Yes, Another Best OD Thread...

[TheyCallMeVolume]

Hey guys! Sorry about yet another best of thread, especially about OD's, but I feel as though none of the ones I've researched answered my question. I have an OCD right now, and I like it alot, but I feel as though I'm asking too much of it. I play stuff like GNR, Metallica, Maiden, Sabbath, etc, and I feel as though this pedal is much better suited towards a bit lower gain application. Correct me if I'm wrong though, this could be the best for what I do and just don't know it. Anyways, I solely play rhythm guitar, so no lead tone to worry about. Anyone know of an OD pedal that suits my needs? I'm not terribly worried about price, so bring em on!

I was kinda looking into the TS 808 Keeley Mod, MXR Wylde, Fulltone Fulldrive, and a few others. Any suggestions or recommendations are greatly appreciated!

[TheyCallMeVolume]

Oh and also, I forgot to add, I'm running it with the MXR 10-band EQ. I'm willing to add another pedal to that mix, like a boost with a bit of gain to put it over the top as well.

[Toe-Knee]

the OCD should do exactly what you need.

How are you using it?

[TheyCallMeVolume]

Well, I'll try to explain in detail. I run through a MB Stiletto. For my cleans, obviously I just use my clean channel. For light crunch I have my crunch channel set low, and switch on the OCD. For my heavy tones, I use my clean channel with the OCD and the EQ. I use the clean because if I set the dirty channel to medium gain and turn the OCD on, it gets too flabby and almost has a doubling effect, really sounds bad. I like the tone the OCD and EQ give me with the clean channel, just perhaps a bit more of it. My settings on the OCD are HP, 11:00 for volume (to offset too much feedback), 2:00 for drive, and 1:00 for tone.

[Toe-Knee]

Well, I'll try to explain in detail. I run through a MB Stiletto. For my cleans, obviously I just use my clean channel. For light crunch I have my crunch channel set low, and switch on the OCD. For my heavy tones, I use my clean channel with the OCD and the EQ. I use the clean because if I set the dirty channel to medium gain and turn the OCD on, it gets too flabby and almost has a doubling effect, really sounds bad. I like the tone the OCD and EQ give me with the clean channel, just perhaps a bit more of it. My settings on the OCD are HP, 11:00 for volume (to offset too much feedback), 2:00 for drive, and 1:00 for tone.

Ahh what you are meant to do to get where you want is to use it on the lead channel and lower the gain on your amp and also run the gain quite low (or off) on the pedal and boost the amp using the level control.

This will give the character of the OCD whilst retaining the amps character and tighten it up also.

I would always recommend starting with the gain on the OCD off and then blending in the required amount complimenting the gain of the amp.

to use it on an entirely clean channel an overdrive wont get you where you are wanting. You would need an actual distortion pedal for that.

[TheyCallMeVolume]

Hmmm, interesting. Let me try that real quick! I'll get back to you ASAP lol.

[TheyCallMeVolume]

Alright, I tried it. It actually did make it sound a bit better, BUT, the dreaded word but, it's still not exactly what I'm aiming for. Am I just too OCD (no pun intended), or are there better options?

[JSX212]

Along the lines of what toeknee said:


To get a tighter overdriven tone from the lead channel, try turning up the volume full throttle to 10, then lower the gain to 0. This really pushes the tubes into a more natural tube-breakup, overdriven sound.

If that isn't working, try looking at Wampler SLOstortion or the Suhr Riot for huge amounts of gain and a huge sound to accomodate it.

[Mr. Air]

What about using the gain channel on the Stiletto for distortion sounds and then use a pedal on the clean channel to get you some good crunch.

Pedal-wise I'll suggest the Reezafratzitz from Emma Electronics. It's a really versatile pedal with lots of gain. If you want something with less gain Emma has the Stinkbug which is excellent as well. I've heard good things about the SLOstortion and the Suhr Riot, as JSX212 mentions, but I haven't played any of the two.

[Toe-Knee]

From your new findings what exactly are you now missing/desiring from your tone?

The suhr riot does look pretty interesting i have been considering building one myself for a while.

Back to your very first questions the TS808 even modded ones will be tamer sounding that the OCD

[JacksonRR]

Yeah, the Riot looks goooood.

[Twinfan]

What about using the gain channel on the Stiletto for distortion sounds and then use a pedal on the clean channel to get you some good crunch.

This is what I'm thinking, and your OCD should be fine for that.  Here's how I'd run your rig:

Clean channel alone - clean tone
Clean channel plus OCD - crunch tone
Gain channel plus 10-band EQ - heavy tone

You may find you can set the EQ right for the lead channel and leave it on all the time, as I do.

[Dazza1004]

Having had a Stiletto I'll chip in with my experiences.

Firstly, tubes and speakers, mine sounded tons better with a set of Mesa STR450 power tubes as opposed the the stock tubes, plus, I hated it with V30's, too bright and ice picky, G12-65's are a much better match for this amp imho or anything greenback related.

Do you need a proper clean tone ? I used to run channel 1 on crunch just on the verge of break up, back off the vol a bit for a clean tone and also had a Maxon OD808 I would kick in for the AC/DC type tones. If you're playing rhythm I would suggest the tite gain and then I had the Maxon for sending it into proper melt down.

Don't be scared to turn the treble and presence down especially if you are using V30's. I used to prefer diode rectification and I would switch between bold and spongy depending on the situation. I also ran the masters high, btw 1/2 and 3/4 and then controlled the volume with output from there. I experimented with the eq but it was too much dicking about for me.

The Maxon is great for tightening the flubby low end (and, 2nd shameless spam in two days, sorry, I am selling mine if you're interested)

[TheyCallMeVolume]

Ok, well I have another update. After a WHOLE bunch of searching, I think I might have found a few OD's to get. And they actually all involve me keeping the OCD. Keeley mod TS 808, Tim/Timmy pedal, and Zendrive are what I'm looking at. I'm thinking that stacking them could work to achieve the tone I want. Anyone have any experience with these pedals, and on stacking?

[Twinfan]

I personally find that ODs are designed to go straight into an amp - stacking them has never worked for me.  Your mileage may vary though!