Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: tomjackson on April 15, 2009, 04:39:04 PM

Title: The ultimate overdrive / distortion pedal
Post by: tomjackson on April 15, 2009, 04:39:04 PM
I want a pedal that does it all, from clean boost, to light transparent drive, to Marshall in a box roar.  I’m not bothered about the cost because this one is going to be a keeper!

My initial thought is BB plus (Have tried the BB booster and really liked that) but I’m also interested in the Fulldrive 2 and any other ones anybody might think of.

The new BYOC overdrive looks good at £62.50 but would it match the BB plus in tone and versatility?


Title: Re: The ultimate overdrive / distortion pedal
Post by: sgmypod on April 15, 2009, 04:41:34 PM
not tried BB2 but the new Screamer is very versatile..and lots of mods(all in package to tweak to what you want)
Title: Re: The ultimate overdrive / distortion pedal
Post by: tomjackson on April 15, 2009, 05:13:41 PM
How much gain can you get out of it?

I want something that will give a fat sustaining lead sound in front of a clean amp and also nice low gain sounds
Title: Re: The ultimate overdrive / distortion pedal
Post by: Twinfan on April 15, 2009, 05:15:38 PM
I'd say you could do that with two great pedals - one for low gain, one for high.  All-in-ones never quite work in my experience.  What amp are you playing into?

I'd suggest looking at:

Lower gain - ZVex Box of Rock or the new ZVex Distortron, BB Preamp
Higher gain - MI Audio Crunch Box or the ToneRider British Distortion

You can get one of each category for under £200 and then you're set for anything.........
Title: Re: The ultimate overdrive / distortion pedal
Post by: Ratrod on April 15, 2009, 07:01:47 PM
The Hughes & Kettner Tube Factor does all that.

Audio clips can be heard on their site.

I have been using it for years and I'm planning to use it for years to come.

Easy to use, reliable, great tone and very versitle. I've used it as a neutral boost, break-up tone, mild overdrive, classic rock and metal distortion.
Title: Re: The ultimate overdrive / distortion pedal
Post by: dheim on April 15, 2009, 07:10:47 PM
overdrive and marshall in a box are both in the EHX english muff'n... just replace tubes with a couple of 12AX7s for greater versatility, if you don't dig the extremely vintage tone of its 12AY7s... they add more gain too.
i had poor results when i tried to use it as a booster, though...
Title: Re: The ultimate overdrive / distortion pedal
Post by: horsehead on April 15, 2009, 08:23:25 PM
I'm gonna backup SG on this one for the money the BYOC screamer is amazing
Title: Re: The ultimate overdrive / distortion pedal
Post by: mikey5 on April 16, 2009, 01:09:47 AM
Wampler Super Plextortion or Lovepedal Provalve
Title: Re: The ultimate overdrive / distortion pedal
Post by: Roobubba on April 16, 2009, 08:58:32 AM
I'd say you could do that with two great pedals - one for low gain, one for high.  All-in-ones never quite work in my experience.  What amp are you playing into?

I'd suggest looking at:

Lower gain - ZVex Box of Rock or the new ZVex Distortron, BB Preamp
Higher gain - MI Audio Crunch Box or the ToneRider British Distortion

You can get one of each category for under £200 and then you're set for anything.........

I'm with twinfan there, plus the added bonus of two great pedals is that you have more tonal possibilities (use them separately or together). Best of all worlds, if you ask me!

Roo
Title: Re: The ultimate overdrive / distortion pedal
Post by: shobet on April 16, 2009, 10:34:05 AM
I like the sound of the Skreddy Screwdriver if you want to try it.
Title: Re: The ultimate overdrive / distortion pedal
Post by: Brow on April 16, 2009, 12:44:07 PM
My favourite lower gain OD pedal would be the HBE Power Screamer. Has a 3 way diode switch to change the tone aswell as a 2nd footswitchable boost function (for gain, not volume).

For higher gain stuff I like the G2D Custom Overdrive, EMMA Electronics ReezaFRATzitz, BSIAB2 (Brown Sound In A Box), MI Audio Crunch Box and the HBE Big D (also has a 2nd footswitchable 'bigger' function).

If you want anymore info about any of these, feel free to ask :)
Title: Re: The ultimate overdrive / distortion pedal
Post by: _tom_ on April 16, 2009, 12:45:08 PM
I had a Power Screamer and it was ok but I do prefer my BYOC to it I think, it works better for boosting an amp.. Dont really like the BYOC screamer as a standalone overdrive though its too nasally and boxy sounding.

For marshally rock stuff the Crunch Box was awesome, just sounded too much like the gain on my Laney to justify keeping it.
Title: Re: The ultimate overdrive / distortion pedal
Post by: tomjackson on April 16, 2009, 02:07:02 PM
Well if I go for 2 pedals I think the Crunch Box sounds good for the higher gain stuff and possibly the BYOC for the lower gain / boost.  I currently have the Danelectro Transparent overdrive which sounds great for the lower gain stuff but I HATE the position of the buttons and the may unity gain is near the start of the pots travel.

But I think I'll try the BB plus again first, I'm sure with the 2 channels cascaded it can get pretty high gain (for me anyway).

