suggest me an overdrive for solid state amp

[loversmoon]

I have a Randall solid state that I get good metal tones from. The clean channel isnt bad but Im missing that in between classic rock bluesy tone. I was wondering if there is an overdrive or distortion pedal out there that might get me what im lookin for. Think kenny wayne shepherd, stevie ray vaughn, zz top etc...kind of overdrive. Nothing over the top just a nice crunch . as for price limits im not looking for high end boutique pedals to use with a solid state.

 

[Andrew Lamprecht]

Re: suggest me an overdrive for solid state amp

The Bad Monkey is one of the best overdrives I've found to work with a solid state amp. It has an active EQ and the pedal warms up "sterile" sounding amps. You can usually get them pretty cheap too. ($30-$35 used)

Tech 21 stuff is warmer and generally used into PA systems as a direct unit. They work really well into SS amps but not so well into tube amps I've found. ($90-$120 used depending on model/condition/etc)

I recommend this stuff because it is fairly easy to find and will work into almost anything. I've found SS amps can sound amazing if used properly but it is very difficult to match up dirt with SS amps just because of the generally less dynamic sound of SS amps and the lack of EQ on most pedals.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: suggest me an overdrive for solid state amp

I use the ZVEX Box of Rock because it makes everything you plug it into sound like a JTM45.

It is expensive but you will probably use it forever. I would never sell mine and am always looking for a good deal on another. Best dirt box ever.

 

[MetalManiac]

Re: suggest me an overdrive for solid state amp

i'm thinking someting like a Twin Tube Blue, to warm up that solid state architecture.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: suggest me an overdrive for solid state amp

budget OD...look at MXR

*Classic OD
*GT-OD
*Custom Badass Mod OD

 

[Matt42]

Re: suggest me an overdrive for solid state amp

budget OD...look at MXR

*Classic OD
*GT-OD
*Custom Badass Mod OD

I would go Classic OD or GT-OD with solid state. The Custom Badass doesn't do so well with my Roland Cube. It's alright, but not stellar. My Wylde OD sounded pretty good with the Cube, so I can only assume the Classic/GT would as well.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: suggest me an overdrive for solid state amp

I would go Classic OD or GT-OD with solid state. The Custom Badass doesn't do so well with my Roland Cube. It's alright, but not stellar. My Wylde OD sounded pretty good with the Cube, so I can only assume the Classic/GT would as well.

The Roland is digital, no?

Just to be clear the GT OD and Classic OD are based on the Boss SD-1 as is the Wylde OD and the CMBA OD...

 

[loversmoon]

Re: suggest me an overdrive for solid state amp

Im diggin the twin tube blue. are these still in production or is used my only option.

 

[dr. ad]

Re: suggest me an overdrive for solid state amp

i could be coming from a weird angle here, but what about a tube screamer..?

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: suggest me an overdrive for solid state amp

I think all the SD pedals are discontinued.

 

[briggleman]

Re: suggest me an overdrive for solid state amp

TGWIF is correct, the SD pedals of present have been discontinued (or at least production is in stasis at the moment). Also his suggestion of the MXR is a good one. A few other choices I would look into are the Green Rhino by Way Huge (Dunlop), and the aforementioned Bad Monkey (surprisingly good for the money). Now one pedal I have recently discovered, is not in the class of overdrives but it will deliver the bluesy tones if used in its milder settings..... The Throttle Box by Mesa Boogie. I was blown away by this pedal's gain and sustain. Then, just how flexible it was in terms of going from the heavy to the classic overdrive. I auditioned all four of the Mesa offerings and this is the one I would choose.

Brad

 

[loversmoon]

Re: suggest me an overdrive for solid state amp

I had been lookin at the green rhino as well. Ive been back on forth on how it may sound thru a solid state amp.

 

[briggleman]

Re: suggest me an overdrive for solid state amp

Here's the rub..... I own the Green Rhino and find it one of the better overdrives, I also have a Bad Monkey and when you EQ it just right, it competes with some of the best. The Green Rhino with the 100khz adjustment can make a strat growl into a clean amp. For me, well... I own a Mesa Express and it has all of the overdrive and distortion built right in. I have little need for the pedals, however, on its clean channel with the overdrive pedals mentioned, I can turn it into a different animal.

I also play acoustic and have a couple of acoustic amps. Running the Rhino or Monkey into those produces some great tones. Just from that experience alone, I would say running the Rhino would be your better bet.

Brad

 

[drpietrzak]

Re: suggest me an overdrive for solid state amp

I would say some sort of twin tune as well.

 

[guitfiddle]

Re: suggest me an overdrive for solid state amp

Check into the Blue Tube pedal from Tubeworks.

It's a full preamp, designed for bass by B.K. Butler, with a 12AX7 tube and a three band EQ...warms any amp up with a nice soft clipping. It's a bass pedal, but it works really well with guitar and guitar amps.

 

[loversmoon]

Re: suggest me an overdrive for solid state amp

Thanks for the suggestions. Ill look into all these. I have been investigating the Tech 21 Oxford and british. anyone out there using these with a solid state?

 

[Andrew Lamprecht]

Re: suggest me an overdrive for solid state amp

Thanks for the suggestions. Ill look into all these. I have been investigating the Tech 21 Oxford and british. anyone out there using these with a solid state?

I've owned a few Tech 21 products. The GT2 and Blonde were my favorites. The GT2 was good for cleans and higher gain stuff. I think you would like the Blonde loversmoon. It is largely based around the Bassman (it does the clean clean Fender thing well but it really does that bluesy bassman grit the best IMO). I am not convinced the Oxford, as cool a pedal as it is, would sound that great for what you are looking for. I think you should check out the Blonde and British as they would be closest to what you are looking for... A low-mid gain blues sound.

And yes, I am a big Tech 21 fan. Don't have anything of theirs now (money) but I have done a couple gigs with them through whatever the place had for a PA. I usually could get a few solid tones I was happy with. I played with a GT2 back in June and got a few compliments from other musicians as well.

And it's nice walking into the place with just a guitar case (the tech 21 pedals fit into the little compartments in my guitar case).

 

[loversmoon]

Re: suggest me an overdrive for solid state amp

I only looked into the oxford cause it is based on an orange amp which happens to be my dream amp ala blackberry smoke. the blonde def has my interest. a forum member was selling one recently but I didnt have the funds at the time to grab it. ;(

 

[Jeremiah]

Re: suggest me an overdrive for solid state amp

You could try the Blackstar HT-Drive or HT-Dual, though they aren't cheap.

 

[Andrew Lamprecht]

Re: suggest me an overdrive for solid state amp

I only looked into the oxford cause it is based on an orange amp which happens to be my dream amp ala blackberry smoke. the blonde def has my interest. a forum member was selling one recently but I didnt have the funds at the time to grab it. ;(

That was actually me you emailed.