Question about using pedals to drive amp hard

[Naps]

I've been wondering for a while and never asked, but when using a pedal like a sparkle drive, tube screamer or any pedal the increases the volume of the guitar into the amp, is it possible to get too much volume (output) from the Guitar going into the Amp?

Like if I turn my sparkle drive up all the way into my amp up all the way, will I blow anything up.

I was wondering because I noticed that I can get a relatively Huge volume boost from my sparkle drive, and I usuall run my marshall about 8 or more. And I don't want to blow it up. Of course I could try it out if no one knows (its still under warranty :13: )

Thanks

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: Question about using pedals to drive amp hard

It is possible to clip the input of an amp head ... but the real Q is: what are you trying to achieve by doing this? If you're looking to boost the signal, and you have the gain up around 8, an overdrive or distortion pedal won't increase the volume, just add more gain/noise? Also, what marshall amp are you talking about?

 

[drew_half_empty]

Re: Question about using pedals to drive amp hard

actually a pickup booster will help you OD an amp quicker

as far as blowing things up, well, that depends on a lot of things

if i were you i'd keep your pedal at the same volume as the channel

 

[Naps]

Re: Question about using pedals to drive amp hard

I have a TSL 60 and I run it through a 4X12.

No I ususally have the Master around 8 or so, presence differs from day to day and the gain on the OD is ususlly 6-7 as is the distortion 6-7. The volumes on the seperate channels are usually around 7 or 8 also.

However, my sparkle drive's volume is around 3, tone, gain and clean are about 5 or 6. And at these setting it provides a slight volume boost.

I was just wondering (curious) how cranking my Pedal would effect my current sound - clean and gain - to my ears. And what volume range I should use/avoid.

I have a really loud drummer. Also, It seems the louder the amp gets, the better (as seems to be the case with tube amps).

 

[drew_half_empty]

Re: Question about using pedals to drive amp hard

oh, well you won't blow anything up then, I thought you meant if you cranked all the knobs to 10 and then turned the volume on the pedal all the way up

well, as you know, tube amps respond kinda weird, at low volumes they're bassy, then at higher they get more trebly untill you get into breakup, and then you just get loads of bass & compression

 

[seafoamer]

Re: Question about using pedals to drive amp hard

Sure, u have to be carefull.

I have a Zvex Super Duper, which has basically 2 boosts u can run seperate or together. When one runs them together, it can be nuts (depending on the settings). There is even a warning on the Zvex site about blowing up u'r amp.

 

[Curly]

Re: Question about using pedals to drive amp hard

it's likely you'd sound like crap right before you blew anything up

 

[Naps]

Re: Question about using pedals to drive amp hard

So does anyone know any 'rules' about how loud or how much input?

I guess (and go by) not turning the pedal to where it would be louder than what the amp would be on 10.

Also, if the amp is down and the pedal is all the way up is it still possible to clip the input?

 

[Dills]

Re: Question about using pedals to drive amp hard

sometimes blowing things up can be fun (jokes) :dance: