Tube Overdrive pedals, whats your favorite?

AlleeCat

AlleeCat

He's Special
I've been reviewing the many OD and pedal discussions. But still have not decided what to get! What tube overdrive pedal do you like and why?

I'm currently using 2 Boss SD 1's, into a tube amp (Peavey Windsor Studio),
but I'm not completely happy with the SD-1's. I'm thinking a tube pedal for a more tube tone and smoother sustain, more amp like character.

Any suggestions?



AlleeCat
 
Re: Tube Overdrive pedals, whats your favorite?

I used to have a Matchless Hotbox and loved it. If I were looking for a tube preamp I'd look for another one of those.
 
Re: Tube Overdrive pedals, whats your favorite?

I recently bought a Blackstar HT-Dual, and it's a fantastic pedal!
 
Re: Tube Overdrive pedals, whats your favorite?

AlleeCat said:
I've been reviewing the many OD and pedal discussions. But still have not decided what to get! What tube overdrive pedal do you like and why?

I'm currently using 2 Boss SD 1's, into a tube amp (Peavey Windsor Studio),
but I'm not completely happy with the SD-1's. I'm thinking a tube pedal for a more tube tone and smoother sustain, more amp like character.

Any suggestions?



AlleeCat
Click to expand...

I reckon the pedal you have is on the right track for a windsor if you use it to boost the front end of the amp and use it to accent what your amp can already do.
Along the same lines as an sd1 (which in itself is essentially a slighly modified tube screamer), but with more output, gain, smoothness, flexibility and a more natural sounding vibe is the tried and true fulltone fulldrive II mosfet.
A cheaper option to the fulldrive, and one that kills the boss hands down and will really give your amp a kick in the pants is the MXR gtod/classic overdrive.
it might be stating the obvious, but none of these pedals mentioned are tube pedals - they are all solid state pedals designed to complement the sound and characteristics of a tube amp. As far as actual tube driven pedals go - you have to remember that they are still getting amplified by the same amp, and dont always give the results you are after...just adding more tubes to your signal chain will not give you "more tube tone". Quite often it may just add more noise and bring with them all the inherent instability and fragility of vacuum tubes....even tube driven overdrive pedals inevitably can only blend with the sound of your amp. Bear that in mind if you are shelling out bucks for a box that you are going put on the floor and step on.
All the peals in the world will not change the basic character of your amp tho...so before you g on a search for the holy grail with pedals .... just make sure your amp is giving you what you want. Windsors are cool amps, but they are designed to sound like a marshall not a mesa boogie or a fender.
 
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Re: Tube Overdrive pedals, whats your favorite?

:smokin:mrpinter thanks for the reply, I hadn't heard of the Matchless Hotbox. I'll check it out.

I had been thinking maybe a V-twin, EHX Hot Tubes, or Ibanez makes a tube OD Pedal, but I have not used them.

Hoping to get more "Feedback....." from forum bros!!!
 
Re: Tube Overdrive pedals, whats your favorite?

Stevie Bees QUOTE]I recently bought a Blackstar HT-Dual, and it's a fantastic pedal! [/QUOTE

gibson175
I reckon the pedal you have is on the right track for a windsor if you use it to boost the front end of the amp and use it to accent what your amp can already do.
Along the same lines as an sd1 (which in itself is essentially a slighly modified tube screamer), but with more output, gain, smoothness, flexibility and a more natural sounding vibe is the tried and true fulltone fulldrive II mosfet.
A cheaper option to the fulldrive, and one that kills the boss hands down and will really give your amp a kick in the pants is the MXR gtod/classic overdriv
Click to expand...

Great suggestions! I'll check them out. The SD-1's are cool, but I'm looking for more warmth and sustain. AlleeCat
 
Re: Tube Overdrive pedals, whats your favorite?

oh yeah - again not tube ......but the ocd is a superb pedal too. Nothing like a tube screamer/sd1/fulldrive/gtod etc etc style pedal. But superb nonetheless.
You will get a lot more warmth and sustain than an sd1 with either thr fulldrive or the mxr.
 
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Re: Tube Overdrive pedals, whats your favorite?

