Where's it coming from ?

[Jackson Distortion]

How many here are getting their main overdrive tone at their head/preamp as opposed to outboard boxes an' junk. Seems, and maybe has been for years, that these days MOST favor o.d/distortion stompboxes over thier own amps overdrive capabilities. I would think most would buy an amp with channels (lead and clean) already suited for those tones. These days also, limited budget can still mean great tone. Can you really blame low-cost products (this case amps) for their 'horrible-sterile-non legendary' tone? I think not. You're a major part.

In conclusion (ahem), Am I the only Gen. X'er who for a decade finds an apt amp's own drive tones to be enough ?

On all fronts, correct me if I'm mistaken. Please.

 

[JLagoon]

Re: Where's it coming from ?

Well, it depends on one's preference. What would a person who wants to have a fender clean channel and a mesa distortion channel do? He can either buy a line6 or a fender (preferably tube amp) and a mesa v-twin pedal.

There was a thread on a different message board about someone who suggested that his TSL didn't have enough gain........ I think that if you have a TSL, then you can cover rock to metal.

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Where's it coming from ?

I much prefer distortion directly from the amp. If I could play with no pedals at all, I would. When I do use a distortion pedal, I generally just use it for a lead boost, or to enhance the sound I already have from my amp.

I wanted Fender cleans, and Marshall crunch. My solution? Modded JCM800 with 2 channels. Converted to PTP wiring. Clean channel voiced to Fender BF specs. Drive channel voiced to Plexi tones in the lower gain range, and JCM2204 tones at higher gain settings.

Works and sounds fantastic.

 

[BigDreamer]

Re: Where's it coming from ?

I only use my amp's distortion. And if i want a different flavor of distortion i'll buy another amp to A/B with it. Expensive, but IMO provides the best tone. Though good tone can be had from the right stompboxes with the right tweaking.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Where's it coming from ?

Amp distortion... Boosted with an OD if it needs that extra "push over the cliff", and a fuzz for the obvious tones it can provide that the amp could never do.

 

[JLagoon]

Re: Where's it coming from ?

I only use my amp's distortion.

That's because you have a Dual Rectifier :wave:

 

[aleclee]

Re: Where's it coming from ?

I haven't found many dirt boxes that sound as good to me as good amp OD.

 

[Rushfan2112]

Re: Where's it coming from ?

I plan on purchasing a Traynor YCV50 Blue. This thing's got a great lead channel, with new tubes it's got Marshall Crunch dead on. With the Master Volume, I can crank the clean for that overdriven tube sound I'm looking for. I really don't think I'll need a pedal for this amp, and I'm glad. If I'm gonna spend 600 dollars or so on an amp, I don't want to have to buy a pedal to make it sound like I want. I'd rather invest the money in the amp.

 

[HamerPlyr]

Re: Where's it coming from ?

I haven't found many dirt boxes that sound as good to me as good amp OD.

Agreed.

I use a Japanese SD-1 for the in-between crunch rhythm, only because the amp only has two channels.

For me, I wanted an amp that could cover two tones- nice cleans and a good OD solo tone. The middle tone is easily achieved with a pedal. It's not as glaringly obvious as the clean or solo tones, and I'm fine with using a pedal to get it.

 

[WhoFan]

Re: Where's it coming from ?

I use both type of distortion, amp and boxes.... depends on the gig/jam and the volume..... At home i use some solid state amps with no added fx's.... just the amps and a guitar... i'm quite happy at home playing like that.....

But i have 5 tube amps now and i use different ones for different volume needs... I mostly use my Fender 65 Deluxe and my Classic 30 combos for small gigs/jams...... with these amps i use Distortion boxes a lot for my drive sound..... The C 30 has a good drive channel when cranked but i like stomp boxes too..... My Marshall JCM 800 head is pretty gainy and does not need OD boxes besides solos.... My 5150 stack is best when i have a loud gig!

I like David Gilmour's way of thinking of having a loud clean amp and great pedalboard..... i also like using the amps own distortions.... but the fuzz boxes are a different tone then the amps gain..... and i like the different tones they make

 

[HamerPlyr]

Re: Where's it coming from ?

Fuzz is a whole different conversation, as far as I'm concerned.

 

[CapoFirstFret]

Re: Where's it coming from ?

I'm a big fan of single channel amplifiers and using boxes for your dirt. The way I figure, if you get an amp that does one thing incredibly well (clean in this case), everything else is gonna be easy. So I get an amp that is devoted entirely to giving me a great tone clean, then add boxes

 

[Low_fidelity2100]

Re: Where's it coming from ?

I'm a big fan of single channel amplifiers and using boxes for your dirt. The way I figure, if you get an amp that does one thing incredibly well (clean in this case), everything else is gonna be easy. So I get an amp that is devoted entirely to giving me a great tone clean, then add boxes

+1

 

[Kac]

Re: Where's it coming from ?

I use the amp's distortion, but it's not mean enough sometimes so I kick it into WYLDE level with my overdrive...

Rock On ~ Kac

 

[greendy123]

Re: Where's it coming from ?

I'm a big fan of single channel amplifiers and using boxes for your dirt. The way I figure, if you get an amp that does one thing incredibly well (clean in this case), everything else is gonna be easy. So I get an amp that is devoted entirely to giving me a great tone clean, then add boxes

I actually like doing it other way with a single channel with good distortion. The way I use it is just roll down the volume about half way for my cleans. Just a bit for rhythm and full for lead.

 

[Loserchief]

Re: Where's it coming from ?

Engl Powerball with Z5 footswitch here.
No need for OD pedals or anything since the powerball has enough variety and gain for any of my needs and also delivers the lead-boost for soloing(just switch to lead II), so i don't have a need for extra distortion out of a box.

 

[y2stevo]

Re: Where's it coming from ?

I only use my amp's distortion. And if i want a different flavor of distortion i'll buy another amp to A/B with it. Expensive, but IMO provides the best tone. Though good tone can be had from the right stompboxes with the right tweaking.

Are you really 16!!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!


thats some nice gear you have in that case!






Sorry for the hijack!

Yup i just use my amps Od and Crunch etc!
For now im a guitar - cable - amp user, but im lookin to get a Duncan Pup Booster and mabye a compressor..

Also possibly a heil talkbox! :dance:

 

[muttonchopsrule]

Re: Where's it coming from ?

i prefer my OD tones from the amp. i've never really messed around too much with using stompboxes for OD tones, but that's because i'm satisfied with how it sounds from the amp.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Where's it coming from ?

The first boost is for the clean channel, and the other one is for the blue and red channels.

The king of boost - Klon Centaur

And for infinite sustain that doesn't stop. T.Rex Mudhoney

 

[callous_frigid_chill]

Re: Where's it coming from ?

I crank my amp to overdrive the power tubes, then turn on my tubescreamer to add gain and tighten it up.