What OD/Pedal will give a "slight gain, compression, overtones" ?
- Thread starter Erlend_G
- Start date
Amp EQ won't fix the pedal's EQ issues -- there's a big difference between putting a lot of low-end in front of an amp vs. adding low-end (or, more accurately, cutting less low-end) at the tone stack. It's like the B/M/T EQ vs. the graphic EQ on a Mesa Mark -- you never see anyone run those without the big scoop on the GEQ and then a very middy B/M/T EQ for a good reason. The Klon is like putting the bass up on the B/M/T EQ... not a good idea, no matter what you do with the GEQ (or at least not a good idea in the scenarios I tested the Klone under, with humbuckers into a Marshall 2203 or a Bogner Twin Jet).
Dave Locher
New member
It depends on the amp you are pushing, Cynical. My tight, crunchy Randall likes the Klon eq. It doesn't go mushy or shrill, just thick. For metal a TS is better, but for what I play the TS lops off too much bass and makes it all too hyper and edgy sounding.
Lewguitar
New member
A real Klon is a bit like the Rat in that you can't just plug in the first time and intuitively dial it in.
There's a learning curve.
Jeff Beck, arguably the greatest rock guitarist of all time, wouldn't be using one if the Klon had the issues and errors of design alluded to.
You just have to take the time to learn to use it.
Jeff Beck, Mark Tremonti, John Mayer, Warren Haynes and Joe Perry obviously did.
EDIT: this is in response to Dave Locher, I got ninja'd
Not being familiar with what you play, what is a Klon (with the drive down, I assume) doing for you that a flat volume pedal (or the gain knob of your amp) wouldn't do just as well for a lot cheaper? The Klon's whole thing is that it has a lot less compression (and less compression-per-amount-of-distortion) and EQ than most OD pedals, so with the drive down, it's barely doing anything but applying a fairly flat boost (or a scooped boost with the tone down, which I'm assuming you're not doing, or a really treble-hyped boost with the tone up, which I also assume you're not doing).
It really strikes me as an odd circuit to choose to use as a "supplemental" thing in your rig, rather than your main source of distortion (which, for lower-gain sounds, it's design is amazingly well suited for on paper at least).
Not being familiar with what you play, what is a Klon (with the drive down, I assume) doing for you that a flat volume pedal (or the gain knob of your amp) wouldn't do just as well for a lot cheaper? The Klon's whole thing is that it has a lot less compression (and less compression-per-amount-of-distortion) and EQ than most OD pedals, so with the drive down, it's barely doing anything but applying a fairly flat boost (or a scooped boost with the tone down, which I'm assuming you're not doing, or a really treble-hyped boost with the tone up, which I also assume you're not doing).
It really strikes me as an odd circuit to choose to use as a "supplemental" thing in your rig, rather than your main source of distortion (which, for lower-gain sounds, it's design is amazingly well suited for on paper at least).
Lewguitar
New member
Me too. I was just trying to play nice. :laughing:
Erlend_G
New member
Thanks for all the replies!
I really liked the tone Jeff Beck got with the "Klon" (I assume it's the Klon Centaur ?) but I can't afford "high end" pedals.
Someone asked me what style I play, well; for purpose of needing/wanting a box or something infront of my amp;
I'm going to be playing clean, fingerpicking or chords; with my amp dialed in where it just starts to break up.
(gain too low- the tone gets boring and flat, too much- and there's too much distortion)
I'm always looking for this tone to have a bit more compression, nuance and maybe more mids to it. (It's ideal sounding when I reach the power stage "sweet spot" at noon.- but then it's too loud),
The only compressor pedal I really liked for guitar, was the EHX "Black Finger" with the 2 tubes. I had two of these, both broke/stopped working , after just mild use. :/ But it did impart a musical warmth and compression.
Or I could absolutely experiment with some preamp/OD pedal- thing is; I need it to have very little distortion, and just slightly distort, very smoothly. My Joyo "Ultimate Drive" with gain at 0, is too much distortion :/. And it clips pretty abruptly. I've found another use for it, as a lead boost for the OD channel.
How much distortion does your "average" Tubescreamer make at "zero dist"; or as low as it will go?
I really liked the tone Jeff Beck got with the "Klon" (I assume it's the Klon Centaur ?) but I can't afford "high end" pedals.
Someone asked me what style I play, well; for purpose of needing/wanting a box or something infront of my amp;
I'm going to be playing clean, fingerpicking or chords; with my amp dialed in where it just starts to break up.
