Fender Blackface overdrive in a pedal?

I want to stick an OD in front of my Princeton Reverb that sounds like an overdriven Blackface amp. Like a Wampler Black '65 but significantly less than the $200 that the Wampler costs.

I have an OCD but that tends to be Brit sounding. Which I really like.

Any suggestions?

Pedalworx Cactus Crunch... killer pedal, and you can find them for about $100 used. Extra "cool" points if you can grab one of the Donnerbox custom painted ones!

I want to stick an OD in front of my Princeton Reverb that sounds like an overdriven Blackface amp. Like a Wampler Black '65 but significantly less than the $200 that the Wampler costs.

I have an OCD but that tends to be Brit sounding. Which I really like.

Any suggestions?

When I want my '68 DR 'on 3' to sound like my '68 DR 'on 10' (but with no bass flub), I use a modded (just clipped one component, that actually makes it tonally brighter and cuts a little low end) GC/MXR Classic Distortion- Just a $30 "got it for kicks" pedal that turned out to be a happy OD acccident with this amp_ not a ton of distortion- kind of pissed off and still warm at the same time :wink:- think the sounds of the Clapton "Layla" album (for a Strat) - I got a friend of mine to get the same modded Classic D for his SF Princeton Reverb, he loves it too, just one of those "wow, this sounds great!" pedals.

Used Wamplers go for around $150-$160. Is that significatly cheaper enough? :)

I was in your shoes. I had a DRRI and I wanted to keep it clean, but needed a dirt sound every so often..... So I bought the Black 65. Its a GREAT sounding pedal, but it had a lot of knobs and I don't have a lot of patience. Each knob has a LOTof sweep (meaning it's very sensitive to small changes) and I didn't find it easy enough to dial in quickly. Of course I didn't use it all that much, so I never really got to know the sweet spot. But it did sound great! But I sold it as I was getting great results with the Timmy, which only has 2 passive tone cuts and was so much easier for me to use.

If you're looking for cranked tones, I'd say save up for a used Wampler. I see them quite often on TheGearPage. If you just want mild tones though, you already have the blackface part, so I'd consider a mild transparent overdrive that won't color your amp with it's own signature character, but will provide natural sounding dirt. The Timmy works well for me. And if you REALLY only need a little bit, the EarthQuaker Devices Speaker Cranker is fantastic, and with only one knob (I like 'em simple). Everything I mentioned I regularly see used for well under $200. Hell, the speaker cranker is only $105 brand new! but it doesn't get that throaty thick drive of a truely cranked amp. It's more mild overdrive. 'Breakup' if you will....

+1 on disliking pedals with more than 2 or 3 knobs.

Maybe a (used) Tech 21 Blonde. I never played one but it's supposed to go into BF territory, too.

Some time ago there was the Mojo Hand Copperhead from tonefactor.com, maybe they'll re-release it some time. A double boost and low gain drive that did the BF sound quite well. Stupidly, I sold mine ....

Boss '65 Deluxe Reverb pedal...

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/FDR1?utm_source=none&utm_medium=PPC&utm_campaign=none&gclid=CN68qNrbmq8CFe4DQAodly9DaQ

Wampler Black '65

I've always thought that a good BOSS BD-2 (Blues Driver) sounded like a cranked Blackface... Especially ones that have been modded for a touch less "fizz". But I think BD-2 to me has that gritty quality that a cranked BF Fender has.

the boss blackface pedal is just ... awful. that was my restrained answer, btw.

Wampler Black 65. Save up and get it used.

Like or dislike a pedal on the way it sounds, 1 knob or 15.

The 65 sounds very, very good and almost nobody else blackface. The Tech21 Blonde has a BF setting with character all the way left, but its has that Tech 21 'feel' that I do not like. If you really can't afford a wampler, get a used Blonde.

I sold my Blonde, no regrets. Loving my 65.

