The ultimate overdrive / distortion pedal

[Twinfan]

Ian Price has an OCD - you should give him a shout  :)

[gwEm]

I'd use a Klon for low gain, and a Crunch Box for high gain.

[bareknucklehead]

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

Sounds good.

[HTH AMPS]

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.

[PPPMAT]

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.

[MartinS]

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.

[PhilKing]

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!

[Bradock PI]

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 ?

[DeanS]

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

[tomjackson]

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....

[Bradock PI]

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.

[Twinfan]

Tom - if you're going to Sounds Great give me a shout and I'll bob over and say hello  :)

[tomjackson]

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 :)