You can find Blue Tube pedals from a couple of makers, mostly Tube Works. Designed by BK Butler, but made for bass. Sound just fine on guitar.
 
Re: Tube Overdrive pedals, whats your favorite?

If your looking for a warm sound, it's not tube, try a Hermida Zendrive.
 
Re: Tube Overdrive pedals, whats your favorite?

I actually kind of like the Peavey Windsor natural overdrive I think it sounds really good.
 
Re: Tube Overdrive pedals, whats your favorite?

Maybe I misunderstood the question in my response above. If you're looking for recommendations for an overdrive pedal (not tube equipped), then my current favorite drive box is the Subdecay Super Nova Drive. It's fully eq'd, has a nice fat tone and a huge range from subtle overdrive to a very grind-y distortion.
 
Re: Tube Overdrive pedals, whats your favorite?

The stock SD1 is pretty average, but can be modded with a Monte Allums kit, if you want to break out the soldering iron.

http://www.monteallums.com/pedal_mods.html#bosssd1GT

If you aren't that keen on the upgrade, then there are some nice solid state pedals that are warm too:

Sweet honey OD
Okko Diablo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlb1OE13aw4&feature=related

Tube wise I'd steer clear of the Mesa V-twin. Nice, but not warm whenever I've heard it used. My suggestions would be:

Blackstar
Vox cooltron (brit boost or big Ben OD).

Most good tube amps will take a ss pedal and give it great depth and warmth. The tube ones are of course fantastic, but are bulky and take a small time to warm up.
 
Re: Tube Overdrive pedals, whats your favorite?

Tube ... SD Twin Tube Classic

Non Tube - Raptor 808, SKreddy SD, Zendrive, JHS Open Natural, SD1
 
Re: Tube Overdrive pedals, whats your favorite?

I really like the SD-1, I've been using one for a while. It seems to be more juicy and bright than most OD's I've tried. It also happens to be very cheap. I also use a Rocktron Sonic Glory with the SD1, which seems to be an overlooked pedal. Not that it's outstanding, it's a very bare bones TS-like pedal, but I don't see many people who use them. I picked it up because MF had it on sale for $30, while it's usually $79.

Another great OD I've really liked is the EH English Muff'in, it's got a full 3 band tone stack, which is nice.
 
Re: Tube Overdrive pedals, whats your favorite?

The V-Twin is awesome. I had one but sold it to buy windshield wiper fluid.
But there are so many pedals out there that look like they'd be really good.
I'd really like to try the Seymour pedals and the Blackstar.
 
Re: Tube Overdrive pedals, whats your favorite?

I'm sticking with my Stamps Drive-O-Matic
 
Re: Tube Overdrive pedals, whats your favorite?

Davidandrew said:
I actually kind of like the Peavey Windsor natural overdrive I think it sounds really good.
Click to expand...

Yes it does sound quite good, I get great crunch sounds from the Windsor. But need something more for sustaining lead tone.

The SD-1 is good, but I had been thinking something with a tube would be warmer and a more singing sustian.

Thanks for all your responses, they've given me alot to think about, I need to do some homework on this, maybe a shoot out!

The SD Forum is great ! It Rocks!


AlleeCat
 
Re: Tube Overdrive pedals, whats your favorite?

I have a electro harmonix english muff'n

comes with two 12ay7's. Was good as is but I got tweaky and subbed in a pair of groovetube 12ax7's and it's a beast. However it is prone to feedback if you are near the amp. But it's a good controlable and dynamic feedback. It sports a greatly sensitive 3 band eq, a gain and a level knob.

it isn't a permanent fixture on my board however...

heres why:
1 the power supply is a weird EHX wall wart that is unuique to EHX tube pedals make it necessary to be near a power strip
2 no batteries
the high end can be harsh
3 my main amp has a good eq

so, I use this at open mic nites or "whatever jams" and drunk fun. It's a great preamp for single channel tube amps and hell, it's just damn fun tto mess with too. Just wish it weren't in the classic overly large housing that make the muffs incredibly space consuming on a board

I wouldn't use it at a gig for practicality's self but it's a great deal of fun.
 
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