Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum
Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: Twinfan on November 20, 2008, 09:52:31 AM
-
Pretty much as the title says really!
I've got an original Guv'nor on my pedalboard ( cheers sgmypod ;) ) which is the best pedal I've found so far to do JCM800 type tones. Unfortunately it's quite noisy, a bit thin and scooped sounding, and a bit transistor-y. So I'm looking for something similar that fixes those problems. I play into a clean JTM45 and other stomps I've tried are:
* Electro-Harmonix Metal Muff (a bit fuzzy, as you might expect!)
* MI Audio Crunch Box (bit too compressed sounding for me)
* ZVex Box of Rock (not enough gain, not tight enough)
* ZVex Box of Metal (a bit thin and fizzy sounding, annoying noise gate)
I'm a bit stumped as to what else I can try! There are LOADS of plexi-type overdrive pedals but I can't find a good "Marshall heavy distortion" pedal.
Anyone got any other suggestions? My Martamp Orion will have a heavy distortion channel when I get it, so I don't need any amp recommendations thanks! I'm looking for something on my board for backup/flexibility.
Any ideas???
-
Isn't there a copy of the guv'nor out there..with the quietening mods and others to give more variance in tone.
Guessing want to keep original..original
-
I did a search, but couldn't find anything?
-
The award session JD10 has a hot-rodded-marshall vibe.
-
I would suggest one of the Blackstars but I am pretty sure you've had one of those as well :)
I have always wanted to try one of the Soldano Supercharger pedals, not sure if they are worth a look for you
-
What about the new guv'nor plus..supposed to be an uprated version...but is new marshall..and not tried one
-
And at mo using my orig Drivemaster for that kinda sound..
-
Tech 21 British? I have the Blonde and it goes from clean Twin to insane Bassman, so the British should do heavy marshall as well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YKdiMcI2NU&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdZA33e4RZQ
http://www.tech21nyc.com/character_series.html#
-
http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=99&Itemid=26 (http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=99&Itemid=26)..on here a kit to build a guv'nor with modern improvments..but doesn't say what other than a true bypass..but may be worth a look
-
THe Lovepedal Purple Plexi 800 is a good bet at the moment, very much what you are looking for I think, Dave.
Also consider a BYOC Shredder pedal, (either as a kit, or ready built from http://axeandyoushallreceive.com/).
I just got a BYOC Tube Screamer from "Axe and you shall receive", and it is top quality. The components are top notch, and I am very, very impressed by the low noise floor.
The Himmelstrutz Fetto is also an awesome, yet expensive, pedal that would suit you very nicely as well, IMHO.
-
BYOC stuff is very quiet..even when built by me
-
Thanks guys! :)
To recap and comment:
* Blackstars - had the HT Dual, didn't like its colouring on my tone
* Soldano Supercharger - might have the same issue as the HT-Dual, more like a preamp when I only want a stomp
* GGG MDV - same as a Guv'nor tonally by the look of it, so no good
* BYOC Shredder - I've already got a Shredmaster, and it's a bit too smooth sounding for me
* Guv'nor Plus - reviews suggest it's cheap and pants
So that leaves:
Lovepedal Purple Plexi 800 - seems like a good option?
Himmelstrutz Fetto - £200 before I even post it, an unknown gamble?
-
or build one
-
I haven't a clue what to do to build one!
-
I haven't a clue what to do to build one!
plus you would have to build 2 :D
-
I haven't really messed with my (ancient) mkI Guv'nor coz it sounds pretty good as it is. I found that it sounded best into my old Superbass (similar to your JTM45) with the bass and mids cranked but the treble rolled down to taste.
Also, the volume needs to be fairly high or it sounds thin.
The tonestack could be modded to get more mids, but I'd have to mess round with it first (which I ain't got time to do at the minute).
How about a RAT? - they're Marshally and easy to mod if you want tighter bass.
