over/drive distortion pedal - need new one to capture best of both worlds..

Denalihighway

howdy
summary:

I use 2 main overdrive/distortion pedals
1) Boss bluesdriver - nice for bluesy sounds and lighter stuff but doesnt quite have the balls for dirtier stuff naturally
2) Boss Turbo Distortion - great for heavier/harder tunes but I find I don't get the high-ends out of it like u would in an overdrive sound.

I play a 72 custom tele and a Marshall MG at the moment (tut...hiss...tsk etc:)) , I'll be getting something better soon but they're not as bad as the way people go on..

So what I'm asking is, have you got suggestions based on your experiences on which pedal I should go for to get:

- a really hard edged overdrive/distortion
- with really good clarity in the high end string range (very important)

I'll stick to BOSS as I like em and they have a nice huge foolproof stomp area for live stuff. I realise that a lot of the stompboxes are versatile and a fair degree of modelling is possible even within one pedals' parameters but I'm trying to narrow it down. I'm guessing an overdrive pedal and I'll go to the shops and try a few obviously but just in case anyone was extremely passionate about particular pedals thought I'd put it out there...

something in here anyways... http://www.bossus.com/gear/productlist.php?ParentId=90

Karl Hungus

Hmm, not too sure you will get the best of both worlds in one OD pedal. Perhaps you should just stick to what you have for the time being, and invest in a new amp?

Don1

Back the gain way off on the bluesdriver and max the tone, and use it as a booster for the super distortion. New amp all the way too, with at least one valve!! And you never know, the amp you get, if you shop around and try some, could have the perfect sound you want.

I still however haven't found it. Reckon it's a Mesa or Soldano!

Denalihighway

exactly what I didnt want...u b*stards tellin me I need a new amp...though I knew it was coming! To be honest I know there's a big difference between a really c*ap amp and a really good one but I'm not really given to the kind of hype etc that surrounds the middle ground and that kind of thing. Another discussion altogether there big time. For the main part in this instance I'm just looking for a reliable pedal that would give me (at least roughly) the sound i'm looking for through a mediocre amp or a good tube one.

I'll be playing a Boogie dual rectifier, 3 channel, solo head, when I'm recording - should have mentioned that...its not mine though so I'm looking at buying something new for live work defo

Don1

Ah, I dunno about the ultimate pedal then. I love the sounds out of my Boss GT-6 for the moment. Will get a motherfreaker of an amp when needed.

Glassheart

Take a look at the Vox Bulldog Distortion.They sell them in Musician.

Denalihighway

yeah bit o trial and error required.
cheers

Voodu Child

What you have to remember, is that there's a big difference between 'pedal distortion' and 'amp distortion'.

Pedal distortion works best as a simple soft clipping, that's why OD and fuzz pedals and the like are so popular. When you try and get a seriously heavy distortion from a pedal, the results (mostly) aren't great. Metalzones etc have a terrible rep for sounding crude and harsh compared to the complex distortion you'll get from a (good) heavy amp.

So bearing in mind that you're using the MG, your best bet is to forget a 'simple pedal' sound, and get a pedal that'll do the whole shebang - i.e. a modelling pedal of some sort that'll give you the full blown raging amp sound (or at least an approximation:D). And just leave your MG set to give you as neutral a tone as possible.

punchdrunk

as a complete pedalhead with over 40 pedals,it pains me to say it but...








you need a new amp!

Denalihighway

christ ..thankfully my poor aul MG doesnt have ears

I hear yiz..cheers

fourmations

never tried it but
digitech do a multi distortion stompbox

digitech distortion factory


ciao

PS... get a new amp

punchdrunk

once you get your amp sorted,you need this...

Denalihighway

when the album's finished i'll hold a competition on Boards - €100 to whoever can spot where the MG was used