The BEST pedal for smooth, liquid leads?

[funkycam]

I would only use a compressor if you like the feel of a compressor.
I don't like that feel. Keep in mind a tube amp at any volume will add compression, at gig volume, a lot of juice is added, even in a high headroom amp.

there are several pretty well trodden paths to smooth liquidy tones & none of them need to have a compressor, but many players like that feel.

[ruger9]

Originally Posted by funkycam

I would only use a compressor if you like the feel of a compressor.
I don't like that feel. Keep in mind a tube amp at any volume will add compression, at gig volume, a lot of juice is added, even in a high headroom amp.

there are several pretty well trodden paths to smooth liquidy tones & none of them need to have a compressor, but many players like that feel.

+1. I don't like the feel of compressors, I much prefer hitting an already-overdriving tube amp with an overdrive to get that. But I'm still looking for the ideal (thick) drive for that... amps don't react the same to different OD pedals.

[BBender]

Try a Lumpy's Tone Shop MK 1.5. Real nice!!!

[jlw001]

Andy Timmons BB Preamp...you get compression and dynamics...I don't know how, but that's the way the pedal feels.

[steeeve]

Correct, a "compressor" is not needed, but as I said, "some sort of compression" is. Whether it's the tube amp compressing or an overdrive pedal.

Getting the highs right, or decidedly lack there of, is vital, imo.

Someone asked, "why not just one pedal," but I've yet to hear a single pedal into a clean amp do the sound that I'm thinking of. I've heard pedals into hot amps get close.

[ruger9]

Originally Posted by steeeve

Getting the highs right, or decidedly lack there of, is vital, imo.

Someone asked, "why not just one pedal," but I've yet to hear a single pedal into a clean amp do the sound that I'm thinking of. I've heard pedals into hot amps get close.

Truer words were never spoken. That's been my problem on this "quest." No matter how dark a pedal is, if you use it to boost a hot amp, highs always increase. I find alot of ODs tone knobs don't get "dark enuff" for me, for this very reason.

[ben_allison]

Originally Posted by steeeve

Someone asked, "why not just one pedal," but I've yet to hear a single pedal into a clean amp do the sound that I'm thinking of. I've heard pedals into hot amps get close.

Most clips I've heard of the Top Fuel, for example, seem to be pretty spot on. That clip of the Plush Creme sounded pretty killer. But I agree stacking, in my experience, seems to get better results.

My LTD is always on, and I stack into it.

Originally Posted by ruger9

Truer words were never spoken. That's been my problem on this "quest." No matter how dark a pedal is, if you use it to boost a hot amp, highs always increase. I find alot of ODs tone knobs don't get "dark enuff" for me, for this very reason.

This is why I like Treble and Bass control. Just throwing a "Tone" knob is a cop out I think. Separate treble and bass controls only take a few more, super inexpensive components. Passive filters are like, the most basic of all circuits.

[electrolyte]

Originally Posted by jlw001

Andy Timmons BB Preamp...you get compression and dynamics...I don't know how, but that's the way the pedal feels.

Agreed - just got one this week and love it.

Tell you what was totally a kicker though - I put the Timmons BB and my stock BB in line with each other to A/B them, was thinking of getting rid of the stock version if I liked the Timmons. Well I'll be keeping both, for a couple reasons.

The stock BB sounded a bit better with a Strat, since I perceived it (the BB) as having a slight mid boost (no where near as much as a TS, and since it has active bass and treble it doesn't sound like one to my ear.) The Timmons sounded better with my PRS McCarty Soapbar, since it (the Timmons) has a slight mid cut to my ear.

What I wasn't expecting is how cool they sounded stacked, with the PRS. Totally liquid sounding, sustaining lead tone....pretty compressed but it just sang. Gain on both was pretty low, 9 o'clock , bass @ 2 o'clock, treble @ noon, can't remember volume but it was basically at unity with the bypassed clean guitar. Amp is a '66 Vox Cambridge Reverb, in a 2x10 openback cab.

I think these with my Carbon Copy and a tuner will become my 2nd pedalboard - smaller for 1 set shows or jams, or for more of a straight rock thing.

jp

[Rod]

I dislike all fuzz pedals...However, I do like smooth lead tones...The Jetter GSP and Wampler Ecstacy do this tone great..The Ethos was great for smooth Dumble tones as well

[jgyn]

Lately picked up an FET Dream that's good for the smooth, liquid stuff.

[Hemispheres]

Lovepedal Eternity

[marvelboy_04]

i like using a fuzz and neck pickup for smooth or my fulldrive in vintage mode

[Purplexi]

Dunlop JH FF into any clean boost, amp or pedal, will nail the lead from Floyd's "Time" solo. Add delay!

[zachman]

Originally Posted by ben_allison

Apparently, I'm looking for a fuzz... but fuzzes often sound grainy and "fizzy" to me.

I want a totally smooooooth, non-grainy pedal, for lead work. I want to good touch response (more and more I'm tending to play with the gain cooking, and adjusting volume/intensity with my attack). Good note definition. Loads of sustain.

I tried the BB Preamp a while ago... it seemed pretty good. Anything option might be boosting my Riot, and putting a compressor after.

But new pedals are more fun.

[woude]

My Fulltone 70 Is smoother than all other pedals I've owned or tried. Those include the Diamond Fireburst, TS9's, Eternity, Keeley Fuzzhead (that is absolutely not a smooth pedal imo) Fulltone 69, big muffs, Catalinbread DLS, and compressors don't even come close.