Pedalboard Redo...

[Masta' C]

Not entirely satisfied with my current setup and the way some pedals were playing with others, I decided to pull everything off and re-evaluate my needs. It's easy to go down the rabbit hole with these things, as we all know!

I want a compact setup that can yield a spanky country tone with my Tele, a dynamic and gritty overdrive and distortion with humbuckers, and won't fight my baritone when I'm in the mood for some sludgy fuzz action.

After a lot of research, I bit the bullet and ordered a Keeley Tone Workstation (3-in-1), a TrueTone Jekyll & Hyde (2-in-1), and a Boss DM-2W delay. I also just had a Black Arts "Tres Diablos Ruidosos" fuzz arrive recently, which I plan to try out alongside my FZ2 clone.

Here's effectively what I'm looking at with this new lineup...

Compressor > Clean boost > Modded tube screamer > Nobels OD-1 > Marshall Shredmaster > Fuzz(es) > Boss Delay > MXR Reverb

Basically, a killer drive section with the option of distortion or fuzz for heavier sounds, and, of course, some ambient and rockabilly options on tap, as well.

I'll take a picture once I get it all together. Hoping I can fit everything on my board!

 

[jeremy]

cool collection of pedals, curious how they work together

 

[Aceman]

I'm looking at 8 or so combinations of dirt there...

Keely 1
Keely 2
Keely 1+2
Jekyl
Hyde
K1+J
K1+H
K2+J
K2+H

And haven't even touched the Fuzz yet.

I can't believe you couldn't get a sound that worked with Tele to Bari....

 

[stevie_bees]

Those Keeley Workstations are great pedals.

 

[Masta' C]

I'm looking at 8 or so combinations of dirt there...I can't believe you couldn't get a sound that worked with Tele to Bari....

Well, I wasn't dealing with 8+ combinations before this change. Maybe 6

Moving to the 3-in-1 and 2-in-1 configuration certainly gives me a few more options, but in a smaller space that also integrates a dedicated compressor (something I was missing) and a clean boost (which was its own pedal previously).

I've been toying with the whole "gain staging" thing and found I like having both a TS and a less middy overdrive option available. The "Jekyll" side of the JH pedal is basically a Nobels ODR-1 with a very useful bass control. Having the "Hyde" distortion onboard is just a bonus, but reviews and clips made me curious. Plus, at the prices these are going for on the used market, it seems like a steal for what they are!

The only complaint I've read with the Keeley Tone Workstation is that the switches are quite close to each other due to the small form factor. I have been eyeing the Keeley compressor for a while and when I found that I could nix both my TS clone and clean boost and put a single 3-in-1 in their place with his quality compressor added to the mix, I was sold! Keeley's modded TS circuit is highly regarded, as well.

I also wanted to add a dedicated delay pedal, but room was sparse. These combination pedals should free up a bit of space, making room for the delay, and possibly even a second fuzz box (assuming I dig the Tres Diablos...haven't had a chance to try it yet).

 

[NegativeEase]

The only complaint I've read with the Keeley Tone Workstation is that the switches are quite close to each other due to the small form factor. I have been eyeing the Keeley compressor for a while and when I found that I could nix both my TS clone and clean boost and put a single 3-in-1 in their place with his quality compressor added to the mix, I was sold! Keeley's modded TS circuit is highly regarded, as well.
.

I thought the same about the spacing on the Keeley, If it were me and was set on keeping the Tone Workstation, I'd rehouse the pedal and move the compression switch up out of the toe line and spread the other 2 apart.