CM Plexitone vs. Fetto?

[jazzfromhell]

Im looking for a Marshall-y od/distortion with strong mids and a solid low-end. Anybody tried both of these and can compare? I know there are a bunch of threads on each but Ive never seen anyone compare them side-by-side. Im sure they are both excellent pedals and both would probably do the job well.
Just want to know if anybody tried both?

[PedalPower]

Not sure about those two, but give the LoveKraft Mojo Drive a listen, its got what your askin' for.

[DraggAmps]

Originally Posted by jazzfromhell

Im looking for a Marshall-y od/distortion with strong mids and a solid low-end. Anybody tried both of these and can compare? I know there are a bunch of threads on each but Ive never seen anyone compare them side-by-side. Im sure they are both excellent pedals and both would probably do the job well.
Just want to know if anybody tried both?

They're quite different. The Plexitone is just a total Marshall in a box and the only real trick it can do is it has multiple gain levels footswitchable. It's huge and yet it only had one tone control. I prefer Wampler for that type of Marshall distortion because they're smaller and yet have way more flexibility and full EQ section. The FETTO is insanely versatile and it's not just a great distortion, it is quite possibly the best overdrive you'll ever hear. I mostly use it as a low-mid-high gain overdrive because my Wamplers do the distortion trick and an amazing overdrive is just harder to come by, so I mostly use it as an OD with the best touch sensitivity, tube-like sag, full, huge low end and great string separation. It has the internal trimmers that make it ideal with any amp or guitar to achieve most any sound in your head. It does have a Marshall-esque voice but not nearl as much as a standard Marshall in a box. It's much more than that and it is very transparent to your guitar and amps tone, so it doesn't take them over and completely turn your amp into a Marshall. It's an outstanding overdrive and distortion and it does a whole lot more than the Plexitone. So if you just simply want a mid-high gain distortion that will turn your sound completely Marshall and that's about it, get a Wampler or the CM. If you want a great OD/Distortion that is amazingly tube-like and touch sensitive that can work with any amp or guitar and leave their tone intact and give you full, tight low end and whatever mid content you like with also as much bite/aggressiveness or smoothness you desire and giving you a Marshall edge, get the FETTO.

[sixstring531]

Catalinbread DLS goes straight up to marshall no prob.

[cajone5]

I'd say if you're after Marshall in a box -- the Fetto won't get you there. If you're after a versatile EQ-able dynamic OD that can get pretty gainy (but I wouldn't call it a "distortion" really) then go for the Fetto.

[Mancunion]

I own 3 PlexiTones. One sits in my main live board, the second IS my spare board. Just got a third because a lad I know was selling it for cheap...
Versatile is not. You have basically one tone to choose from, and that's a Marshall at full tilt (to my ears much more a MV than a Plexi...).
Lots of low end chunck, an insane amount of gain on tap and sheer volume. Forget the second channel - it adds more thump if anything - and enjoy THAT tone!
I use it with Les Pauls and my Hiwatt heads: it's just a simple no nonsense set up that works great. PS just be careful with the booster as it can level medium-size cities

Sometimes less is more, and in fact I was never left wanting more eq options: if you ever tried to dial in an old marshall you know that no matter how you turn the knobs, the bugger will sound just like itself.

Not a pedal to cover lots of ground for sure, but I love it and couldn't live without.

cheers

[DraggAmps]

Yeah the Fetto is kind of hard to label because it's not a distortion in the same way that the Plexitone is where it's hard clipped and just a total distortion sound. The Fetto does light breakup and overdrive just as well as higher gain stuff and it kind of transitions seamlessy from overdrive to "distortion" or high gain overdrive. However, with the gain trimmer all the way up as well as the gain knob, it has about equally as much gain as the Plexitone and Wampler Plextortion. It's just not the typical grainy, heavy, fully saturated distortion of a hard clipped strict distortion.

[orogeny]

Originally Posted by Mancunion

I own 3 PlexiTones. One sits in my main live board, the second IS my spare board. Just got a third because a lad I know was selling it for cheap...
Versatile is not. You have basically one tone to choose from, and that's a Marshall at full tilt (to my ears much more a MV than a Plexi...).
Lots of low end chunck, an insane amount of gain on tap and sheer volume. Forget the second channel - it adds more thump if anything - and enjoy THAT tone!
I use it with Les Pauls and my Hiwatt heads: it's just a simple no nonsense set up that works great. PS just be careful with the booster as it can level medium-size cities

Sometimes less is more, and in fact I was never left wanting more eq options: if you ever tried to dial in an old marshall you know that no matter how you turn the knobs, the bugger will sound just like itself.

Not a pedal to cover lots of ground for sure, but I love it and couldn't live without.

cheers

well done. great review!

[jazzfromhell]

Great stuff, thanks for commenting guys!

Im definitely not looking for versatility, I just want to get as close to that hot rod Marshally tone as possible without having to lug a real modded Plexi around.

@Mancunion: I totally agree about the EQ options; I just want TEH tone to be there without much twiddling. If the pedal is voiced right you shouldnt have to twiddle much anyway