The Distortion Poll

[Loserchief]

Re: The Distortion Poll

No need for any other distortion unit on my Powerball(it's got more than enough on its own). I boost my Sovereigns channel4 though since it's not as high gain as the PB. After getting hold of my modded SD-1 channel 4 is now more like a pissed of Savage 120

 

[daemon barbeque]

Re: The Distortion Poll

Tight hi-gain amps need no booster/drive ..I use the amp distortion
Loose hi-gain amps need a Overdrive/booster in front of it.
I don't play clean amps with pedals distorted.so no comment on them

 

[JohnnyGuitar]

Re: The Distortion Poll

I'm lazy lately so just the amp. When I'm not lazy (3 times every year) I use pedal for variation.

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: The Distortion Poll

I used to only use pedals for distortion, but lately I've been using the amp more and more often . . .

 

[Kac]

Re: The Distortion Poll

Metal Muff

 

[wahwah]

Re: The Distortion Poll

Always pedals. I set my amps to the onset of overdrive, so I have a full bodied clean tone by backing the guitar volume to 8, and then I use both overdrive and distortion pedals to get the really driven tones. I will often use one of each at the same time for saturated solos, the trick being to a) use great pedals and b) use great pedals that work well together.

To my ears the worst tone is preamp fizz, and unless you have a low wattage amp, getting power tube distortion means that you will be too loud except for concert stages. Even with low wattage amps it can still be too loud for club or bar gigs. I've heard hundreds of amps over the years, and of them only a handful delivered a great tone straight from the amp, and they were the sort of amps that are considered legendary, 60's AC30's, some 60's and early 70's Marshalls, a few HiWatts and a few handmade boutique amps, but not many. All of them were too loud for standard gigging conditions where you are trying to match a balance to the acoustic drum kit and still be in the FOH mix. So bring on the best pedals on the planet, and give me a good tone and versatility at a volume that keeps me in work!


Cheers........................wahwah

 

[bungalowbill]

Re: The Distortion Poll

Always pedals. I set my amps to the onset of overdrive, so I have a full bodied clean tone by backing the guitar volume to 8, and then I use both overdrive and distortion pedals to get the really driven tones. I will often use one of each at the same time for saturated solos, the trick being to a) use great pedals and b) use great pedals that work well together.

This is exactly the way I do it. There are a lot of great guitar tones on record that used this type of setup.

I love the sound of a cranked amp, unfortunately I can't live with the high volume anymore. The crickets get a little louder every year.

 

[WhoFan]

Re: The Distortion Poll

depends on my rig.... i use amp distortion with my 5150 rig... with my Fender Deluxe and Peavey Classic 30 amps i tend to use pedals

 

[B Bent]

Re: The Distortion Poll

All of the above!!!

 

[Skarekrough]

Re: The Distortion Poll

This is exactly the way I do it. There are a lot of great guitar tones on record that used this type of setup.

I love the sound of a cranked amp, unfortunately I can't live with the high volume anymore. The crickets get a little louder every year.

I like having the versatility on all accounts with both a pedal as well as the volume at my disposal. I'm finding that when I do this, I get my sound right and then very rarely do I really need to touch the amp again for the rest of the night as long as someone doesn't turn up to stupid levels.

...and man....treat yourself and get some earplugs made. I did so a few months ago and the difference is just amazing. It's like someone turned the world down but it all still sounds great!

 

[Zerberus]

Re: The Distortion Poll

JCM 800 with everything cranked, high output pickups and Internal preamps

 

[scottish]

Re: The Distortion Poll

im a pedal guy....i use a fender amp specifically because they have amazing clean tones. i like to have my amp really clean and then put any overdrive/distortion on it using pedals

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: The Distortion Poll

I like all three. Mesa for preamp gain, but the Duncan Custom in the LP gets a ton more gain than the Fender Texas Special in the Tele on the lower gain channels. I'm also a fuzzhead, especially Muff clones. :bigok:

 

[darwins_ghost]

Re: The Distortion Poll

All Three

Loud & Proud

 

[johnny blackwater]

Re: The Distortion Poll

red beans and rice w/ texas pete, collard greens and ham, and fresh peach juice. and for my guitar rig I use low impedence pickups into lots of NOS tubes.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: The Distortion Poll

I don't need a pedal, not with five Mesa Boogie Amps: Mark III Coliseum Half-Stack, Mark III Simul-Class Combo, Mark IV EVM Combo, DC-3 Combo, Maverick 212 Combo.

The best lead tone in the business.

Bill

 

[SonofaMitch]

Re: The Distortion Poll

mainly my amps...I use a Boss GE-7 for a Bosst tho..and sometimes my
SD TTC

~Mitch~

 

[Rushfan2112]

Re: The Distortion Poll

All Three

Loud & Proud

There are most definitely four choices.

 

[Jerky Chid]

Re: The Distortion Poll

Pretty much all of the above (cept farts)
The Duncan Dist gives me a nice little edge that's added to my amp's distortion, which I add some OD to occasionally

 

[tubeman87]

Re: The Distortion Poll

Amp, as soon as I get my Cold Fusion II I'll get some from that but mainly my amp.