Author Topic: Overdrive/Distortion (Read 9499 times)

Doadman · « **Reply #30 on:** April 18, 2007, 09:24:03 AM »

The hotplate sounds like a good idea but I've just priced one and it seemed bloody expensive at £250! If that's how much they are, it's a non-starter I'm afraid as I'd still have the cost of a new amp and all the pedals on top of that.

As for the question of a valve amp (and you can call me stupid for this if you like :? ), if I'm getting all of the distortion from the pedal anyway wouldn't it be simpler and easier to just keep my existing amp and connect to it through a valve preamp? This seems like a good way of sorting out my problem if it would work. Failing that, something like the GT8 looks to be the best bet. I take it from what you say Muzzzz, that you haven't encountered any of the limitations of something like a GT8 that I've been warned about. It seems to me that it gives me all the effects I could need; loads of cool valve amp sounds; allow me to really get the benefit of my new pups; give me something that is both useable and compact for home use and be practically giggable if that possibility should ever arise.

(Edit) It seems to me that the best possibilities are to either connect to my amp through a valve preamp and use pedals or use a multi f/x system like the Tonelab. I've been wary of these as I was warned that the amp and cab models wouldn't work through a conventioanl amp but I must say, I've just checked out the new Tonelab LE and it looks awesome. Expensive certainly, but if it comes even remotely close to doing what they say it can do then it could be a good investment. Anyway, by the time I'd bought a valve preamp and a few pedals I'd have spent that much anyway. I like the idea of just using my amp as a basic amp and getting all these cool valve amp sounds through it. That sounds like the best of both worlds if it actually works.

Twinfan · « **Reply #31 on:** April 18, 2007, 10:12:07 AM »

Sounds like you've made your decision :D

Philly Q · « **Reply #32 on:** April 18, 2007, 11:31:28 AM »

Sounds a good choice! Like I said before, if you're limited to playing at low volume in the house I think it makes sense to have something compact and versatile that'll give you tones "close enough" to a variety of real amps and FX.

I've heard that, of all the modelling units, the Tonelabs come closest to real valve amp tones. I went for the Pod XT because it has USB connectivity and the Guitar Port/Gearbox software (I also have a Digitech GNX4 which I never use, too complicated).

If I had the space I'd run the Pod through an Atomic amp, but that'll have to wait.

Doadman · « **Reply #33 on:** April 18, 2007, 12:45:00 PM »

In actual fact I hadn't made up my mind when I wrote that last post but I am increasingly getting that way. It does sound like a modeller, such as the Tonelab LE, is the way to go. The whole point of this is to get the most out of these expensive new pups I've bought (being fitted as I type this) and if the Tonelab will do that without going to the expense of changing amps again then it clearly makes sense. In theory it sounds like I can go through the clean channel of my amp (it's the best of the three anyway and is actually already fairly warm for a solid state amp)and get the tone of say a Dual Rectifier and some appropriate effects. OK, it may not be exactly the same as the real amp but I'm a home player and if I do ever get to play a gig, it's hardly likely to be to much of an audience. So far nobody has said this setup won't work so it seems likely I'll go that way. I'd better start saving again :D

Roobubba · « **Reply #34 on:** April 18, 2007, 12:56:36 PM »

I said it above, but not very clearly...

I use the Zoom G2.1u effects pedal. It cost me about 75 quid, so it's not breaking the bank, but I am most impressed with the quality of output it gives. I'm not the biggest fan of modelling - I don't care what the sound is "meant" to sound like, only what it really *does* sound like! This pedal also will run off a USB cord (without the power adapter, if you choose) and acts as an audio card in Win2k/XP (not tried Vista), which makes it very very easy to record direct, listen through 'phones, etc etc.

I use it in the studio, too - I just prefer the huge range of flexibility it gives me with the 'solid state' amp I have (Randall RG200 G3).

BUT, having said all of that, the most important thing is to try a few options out in a music shop with YOUR gear - see what really works for you!

Hope this helps,

Roo

Pierre · « **Reply #35 on:** April 18, 2007, 01:44:01 PM »

The best and cheapest valve rig I can think of, very polyvalent is the Laney VC15 + footswitch (would cost just over 250) and a distortion pedal.

The Laney is one of these few valve amps that sound very good at lower, bedroom level (and trust me I'd know allll about that :lol: ) and for the price, it's honestly a STEAL. With the footswitch you'd have access to clean and drive sound. The drive is gorgeous though not Marshall nor Vox in voice. It's a drive of its own. I like it, but not exactly my sound. It's also a very quiet (no noise) amp which takes pedals very well. Right now I have 2 distortions (a DIY pedal emulating a hot rod Marshall I built, and a MI Audio Crunchbox for heavier Marshall sounds, JCM800 style), a boost/compressor (route 66, modded) and a wah. I'm honestly 100% happy with it. I do have a Plexitone in the mail and a power supply.

