I play in a covers band with the following rig:
Am Strat with BK Apaches -> Boss TU2 -> Keeley Compressor -> Boss CE5 Chorus (will probably change for an Analogman Clone Chorus soon) -> Fender HRDx (with stock 6L6 valves) ->THD Hotplate.
I use the 'More Drive' channel for lead but ignore the 'Drive' channel as I use the clean channel cranked up for overdrive.
I am very much in love with the sounds from this rig and it does most of our material perfectly (Sheryl Crow, Alanis Morisette, Cardigans, Blondie, Pretenders etc.) but I need something different for a couple of our numbers - Just Like A Pill by Pink (heavy chugging chords in the chorus) and Ready To Go by Republica (Loud, heavy sustaining chords). As we try to get a good turn over of material it is likely that I'll need these kind of sounds for other stuff as time goes by.
I've tried a Marshall Guv'nor which I quite liked but it's very noisy and doesn't sound a lot different to what I can already get. My options seem to be:
1. Get a distortion pedal (HBE Big D?). I've got very fussy about what goes on my pedal board so it will need to be able to do the job as well as being good quality. I've already thought of using my compressor but it doesn't really do what I'm after and I prefer to use it sparingly since it interferes with my ability to use the volume knob on the guitar.
2. Take my spare guitar (Squier Strat) which I use as a backup at gigs and fit a bridge humbucker or even a pair. The down side to this option is that I would probably also want to change the pick guard from the flimsy single ply one, get a new nut (which I think it needs anyway), change the machine heads and electrics. Once I'd spent all that money I would still be left with the cheap body even though it is a lovely colour - Fiesta Red. (BTW the neck is a very nice piece of figured maple with a rose wood board).
Your opinions/ alternative options please, especially if you are familiar with the above material.
