OD/Distortion recommendations needed (yawn...)

[Paul Conway]

Ok

Have just rationalised rig for new band. Strat - pedals - YCV40. Using amp drive channel for low-gain jangly crunch (not ideal, but acceptable) but need something of a fairly small footprint for more assertive drive tones. I had been using a Drivetrain 2 and Timmy, but they didn't sound quite right with this amp ( I blame the amp!).

Of the few OD's I have, the closest to what I needs was, surprisingly enough, the Boss OS-2. In that it did low-string twang/chunk and was more controllable than the Dt2. However, the gain range is a little high, it doesn't respond well to guitar volume and there's a certain fizziness around plain-string notes (plus, it can be a bit too metal, frankly).

So what would you recommend? This is purely for gigs, so affordabilty/easy replaceability is a consideration, but not a deal-breaker. Good low-end is a good thing (it's an open 1x12 combo) & having a usable range of gain would also be a good thing. ..

 

[Harmolodics]

turned down the Drivetrain 2 and the timmy? tough crowd.

Maybe you want a closed back 1x12 cab... or is it the pickups... dunno. Sometimes a pedal isnt the fix.

I think you may want a boost, if your using a drive channel to begin with.

Try a rangemaster style pedal. Or a super hard on. Or a colorsound overdriver.

I find using OD pedals with master volume amps gets mushy.

 

[wundergussy]

BB preamp (ideally the MB version) has active Treble and Bass controls, so plenty of bottom. The Mids version works out with a greater variety of amps.

 

[guitarz1972]

I think you may want a boost, if your using a drive channel to begin with.

+1. I use a strat (3 non-noiseless single coils in my case), and I've got to be real careful if I use overdrive pedals with my amp overdriven too. I seem to have better luck running my amp clean and loud as possible, and then getting all my dirt from pedals. Works much better for me.

I use a FD2 mosfet right now, and it's clear as a bell when I need it to be, not muddy at all. It can do the "jangly" thing, and I can set it up to get at least borderline aggressive if I need that. I've used the OCD with similar results, but it can be just a little too aggressive for me and seems to get buzzy if I set the drive too high; FD2 is probably best for me in live situations. It's probably not in your footprint requirement though.

I'm willing to bet if you try setting up your pedals on the clean channel you might get a completely different result from what you're getting now.

 

[Paul Conway]

+1. I use a strat (3 non-noiseless single coils in my case), and I've got to be real careful if I use overdrive pedals with my amp overdriven too. I seem to have better luck running my amp clean and loud as possible, and then getting all my dirt from pedals. Works much better for me.

I use a FD2 mosfet right now, and it's clear as a bell when I need it to be, not muddy at all. It can do the "jangly" thing, and I can set it up to get at least borderline aggressive if I need that. I've used the OCD with similar results, but it can be just a little too aggressive for me and seems to get buzzy if I set the drive too high; FD2 is probably best for me in live situations. It's probably not in your footprint requirement though.

I'm willing to bet if you try setting up your pedals on the clean channel you might get a completely different result from what you're getting now.

Oh, I must apologise - I wasn't clear. That's what I was doing (OD into clean). Yes, these are great old standbys that work exceedingly well with my other amp (Rambler), but I'm going 'affordable' for gigs going forward following a couple of near-beer experiences and the rising price of insurance... Plus, I need to save space on the board.

Through the Rambler, I was using the Timmy for dirt and the DT2 for chunk. Now I'm using the YCV40 again I can use the dirt channel (not as nice as the Rambler w/Timmy, though!) for mild crunchy jangle, but need something for the occasional song where we do The Big Riff. I had considered the newer, smaller Drivetrain (cheap, too), but people say it doesn't sound as good as the old one. Plus, the Dt2 gets very loud very quickly.

 

[Paul Conway]

Let's throw a few more contenders in the ring that I am unfamiliar with: Digitech Hardwire Tube Overdrive and Valve Distortion. Any opinions?

 

[zosozep7]

Have you tried the OD-1?