Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: Ibanez2570z on September 15, 2009, 01:32:47 PM

Title: Best Overdrive pedal?
Post by: Ibanez2570z on September 15, 2009, 01:32:47 PM
No doubt this has been discussed numerous times but what OD pedals do people love to bits?

To put in front of an Engl screamer head for interest sake. ( maybe pending on cash flow and if I do indeed decide I need one) :)

Title: Re: Best Overdrive pedal?
Post by: Twinfan on September 15, 2009, 01:50:21 PM
Far too general a question I'm afraid - there's no best answer!

A Tubescreamer type is the industry standard, you need to try one and see how you get on.  I would suggest the Tonerider AO-1 as a well priced starting point (they're about £55 from Dangleberry Music).
Title: Re: Best Overdrive pedal?
Post by: MDV on September 15, 2009, 01:54:07 PM
Matter of taste, innit, like

amirite?
Title: Re: Best Overdrive pedal?
Post by: maverickf1jockey on September 15, 2009, 02:07:21 PM
I use a BOSS SD-1 and it does me well.

And MDV is right.
Title: Re: Best Overdrive pedal?
Post by: mikey5 on September 15, 2009, 02:35:51 PM
As one of our dear Bare knuckle brothers suggested to me the Mi audio blue boy deluxe is kick @ss. Wampler Pedals are awesome too he has a couple of nice overdrives. You know what though check out this youtube channel there are a number of overdrives demoed here and they sound sweet. Take a look around in there and you will find lots of options.

http://www.youtube.com/user/Burgerman666
Title: Re: Best Overdrive pedal?
Post by: morgasm on September 15, 2009, 02:48:03 PM
maxon od808 !
the H.B.E tube screamer is also very good
Title: Re: Best Overdrive pedal?
Post by: MDV on September 15, 2009, 03:10:08 PM
Oh, my vote is the award session JD10, fwiw
Title: Re: Best Overdrive pedal?
Post by: Ratrod on September 15, 2009, 03:27:10 PM
Two of my favorites:

ZVex Box Of Rock for that old JTM tone.

H&K Tube Factor for a Super Lead tone.
Title: Re: Best Overdrive pedal?
Post by: blue on September 15, 2009, 04:22:15 PM
like Twinfan and MDV said, there is no right answer, and you could get almost as many different recommendations as there are members on the board!  but the perfect pedal for one player might sound terrible to another.  you can research on the web about the sounds and characteristics of the various overdrives available to try to narrow down your choice, but at the end of the day you won't know what's right for you until you plug one into your rig and find yourself grinning ear to ear :)

there may be the right pedal out there somewhere, but in the meantime you can enjoy trying lots of wrong ones! ;)
Title: Re: Best Overdrive pedal?
Post by: MDV on September 15, 2009, 04:37:52 PM
7 posters so far (excluding Craig)

8 recommendations.

Pedals outnumber posters. Its all taste.

Title: Re: Best Overdrive pedal?
Post by: mikeluke on September 15, 2009, 04:56:07 PM
Chip in the Mark 1 Marshall Guv'nor as an old favourite....
Title: Re: Best Overdrive pedal?
Post by: Ibanez2570z on September 15, 2009, 05:23:23 PM
Thanks all!, may buy the Boss SD just for starters. ( Will look for a cheap used e-bay one).

Cheers for the suggestions.

Title: Re: Best Overdrive pedal?
Post by: Matt77 on September 15, 2009, 05:24:48 PM
Some pedals sound great with one amp / guitar / pickup combination and rubbish with another; there's so many variables

I'd keep buying second hand pedals from this lot in seconds out until you find one that suits you.
You won't really lose much cash when you move them on.
I reckon it takes a few months before you know if something is right for your set-up.

I really like the Build Your Own Clone Tube Screamer I picked up.
Title: Re: Best Overdrive pedal?
Post by: sgmypod on September 15, 2009, 05:49:49 PM
lots of mods for the sd-1....I love my lovepedal amp50 overdrive, visual sound J&Hyde and byoc od2
Title: Re: Best Overdrive pedal?
Post by: Ibanez2570z on September 15, 2009, 06:12:31 PM
Not spotted any for sale at the moment in seconds out so e-bay :)
Title: Re: Best Overdrive pedal?
Post by: Elliot on September 15, 2009, 06:37:03 PM
I prefer the Danelectro Drive or the Ibanez TS7 to all the other pedals i've tried.
Title: Re: Best Overdrive pedal?
Post by: MrBump on September 15, 2009, 07:50:33 PM
I'd second TFs ToneRider recommendation.  I have one, and it really does well in that subtle, barely on OD thingy.

Plus it's dead cheap!
Title: Re: Best Overdrive pedal?
Post by: HTH AMPS on September 15, 2009, 09:02:02 PM
overdrive:  Boss OD-1
distortion: MI Audio Crunchbox

Title: Re: Best Overdrive pedal?
Post by: tomjackson on September 15, 2009, 09:19:10 PM
The Xotic BB Preamp is the best I've tried but it's very expensive nowadays.

I think the Danelectro stuff sounds better than the equivalently priced boss gear, like the SD-1.

