Question to lead players with non-reverb amps.

[spyeman]

I just acquired a wonderful non-reverb amp. I have a reverb and delay pedal that work wonderfully for my clean stuff (just a hint of each), but when I switch the amp to the lead channel, the reverb and delay become overwhelming, even though I've not changed the levels. No big deal, same thing has happened with other amps.

However, I don't like to play my leads completely dry, without any effect at all. I'm looking for a pedal that just adds a little effect, I guess I could buy another reverb or delay and have it on just a smidge for leads, but wondering if other lead players have this need and what they've done, and the pedals they selected.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

[forum_crawler]

I would consider a very light delay for your leads. Provably better in the end than using reverb.

[rob2001]

All time based effects will sound funky in front of amp dirt. The fix would be an added FX loop or you can add a dirt pedal before the time based pedals.

[GuitarBrent]

Reverb? YUCK!

[spyeman]

Guitar Brent LOL . Sorry, I didn't make it clear, this amp's lead channel needs no pedals at all, it's awesome sounding on its own, but it's a dry tone, just looking to add a little something to give it a touch more body or depth, that's all. Thanks.

[Shredmonster]

I play lead. When I want time based effects I use separately or a combo of delay and reverb.
The reverb seems to smooth out the delay sound.

I went with a Tech21 RVB - fantastic verb and I am getting the TC Nova Repeater when it comes out. I have it on order.

[Ming Chow]

I have a TopHat CR, which doesn't have reverb.

When playing clean, I'll use a reverb pedal. Either a Holy Grail or RV-2.

If I'm cookin' the tubes. I'll use a delay pedal, SMMw/H, for a hit of reverb.

[Eagle1]

Have you got a loop?
Try a Lexicon MPX100/110 cheap on EBay.

[jkeane22]

I don't like reverb pedals, though I think the Hardwire RV-7 is the best out there. Instead I would use a DMM, blended fairly dry to between 6 and 7 o'clock, feedback between 11 and 12 o'clock, delay anywhere from 11 to 1 o'clock, chorus/vibrato switch set to vibrato, and the chorus dial at about 7 o'clock. If it's too heavy, dial back the blend to a dryer mix. Much better than reverb in my opinion for almost anything from rhythm to lead. On those same settings, if you adjust the blend to half-wet/half-dry, you get a real lush thing going which is great for chord melodies and fingerpicking.

[rob2001]

Originally Posted by spyeman

Guitar Brent LOL . Sorry, I didn't make it clear, this amp's lead channel needs no pedals at all, it's awesome sounding on its own, but it's a dry tone, just looking to add a little something to give it a touch more body or depth, that's all. Thanks.

I figured that was the case but i'm still sayin no matter what reverb or delay pedal you put in front of amp dirt, it's gonna sound funky. Maybe some are slightly better at being in front of dirt, but most i've tried still sound funny. Thats why I suggested adding a loop. This puts the time based effects AFTER the amps dirt and it sounds much better. I also suggested a dirt pedal because you can then put the reverb/delay AFTER the dirtbox.

At any rate, if you are running significant dirt with your amp, putting delays and verbs in front of it generally doesn't work well. It's a problem guys using single channel amps have had to deal with forever. You can use only slight amp dirt with a verb in front and be ok, but as soon as you start adding lots of distortion, it's gonna degrade.

[Lolaviola]

play w/ the amp controls, ...find a happy medium

[harryjmic]

For cheap, get a Danelectro PBJ? it's a slapback echo. It's sounds great and costs nothing.

[GuitarBrent]

I just don't like reverb at all, especially tin can sounding, splattery Fender reverb. To me it's not a natural sounding effect and just plain gets in the way, especially if you want tight sounding rhythms and leads. All of my amps are non-reverb amps, and sound great without it. Try playing without reverb for a week or two and listen to yourself. Then go back and put the normal amount of reverb you use on and listen to yourself. You will likely be surprised at 1. how much reverb you are actually using and 2. how much that reverb gets in the way and smears your tone and articulation. If you must add some space to your lead tone, then I'd suggest a delay, but again, it will have to come after your overdrives, distortions, and fuzzes. It will get lost if you try to put it before.

[gordini]

I don't go for any reverb in a lead. In rhythm yes, but not in a lead. Marshall heads don't have reverb, so I'll just try and ape a Marshall type grind in a pedal and turn the reverb off.

[dk123123dk]

spyman. Grab yourself a nice cheap and loud solid state 1x12" combo. Fender, Randall, Peavey, etc. Run the line out of the amp, or use a Palmer box for a line out, and run that into the reverb/delay pedal. Then run the pedals into the clean combo. Wet/Dry rigs are your friend!

dk