What do you prefer: amp or pedal distortion?
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Kosh Naranek
New member
Re: What do you prefer: amp or pedal distortion?
In the case of David gilmour, I wouldn't have guessed he was using a fuzz if I hadn't read it. His tone certainly sounds more like amp distortion than a fuzz box, especially a Big Muff. But enough about the mysteries of Pink Floyd's guitar tones.
I like amp distortion most of the time. Certainly for crunch rhythm parts.
A distortion pedal through a clean channel can be good if the song has more than one guitar part and you want some contrast between them.
Lately I have been discovering the sound of an overdrive pedal, set ot a moderat amount of gain, in front of the overdrive channel of an amp, also set to moderate gain, or even almost clean.
The dirty channel of many amps is voiced differently than the clean channel, so putting an overdrive ahead of it can give a much tighter, more focused and agressive sound than running the pedal into the clean channel. And sometimes the sustain I get from running a pedal in front of the dirty channel is greater than I would get if I just ran into the dirty channel or just through the pedal and dialed in more gain.
Good point. Only a fuzz sounds like a fuzz.
In the case of David gilmour, I wouldn't have guessed he was using a fuzz if I hadn't read it. His tone certainly sounds more like amp distortion than a fuzz box, especially a Big Muff. But enough about the mysteries of Pink Floyd's guitar tones.
I like amp distortion most of the time. Certainly for crunch rhythm parts.
A distortion pedal through a clean channel can be good if the song has more than one guitar part and you want some contrast between them.
Lately I have been discovering the sound of an overdrive pedal, set ot a moderat amount of gain, in front of the overdrive channel of an amp, also set to moderate gain, or even almost clean.
The dirty channel of many amps is voiced differently than the clean channel, so putting an overdrive ahead of it can give a much tighter, more focused and agressive sound than running the pedal into the clean channel. And sometimes the sustain I get from running a pedal in front of the dirty channel is greater than I would get if I just ran into the dirty channel or just through the pedal and dialed in more gain.
some_dude
Raging BB Gunologist
Re: What do you prefer: amp or pedal distortion?
Pfft.
Try P90s and a Fuzz Face beating the crap out of a 120w Orange and two full cabs of 12 inch speakers.
You thar... in the back. FEEL MY FUZZ B*TCH! F E E L - M A' - F U Z Z
:banana:
Pfft.
Try P90s and a Fuzz Face beating the crap out of a 120w Orange and two full cabs of 12 inch speakers.
You thar... in the back. FEEL MY FUZZ B*TCH! F E E L - M A' - F U Z Z
:banana:
L
Lewguitar
Guest
Re: What do you prefer: amp or pedal distortion?
I'll bet you don't get your fuzz felt very often with an attitude towards women like that.
As for amps vs. pedals: I like small amps that overdrive easily. I have some great pedals ('69/Fuzzface, Satchurator, Jemini, DS-1, TS-808, vintage Rat) but I only play them at home just for giggles. Never on the gig.
To artificial.
Lew
I'll bet you don't get your fuzz felt very often with an attitude towards women like that.
As for amps vs. pedals: I like small amps that overdrive easily. I have some great pedals ('69/Fuzzface, Satchurator, Jemini, DS-1, TS-808, vintage Rat) but I only play them at home just for giggles. Never on the gig.
To artificial.
Lew
Re: What do you prefer: amp or pedal distortion?
I've tried lots of pedals, lots of amps and have bought amps that have great clean tone with the idea of using pedals for dirt in front, amps for just the distortion sounds, etc. My preference with no compromises? One amp for cleans, one amp for distortion.
I've tried lots of pedals, lots of amps and have bought amps that have great clean tone with the idea of using pedals for dirt in front, amps for just the distortion sounds, etc. My preference with no compromises? One amp for cleans, one amp for distortion.
some_dude
Raging BB Gunologist
Re: What do you prefer: amp or pedal distortion?
I don't know why, but women love *ssholes... and I'm definitely an *sshole.
----
On a more serious front, I think it depends upon the amp. Some amps don't like pedals, and are capable of more than enough overdrive and/or distortion (depending on your tastes) without them. Adding a pedal feels like you're adding a layer that sits on top of the amp rather than joining it, and it generally sounds artificial.
On the other hand, some amps were just made for making pedals sound killer. The pedal merges right in with the amp and they sound like they were meant for each other. In these cases the combination of the two sounds greater than either of them could manage on their own.
So, in short it depends for me. I have two rigs... one a high gain channel switcher that I plug strait into that sounds great, the other a low gain/high headroom monster that sounds/feels like a nuclear assault going off when you plug a fuzz into it.
I don't know why, but women love *ssholes... and I'm definitely an *sshole.
----
On a more serious front, I think it depends upon the amp. Some amps don't like pedals, and are capable of more than enough overdrive and/or distortion (depending on your tastes) without them. Adding a pedal feels like you're adding a layer that sits on top of the amp rather than joining it, and it generally sounds artificial.
On the other hand, some amps were just made for making pedals sound killer. The pedal merges right in with the amp and they sound like they were meant for each other. In these cases the combination of the two sounds greater than either of them could manage on their own.
So, in short it depends for me. I have two rigs... one a high gain channel switcher that I plug strait into that sounds great, the other a low gain/high headroom monster that sounds/feels like a nuclear assault going off when you plug a fuzz into it.
Fender_Punk
BerriesAndCreamologist
Re: What do you prefer: amp or pedal distortion?
Tube amp drive all the way!! I like amp overdrive from a 6L6, KT77 or EL34 amp (the most). I used to use pedals, until I got a tube amp and I never saw a need for a dirt box, just a boost. I just don't dig amplified signal clipping.