But with Laney + Footswitch + say a good drive like the Crunchbox, you'd have A LOT of sounds. I set my Drive channel just for a hint of breakup. So I can ALSO use the CB on top for feedback effects or an OTT sound, or use the boost to push it over that edge.

The compressor makes for real country tones with a pickup split on the clean channel too. While clean + fullon bucker = delightful bluesy tone which you can boost or compress to your own heart's content.

Muzzzz · « **Reply #36 on:** April 19, 2007, 05:48:49 AM »

Quote from: Doadman

Failing that, something like the GT8 looks to be the best bet. I take it from what you say Muzzzz, that you haven't encountered any of the limitations of something like a GT8 that I've been warned about.

Yeah, there are definately 'limitations', but in the price range you're looking at, there are inevitably going to be some limitations in whatever you end up choosing, I mean, a solid state amp is NOT like a valve amp, no matter how many SS effects you run through it.

A GT8 will make your tone a lot better, but it might not be what you're after if you've really got a valve sound in your head.

Kilby · « **Reply #37 on:** April 19, 2007, 11:06:53 AM »

As another 40+ year old that faces the fact that he will never play Wembly (or be very good) I know the what do I do feeling

Some form of digital modelling is probably the best solution though I would say avoid the Line 6 spider range of amps (other than the extreme settings theyre dreadful)

I have 2 tube amps (which I think are great, but spend most of my time through digital, via headphones or computer)

For travelling the Korg Pandora is pretty good and provides entertainment when I stuck in hotels (for work). It's under 100 quid and the Vox & Marshall emulations are pretty good.

http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/korg-px4d/68075
and more details here http://www.korg.com/gear/info.asp?A_PROD_NO=PX4d

Something that plugs into a computer that allows you to use packages like amplitube, record or practice alongside an audio track can be useful. I was kindly given a M-Audio black box, but there are many others.

The M-Audio Black box comes in at about 80 quid these days and is great value for money http://www.turnkey.co.uk/web/productAction.do?dispatch=showProduct&SKU=MMAN-BLACKBOX&context=WEB

The Tonelabs to my ears seem to be about the best sounding, but as I don't own one I can't really comment.

However with all that said I prefer my Nanohead or Blues Jr amps, but it's not practical with my lifestyle these days.

Rob...

Philly Q · « **Reply #38 on:** April 19, 2007, 11:24:07 AM »

Agreed on the Korg Pandora, it's a great little headphone amp and practice tool!

I've got all the different versions from the PX1 to the PX4 - looks like the PX4D has replaced the separate bass and guitar versions. The sounds are surprisingly good - I saw a guy using one live once, gaffa taped to the front of his Tele and plugged into the PA!

But you wouldn't want one as your main setup, so I'll stop waffling... :roll:

Doadman · « **Reply #39 on:** April 19, 2007, 02:35:03 PM »

Quote

Some form of digital modelling is probably the best solution though I would say avoid the Line 6 spider range of amps (other than the extreme settings theyre dreadful)

I would agree that digital modelling sounds like the best solution but if I were to do that I certainly wouldn't be changing the amp. If I were to change the amp I think I'd just go and buy the Laney 15w. If I were to go the modelling route then I would keep my amp and get something that would give me plenty of really good models of both amps and effects.

My heart tells me to just get the Laney 15w valve amp and then get the pedals for it. However, as I am likely to just play my guitar in a small room at home then my head tells me that modelling would be better. I'll probably rarely record myself playing and I'll rarely use headphones but the option of doing that may be useful. Generally I will use something like the Tonelab through my amp. For a solid state amp, the Crate I have is actually good and the clean channel already has a decent tone, albeit not a valve amp. The 'valve emulating circuitry' does a reasonable job but I appreciate there are limits. I'm tempted by the Tonelab because the tone it supplies is supposed to be really good and the new LE version is hopefully better than the older SE at the high gain stuff I like. For what I use it for it would be nice to play around with loads of different tones even if they aren't exactly the same as the real thing. If I play through my amp and select a Rectifier model I'm thinking that the tone should still be excellent, better than I have now, allow my new pups to shine and ultimately it wouldn't matter if it's not as perfect as a real Rectifier. The Tonelab LE may not have the myriad of options that things like the Pod XT Live has but I reason I would rather have a slightly smaller selection of top drawer tones instead of millions. I repeat, I know it won't be the same as a real valve amp but how much difference, for what I do, will there practically be and I'll probably never have to buy another effect again. My heart may say no to this but I can't deny that it seems to be easily the most practical solution based on what I know.