Really cool distortion box

[Rena Rune]

I find most dirt boxes to be a little dry and boring... are there any really cool ones I might have missed out on? I'm getting a Lunchbox pretty soon and that doesn't get very high gain so I want something cool to use with it. Something high gain but not metal, and a little less honky than the SCOD.

[Guitar Josh]

Originally Posted by Rena Rune

I'm getting a Lunchbox pretty soon.

I had this one...

[voorhiessa]

You meant CrunchBox?

[youngupstart]

what amp are you using? either way, id say diamond fireburst. they are cool.

[Rena Rune]

Well like I said, I'll be using a Lunchbox. It's Solid State, but one of those very good SS amps(it uses some degree of DSP too). It's for taking around when I can't carry a heavier amp, but the dirt on it is a bit weak.

I think I want something with a kinda mid heavy fuzzy OD kinda sound, QOTSA-ish but I'm not looking to replicate that kind of tone exactly.

[youngupstart]

Originally Posted by Rena Rune

Well like I said, I'll be using a Lunchbox. It's Solid State, but one of those very good SS amps(it uses some degree of DSP too). It's for taking around when I can't carry a heavier amp, but the dirt on it is a bit weak.

I think I want something with a kinda mid heavy fuzzy OD kinda sound, QOTSA-ish but I'm not looking to replicate that kind of tone exactly.

check out the fireburst, it sounds right up your alley. a fuzz in "normal" mode but it has a mid boost switch which turns it more into a distortion/heavy od. sort of reminds me of an old orange/matamp. two demos up on youtube, but pedal sounds way more lively than those in person.

[Martin Reid]

If you have a few extra bucks then you won't regret one of these, the Effectrode Tube-Drive:



I have one, it's an outstanding piece of equipment capable of a wide range of overdrive, distortion and even a little fuzz depending on how hard you push it. Well worth the money.

http://effectrode.com/website/tube_d...drive_main.htm

[Rena Rune]

I'd really rather have something fairly cheap(Since I might just be using it with one amp) and powerable by a normal 9v adapter loop though.

[emperor_black]

How much would that unit cost and what sort of power does it take?

Originally Posted by Martin Reid

If you have a few extra bucks then you won't regret one of these, the Effectrode Tube-Drive:



I have one, it's an outstanding piece of equipment capable of a wide range of overdrive, distortion and even a little fuzz depending on how hard you push it. Well worth the money.

http://effectrode.com/website/tube_d...drive_main.htm

[Martin Reid]

Originally Posted by emperor_black

How much would that unit cost and what sort of power does it take?

Around $400, they come with their own supply so it's just plug and play. These aren't just another dirtbox, they are in every sense a separate pre-amp running at amp voltages.

As I said, they're an investment, check the link. I'm not affiliated, just a happy customer. I waited nearly 3 years to get one from when the first clips were posted on their website... I got Serial #0001 and I'm not disappointed.

The other aspect of these units that I like is the ease of swapping tubes around to experiment with different tones. It makes me smile when I hear pedal manufacturers claiming their pedals to sound "amp-like", no need in this case because IT IS an amp!!! I use it to drive my Marshall Vintage Modern which needs to have the Master Volume opened up to let the KT66 tubes breathe, otherwise the amp is rather thin sounding. Particularly for practice levels, I then use the Tube-Drive to put the sting in it's tail. When funds allow, I will get another with a different tube configuration to provide an extra channel for my rig.

The other thing I like about it is how well it stacks with either my Dirty Little Secret or Spacemen Rumblefuzz. Both of these pedals are outstanding in their own right and provide a great flavour to the Tube-Drive.

[imguitardan]

Skreddy Screw Driver (VERY natural 70s Tube Amp tone)

[emperor_black]

The only tube-based pedal I've ever bought is a ART Levelar and in that there was a subtle difference (for the good) when I replaced the stock Phillips tube with a JJ. I can imagine how yours must be like. but at $400, I think its way too high in my budget. Congrats on 0001.

[Rena Rune]

I'm not necessarily even looking for "authentic tube like tone". I would like a QOTSA kind fuzzy mid heavy sound though, not dead on just that general kind of thing.

[Martin Reid]

Originally Posted by emperor_black

The only tube-based pedal I've ever bought is a ART Levelar and in that there was a subtle difference (for the good) when I replaced the stock Phillips tube with a JJ. I can imagine how yours must be like. but at $400, I think its way too high in my budget. Congrats on 0001.

Thanks, the best results for the Tube-Drive are obtained when it's placed in front of a non-master volume tube amp. It then effectively becomes the master volume. The $400 is then an economical upgrade rather than changing amps. It also makes your rig extremely flexible. I can get a wide range of tone from subtle blues breakup through to grinding metal and some fuzzy stuff also. (Although I would not classify it as a fuzz pedal as such)

[Rena Rune]

heeeeeeeeeyyyy