(gain too low- the tone gets boring and flat, too much- and there's too much distortion)
I'm always looking for this tone to have a bit more compression, nuance and maybe more mids to it. (It's ideal sounding when I reach the power stage "sweet spot" at noon.- but then it's too loud),
The only compressor pedal I really liked for guitar, was the EHX "Black Finger" with the 2 tubes. I had two of these, both broke/stopped working , after just mild use. :/ But it did impart a musical warmth and compression.
Or I could absolutely experiment with some preamp/OD pedal- thing is; I need it to have very little distortion, and just slightly distort, very smoothly. My Joyo "Ultimate Drive" with gain at 0, is too much distortion :/. And it clips pretty abruptly. I've found another use for it, as a lead boost for the OD channel.
How much distortion does your "average" Tubescreamer make at "zero dist"; or as low as it will go?
Lewguitar
New member
You can get a used Soul Food for pretty cheap. I've seen them used for $50. It's the Klon circuit but you won't get the same germanium diodes Bill Finnigan uses. Still sounds very good though.
I never liked the TS-9 as a clean boost. Nor does it clean up as well when you lower the volume control on your guitar the way a Klon will. It might clean up some, but it still sounds kind of honky.
If I'm playing my Strat I can dial in a screaming good tone on my Klon for soloing and then lower the volume on my guitar and get a very good "rock clean" sound.
Beck does it a lot in the videos I posted. You can really see it in the Little Wing video.
I have two overdrive pedals on my board. A Klon KTR that Bill Finnigan made and a Dover Drive from Hermida.
I use the Dover Drive for everything from Eric Johnson violin tones (Eric had some input on its design) to fuzzy overdrive and I use the Klon for more transparent overdrive. and as clean boost into the Dover Drive. It's terrific for semi-clean rock rhythm.
The Klon doesn't really do fuzz but you can leave it on ALL THE TIME and go from clean to scream like Jeff Beck does in that video.
BUT, (and it's a big butt, lol!) you have to run it through a really good amp. If you're not loving your amp I doubt a pedal is going to fix that.
ErikH
Well-known member
I gotta give a nod to the EHX Soul Food. I picked up a used one for $50 USD locally. A very nice overdrive. I've used it to give a slight edge to an overdriven amp (not metal saturation, but think classic rock, Skynyrd saturation) and I've used it as the primary overdrive with the amp set to little to no breakup. It really shines for me when the amp is set to have a mild breakup (think classic Malcom Young where he has to beat the guitar to get heavier tones) and the SF is set with the drive half-way up or a little more. What I didn't know when I bought it is that there is a charge pump inside, though I'm not sure how much it increases what the circuit sees. It certainly sounds good.
Lewguitar
New member
What does a charge pump do? In lazy man's terms?
It's something that increases voltage.
For instance, say you've got a pedal design that runs on 18v power, but you want to make it work on a 9v power supply. You could use a charge pump in the pedal's circuit to turn that 9v into 18v, as long as your power supply supplies sufficient current.
Lewguitar
New member
Thanks!
ErikH
Well-known member
As said, it increases the incoming voltage. From what I've been able to find, and I'd have to open mine up to confirm, the Soul Food has a 7660 voltage doubler in which would push the incoming 9V (or 9.6V) power supply up near 18V.
Lewguitar
New member
Thanks Erik
Erlend_G
New member
I didn't expect to get so many replies, thanks alot guys.
My EHX "Octavix" fuzz box got switchable up-ramping of the internal voltage, from 9 to 24 volts. At the 24v setting, the sound is tighter, louder and has more bottom end.
Really nice to be able to choose, with a little switch on the front.
.
The "soul food" sounds more in the "gain area" of what I need. Though I don't need any real "distortion" at all;
just a "pinch" of added overtones. The Blackstar will distort heavily on both channels, without any boost needed.
I'll see what I can do. Spent a huge load of money on something as silly as fish, french brie and various food the other day. New clothes.
I really like pedals that are cheap, affordable- though not the very cheapest "wish" type ones. Joyo has become a brand that I really love. Also good experiences with EHX.
\m/
My EHX "Octavix" fuzz box got switchable up-ramping of the internal voltage, from 9 to 24 volts. At the 24v setting, the sound is tighter, louder and has more bottom end.
Really nice to be able to choose, with a little switch on the front.
.The "soul food" sounds more in the "gain area" of what I need. Though I don't need any real "distortion" at all;
just a "pinch" of added overtones
. The Blackstar will distort heavily on both channels, without any boost needed.I'll see what I can do. Spent a huge load of money on something as silly as fish, french brie and various food the other day. New clothes.
I really like pedals that are cheap, affordable- though not the very cheapest "wish" type ones. Joyo has become a brand that I really love. Also good experiences with EHX.
\m/
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