-
ok, had a quick look at the Guv'nor schematic - if you bypass the tone controls it should give you a much fuller tone.
it's simple to try... short out (i.e. connect a wire) between R7 (1k resistor) and the top of the level pot (VR5).
you could also try taking the clipping diodes out, but you'd loose some crunch - worth a go.
-
Cheers Ian - I'll take a look.
One of the problems I have is that I have to run the level quite low :(
-
Love Pedal Pro Valve Over drive Pedal - "The Lovepedal Provalve is an overdrive pedal made to give you that old school, high gain Marshall tone without the need for a separate clean boost. Lovepedal has once again risen to the heights of British guitar tone with the Provalve!"
Also they do two versions of the plexi 800. the black one and the purple plexi 800. ones more 70's ones more 80's
Carl Martin - plexi tone
Fulltone OCD - Marshall in a box no colouration there. Have you tried these they are awsome.
Mad Professor Mighty Red Distortion Pedal
Radial - various
-
The OCD, Carl Martin and Radial are more plexi overdrive by all accounts? Not tried the Mad Professor so that's another possible.........
-
Not tried the Mad Professor so that's another possible.........
Yes, I forgot about the Mighty Red. Fantastic pedal by all accounts, but another really expensive one of course !
-
it might seem a little low rent after all the boutique suggestions, but the Danelectro Daddy-o overdrive is very similar to the Guv'nor. i have one, and an original made in england Guv'nor. they don't sound exactly the same, the Danelectro seems fuller and smoother, perhaps more modern. it does sound good.
i've also bought one of the General Guitar Gadget kits, but between moving house and having to build up the nerve i haven't tried putting it together yet.
yes, i like the Guv'nor too! ;)
-
General Guitar Gadgets do a copy, not sure how it would be better than the original though. Would give true bypass switching at least, and may be quieter.
-
My Keeley BD-2 is very Marshall sounding imho. It doesn't colour the sound of your original amp tone too much either - very transparent. Just great overdrive. You can get real clean, or real dirty with this pedal, and it cleans up really well with guitar volume control.
A great pedal all round. I almost purchased a second for lead but got the Keeley SD-1 instead. That starts where the BD-2 finishes!
I would deffo buy a Keeley BD-2 again, and again... great pedal.
(Am using a stock Gibson SG into an old Traynor YGM-3 amp)
-
Fulltone Fulldrive 2
Fulltone OCD
-
I agree with the ocd recommendation. Not to change the subject, but, everton how marshally did the bd 2 get after the keeley mod? I have a normall BD and want to know how spececally the keely mod improves it
-
Has anyone tried the Rothwell Heartbreaker?
http://www.rothwellaudioproducts.co.uk/html/heartbreaker.html
-
Yep - very smooth distrotion, move of an overdrive really. Not like a Guv'nor at all. More like the BB Preamp which I already have....
-
Any one tried the Lovepedal(sounds wrong *L*) eternity
-
I used to own a stock BD-2 which I actually thought wasn't a bad pedal. I was never that big on BOSS overdrives except I always felt the BD-2 was actually good.
The Keeley mod is well worth it though. Direct differences is that the Keeley has a slightly more open feel, with a bit more depth. Great little switch to add more bottom end, which I always have on... sounds huge. Also, when you really crank the gain on this pedal it sounds very early sabbath sounding which is quite surprising. The gain range is huge - great for simple boosts, to "on the edge of breakup", right through to early sabbath esque gain - almost fuzz sounding on max, with the added bonus of the bass switch... and, it doesn't really colour the original amp sound either.. it does a bit, but nothing like a mid bump like a TS if you know what I mean. Great little pedal. I see them on ebay now and again. I'm still tempted to purchase a second to use side by side.
-
Thanks, Everton. I feel the same way about Boss distortion, but do really like the bluesdriver. The mod sounds perfect for me in every way. thanks so much for the description. CHeers, Lifted