The MI Audio Stuff looks good, well priced for the spec, I have a Boost and Buff V2 on the way so I'll see how that goes

BYOC is probably the best value if you are happy to make your own pedals.  I have a BYOC Mouse (Rat clone) which has some great distortion / drive tones in it.  Also fancy the OD2.

Title: Re: Best Overdrive pedal?
Post by: Ibanez2570z on September 15, 2009, 09:29:19 PM
Trial and error as many have said so far but I am going to order the tone rider and keep my fingers crossed :)
Title: Re: Best Overdrive pedal?
Post by: Alex on September 15, 2009, 09:58:43 PM
Totally a taste thing if you ask me. However, the best bang for the buck is the Digitech Bad Monkey, honestly.

I currently dig my MXR Zakk Wylde, because it has a bit more character on leads, and my Digitech Hardwire CM-2, because it just adds more headroom and "air" to my sound.
Title: Re: Best Overdrive pedal?
Post by: mikey5 on September 16, 2009, 01:40:21 AM
Oh of course why did I not think of the xotic BB preamp. By far the best pedal the bb+ = PERFECTION
Title: Re: Best Overdrive pedal?
Post by: Mr. Air on September 16, 2009, 06:37:56 AM
Seems like I'm a bit too late on this one, but anyways my vote goes to the T-rex Alberta. Lovely tubescreamer like pedal. A bit pricey though.
Title: Re: Best Overdrive pedal?
Post by: tomjackson on September 16, 2009, 09:15:02 AM
Seems like I'm a bit too late on this one, but anyways my vote goes to the T-rex Alberta. Lovely tubescreamer like pedal. A bit pricey though.

I Tried one of these a while ago, really nice.  For lead one of the best TS types I've tried.  Not that expensive compared to Fulltone / xotic etc
Title: Re: Best Overdrive pedal?
Post by: Mr. Air on September 16, 2009, 10:50:59 AM
Seems like I'm a bit too late on this one, but anyways my vote goes to the T-rex Alberta. Lovely tubescreamer like pedal. A bit pricey though.

I Tried one of these a while ago, really nice.  For lead one of the best TS types I've tried.  Not that expensive compared to Fulltone / xotic etc

They're Danish made and I guess that's why it's quite often there's one for sale at a danish second hand site for a reasonable price (two for sale at the moment. Both going for aprox. 70£).
Title: Re: Best Overdrive pedal?
Post by: blackie on September 16, 2009, 11:32:59 AM
Ι use an MXR ZW44 with my engl screamer...great great results for boosting my solos...
Title: Re: Best Overdrive pedal?
Post by: Ibanez2570z on September 16, 2009, 05:42:59 PM
Anyone tried the gearmanndude Luther overdrive pedal. I wondered if it is worth getting it shipped from USA or going with my previous suggestion. MXR ZW. Bit reluctant to buy that. Is it that price as it has his name on it? I'd rather get one for no more than 60.
Title: Re: Best Overdrive pedal?
Post by: ShotgunInnocence on September 16, 2009, 06:40:35 PM
Their gear is a bit pricey, but AMT makes some STELLAR OD/distortion stomps, going from tweed to extreme sounds.  I have the SS-20 (which is technically a pre-amp in a stomp box package).  I can get Fender cleans to mild overdrive to rectifier gain depending on how I tweak the lil beasty.....
Title: Re: Best Overdrive pedal?
Post by: Fourth Feline on September 16, 2009, 07:11:10 PM
Totally a taste thing if you ask me. However, the best bang for the buck is the Digitech Bad Monkey, honestly.



Yes. I bought a 'Bad Monkey' ( as yet un-tested due to a change of style ) - as there was a lot of love for that pedal on the 'Gear Page' and TDRI forums at the time.  Very affordable - with a second (speaker emulated and impedance matched ) jack socket to go straight into the desk / P.A if needed.  :)
Title: Re: Best Overdrive pedal?
Post by: BigB on September 16, 2009, 08:55:00 PM
No doubt this has been discussed numerous times but what OD pedals do people love to bits?

My old vintage TS-09, and my brand new dano CTO.

No need to comment on the first one, I think everyone knows what it's like :wink: Now the dano is really impressive for a 26 euros box - "transparent" is the word, it really keeps the tone and response of my guitar and amp (Fender blues Jr), with just more OD and sustain and grit. Works very well chained with the TS FWIW when I want some mid-boost for lead parts.
Title: Re: Best Overdrive pedal?
Post by: tomjackson on September 16, 2009, 09:37:17 PM
I liked the Dano too, except for the placement of the pots, impossible to see on stage and really fiddly.  If they housed these pedals in a standard enclosure with standard knobs, I'm sure they would sell more...

Also, there was too much volume on tap so that to get a crunch sound at mid gain, the volume had to be very low, which seem to be compounded by the pot placement.....I was forever hunched over my pedalboard to tweak the sound.