Tube amp drive all the way!! I like amp overdrive from a 6L6, KT77 or EL34 amp (the most). I used to use pedals, until I got a tube amp and I never saw a need for a dirt box, just a boost. I just don't dig amplified signal clipping.
Re: What do you prefer: amp or pedal distortion?
This has happened to me in the past. Is it because the gain in the pedal doesn't exceed the headroom in the preamp circuit?
This has happened to me in the past. Is it because the gain in the pedal doesn't exceed the headroom in the preamp circuit?
some_dude
Raging BB Gunologist
thunderkyss
New member
Re: What do you prefer: amp or pedal distortion?
many of my favorite players use/used pedals. Zakk Wylde, SRV, Jimmy Hendrix, Bonamassa, Johnny Lang, Warren Haynes, Satriani, etc... Pedals are good.... if you know how to play that is.
Many of my favorite players don't use pedals. Santana, Slash, Hammet & Hetfield, Mustaine & Friedman. No pedals are good to..... if you know how to play that is.
I like both. Right now, I'm going for simple. I want a single channel amp(I've got a Mesa Boogie .50 Cal, and a Marshall 2246). I'm going to put my old GSP21 Legend in the effects loop of one of them, and my old Chameleon in the other. Whenever I get time that is, I haven't really played anything in over a year(work and all).
But I play so many different things, different styles... it's a real pain to have to set my amps up for this, then again for that..... then setting the different pedals with the different amps.
I'll just set the amps up for barely breaking up, then program the multi-units, then forget about it, and just play.
many of my favorite players use/used pedals. Zakk Wylde, SRV, Jimmy Hendrix, Bonamassa, Johnny Lang, Warren Haynes, Satriani, etc... Pedals are good.... if you know how to play that is.
Many of my favorite players don't use pedals. Santana, Slash, Hammet & Hetfield, Mustaine & Friedman. No pedals are good to..... if you know how to play that is.
I like both. Right now, I'm going for simple. I want a single channel amp(I've got a Mesa Boogie .50 Cal, and a Marshall 2246). I'm going to put my old GSP21 Legend in the effects loop of one of them, and my old Chameleon in the other. Whenever I get time that is, I haven't really played anything in over a year(work and all).
But I play so many different things, different styles... it's a real pain to have to set my amps up for this, then again for that..... then setting the different pedals with the different amps.
I'll just set the amps up for barely breaking up, then program the multi-units, then forget about it, and just play.
some_dude
Raging BB Gunologist
Re: What do you prefer: amp or pedal distortion?
Santana uses two TS-9s stacked for his gain tones. Hammet uses a wah and TS-9 on his lead tones. Hetfield uses a EQs to cut mids and boost the top and bottom on his rhythm tones. Not sure what Mustaine and Friedman do as I've never been into them.
Santana uses two TS-9s stacked for his gain tones. Hammet uses a wah and TS-9 on his lead tones. Hetfield uses a EQs to cut mids and boost the top and bottom on his rhythm tones. Not sure what Mustaine and Friedman do as I've never been into them.
Ark
New member
jimijames
New member
Re: What do you prefer: amp or pedal distortion?
Amps sound the best to my ears, but I do love a good overdrive - especially a tubescreamer or treble booster. I don't use "distortion" pedals though, I like to get some grit and then push it over the top and maybe add some midrange.
Amps sound the best to my ears, but I do love a good overdrive - especially a tubescreamer or treble booster. I don't use "distortion" pedals though, I like to get some grit and then push it over the top and maybe add some midrange.
Laughing Kookaburra
New member
Re: What do you prefer: amp or pedal distortion?
I prefer straight in, but...I've used amps that were great amps, but did not quite have the OD that I desired. My old Hiwatt was a good example. Running it pretty hot, and then sending it over the top w/a decent OD pedal sounded great!
I also understand those that used dirt boxes for increased versatility when using only one amp. As much as I personally prefer straight in, I've heard some guys sound really good doing that. I still experiment w/that approach.
I have been drifting toward low watt amps in recent years, entirely because of the issue of getting decent natural OD out of the amp at reasonable volumes.
In the end, it's what works for each person. I play blues rock and hard rock, and I find those styles easy to handle w/a straight in rig. I can get everything I need w/picking dynamics, and my gtr's volume control. Others may require a tonal palette that runs beyond that.
I prefer straight in, but...I've used amps that were great amps, but did not quite have the OD that I desired. My old Hiwatt was a good example. Running it pretty hot, and then sending it over the top w/a decent OD pedal sounded great!
I also understand those that used dirt boxes for increased versatility when using only one amp. As much as I personally prefer straight in, I've heard some guys sound really good doing that. I still experiment w/that approach.
I have been drifting toward low watt amps in recent years, entirely because of the issue of getting decent natural OD out of the amp at reasonable volumes.
In the end, it's what works for each person. I play blues rock and hard rock, and I find those styles easy to handle w/a straight in rig. I can get everything I need w/picking dynamics, and my gtr's volume control. Others may require a tonal palette that runs beyond that.
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T
Thunder
Guest
Re: What do you prefer: amp or pedal distortion?
Get a good amp sound first, then color with pedals as needed.
Get a good amp sound first, then color with pedals as needed.
thunderkyss
New member
Re: What do you prefer: amp or pedal distortion?
Whelp, there you go, pedals are better.
Whelp, there you go, pedals are better.
Karmadog777
New member
Re: What do you prefer: amp or pedal distortion?
I use to prefer amp distortion until I got my BlackStar HT DistX now I dont need to OD my amps dirty channel and then add a compressor for sustain
Then again I dont have the Bones for a Mark V or I may change my mind again
I use to prefer amp distortion until I got my BlackStar HT DistX now I dont need to OD my amps dirty channel and then add a compressor for sustain
Then again I dont have the Bones for a Mark V or I may change my mind again
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