How about the fulltone stuff, how doeas the OCD compare to the crunch box?
Title: Re: The ultimate overdrive / distortion pedal
Post by: Elliot on April 16, 2009, 03:25:14 PM
Talking of OCD - have you checked this video out?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XNXu3jvrSo
Title: Re: The ultimate overdrive / distortion pedal
Post by: PPPMAT on April 16, 2009, 03:54:38 PM
I've just bought an OCD v4 I'll let you know what its like  8)
Title: Re: The ultimate overdrive / distortion pedal
Post by: Twinfan on April 16, 2009, 04:28:49 PM
Ian Price has an OCD - you should give him a shout  :)
Title: Re: The ultimate overdrive / distortion pedal
Post by: gwEm on April 16, 2009, 06:16:40 PM
I'd use a Klon for low gain, and a Crunch Box for high gain.
Title: Re: The ultimate overdrive / distortion pedal
Post by: bareknucklehead on April 16, 2009, 08:12:11 PM
Have you guys tried the Pigtronix Polysaturator yet?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W269KQ4OY74&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pigtronix.com%2Fvideo%2Findex.htm&feature=player_embedded (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W269KQ4OY74&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pigtronix.com%2Fvideo%2Findex.htm&feature=player_embedded)

Sounds good.
Title: Re: The ultimate overdrive / distortion pedal
Post by: HTH AMPS on April 16, 2009, 08:19:10 PM
another vote for the MI Audio Crunchbox for higher gain 'Marshally' tones.

for lower gain stuff, the Blues Deluxe (or whatever it's called) by MI Audio is really nice.

if you can find an old Matchless valve stompbox, those were really tasty and well worth the cash - I should really get off my arse and make a valve overdrive, seems to be a market waiting for those things if the price is right.
Title: Re: The ultimate overdrive / distortion pedal
Post by: PPPMAT on April 16, 2009, 09:14:21 PM
I can confirm that the OCD is a brilliant pedal and has a great creamy tone but it doesn't really do high gain I'm afraid or a gritty jcm800 type tone.
Title: Re: The ultimate overdrive / distortion pedal
Post by: MartinS on April 16, 2009, 09:48:43 PM
Mojo Hand Mule is good for this. As is the Huckleberry. Check them out on youtube. Both available from Vintage and Rare Guitars, mail order. I use my mule on just above minimum. Very gritty through my Lionheart on the drive channel. Adds some real attitude.
Title: Re: The ultimate overdrive / distortion pedal
Post by: PhilKing on April 16, 2009, 11:41:51 PM
Try the Fulltone RTO for lower gain drive.  It is a great pedal.  For more boost just crank the amp and use your volume controls!
Title: Re: The ultimate overdrive / distortion pedal
Post by: Bradock PI on April 17, 2009, 12:17:25 AM
Wouldn't it be true that there is no ultimate and it would depend a lot on your amp? Another case of having to listen and try them - with your own amp if possible ?
Title: Re: The ultimate overdrive / distortion pedal
Post by: DeanS on April 17, 2009, 09:32:14 AM
Wouldn't it be true that there is no ultimate and it would depend a lot on your amp? Another case of having to listen and try them - with your own amp if possible ?


You've hit the nail right on the head- some of my drive/distortion pedals sound OK with some amps whilst others sound anywhere fom cr@p to 'can't stop playing it' good.

Examples of good matches

Orange TT- thundertomate boost

Marshall JMP- TS 808

Cornford Harly- Xotic BB

Zvex Nano- Metal Muff, pocket version-seriously, it sounds awesome

Splawn Competition- BSM treble boost
Title: Re: The ultimate overdrive / distortion pedal
Post by: tomjackson on April 17, 2009, 12:10:03 PM
Wouldn't it be true that there is no ultimate and it would depend a lot on your amp? Another case of having to listen and try them - with your own amp if possible ?

The problem there is it’s just not practical to drive around the north west with my amp trying pedals out.  I see what you mean but the other problem is that you can’t usually crank the amps in the shop anyway to see how it interacts and although there is some truth in it, generally better pedals sound better in most applications.
Top quality pedals usually sound better with all amps.  Plus my pedal board will be with me longer than my amp so I need something that sounds good across the board.

Although an afternoon with my guitar and amp in Sounds Great might be a good idea....
Title: Re: The ultimate overdrive / distortion pedal
Post by: Bradock PI on April 17, 2009, 01:31:53 PM
If you can't get your own amp there and as you say you may well have pedals longer than the amp then I would sugeest you at least try the one you think you like most with a few amps. Usually if you go early (9:00-11:00) midweek most shops are empty and I am sure if you ask before hand they will let you wind a few up for a few minutes. Its often because there are other customers around that they don't like it.
Title: Re: The ultimate overdrive / distortion pedal
Post by: Twinfan on April 17, 2009, 01:42:28 PM
Tom - if you're going to Sounds Great give me a shout and I'll bob over and say hello  :)
Title: Re: The ultimate overdrive / distortion pedal
Post by: tomjackson on April 17, 2009, 04:18:31 PM
Tom - if you're going to Sounds Great give me a shout and I'll bob over and say hello  :)

Okay mate sounds Good, hopefully be going a week tomorrow when my ebay funds flood in :)