Sounded nice though :D
Title: Re: Best Overdrive pedal?
Post by: Elliot on September 16, 2009, 10:40:19 PM
I just got the Dano CC Distortion - the red one (aparently based on the MI Audio Crunchbox, which is itself a Guv'nor development) - to my ears its awesome - a reall driving distortion.  Well worth the subscription to Guitarist magazine to get it.....
Title: Re: Best Overdrive pedal?
Post by: Will on September 16, 2009, 11:00:11 PM
I have an MXR GT OD and Xotic RC, I use them for different things, and it works well.
Didn't think much to the ZW OD, didn't sound right.

Going to try the MXR / CAE double pedal though, curious about it.
Title: Re: Best Overdrive pedal?
Post by: lamp on September 17, 2009, 10:50:00 PM
I really like the Catalinbread Dirty Little Secret for Overdrive.
For distortion the MI Audio Crunch Box.
Title: Re: Best Overdrive pedal?
Post by: camf on October 05, 2009, 02:39:36 PM
Me too for the MI Audio Crunch Box. For the money, I think they give a pretty convincing 'Marshall stack in a pedal' sort of thing. I parted with mine recently but I remember it fondly.
Title: Re: Best Overdrive pedal?
Post by: horsehead on October 05, 2009, 09:22:27 PM
zen drive (or a BYOC version ;) )
Title: Re: Best Overdrive pedal?
Post by: BigB on October 07, 2009, 01:01:50 PM
I liked the Dano too, except for the placement of the pots, impossible to see on stage and really fiddly.  If they housed these pedals in a standard enclosure with standard knobs, I'm sure they would sell more...

Also, there was too much volume on tap so that to get a crunch sound at mid gain, the volume had to be very low, which seem to be compounded by the pot placement.....I was forever hunched over my pedalboard to tweak the sound.

Sounded nice though :D

Well, as far as I'm concerned, the pots placement is just right - at least I don't mess with it accidentally. FWIW it took me about 5 minutes to get the very exact sound I wanted from this box  8)

And yes, there's quite a lot of available output level...
Title: Re: Best Overdrive pedal?
Post by: SchonFan83 on October 11, 2009, 08:13:43 PM
Lots of good stuff to choose from but it really just comes down to a matter of taste and what you're going for.
But there are plenty of factors involved that cause different results:
Type of guitar being used (woods, pickups, bridge)
Wattage and amp style (amount of gain), tubes, features of the amp
other pedals in the chain


www.Pedalgeek.com has lots of different effects pedals...many of which most people don't know exist, and most of them have at least a couple of sound clips.

To my ears the Fulltone OCD is best at a reasonable price (each version of it is a bit differently voiced though)

Jumping up in price, the Keeley Time Machine is absolutely killer.  The ONLY downside is the size of it--takes up some room on a pedalboard.

If you have $500 to kill, I would get the Dirty Boy Ballbuster.

Title: Re: Best Overdrive pedal?
Post by: sgmypod on October 11, 2009, 08:22:23 PM
Have a clone of the ocd v4 great pedal
Title: Re: Best Overdrive pedal?
Post by: Supernaught on October 12, 2009, 12:07:07 AM
From what Ive heard, the OCD is the best "transparent" OD pedal.   I own one and love it to bits.   I find it in the middle ground between "very nice" and "meh" with humbuckers, but totally amazing with single coils.   That said, I prefer the sound of single coils anyway so take that with a pinch of salt.

For a slightly couloured OD, the ZVex Box Of Rock sounds amazing.   Its a Marshall JTM45-in-a-box, and is killer.   

Im personally GASsing for a ZVex Box Of Metal at the mo, but theyre not cheap.   Gorgeous sound though.

Title: Re: Best Overdrive pedal?
Post by: MrBump on October 12, 2009, 06:48:58 AM
Loving PedalGeek.com!  Not seen that before...
Title: Re: Best Overdrive pedal?
Post by: Mr. Air on October 12, 2009, 09:06:44 AM
Anyone who owns or have tried the Rockbox Boiling Point overdrive?

Seems like a killer pedal.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-I36gX8MrTg
Title: Re: Best Overdrive pedal?
Post by: HTH AMPS on October 12, 2009, 06:45:11 PM
Anyone who owns or have tried the Rockbox Boiling Point overdrive?

Seems like a killer pedal.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-I36gX8MrTg

that sounds really nice, I gotta see the schematic for that to see how they're achieving those tones. 
Title: Re: Best Overdrive pedal?
Post by: BigB on October 12, 2009, 07:08:53 PM
From what Ive heard, the OCD is the best "transparent" OD pedal.   I own one and love it to bits. 

Uh ? I tried one recently, and while obviously a pretty great OD, I found it to colour the sound quite a bit - ts09/808  mid boost style. Not that it's a bad thing by itself, but not what I'd call "transparent". Now I agree that it seemed to do a really great job wrt/ dynamics.

Oh, and while we're at it - the skreddy screwdriver... I never had a chance to try it by myself so far, but I'd really like to

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWE1b_S0pEM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOjiC7hqS68

Title: Re: Best Overdrive pedal?
Post by: CJBadge on November 27, 2009, 12:25:54 AM
Fulltone Robin Trower Overdrive is my favortie. Transparent, with tone controls. Great tone.