Is there a 'boutique' Marshall Guv'nor type distortion pedal?

[HTH AMPS]

I haven't really messed with my (ancient) mkI Guv'nor coz it sounds pretty good as it is.  I found that it sounded best into my old Superbass (similar to your JTM45) with the bass and mids cranked but the treble rolled down to taste. 

Also, the volume needs to be fairly high or it sounds thin.

The tonestack could be modded to get more mids, but I'd have to mess round with it first (which I ain't got time to do at the minute).

How about a RAT? - they're Marshally and easy to mod if you want tighter bass.

[HTH AMPS]

ok, had a quick look at the Guv'nor schematic - if you bypass the tone controls it should give you a much fuller tone.

it's simple to try... short out (i.e. connect a wire) between R7 (1k resistor) and the top of the level pot (VR5).

you could also try taking the clipping diodes out, but you'd loose some crunch - worth a go.

[Twinfan]

Cheers Ian - I'll take a look.

One of the problems I have is that I have to run the level quite low  :(

[Gizmo]

Love Pedal Pro Valve Over drive Pedal - "The Lovepedal Provalve is an overdrive pedal made to give you that old school, high gain Marshall tone without the need for a separate clean boost. Lovepedal has once again risen to the heights of British guitar tone with the Provalve!"

Also they do two versions of the plexi 800. the black one and the purple plexi 800. ones more 70's ones more 80's

Carl Martin - plexi tone

Fulltone OCD  - Marshall in a box no colouration there. Have you tried these they are awsome.

Mad Professor Mighty Red Distortion Pedal

Radial - various

[Twinfan]

The OCD, Carl Martin and Radial are more plexi overdrive by all accounts?  Not tried the Mad Professor so that's another possible.........

[hamfist]

Not tried the Mad Professor so that's another possible.........

Yes, I forgot about the Mighty Red. Fantastic pedal by all accounts, but another really expensive one of course !

[blue]

it might seem a little low rent after all the boutique suggestions, but the Danelectro Daddy-o overdrive is very similar to the Guv'nor. i have one, and an original made in england Guv'nor. they don't sound exactly the same, the Danelectro seems fuller and smoother, perhaps more modern. it does sound good.

i've also bought one of the General Guitar Gadget kits, but between moving house and having to build up the nerve i haven't tried putting it together yet.

yes, i like the Guv'nor too! ;)

[badgermark]

General Guitar Gadgets do a copy, not sure how it would be better than the original though. Would give true bypass switching at least, and may be quieter.

[everton_fc]

My Keeley BD-2 is very Marshall sounding imho. It doesn't colour the sound of your original amp tone too much either - very transparent. Just great overdrive. You can get real clean, or real dirty with this pedal, and it cleans up really well with guitar volume control.

A great pedal all round. I almost purchased a second for lead but got the Keeley SD-1 instead. That starts where the BD-2 finishes!

I would deffo buy a Keeley BD-2 again, and again... great pedal.

(Am using a stock Gibson SG into an old Traynor YGM-3 amp)

[JamesHealey]

Fulltone Fulldrive 2
Fulltone OCD

[lifted]

I agree with the ocd recommendation.   Not to change the subject, but, everton how marshally did the bd 2 get after the keeley mod?   I have a normall BD and want to know how spececally the keely mod improves it

[shobet]

Has anyone tried the Rothwell Heartbreaker?
http://www.rothwellaudioproducts.co.uk/html/heartbreaker.html

[Twinfan]

Yep - very smooth distrotion, move of an overdrive really.  Not like a Guv'nor at all.  More like the BB Preamp which I already have....

[sgmypod]

Any one tried the Lovepedal(sounds wrong *L*) eternity

[everton_fc]

I used to own a stock BD-2 which I actually thought wasn't a bad pedal. I was never that big on BOSS overdrives except I always felt the BD-2 was actually good.

The Keeley mod is well worth it though. Direct differences is that the Keeley has a slightly more open feel, with a bit more depth. Great little switch to add more bottom end, which I always have on... sounds huge. Also, when you really crank the gain on this pedal it sounds very early sabbath sounding which is quite surprising. The gain range is huge - great for simple boosts, to "on the edge of breakup", right through to early sabbath esque gain - almost fuzz sounding on max, with the added bonus of the bass switch... and, it doesn't really colour the original amp sound either..  it does a bit, but nothing like a mid bump like a TS if you know what I mean. Great little pedal. I see them on ebay now and again. I'm still tempted to purchase a second to use side by side.