Early ZZ Top Pedal

[pompeii0]

I am looking for a pedal that has the early ZZ Top sound, think La Grange, Brownsugar, Tush etc.

Thanks

 

[effcee]

Yea, me too.

 

[CaptainAwesome]

In the early years, it was a '59 Les Paul played into a 100w Marshall amp - I don't think he used any pedals (or very few) at that point. Based on that, I'd look at some of the Marshall-style pedals, but realistically it's tough for a pedal to recreate what a LP into a 100w Marshall does.

 

[guitargod2u]

he used like 6-8 expandora's at one point now i think he just uses a high gain analogman sunface nkt-275 with chili on it, from that fuzz movie

 

[BradB41]

Honestly, I like my DLS V2 in Rock mode for early ZZ tones.

Edit: DLS into an amp that's already starting to break up....

 

[GCDEF]

In the early years, it was a '59 Les Paul played into a 100w Marshall amp - I don't think he used any pedals (or very few) at that point. Based on that, I'd look at some of the Marshall-style pedals, but realistically it's tough for a pedal to recreate what a LP into a 100w Marshall does.

Right. Early ZZ Top is Les Paul, or sometimes Strat into cranked amp. It's not a very tough sound to get, but it's not a sound that comes from pedals.

 

[pompeii0]

I have a clear understanding of what Mr Gibbons used back in the day. But since I cannot afford vintage gear, nor do I have the space to crank a tube amp to get me there, I am looking for a pedal that can get me a sound very close to the sounds I am looking for. I also understand that a pedal will not sound exactly the same or "feel" the same but I know that pedals can come close.

I have been eyeing a DLS but i haven't been able to find one locally to try out.

 

[Liquid_Mojo]

Honestly, I like my DLS V2 in Rock mode for early ZZ tones.

Edit: DLS into an amp that's already starting to break up....

This will get you close.

 

[kstrat62]

A Plexitone can get those tones, also don't be afraid to try the Pinnacle or Brownie.

 

[AceBSpankin]

Bearfoot HoneyBeest!! Gets all that low-down,greazy-grit you are looking for and more!!!!

 

[Bman20]

all jokes aside, i think an LM308N equipped Rat ran in the lower gain stages does this tone very well. (using a les paul of course)

 

[PlexiFuzz]

The ones I've tried that have worked with varying degrees of success:

Menatone 7-knob KOTB
Catalinbread DLS V1
Zvex Box of Rock (though I suspect the Distortron would be more useful)

And though not on the Marshall side of things, I thought the Catalinbread Formula No. 5 did an outstanding job.

All of the above were through a Fender BF-style amp set clean.

 

[pompeii0]

I have a Formula No. 5 coming in the mail, so I can't wait to try it for that!

 

[JacksonCarter]

im pretty sure la grange was an esquire, as was a lot of tres hombres...

 

[jnepo1]

He has been known to use a Blackstone OD.

 

[jcs]

My 63 Tremolux with a Marshall Bluesbreaker (version 1) in front.

Nowadays i use a JHS Double Barrel which has the Marshall Bluesbreaker version 1 inspired OD on one side.

 

[Rockerduck]

I've been playing ZZtop for 40 yrs.. At first, it was natural Marshall overdrive, Then small amp natural overdrive mic'd. Tubescreamer TS808 came out and nails the tone good. A little od and the rest is in the hands. Of course it was a Les Paul I was playing for 45+ yrs. now.

 

[skylabfilmpop]

Given the era I would not be suprised if there is a , tonebender, fuzzface or Rangemaster in his chain. is early sound is Killer, and a bit fuzzy...

 

[Jacobpaul81]

In the early years, it was a '59 Les Paul played into a 100w Marshall amp

A lot of it is Tweed Deluxe too. A Brown Deluxe & Tweed Deluxe rig with a Les Paul, Tele, and Strat could cop most ZZ top tones. That said, there is a lot to do with those fingers.

 

[malabarmusic]

The closest I ever got to a vintage ZZ Top tone was by accident when I plugged a treble boost into a tweed-style amp. Some higher power took over and I couldn't stop playing La Grange ...

- DB