Big 'D', Keeley SD-1 5 Star, Maxon OD-9, MXR ZW44?

[indysmith]

I'm looking for an overdrive pedal for my JCM800. Just something to thicken it up at bedroom levels a load. I have a HotPlate which has helped, but after seeing the effects of a good OD pedal in front of a JCM800 at LGS t'other day I'm really hooked on buying one.
Basically - I'm using this amp mainly for home use (overkill i know), i want to  cover straight balls-to-the wall rock'n'roll sounds to screaming old-skool metal sounds. The OD's in the title are the ones i've considered. I've tried (briefly) the ZW44 and the Keeley, and i liked both to be honest. The Maxon OD-9 sounded great in the Nailbomb clip, and the Big D, as we all know is highly recomended by Ben, and seems very versatile indeed...
Any help would be greatly appreciated. I know tone is subjective, but guys, come on, which is the best bet for me? My main gear is in my signature if that helps...

[FELINEGUITARS]

Don't overlook the HBE Power Screamer
It's their version of the Tube Screamer and works really well with a JCM 800
At the LGS I had a Big D and a Power Screamer running into my Marshall 2205 JCM 800 Split channel and both sounded ace. If I had to chose just 1 then i would go for the Power Screamer - for the stuff i like - classic rock and Schenker/Lynch type stuff

[gwEm]

this maybe a slightly unusual(?!) choice, but i'll suggest it anyway because i think it works really well for me and my JMP50 (Steve :) )

i'm using an EQ pedal (actually an MXR 6band eq). this allows you to not only boost the level, but gives extremely versatile tone adjusting which is obviously a good thing on these amps. use it as a treble booster, warm up the bass, fix problems caused by lame pickups etc etc.

[Elliot]

I have a Powerscreamer and they rip the guts out of any other TS based model - But for versatility I'd say a Big D (I would have got one myself by the fender tweed Powerscreamer was too tempting   )

[indysmith]

Don't overlook the HBE Power Screamer
It's their version of the Tube Screamer and works really well with a JCM 800
At the LGS I had a Big D and a Power Screamer running into my Marshall 2205 JCM 800 Split channel and both sounded ace. If I had to chose just 1 then i would go for the Power Screamer - for the stuff i like - classic rock and Schenker/Lynch type stuff

Hey that power screamer sounds good actually - i guess i thought if i'm getting a tubescreamer it was gonna be the maxon; has anyone A/B'd these two, are just tried both.

[indysmith]

this maybe a slightly unusual(?!) choice, but i'll suggest it anyway because i think it works really well for me and my JMP50 (Steve :) )

i'm using an EQ pedal (actually an MXR 6band eq). this allows you to not only boost the level, but gives extremely versatile tone adjusting which is obviously a good thing on these amps. use it as a treble booster, warm up the bass, fix problems caused by lame pickups etc etc.

I'd considered this actually - I'd really like to try before i buy though; I'll ask around and see if anyone has one i can borrow. Fix problems caused by lame pickups? thats what the BKPs are for

[indysmith]

I have a Powerscreamer and they rip the guts out of any other TS based model - But for versatility I'd say a Big D (I would have got one myself by the fender tweed Powerscreamer was too tempting   )

Could you get powerscreamer-esque sounds out of the Big D? It has these five positions for 5 different sounds; are these loosely based on any other overdrives? are they all up-to scratch/useful or are some just sounds yu'd never want to use?

[Twinfan]

I've got a Danelectro Fish n Chips EQ pedal (about £25) and Maxon OD-9 (about £95).  With those two you could really thicken your sound up and shape it how you want without paying boutique pedal prices.

The Maxon is a great pedal - smoother and warmer than the Ibanez OD-9.

[hunter]

I'd have three recommendations to beef up your Marshall:

All these links cover sound samples

(I own 1. and 2. and have tested 3 some while ago and will get it soon)

1. Simple but fantastic: HAO Rust Driver (Plexi in a box) - http://www.jes1988.com/hao/sound_us.html

2. The versatility-and sound quality king: Diamond Drive - http://www.diamondpedals.com/products/legacy/drive.html

3. The I-can't-stop-playing-it's-so-addictive: Okko Diablo - http://www.stompbox.de/diablo_e.shtml

[indysmith]

that diablo sounds verrrrrry nice. So much choice - kinda wish i was born when there was the tubescreamer or nothing, lol

[_tom_]

Hunter, that Dialbo sounds amazing! Cheers for showing that link, really want one now  :D

[Brow]

The G2D pedals (www.g2d.co.nz) from New Zealand are great for pushing valve amps over the edge.

I have 1 of their 2 channel Custom OD pedals and it's awesome when used infront of my gritty Orange amp.

I paid £120ish with shipping etc, so not THAT expensive when compared to some other alternatives :)

[hunter]

Re Diablo: Yeah indeed, But be prepared to pay 199 / 235 EUR (235 with extra boost button/poti).

In fact, the Diablo is one of the few Overdrives that also sound good in front of a totally clean amp.

I would actually think about running it straight into my Palmer PDI-09 for recording.

[indysmith]

any opinions on the Keeley SD-1? if yu check out the site, it looks like they've updated it lately. Hayden's clip is pretty yummy too, and i liked it at LGS a lot...

http://www.robertkeeley.co.uk/overdrive_bsd1ge.htm

[Crazy_Joe]

The Zakk Wylde pedal is very overpriced, mainly because it says Zakk Wylde on it, i'm sure you can find better ones or one more or less of the same for much cheaper.