Overdrive/Distortion Pedal for Princeton Reverb

What overdrive/distortion pedals do all of you like for use with a Princeton Reverb? I like to keep the PR clean and use pedals to get my overdrive. I'm sort of indifferent about my OCD Version 3, and really like my Full Drive II MOSFET with the amp, yet I'm wondering if there's anything else out there I'd like better. I'm looking--no surprise here--for something that sounds like natural amp crunch/overdrive and not a "fake pedal sound" slapped in front of the amp. As a really rough reference, the sound of a cranked tweed Deluxe (I know, I should probably just buy one, but I won't give up my PR, and most of the time I play at lower volumes than cranking a Deluxe would allow--the PR is typically on around 3 or so.)

I know this is extremely subjective, but I'm curious to hear everyone's opinions.

My ZVex Box of Rock and Bad Monkey both play well with my PR. The BOR is very transparent and has more gain than the BM. Have fun researching.

Radspin, you bring up a good point. I found the boosters that used to sound good with my old rig don't sound so good with my current rig which is a PRRI. For a natural broken up sound on my PRRI, I use the Copperhead by Mojo Hand. Its a very simple dual channel pedal. I found it keeps the character of the tele (though LPs overpower it). I also use an AC+ plus by Xotic USA. I love this pedal but I must admit that it colours the signal and I find it a little muddy. It is also dual channel and I find my tele likes it best on channel B which is equipped with tone control. Another pedal I really like but don't own is the Liquid Sunshine by Sub Decay.

If you dig a tweed tone, you should check out the Fulltone FatBoost 2. I know, I've mentioned it in every boost/overdrive thread for 3 months now - I just really like it! And it's marketed as having a tweed-like drive sound, but take that as you will. Definitely worth checking out. http://www.fulltone.com/stpframe.html

For reference sake, I have a PRRI and I usually play with the volume around 4. The Subdecay Liquid Sunshine is one that you may want to look into.

You may think that I am crazy for this one but, the Mojo Hand Huckleberry V2 fuzz with the juice (bias) knob you can get some raw overdrive tones. With the juice and eq knobs it is an exceeding versatile pedal and my amp loves it.

I want a Liquid Sunshine so bad, just can't afford one atm.

I want a Liquid Sunshine so bad, just can't afford one atm.


I absolutely love mine, it is an OD that flies under the radar. They can usually be found for around $100 used. Just keep on the lookout for one.

You don't hear much about them but I use a B. K. Butler Tube works Real Tube Overdrive pedal with my PR. You want natural crunch, this thing gets it. It contains a 12AX7A tube, although I currently have a 12AU7 in there for a bit more clean, easy to swap them around. Mine is an older one which which you can find on ebay for under $100. I usually play at lower volumes too, so this gets me an overdriven sound without having to dime the amp. I can get some great Neil Young tones out of it too.

I absolutely love mine, it is an OD that flies under the radar. They can usually be found for around $100 used. Just keep on the lookout for one.

If I saw one for a hun I'd drop everything to get it! They retail for like $225 here.

I spent 2 hours in an isolation room A/B/C/D'ing several od/distortion pedals with a princeton reverb reissue. These included exotic AC booster, exotic bb preamp, fulltone OCD, Keeley Blues Driver, and Keeley Tube Screamer. They instantly fell into two categories: the blues driver and tube screamer changed the fundamental guitar tone (but still good), while the others were ridiculously transparent.

Of the tone-changing group (blues driver and tube screamer), I found the blues driver a bit too grainy/gritty, and liked the tube screamer better but it changed the tone a bit.

Of the transparent group, it was just a difference in drive characteristics. The OCD seemed transparent but was really raspy sounding compared to the others. While many say that the AC Booster and BB Preamp have different levels of gain, I didn't find that to be the case; I only noticed different "flavors" of drive. The AC booster had a vox-like drive to me, a bit more pointed with a looser low end, very warm. The BB Preamp had a marshall-like drive to me, with a more raw, full drive flavor.

I went with the BB Preamp and am extremely happy. It was a rare opportunity to actually play that long with pedals, usually I just read others' opinions and buy sight unseen. Hopefully those of you that will buy sight unseen will benefit a tiny bit from my experience.

If I saw one for a hun I'd drop everything to get it! They retail for like $225 here.

:shock: That's twice the amount I paid for mine new. Just look in on other forums classifieds and emporiums and have the seller value the package at $10 and it should end up costing considerably less than $225.

I will for sure keep my eyes peeled. Thanks!

Thanks for the suggestions--I'm going to have fun researching these.

Also, I forgot to mention a big factor--often, I will try a pedal in the store and like it, and then find that I don't like it as much when I'm rehearsing with a band at louder volume.

You make a very good point. So many pedals are not gig-worthy. I think any of the pedals listed in this thread are stage-worthy.

check out Nick Greer's stuff. i've got a relic drive and it's a very versatile pedal. it likes both singles and buckers alike

steve

I love my Sparkle Drive with my '75 SFPR. As you probably know, it's just a TS808 with blendable clean boost, but the whole is DEFINITELY greater than the sum of the parts. You can make it sound like two amps, or you can make it sound like a slightly overdriven amp. Or a plain old TS808, if you want.

For really dirty tones, I like a stock SD-1.