Overdrive Advice...

[junebug420]

Hey Guys,

I'm currently using a Maxon OD-820 and a Fulltone Fulldrive 2 out of a Hot Rod Deluxe. I absolutely LOVE the 820. It's probably the best sounding OD I've ever used. Lately I've been using it for the lower gain stuff, and I use the Fulldrive as a boost. But it still doesn't sound as nice as when I turn up the gain on the 820. But I can't be bending over in a live situation and doing that on the fly...

So I was originally thinking about getting my 820 modded to give it 2 switchable gain settings. Analogman (super helpful & nice guy btw, I'm sure everyone here knows that) said he could add the Bad Bob mod, but I don't know if that will have the results I'm looking for, which is in essence having 2 switchable gain settings on the 820.

So I was also thinking of replacing the Fulldrive 2 with something different...see if a new pedal combination does the job when I call for higher gain.
Unfortunately my budget is low...probably around $100 or so.

Any thoughts/advice/opinions??

Thanks guys!!!

[hathisisfunnyha]

Have you thought about running a boost along with it? Use the boost to adjust your gain settings potentially

[stevel]

Hey Guys,

I'm currently using a Maxon OD-820 and a Fulltone Fulldrive 2 out of a Hot Rod Deluxe. I absolutely LOVE the 820. It's probably the best sounding OD I've ever used. Lately I've been using it for the lower gain stuff, and I use the Fulldrive as a boost. But it still doesn't sound as nice as when I turn up the gain on the 820. But I can't be bending over in a live situation and doing that on the fly...

So I was also thinking of replacing the Fulldrive 2 with something different...see if a new pedal combination does the job when I call for higher gain.
Unfortunately my budget is low...probably around $100 or so.

Any thoughts/advice/opinions??

Thanks guys!!!

2nd 820? I know it's out of your budget right now.

Have you tried running the full drive in comp-cut mode, or at 18v? You can get the FD to be just clean boost, or, you can use it's own gain sound to stack. You've basically got 1. OD 2. boost 3. comp-cut OD 4. comp-cut boost, and then the same 4 at 18v - that's 8 different possibilities with the FD (unless you've got the newer mosfet, which has even more possibilities).

Try the FD before and after your 820 too - there's 8 more possibilities.

By the way, I went up to Radio Shack and bought two 9v connectors and used a barrel plug from an old adapter and wired it up according to the fulltone site to make the 18v adapter for my FDII. Sound at 18v is interstingly different - not as gainy, and gain more in the background to my ears.

So maybe you can save yourself 100 bucks (though being a guitarist, you're bound to spend it GASsing for some peice of gear!).

Steve

[junebug420]

2nd 820? I know it's out of your budget right now.

Have you tried running the full drive in comp-cut mode, or at 18v? You can get the FD to be just clean boost, or, you can use it's own gain sound to stack. You've basically got 1. OD 2. boost 3. comp-cut OD 4. comp-cut boost, and then the same 4 at 18v - that's 8 different possibilities with the FD (unless you've got the newer mosfet, which has even more possibilities).

Try the FD before and after your 820 too - there's 8 more possibilities.

By the way, I went up to Radio Shack and bought two 9v connectors and used a barrel plug from an old adapter and wired it up according to the fulltone site to make the 18v adapter for my FDII. Sound at 18v is interstingly different - not as gainy, and gain more in the background to my ears.

So maybe you can save yourself 100 bucks (though being a guitarist, you're bound to spend it GASsing for some peice of gear!).

Steve


Thanks Steve! Some good stuff there! I was tweaking the Fulldrive settings last night but I forgot to change it's position in the chain. I currently have it in front of the 820...I'll have to put it after it to see how that sounds.

[stevel]

So I was originally thinking about getting my 820 modded to give it 2 switchable gain settings. Analogman (super helpful & nice guy btw, I'm sure everyone here knows that) said he could add the Bad Bob mod, but I don't know if that will have the results I'm looking for, which is in essence having 2 switchable gain settings on the 820.

Thanks guys!!!

Oh, I meant to say - are you turning up the gain AND the volume when you're doing this? Or do you want two gain settings that are the same overall volume?

You say you're using the FD as a boost - so I assume you're boosting the volume, which is also adding more gain to the 820.

What you need to watch with "switchable gains" is that you have some control over the volume of the "more gain" setting(s).

I bought my FD hoping that the "boost" would give more drive - it does, but it also produces a volume increase. And there's no way to adjust how much increase in volume you get independent of the amount of gain you get.

So if you get your pedal modded, the mods might be unusable unless the overall output is the same across the board, just with more gain at each setting (assuming that's what you want).

By the way, you could also try your FD for your medium gain pedal, the 820 for the boost????

Steve

[junebug420]

OK, I made a decision! I found a used OD-820 at a pretty good price and I went for it! Selling the Fulldrive 2 to pay for it. (wish i didn't have to but times are tough!)
So I'll have 2 OD-820's on my board...one at a low gain setting and one at a higher gain. I figure I can use them separately or together for the rare times I need even more.
Thanks for your help guys!!

[junebug420]

OK well that didn't work! I wound up not ordering the second OD-820 (seemed like gluttony...:) ) But I did pick up a Phoenix Ranger Treble Booster. What a cool pedal! Really sounds nice with the 820 and my Hot Rod Deluxe. The only issue though is it doesn't work with my daisy chain power supply!

[Classic09]

I've read a few good reviews about the OD 820. is it really that good?

[junebug420]

I haven't played all the great OD pedals by any means, but when I came across this one I fell in love. I just love the tone.

[scmavl]

Have you considered a Subdecay Liquid Sunshine? I got mine used for $100 here on the board. Great low/mid level od.