-
We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.
Looking for a new guitar distortion pedal, help me choose one please.
- Thread starter MetalMat
- Start date
TrueBlueLS
Platinum Member
Jeff's 3 Steps to Better Distortion
1) Pitch DOD FX-86B in garbage
2) Call up Musician's Friend to order 5150 II head
3) Crank and enjoy
1) Pitch DOD FX-86B in garbage
2) Call up Musician's Friend to order 5150 II head
3) Crank and enjoy
3chordcharlie
Diamond Member
i think it's time for a mesa.
I'm still a fan of danelectro for cheap stomp boxes (the daddy-o is pretty sweet, but probably not enough distortion to keep you happy). I haven't tried their heavy distortion pedal though, so I can only recommend trying it, not buying it.
I'm still a fan of danelectro for cheap stomp boxes (the daddy-o is pretty sweet, but probably not enough distortion to keep you happy). I haven't tried their heavy distortion pedal though, so I can only recommend trying it, not buying it.
thirdlegstump
Banned
I personally prefer amp distortion as I find them to sound much bigger and fuller. Distortion boxes always sound..tiny. If this is for home use and won't be cranking it to obnoxious levels, I highly recommend the Tech 21 Trademark 10. It's a small 10 watt analog modelling amp but it sounds GREAT. I had one and ended up getting it's bigger cousin the Trademark 60. I too play metal although non-thrash...more power metal type but also get into the blues, funk, neoclassical shred etc. This amp does it all. I just plug my guitars straight in without any effects and I get killer tone.
AlienCraft
Lifer
That Green Ibanez pedal < having A senior moment, or the BOSS Od-1 orange pedal have always served me well.
< been a guitar tech for some really well known players and for a very long time.
That green Ibanez pedal I referred to. used by Vai, Satriani and Schon among many.
< been a guitar tech for some really well known players and for a very long time.
That green Ibanez pedal I referred to. used by Vai, Satriani and Schon among many.
AlienCraft
Lifer
The problem with amp distortion is it usually involves SPL's at unreasonable / unmanageable levels. I agree, that the sound is "better" but if you drive everyone out of the room, what's the point?
A load resistor can help with manageing levels, but they have drawbacks as well.
thirdlegstump
Banned
That's why I suggested the 10 watt Trademark doofus. It sounds great at REASONABLE levels as it has no tubes to be pushed.
AlienCraft
Lifer
HEY doofus, one watt in a proper enclosure can yield 100 -115 dbA. That just MIGHT be unreasonable.
Bite me.
Beside, he was asking for a pedal. not a NEW AMP dumbass.
thirdlegstump
Banned
Who says you HAVE to crank the 10W amp!? The dude wanted a kickin METAL tone. You just can't get a satisfying metal tone out of a freakin stomp box going through some cheap azz Crate (well I don't know if he has a cheapy Crate amp but most people that asks this type of question DO own something similar, hence the unsatisfying performance.) The amp I suggested goes for about $120 used and sounds GREAT on it's own and is very versatile. It can be played at low low bedroom levels while sounding like a cranked tube amp, can record DIRECT via Sansamp output and has 3 ultra cool sounding voicings all in one analog box that is highly regarded by studio players worldwide. I think he'd be much happier with it than spending more money on sh!tty stomp boxes. Sounds like to me that you don't even PLAY guitar and just spew technical GARBAGE out of your mouth. I've gone through many amps in the years I've played and actually settled on the Trademark series because they sound so freakin good.
To the OP, feel free to PM me and I can send you some clips of it.
To the OP, feel free to PM me and I can send you some clips of it.
AlienCraft
Lifer
Still does not address the OP's original request and redirects it into an amp question. At Musicians Friend, the pedal is $80.00 cheaper buying NEW and that pedal can be found for less than the $170.00 they're asking for it.
This is much more in line with the OP's original intent. Unless you guy's see something I don't in the thread.
My original point still stands.
Also, your example of 112 db at one meter with 0% distortion loss gives no other references as to what type of speaker cabinet, what brand / model of amp, and therefore is like saying 350 horsepower at 3000 RPM. It means squat.
Platypus
Lifer
If you haven't played with the Big Muff Pi by electro-harmonix, it makes a pretty sick sustain rich distortion, but it depends on what you're into.. I personally like the russian model over the NYC, it has a heavier distortion, not as tinny.
I had my metal zone modded and it sounds 100% better so when I really want to break it out it's pretty heavy, but lately I've not used it at all since I got an amp recently that makes me forget all about it 🙂
I had my metal zone modded and it sounds 100% better so when I really want to break it out it's pretty heavy, but lately I've not used it at all since I got an amp recently that makes me forget all about it 🙂
I just love my Ibanez Tube Screamer. Goes from just a hint of distortion to very full and heavy. Don't know if it would meet the need of death metal or thrash though. It doesn't sound tinny, thin or metalic. It's just a very warm full distortion. The Tube Screamer, along with the MXR Phaser 90 pedal is an awsome combination.
AlienCraft
Lifer
Yet another Ibanex Tube Screamer user checks in. Guess I might just know a little something after all.
thirdlegstump
Banned
Nah the TS isn't gonna cut it although it could be used to push an already hi gain preamp even further. Sometimes it can add an extra 'beloved patriot' to the attack sound which sounds cool and it also would add compression which is nice for metal. I still say reduce the complexity of the setup and go for an already good sound with the minimal of gear. That is, amp and guitar.
CptObvious
Platinum Member
Assuming you have a guitar with high-output pickups and an amp with big enough speaker(s) (because no pedal is going to give you that sound otherwise), the one's I've tried that I liked are the Danelectro Fab Tone and Marshall JH-1 Jackhammer. There are probably boutique pedals ($100+) that give a better sound but I haven't tried them.