This might just be me, but I don't think there realy is a "blackface overdrive". I have a 66 Super Reverb, and the amp stays clean even when turned all the way up. The negative feedback loop keeps those things realy clean. If you want a "blackface overdrive" I'd say get a clean boost. A TS9 or TS808 is the go to drive pedal for blackface fender guys though. I use a Keeley modded Boss SD-1 wich is a lot like a TS9.

Get a Dano V-1 transparent overdrive. It will do exactly what you want; plus they are very cheap, and pop up used quite often. Best pedal I own.

BF overdrive - played a DRRI on ten? There you go.

Dano CTO-1 is a very good pedal. I have two. I think they are more tight/aggressive than a BF vibe - same goes a Tim (I also have two). More refined than Dano or BF overdrive in general.

Sidenote - how about a weber miniMASS and crank that princeton?

the boss blackface pedal is just ... awful. that was my restrained answer, btw.

That bad...?

Thanks for all the input. I'm probably leaning towards the Black '65. I was also checking out some YouTube clips of the Lovepedal Super 6 but they seem hard to find.

Get a Dano V-1 transparent overdrive. It will do exactly what you want; plus they are very cheap, and pop up used quite often. Best pedal I own.

When I wanted my DRRI to sound like it was on 6 when it was on 2, this was my go-to. Now I use it with my '69 Vibrolux Reverb and my '63 Vibroverb Reissue. with lower overdrive settings, it really sounds like a BF 'more' pedal. I hate the ergonomics of this pedal and also that fact that it can be a super boost and really push the volume if you're not careful.

I have seriously contemplated a Tim to overcome the ergonomics and to give Paul his due. The Timmy is a very nice overdrive for BF Fenders as well. I do believe the Timmy is what the Dano pedal is based on.

I do have a Classic Overdrive which I love. It is the first TS pedal I've gotten on with for any amount of time. When I got it on sale last XMas at 30 bucks, I tried it... like dit so much I went back and bought a second one. Figured I could always give it sas a present, or just keep it around to make sure I always had it in my arsenal. Only pedal I've ever bought and owned two at the same time. In fact, it was the only pedal I took with me last night... And probably gonna be the only pedal I take tonight. But, I don't think its really a BF drive in stock form.

Get a Way Huge Pork Loin. I believe they are prefect for that blackface type boost you are looking for.

I had one and foolishly traded it away, am gona have to get another Pork Loin someday.

When I wanted my DRRI to sound like it was on 6 when it was on 2, this was my go-to. Now I use it with my '69 Vibrolux Reverb and my '63 Vibroverb Reissue. with lower overdrive settings, it really sounds like a BF 'more' pedal. I hate the ergonomics of this pedal and also that fact that it can be a super boost and really push the volume if you're not careful.

I have seriously contemplated a Tim to overcome the ergonomics and to give Paul his due. The Timmy is a very nice overdrive for BF Fenders as well. I do believe the Timmy is what the Dano pedal is based on.

I do have a Classic Overdrive which I love. It is the first TS pedal I've gotten on with for any amount of time. When I got it on sale last XMas at 30 bucks, I tried it... like dit so much I went back and bought a second one. Figured I could always give it sas a present, or just keep it around to make sure I always had it in my arsenal. Only pedal I've ever bought and owned two at the same time. In fact, it was the only pedal I took with me last night... And probably gonna be the only pedal I take tonight. But, I don't think its really a BF drive in stock form.

When it comes to the Dano TOD V.1 (just IMO), you can't get a bad sound out of it!

It's got a 'breakup' on it that does not obscure the clean of a Fender amp- it may thicken it a bit, but your guitar>amp tone is always in the foreground. The taper on the Gain control is pretty gradual (not a great deal of range here, but always good sounding even all the way up); the Tone controls do have a lot of range (I just prefer to approx. EQ to that of guitar>amp). Best of all the TOD will give a Fender amp a nice OD tone, at any amp volume. If anything, the pedal is a little polite (that's why I referenced my MXR Classic Distortion earlier as my go to for 'BF Breakup', it's like a 'pissed off TOD" :wink:)

Get a Dano V-1 transparent overdrive. It will do exactly what you want; plus they are very cheap, and pop up used quite often. Best pedal I own.

