Author Topic: Effects dilemma.......choices (Read 3571 times)

Gazz · « **on:** July 21, 2007, 10:36:40 AM »

I'm about to spend some dosh on hopefully "the right" unit but would like some second opinions:
I use a Les Paul Gold Top through Marshall VS100 combo, want a "lush valve/gain sound" without having to change my amp, considering:

Hughes & Kettner Tube Factor
EH English Muffin
Carl Martin Plexitone

Would a PROCO RAT pedal be a waste of time if I purchased on of the above too?

All have good reviews but really want best unit to compliment the guitar/amp i have. I play primarily hard rock/punky music and want that dirty rock sound

Thanks v much :D

HTH AMPS · « **Reply #1 on:** July 21, 2007, 11:18:15 AM »

for 'lush valve sounds' you need a valve amp, it's that simple. put the cash you're gonna spend on the pedal towards a valve amp - it's the best solution in the long run.

as for the RAT pedal, don't buy a new one (they're shite). the original RAT was great, but they're using different opamps now that sound very different. how do I know this? - I've got a mate who's mad on RAT pedals and I've gutted some of his reissue pedals with the original circuit as backups for his original.

:twisted:

indysmith · « **Reply #2 on:** July 21, 2007, 03:58:07 PM »

Quote from: HEAVIER THAN HELL

for 'lush valve sounds' you need a valve amp, it's that simple. put the cash you're gonna spend on the pedal towards a valve amp - it's the best solution in the long run.

+1, simple. you want a valve sound, yu gotta get yourself a valve amp I'm afraid.

Twinfan · « **Reply #3 on:** July 21, 2007, 04:26:54 PM »

You might want to check out the new Blackstar HT Dual. Put that through the clean channel on your amp and it'll sound awesome.

£139 of valve distortion awesome-ness :D

lifted · « **Reply #4 on:** July 22, 2007, 07:35:40 PM »

I wouldn't get the new proco solo it sounds very fizzy and drops your volume instead of boosting. Maybe a pedal with a tube in it like the symour dunk twin tube?

lifted · « **Reply #5 on:** July 22, 2007, 07:36:17 PM »

I wouldn't get the new proco solo it sounds very fizzy and drops your volume instead of boosting. Maybe a pedal with a tube in it like the symour dunk twin tube?

jt · « **Reply #6 on:** July 22, 2007, 08:37:30 PM »

:D Have to agree with the guys, you want a valve sound get a valve amp.

:D 8)

Gazz · « **Reply #7 on:** July 22, 2007, 10:19:32 PM »

Thanks for the comments......

I've read some reviews and listened to some FX demos on youtube and manufacturers sites and it's a toss up between the Blackstar HT Dual and the Seymour Duncan Twin Tube .....both have fantastic sounds, the Blackstar is approx £40 cheaper and the SD fx sems to have non-user replaceable tubes.....

Any ideas/recommendations on which FX unit would appear to be "the best"....any experiences with either?.....both seems very good units capable of doing the job I need

CHEERZ :)

Twinfan · « **Reply #8 on:** July 22, 2007, 11:19:04 PM »

I can only speak for the Blackstar. It was being demo'd in my local shop on Friday afternoon back-to-back with a Radial Plexitone(?). It blew the radial away with its sheer depth of tone. This was through a Laney Lionheart combo set clean. It went from crunch to high gain and sounded superb. I don't think you'd be disappointed with it, plus it has a speaker emulated line out for recording with...

LazyNinja · « **Reply #9 on:** July 22, 2007, 11:22:09 PM »

twinfan did they test out the Blackstar boost pedal as well? I'm thinking of getting one. How did the Lionhearts sound btw? Are they as good as the reviews say?

WezV · « **Reply #10 on:** July 22, 2007, 11:25:50 PM »

i'm firmly in the 'get a valve amp for valve sounds' camp

Keep seeing more pedals appearing on the market with a valve included in the design somehow. cant help but feel its just a marketing ploy.

In an amp you have valves running at really high voltages, something like 400v normally. In a pedal you have them running about 9-18v - its just not the same thing!!!!

I know some pedal designs probably really do benifit from a valve being included - look to the smaller makers for those. I cant help but think the larger manufacturers would include a valve purely for the fact a 'nice glowy valve' in the design would make more people buy it

LazyNinja · « **Reply #11 on:** July 22, 2007, 11:28:26 PM »

I think I read that the BS pedals step up the voltage internally so it runs at hundreds of volts...

WezV · « **Reply #12 on:** July 22, 2007, 11:34:01 PM »

tbh i dont know much about them - i presume its not running on batteries to get that voltage

sorry for the rant i just think its worth looking out for, a nice glowy valve doesnt automatically make valve sounds - need pushing a bit more for that.....

..... which is why i still think its best to get a nice valve amp and a couple of good old stompboxes

WezV · « **Reply #13 on:** July 22, 2007, 11:42:49 PM »

just checked out the SD and blackstar, they do both run on higher voltages to get the tube working properly but i would definately go with the blackstar over the SD. British made with valves you can change!! I dont like all SD's talk of subminiture valves

Gimme a big burning glass bottle and i am happy!!!!

Blueminerva · « **Reply #14 on:** July 23, 2007, 02:27:13 AM »

According to Guitarist mag Blackstar pedals run the internal valves at 300v - seems like a lot to me! There's some kind of switch which lets you run it at different bias settings to get different sounds across the spectrum as well, looks awesome! I'm saving up for the "pure filth" pedal as we speak :twisted: