Looking for a really tight distortion pedal for rhythm sounds

[williamh]

I find myself on a constant search for the right now gain rhythm sound. I'm looking for something that stays very tight for rhythm sounds, but doesn't get fizzy at higher gain settings, and stays decently full when used for lead sounds. Anyways, I'm an open book for suggestions right now, so shoot some my way. I'm not looking for death metal level gain by the way, but I'm definitely looking for a distortion pedal.

[ben_allison]

Reezafratzitz. Done.

[jamboree]

LM308N Vintage or Modded Rat...

[williamh]

I will say that I've owned and played several different rats, none of them really seemed to be very tight at all.

[xntrick]

i have to agree about the rat

[williamh]

Reezafratzitz. Done.

I owned the reeza a while back, but had a completely different setup at the time. I've been thinking about it, but am having trouble deciding whether I want to go with it or not. It's definitely on my list of potentials at the moment though.

[Tonemeister69]

Analogman DS-1

[ben_allison]

I owned the reeza a while back, but had a completely different setup at the time. I've been thinking about it, but am having trouble deciding whether I want to go with it or not. It's definitely on my list of potentials at the moment though.

Let's deconstruct: what did/didn't you like about it?

What bands have a similar tone to what you're looking to achieve?

[williamh]

Let's deconstruct: what did/didn't you like about it?

What bands have a similar tone to what you're looking to achieve?

If I remember correctly, I liked it for rhythm purposes, but it didn't seem full enough to me when I was playing lead sounds....at the time I also wasn't primarily wanting a rhythm box out of it. To be honest, the rhythm sound I'm looking for is one of those "sound in my head" things more than anything...I may have heard a band somewhere along the line with that sound, but it eludes me now. It's just always one of those things...I'll find a pedal and think "wow this is really great for this, if only it could do this as well." I dunno....I may just have end up never being content.

Currently also looking into the toneczar openhaus....it seems like it might fit the bill from what I've read.

[ben_allison]

I'm looking into an Openhaus too!

Seems to be the best of the best for modern-high gain. And not "good for a pedal" either, but legitimately good.

I just with there were more sounds clips of lead tones and heavy modern-chug riffage.

[storm319]

Barber Direct Drive

[smogfalls]

the Fulltone OCD is great for rhythm work, very tight, punchy and crunchy.

[Adel2]

BB preamp. Full and tight with no fizz.

[forum_crawler]

SansAmp GT2
Keeley Modded MT-2
Blackstar HT-DISTx
Wampler Recstortion (or something like that, out in a few weeks).
Different amp?

[Guitar Goober]

I have a Monte Allums MT-2 Sustainia that I'd highly recommend.

[jamison162]

I personally liked the OCD (v3) better than the Reeza.

[ben_allison]

I personally liked the OCD (v3) better than the Reeza.

Just different objectives.

OCD nails cranked 70's Marshalls to a tee.

The Reeza is more modern, aggressive, slightly synthetic distortion. But for the genre it's designed for, it's perfect.

Someone mentioned the BB. It's a great smooth distortion, but is too polite for more aggressive music. Just will not work at all.

It all just depends on your objectives.

[keto]

Marshall JH1 Jackhammer, in OD mode. It's still really a distortion even turned down quite low, I run it not much past 10 o'clock. Very tweakable for tone, as much or as little bass-mids-treble as you want plus a contour that's sort of a scoop. Does indeed have its own tone, that is a given. Stacks well (I run it last, plays great with Bad Monkey, Red Snapper, Java Boost). Does tight rhythm all day long. Fairly edgy but never fizzy.

I've run it with great success in the following amps:
-77 Vibrochamp
-77 Traynor YBA-1
-81 Hiwatt Custom 50 (sounds hyuuuuuge)
-66 Pro Reverb
-Orange Rockerverb 50 but not a ton, I loved the Orange gain (oh how I miss you, I hope the new owner leaves it to me in his will because he will never sell it back to me lol)

I haven't run it with my more modern channel switchers, Engl Steve Morse and Marshall JVM410H as I don't see the need.

Unfortunately the Distortion mode is so scooped and compressed it doesn't even sound like music to me. But the OD is fantastic. I don't know why this pedal doesn't get more respect, personally. I guess because most people want "my amp only more" these days, and I will give you that this is not that pedal.

[somedude]

I use a Fulldrive 2. Volume nearly full, gain nearly zero, tone rolled most of the way off. Crunches up the amp well, and if I need more chugga chugga tone I kick the boost on. MOSFET mode on to give a bit fuller sound.

I'm pretty happy with the results thus far, though I have an OCD and Fatboost 2 on the way to see if they do this better.

[jamboree]

I will say that I've owned and played several different rats, none of them really seemed to be very tight at all.

I just received a vintage small box rat that is extremely usable for tight, punchy rhythm work. Try backing off the gain (a lot, slightly less than 12:00) and pump up the volume. The dist will not be fizzy, fuzzy or twisted in any way.