effect, it is probably exactly what you are hearing in your head ... good for you!!

i also dont know if you have any upper register hearing loss like guys in our age range often do (due to age, and audio abuse in our youth - or later ) ... this might contribute some to your 'quest for highs' too ...

to be technical about it, no pedal can inclrease the clean headroom or transparency of an amp ... it can only be as clean as it can be, right?

t4d

 

[bungalowbill]

Re: Pedal for better cleans

i think it is a matter of how each of us subjectively defines 'better' ... for you, it seems that you were after a clean sound with much of the middle and lows scooped out ... to my ears, 'the fixx' sound (very cool!!) was very glassy and heavily processed (chorused, etc) ... so if your chorus pedal is scooping out the tone and putting in the effect, it is probably exactly what you are hearing in your head ... good for you!!

i also dont know if you have any upper register hearing loss like guys in our age range often do (due to age, and audio abuse in our youth - or later ) ... this might contribute some to your 'quest for highs' too ...

to be technical about it, no pedal can inclrease the clean headroom or transparency of an amp ... it can only be as clean as it can be, right?

t4d

High frequency hearing loss? Did I hear that right?

Todd, I know a few guys who use an overdrive set clean to EQ their clean tone...I don't see why a chorus wouldn't work. If it sounds good, use it.

 

[Guitar Toad]

Re: Pedal for better cleans

i think it is a matter of how each of us subjectively defines 'better' ... for you, it seems that you were after a clean sound with much of the middle and lows scooped out ... to my ears, 'the fixx' sound (very cool!!) was very glassy and heavily processed (chorused, etc) ... so if your chorus pedal is scooping out the tone and putting in the effect, it is probably exactly what you are hearing in your head ... good for you!!

i also dont know if you have any upper register hearing loss like guys in our age range often do (due to age, and audio abuse in our youth - or later ) ... this might contribute some to your 'quest for highs' too ...

to be technical about it, no pedal can inclrease the clean headroom or transparency of an amp ... it can only be as clean as it can be, right?

t4d

Ya, I new it would be a bit of a stretch or misnomer to claim improved cleans from a pedal. In fact, I thought it was a humorous claim that I hoped wouldn't be taken too seriously. You're right again that my ears have been blasted enough that I may have likely lost some high frequency sensitivity. I've just been a bit surprised how much brighter my strat tone is with this particular chorus pedal. I thought it might be worth comparing notes with the more experienced players around here.

You are right...no pedal can actually increase the clean headroom of the amp. Clean is only as the transparent as the amp clean is. The brighter tone is percieved by my ear as a cleaner tone. And I happen to like that.

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: Pedal for better cleans

Compressor

 

[joelap]

Re: Pedal for better cleans

One of my favorite pedals to use for "clean" tones is the AMZ Mosfet Boost. It adds just the right amount of sparkle to the sound without "dirtying" it up. Set at unity gain, it's like a buffer adding back what was lost through the cable. Definitely a DIY project worth doing.

Man, I've had the parts for those lying around in one of my 4 boxes of spare parts. I should probably breadboard that up. First I gotta finish Extreme Makeover: Fuzz Face Edition for ericMeyer, and a vibrato pedal for myself.

Ive got the parts for about 7 or 8 different pedals at my house (actually, IIRc I got the parts for the fetzer/marsha valve as well). Wish I had more breadboard space!

 

[tone4days]

Re: Pedal for better cleans

The brighter tone is percieved by my ear as a cleaner tone. And I happen to like that.

zactly ... and in this case, it is likely a case of what the pedal is subtracting than what it is adding

 

[OlinMusic]

Re: Pedal for better cleans

Weird thread lol

I have found the Mesa V Twin adds sparkle on its clean channel

Boosts such as the comp cut mode of the Fulldrive 2 can be gorgeous if used lightly. Soooo many harmonics! You won't turn it off~!