Advice please - low Gain OD pedal to compliment a Wampler Ecstasy

[IanJarrold]

Hello all,

I've been trawling the TGP threads looking for recommendations for a low-mid gain OD that would compliment my setup well and have found plenty of suggestions but feel that I need some more specific help.

I play Teles through a very clean Fender 65 Twin Reverb Reissue.

I would really like to be able to achieve the sound of a pushed Fender amp without having to turn my amp up to deafening levels - I also really like the sound of my bandmate's 1970's Silverface Pro Reverb when he turns it up loud and it breaks up, but I'm not sure if you can get a pedal which will make my new Blackface sound like that at reasonable volumes!

I recently purchased a Wampler Ecstasy which I think sounds fantastic for some mild break-up and overdrive without colouring my tone too much and I really like this. I'm now considering a 2nd overdrive which would compliment the Ecstasy well. I'm even considering getting a 2nd Ecstasy so I can have them set slightly differntly to get several sounds.

I'm also considering other options of OD pedals which might stack well with the Ecstasy. So far, I'm thinking of:

1. BF Honey Bee
2. Blackstone Overdrive
3. Barber Ltd
4. Xotic BB or RC

Does anyone have any experience or opinion on these pedals to get the sound I'm after at lower volumes and/or does anyone have experience of how these stack with an Ecstasy? Any other suggestions for a good pedal for this?

Ideally, I'm looking for a pedal which will help me achieve a pushed Silverface Fender breakup sound at reasonable volumes that doesn't colour my tone too much so that the natural sound of my guitars shines through, and that also stacks well with an Ecstasy.

Thanks very much for your help!
Ian

 

[Abandoned]

Tim/Timmy or HBOD

 

[ToneRanger72]

I've tried a bunch and the one I ended up with was the Durham Zia Drive - it keeps the low end tight - Ecstasy can sound tubby if you stack it with an overly thick sounding OD...

 

[IanJarrold]

Thanks for ths input so far! What about a CMAT Mods Butah? any experience with one of these?

 

[CalebP]

Thanks for ths input so far! What about a CMAT Mods Butah? any experience with one of these?

Great pedal, not a ton of volume available, but very pleasing breakup.
I didn't love how it responded to being booted by another pedal though.
For "that" low gain sound though, it's very good. Rich, full, edge of breakup tones.

 

[ToneRanger72]

Having re-read the post and desire for a cranked Fender sound, I REALLY think the Zia is worth considering - really get that un-compressed Stones-cranked-Twin sound...

 

[southpaw66]

http://www.wamplerpedals.com/overdrives/black-65.html

Too obvious?

 

[IanJarrold]

Thanks Southpaw - yeah, I've been chacking out reviews and demos of the Black 65 but it sounds a little 'thin' to me in the demos and sound clips I've heard... have you played with one in the flesh?

 

[terrapin]

I've tried a bunch and the one I ended up with was the Durham Zia Drive - it keeps the low end tight - Ecstasy can sound tubby if you stack it with an overly thick sounding OD...

This.............or a Wampler Black '65 in Boost mode. The Zia or the Black will really tighten things up!!!

 

[southpaw66]

No I haven't played one - but the description is so close to your requirement. I assume your own '65 twin will add the fullness and bottom-end if required. You cannot trust the clips for bottom end because it's hardest to capture.

 

[IanJarrold]

Thanks to everyone so far... Any other opinions? Cheers!

 

[IanJarrold]

(bump)

 

[Class5]

Thanks Southpaw - yeah, I've been chacking out reviews and demos of the Black 65 but it sounds a little 'thin' to me in the demos and sound clips I've heard... have you played with one in the flesh?

I didn't like the Black '65 because of the clips. To tell you the truth, I thought it sucked hard. I was a little more eloquent in expressing my opinion of this pedal on a thread dedicated to it. The kind folk on the thread demonstrated my error of judgement in a polite fashion, and I proceeded to purchase the '65 on their recommendation. I fully expected to hate it, but the more I tweaked the tone stack the better it sounded until it became my main low gainer. If you have access to one, I suggest you try it out.

 

[IanJarrold]

Thanks Class5 - I'll definitely try to check out a Black 65 in person... in the meantime, any other opinions?

 

[Guardianangel32]

I've tried a bunch and the one I ended up with was the Durham Zia Drive - it keeps the low end tight - Ecstasy can sound tubby if you stack it with an overly thick sounding OD...

I have to agree with this assessment of the tubby sound. I use a Fairfield Circuitry - Barbershop OD for very low gain, transparent, bluesy crunch. The Ecstasy is a wonderful pedal and the Barbershop is outstanding and can stack with anything.

 

[jnepo1]

I also play a Tele or Strat and LP thru a Twin Reverb or Roland JC120. My choice for a low-medium gain OD is the Blackstone. It is very dynamic aand complements the Wampler Ecstasy. Currently playing the Blackstone w/ a Scarab Deluxe, Dr S The Elements or the MI Audio Crunch Box.

 

[IanJarrold]

Thanks very much everyone - I have a lot of food for thought here and a fun choice to make!

 

[plectric]

I have and use the Timmy and the barber ltd half gainer. For flexibility, you can't beat the barber. It can get saturated at higher volumes but always keeps a clear string attack and dynamic that feels and sounds great. The Timmy is great too but less tweakable and only one channel.