Author Topic: ZW-44 Wylde Overdrive.....Any Other User's? (Read 6942 times)

Skybone · « **on:** October 09, 2005, 02:52:18 PM »

The story leading up to it:

My Vintage RAT sounded excellent through the Ampeg's 6550's, but was a bit non-descript and even a bit muddy through my 4104's 5881's, so I bought myself a cheap booster pedal (Marshall BluesBreaker II) to drive the front end of the amp, while the HotPlate looked after the power amp drive.

In practise the other week, even the BB2 was sounding a bit off, and more importantly, it was picking up a radio signal when I wasn't playing! I decided to look at some other boxes that would give me the extra bite I'm after, and top of the list was the ZW-44. So I bought one (bought a Micro Amp as well).

Anyway, the ZW-44 is a cracking pedal, not as high gain as you'd think, but if you have your JCM800 set at the "just breaking up" stage, then add the Wylde OD, you get a really nice, powerful, driven tone. Then when I need a little extra, I can kick in the Micro Amp, Great stuff! :twisted:

HJM · « **Reply #1 on:** October 09, 2005, 02:59:39 PM »

+1 I really like my Wylde OD, works very well as a boost, and quiet too!

_tom_ · « **Reply #2 on:** October 09, 2005, 03:48:36 PM »

I'm still thinkin about getting one of these! I like my Keeley RAT but theres always something else that I think will be better :lol:

Skybone · « **Reply #3 on:** October 09, 2005, 06:53:01 PM »

I certainly had to think about getting one as well, I've always loved the tone of my Vintage RAT, but recently, it's just not been making the grade.

If you get the chance to try one out with your own gear, then I'd say try it, you may be pleasantly surprised. I know I was. ;)

indysmith · « **Reply #4 on:** October 09, 2005, 09:37:39 PM »

i was definately considering onje actually. nobody seems to have anything bad to say about it. any quibbles?

HJM · « **Reply #5 on:** October 09, 2005, 09:46:22 PM »

Not as transparent and dynamic as the HBE Big D or Keeley SD1, but quieter!

indysmith · « **Reply #6 on:** October 09, 2005, 09:52:23 PM »

what exactly do yu mean by dynamic. i don't expect it to be as good as those as they're both quite a bit more money. is it worth saving a bit more to get the keeley do you think?

HJM · « **Reply #7 on:** October 10, 2005, 05:58:49 AM »

It doesn't respond to changes in your picking volume/attack quite as well, and also doesn't clean up as well when you lower the guitar volume - but hey, it's £70!

_tom_ · « **Reply #8 on:** October 10, 2005, 05:17:45 PM »

Quote from: HJM

It doesn't respond to changes in your picking volume/attack quite as well, and also doesn't clean up as well when you lower the guitar volume - but hey, it's £70!

How would you compare it to the Keeley RAT, or a TS7 or similar, overall tone wise? Not that theres anything wrong with that RAT but ya know, its allways nice to have more overdrives :lol:

HJM · « **Reply #9 on:** October 10, 2005, 05:37:42 PM »

The RAT's more of a distortion, more compression, but it's more dynamic than the ZW. There's less mid and more balls in the ZW than a TS9 type pedal.

No...there's never too many... :lol:

chrisola · « **Reply #10 on:** October 10, 2005, 05:43:22 PM »

i might shell out for a Keeley SD-1 to boost my JCM

The SD-1 seems to squeal a bit when you turn the gain up :E