Distortron owners: recommend me a companion

[gm1276]

Running a distortron, sparkle drive (only as a boost) and occasionally a muff, leeds fuzz or a VL superfuzz. But I don't use fuzz that often. I don't even really know what I'm looking for -- maybe something with a different flavor than the box of rock/distortron? I was going to buy a les lius but I'm having second thoughts -- that Fender tweed sound is similar to what I'm getting with my settings anyway. I don't know if I want something more extreme or just with a different coloration. Any overdrives out there that really color the sound of the amp? -- but in a good way! Thanks in advance, let me know what you guys are all doing .

[rico1204]

My Wampler Plextortion makes my Fender amp sound like a Marshall JCM800...

[tjs]

Sounds like you've got the aggressive, Marshall-y distortion and tubescreamer bases covered.

If you're into any sort of roots rock, alt-country type of stuff I'd highly recommend the NOC3 Rock Candy. Extremely responsive, natural-sounding, and amp-like, and different from anything you already have. If you're more into heavier stuff the Catalinbread SCOD might be worth looking into.

What sort of stuff are you into, and what do you want that you aren't getting from your current setup?

[gm1276]

Well, I'm headed one of two ways. We mostly play an eclectic mix of covers and originals, bluesy-classic rock type stuff? The heaviest stuff I think we've ever done might be a pearl jam cover or two at certain shows. So, I really don't need to go heavier.
I'm also leaning towards a lighter, bluesier overdrive. I can get these tones by turning down the guitar's volume, but it might be nice to have a low, stackable OD to switch on instead of playing with boosts and od's trying to get a sound quick on-stage. I will look into the rock candy for sure. Thanks!

[gm1276]

Also just for the record, I really am not a fan of tubescreamer based stuff. (i'll really feel stupid if the box of rock/distortron is a tube screamer circuit -- but if it is, it's the best i've heard) I only use that sparkle drive for boosting purposes usually. I find TS's too nasally through a twin.

[gm1276]

bump!

[fuzzface71]

I would recommend a Crothwer Hotcake for you.
Goes from clean, to mild overdrive to fuzzlike dist.

[monkmiles]

I've been liking the DLS next to my Distortron on my board. They are somewhat similar sounding on certain settings. But the Distorton can get a bit more gain and get a little more compressed too.

[upfrontguitars]

The Pigtronix Aria is a nice pedal for anything from light crunch to smooth thick distortion sort in the mode of Randy Bachmann. The Aria also has an effective 3-band EQ that is very powerful. You can really fatten up or scoop your sound with Aria, or keep it transparent.

[fyan]

i'd recommend a goosonique seventheaven pedal. check em out. i'm currently using one as well

gsonique.webs.com/

[fuzzface71]

Originally Posted by gm1276

Running a distortron, sparkle drive (only as a boost) and occasionally a muff, leeds fuzz or a VL superfuzz. But I don't use fuzz that often. I don't even really know what I'm looking for -- maybe something with a different flavor than the box of rock/distortron? I was going to buy a les lius but I'm having second thoughts -- that Fender tweed sound is similar to what I'm getting with my settings anyway. I don't know if I want something more extreme or just with a different coloration. Any overdrives out there that really color the sound of the amp? -- but in a good way! Thanks in advance, let me know what you guys are all doing .

Btw. I wanna add. I've been using the VL Super Fuzz for almost 10 years. IMO. it can also dial some distortion-like tones. Very flexible. As a fuzz it's a little too "basic".

[gm1276]

I agree, especially with the added Resonance control I can get some different sounding distortion/slight fuzz tones. The fuzz itself is too mild and a tad too trebly for me.

[andjar]

keep the VL superfuzz.It's my favourite dirt pedal by far and probablly one of the most underrated.It's not the warmest nor the smoothest fuzz,also it's not the most amplike distortion either but it's a killer combination of the two effects with an amazing character.I mean i also have an wampler super plextortion i really enjoy,i "GASed" hard after it and i think it's one of the best distortion boxes out there rivaling suhr riot and the all the great distortions of today ...most of wich are wamplers.Try one. But somehow the VLSF remain my favourite pedal..probablly because it sounds more vintage to me and gives me something really close to that "live cream" clapton tone but it can get really modern too..incrediblly versatile.They are completlly diffrent animals though.

[Fatherflot]

I'm in love with my Basic Audio Futureman. It's a combination clean boost/treble boost/OD/Fuzz box.

I completely agree about the Tube Screamer. Hated it and could not figure out why it has such a following. I even got my modded by Analog man and still didn't like it. Had a Big Muff and it was useless for anything but violin-type lead lines. Muddy mess for chords.

See the thread I started today for the full story on my experience with the Futureman.