When it comes to the Dano TOD V.1 (just IMO), you can't get a bad sound out of it!

I have a hard time finding a bad sound out fo it as well. This pedal still blows me away with it's clarity and quality... if only it had top mounted knobs!!!!!! LOL

It's got a 'breakup' on it that does not obscure the clean of a Fender amp- it may thicken it a bit, but your guitar>amp tone is always in the foreground. The taper on the Gain control is pretty gradual (not a great deal of range here, but always good sounding even all the way up); the Tone controls do have a lot of range (I just prefer to approx. EQ to that of guitar>amp). Best of all the TOD will give a Fender amp a nice OD tone, at any amp volume. If anything, the pedal is a little polite (that's why I referenced my MXR Classic Distortion earlier as my go to for 'BF Breakup', it's like a 'pissed off TOD" :wink:)


I read and responded too quickly... I was thinking Classic OVERDRIVE, not DISTORTION. I haven't tried a Classic Distortion. I probably should! If it's anywhere near as good as the CO, the wallet will get to itchin' somethin' fierce!

By the way Chiogtr4x, one of these days we are gonna have to get together and do a face to face meet up! We live way too close to each other and been crossin' paths on a lot of threads recently! :mrgreen:

That Wampler Black '65 sounds awesome based on everything I've heard. In fact, I think all those Wampler pedals sound amazing.

yes the boss blackface is that bad. the OD sounds cheap, the reverb sounds cheaper, and I'm not sure if its possible to make the trem any harder to use.

Do yourself a real favor and get you a Wampler. Nuff said

I've always thought that a good BOSS BD-2 (Blues Driver) sounded like a cranked Blackface... Especially ones that have been modded for a touch less "fizz". But I think BD-2 to me has that gritty quality that a cranked BF Fender has.

That was my first thought as well. My BD-2 works particularly well with my Super Reverb--sounds like I just turned it up.

I have a hard time finding a bad sound out fo it as well. This pedal still blows me away with it's clarity and quality... if only it had top mounted knobs!!!!!! LOL




I read and responded too quickly... I was thinking Classic OVERDRIVE, not DISTORTION. I haven't tried a Classic Distortion. I probably should! If it's anywhere near as good as the CO, the wallet will get to itchin' somethin' fierce!

By the way Chiogtr4x, one of these days we are gonna have to get together and do a face to face meet up! We live way too close to each other and been crossin' paths on a lot of threads recently! :mrgreen:

I may be getting a regular gig in Stafford, VA (Paddy's Pub), as I sat in at an open mic Blues/rock jam, the owner liked what he heard, and may want regular music- working on this (could take an acoustic duo/trio form, but that's OK too!)

Ever thought of a nobles odr1? With the spectrum setting u can get this to sound pretty much like ur amp breaking up. I run it with my drri and I use it with the gain very low.... between 2 and 3.5. Sounds just like my amp breaking up. Its about 100 I think. I dig it but someday I will try a black 65 as I like the idea of a three band eq.

Its a pretty good pedal and can be found cheaper used.

This is the type of thing where the Klon Centaur (or a good Klone) really shines.

Set volume to unity, tone to between 12:00-1:00 and adjust drive until it sounds like the sweet spot (usually between 9:00-11:00).

I may be getting a regular gig in Stafford, VA (Paddy's Pub), as I sat in at an open mic Blues/rock jam, the owner liked what he heard, and may want regular music- working on this (could take an acoustic duo/trio form, but that's OK too!)


NICE! I'd make that trip! :mrgreen:

Okay, stepping back off the derail train...

NICE! I'd make that trip! :mrgreen:

Okay, stepping back off the derail train...

Will PM you if this actually happens...

I want to stick an OD in front of my Princeton Reverb that sounds like an overdriven Blackface amp. Like a Wampler Black '65 but significantly less than the $200 that the Wampler costs.

I have an OCD but that tends to be Brit sounding. Which I really like.

Any suggestions?

Danolectro Fish n Chips EQ.