I don't play metal though, so I might not have an ear for it (I get by with the distortion on my ProCo Rat)
I don't play metal though, so I might not have an ear for it (I get by with the distortion on my ProCo Rat)
AlienCraft
Lifer
Them's fighting words, sonny....as a matter of fact I do play guitar, I've worked for several NAME players as a tech and engineer, both equipment and recording. I've trained several techs, including SLASH's, and KID ROCK's, to name but a few, I got Tommy Johnson of the DOOBIE BROTHERS his tech and was considered for a gig with Carlos Santana until he and his tech made up. Rather than diverting the thread, with my own prejudices and preferences, such as suggesting a new amp, I answered the OP's question without modification. If you would care to read my other replies, I agreed that amp distortion sounds better, but that it comes with a trade off, that being SPL. Your suggestion of a new amp smacks of a Guitar store salesman trying to upsell someone who simply wants to try a new pedal, has money to buy now, and you send him home empty handed because you are convinced you are right and you fail to HEAR what the person asked of you.
As for my inventory....Well in fact I've been playing guitar since 1972. I've owned or own now Gibsons, Fenders, Yamahas, Martins, PRS's and have built my own amps for the first few years, built pedals and speaker cabinets and currently own a Chet Atkins Tennesean, 2 Fender Strats, one HardTail with a 2Tech Bridge and the other with a GK2 Pick up for my Roland Gr-1 synth. I own a Crate 3x10 Vintage tube amp , A Roland Cube and a Vox Buckingham amp. I sold the Marshall as it was too much for what I play. Classic Rock and Jazz and Pop.
I speak with over 32 years of playing, technical and sales experience, which I daresay is probably twice as long as you've been sucking wind.
So please, feel free to spew your own "technical garbage" as you BITE ME.
edit: I failed to mention I also play Bass guitar, Piano, and have played Bass Viol, Cello, Viola and Violin, mandolin and Banjo when I was a "muso".
When I was in college there were no Recording Engineer programs so I triple majored in Music, Electronics and Drama ( for stage experience).
thirdlegstump
Banned
Well, I can't comment but to say that with your credentials then, you should know exactly what I'm talking about. PWNED I am indeed and I humbly accept that. No need to show who's dick is bigger or wrinklier. While I'm no old geezer like you are, I wanna help this guy out and he wants a rockin metal tone and that's a big part of my passion. However, I have no idea what applications he'll be needing it for whether it's recording mic'd/direct, home practicing, gigging, rehearsing, all of the above etc. etc. etc.
BTW, I've PWNED Richard Lloyd during a live jam with some buddies awhile ago. The guy simply can't improv.
BTW, I've PWNED Richard Lloyd during a live jam with some buddies awhile ago. The guy simply can't improv.
AlienCraft
Lifer
Dude, I wasn't trying to give you a wedgie (figuratively speaking) , but the guy asked for a pedal to replace what he's using. If he had said AMP, we could go a number of ways, but he said pedal and that's what I was trying to answer.
Yes I do indeed know what you're talking about and even with him saying "Metal" may have different connotations to you than to me. I hear "Metal" and I'm thinking Ronnie James Dio / Malmsteen / Lynch and you may have something /someone else in mind. I was a TOTAL amp sound guru in the studio but am now SLOWLY accepting the modeling technology simply because it doesn't require the SPLs of a stack or three or four amps together with split inputs and different cabinets.
Now I'll grant you, I don't think I'm that GOOD of a player, but I can transpose chords and keys, sight read and run through the scales and circle of fifths and am always trying to learn a new song or figure a basic chord structure of something out. One of my favorite things to do is to figure at least one song out per tour. Gotta keep the grey matter flexible
The line in "Sultans of Swing", "He don't like to make it cry or sing" would apply to me.
Hell, I'm still struggling with "Boys of Summer", but I can re-wire a guitar or amp half baked out of my mind. :shocked:
Anyway, truce, peace, :beer: whatever and good luck with your music. May it satisfy you, even if no one else hears it.
Fritzo
Lifer
Umm...I've probably been playing for more years than you've been alive, and I use stomp boxes all the time. From your posts, it sounds like you're economically minded (aka CHEAP), so you've probably never used a quality effect pedal. I've been using stomp boxes during live performances since the early 80's and they are not "tinny" at all. Blanket statements like that tend to get people in trouble, so you might want to watch those. You get different types of distortion from different types of amps, so people aren't going to go around buying a new amp everytime they want to change their sound. What's cool today is they have amp modelling pedals that allow you to reproduce classic amps from Marshall, Vox, Fender, etc. I also have a Line6 Pod XT Live and the amp modelling is pretty damn close. Anyway, this is all a different argument.
The type of distortion he's looking for is not produced by amp distortion. Thrash metal uses more of an overdrive/compressor type of effect. Other than the Big Muff Pi I recommended earlier, this pedal from Line6 came in highly recommended by an office mate that plays the same type of stuff:
Uber Metal Distortion. He likes it because it's got a wide range of sounds so you can go from Thrash to grunge to classic pretty well.
thirdlegstump
Banned
Good thing you said Malmsteen. Can totally gank that sound out of the T10 : )
TRENDING THREADS
-
Discussion Zen 5 Speculation (EPYC Turin and Strix Point/Granite Ridge - Ryzen 9000)- Started by DisEnchantment
- Replies: 25K
-
Discussion Intel Meteor, Arrow, Lunar & Panther Lakes + WCL Discussion Threads
- Started by Tigerick
- Replies: 25K
-
Discussion Intel current and future Lakes & Rapids thread- Started by TheF34RChannel
- Replies: 24K
-
-
