Distortion Pedal Database?

Hey everyone.

I always enjoy reading through the stompbox section here (and Amp Central as well) but especially enjoy hearing about Distortion or Overdrive pedals - and it gets pretty darn confusing. So many brands, so many recommendations.

I do spend some time reading a lot of the posts, and I see that if someone asks to have a "Marshally" sound there are 20 different brands suggested! Are we all that different in our ears? Or does everyone have a different idea of what a Marshall should sound like?

I am like a lot of guitarists - I spend a lot more time looking at drive pedals than I do other pedal types. The reason I am writing is I just spent almost 1/2 an hour trying out different pedals in a chain, to the point where I just wanted to hurl...I honestly don't know if even I know what I'm looking for. It would be nice if there was a universal guide or rating for drive pedals.

For instance, it seems to be agreed that Tube Screamers have a certain sound (mild-Mid-EQ-boost, or whatever). Could there not be an overdrive/distortion database that lists the basic sonic footprint and differences between pedals? At least all the popular ones?

I was just playing through a Guv/Nor Plus, Joyo AC Tone, Joyo British, Tech 21 GT2, and POD XT with modelling packs. Near the end my head was spinning. I want something that sounds perfect to my ears, I can't bear to think about opening a bunch of boxes at the local music store!

How does someone even start looking for a drive pedal?

Check this out, it might be what you're looking for.

http://www.tonepedia.com/search-gear?filter%5Btype%5D%5B0%5D=%22effect%22

...How does someone even start looking for a drive pedal?Buy one, play thru it for a while, decide it's not quite right, sell it on eBay.
Rinse and repeat.

That seems to be the way it goes around here... :roll:
Sometimes you get lucky and find a keeper but then, after a while, you start wondering if you need something else...
And so it goes...

Embrace the process, you will find some nice pedals! (don't exclude those cheap pedals, btw - thar lies treasure!)

Buy one, play thru it for a while, decide it's not quite right, sell it on eBay.
Rinse and repeat.

That seems to be the way it goes around here... :roll:
Sometimes you get lucky and find a keeper but then, after a while, you start wondering if you need something else...
And so it goes...

Embrace the process, you will find some nice pedals! (don't exclude those cheap pedals, btw - thar lies treasure!)

Exactly this!!!:lol:

Thanks for the replies, k tone and Frontier9,

I took a break and did dinner with the family, watered the lawn, and read my son a bedtime story. Now I feel better.

You guys have the right idea...maybe I should just enjoy the process of trying out different pedals. And, like you mentioned, when I find one where I go, "Yeah!", just enjoy the feeling until I start looking at different pedals.

I played the BOSS Combo Drive pedal tonight. Kind of neat, I like the fact it's not too over-the-top on the lower drive settings. It was hard to hear in the music store, but it seemed to have that Boss flavor to it...they have a kind of different way of hearing distortion. A bit crisp or fizzy high end on the top.

bunny 7, I am about to check out that tonepedia site....

Playing different pedals is all about having fun and experimenting. You'll never stop searching for the perfect overdrive/distortion.

^^^ Agreed.

I collect them. I have a drawer full of
distortion and OD pedals that I hang on to.
I use multiple devices on my board, and like to
change out pedals from time to time when I crave
something different, or my ear needs to hear
something different.

I think drives and distortion pedals all have their place in Dif setups. Depending on what sound you are going for. Also stacking pedals in Dif order can reap some pretty cool results. I have found that my crowther hot cake is a jack of many trades, yet it still has its own voice when required. It's the one drive/boost/fuzz pedal I won't get rid of.
I have 3 other od/dist pedals and 2 fuzzs. 6 pedals and I can get nearly any tone I want.

I probably own about 5 distortion and overdrive pedals and use each of them. I even use a stock DS-1 quite a bit with my Tele and Blues Jr.

I happen to take a different approach when it comes to OD pedals:


Rather than try to find the one that gives you the perfect sound, that just is not going to happen- that has to come from your playing.

You take an OD/dirt pedal (you choose one or several OD/distortion that puts you in the general direction of the types of music you play and that sound good with your guitars/amps), and should bond quickly (I'm talking a few seconds here, should not have to spend a lot of time dialing in a sound you like; if you do, move on!) with what it does generally and then take what you get from it to help create your sound; its just a tool, and you can spend a small fortune buying a lot of pedals that really sound very similar, chasing 'tone'- the tone maker is the guitarist.

Yeah, there's definitely no perfect overdrive pedal. You'll find you will like some better with different amps. I've started looking for decent deals on the ones I'm interested in and then buying them and keeping them. I'd probably sell one if I just couldn't stand it but with the amount of money I spend on them, I'll probably just keep them. The most I've spent on one was $85 (for a used Rockett Animal Drive) and honestly, I didn't think it was as good as my MXR Custom Bad Ass Distortion pedal. They sound similar but I think the MXR sounds a little better.

The first one I bought was a Digitech Bad Monkey, which I think is prety darn good. I would start with something like that and see if you like it and then branch out from there.

^ I decided years ago, that I would not spend more than $100 for any pedal, any type; that is 'governor' I placed on myself, as there are plenty of great choices out there (especially with the recent 'cheap clone' reaction to the high $$ boutique market...) under $100, no need for me to spend more.

Thanks for all the replies,

I think I will relax a bit, and try and hold on to what I have while I experiment some more.

I couldn't stand the thought of a bunch of pedals laying around, but maybe I should start getting used to that.

My new interest is now in the Boss Blues Driver...I kind of like what I hear on the inter-tube.

^^^I think that's smart thinking. You never know, you may dust off a pedal you haven't played in a while and realize you like it. I've never played a Blues Driver but I've read good things on them and I've heard some demos of them online that sound pretty good. The good thing about that pedal is it's very common, you could probably go up to a Guitar Center and actually play one and see if you like it.

I love the idea of an overdrive/distortion pedal database. I, on the other hand, do like to chase tone and search for the perfect tone and am a tone chaser at heart. I fully believe the tone comes from the gear and so therefore I like to play around and be inspired by different guitars, amps, pedals, etc. I'm always changing up my rig and trying new things, it keeps it fun and exciting. Having a database site with info about all of the choices and soundclips and different comments about what they sound like would be lovely. Once a year I make a "Pedal Wish List" that I try to complete by the end of the year. Over time stuff gets crossed off and new stuff added. I like both mass produced and boutique. Anything from a $70 BOSS to a $400 Analogman KOT on eBay. I like 'em all and use them all in my pedalboards. Having a site dedicated to dirtboxes like that would be helpful to help me discover new ones I might like. As a gearhead, pedalhead, and someone who is GAS-happy, it would be great. Perhaps not for my wallet, but for my insatiability when it comes to tone. I am going to Nashville next month and plan to buy quite a few dirtboxes and other pedals too. Last year I went there and spent 1k on dirt pedals alone. Yes, I'm a bit obsessed but there is a lot worse things I could be spending it on than overdrive/distortion pedals. Whatever makes me happy is all that matters. :) I love pedals - I spent lots of time reading about them, listening to them, and using them.

Keith Urban is a lot like me. He uses his amps set clean and has lots of dirtboxes in his rig. And he is CONSTANTLY changing it up. If you watch the Premier Guitar rig rundown his tech says just about every week he's changing out pedals, trying this or that, and is in search of the elusive 'perfect tone'. I know I am, so I can relate to and I like Keith.