Need a "heavier" overdrive/distortion... OCD vs MAB?

Dear folks,

I'm in the market for a new pedal. I own an AVRI'52 Tele, a Fender Bassman LTD, and in between I have a few pedals which get their job done: an MJM London Fuzz, a strobo tuner, an MXR Dyna Comp (which I rarely use), a Voodoo Lab Sparkle Drive and an MXR Carbon Copy delay. They're followed by a beautiful Fender '63 Tube Reverb Reissue, too.

I'm pretty much OK with this and the Tele. The "problem" is that I also own a gorgeous '89 PRS Custom, which is... Another kind of guitar. She does scream, or at least, she wants to, and I don't have the right stuff to dig into the hard rock/heavy metal sounds she's capable of, yet. Not that I'm much of a heavy metal player, but I might try and have some fun with screaming leads from time to time... Since the guitar is very good at it, and it's a shame she never gets the chance to express herself.

So, I was aiming at a Fulltone OCD, simply because it's very well regarded everywhere, and I thought I might stack it on top of the Sparkle Drive (let the Sparkle Drive set up with mild overdrive and good clean blend, mostly for the Tele or to help the Bassman dirt up a bit, and kick the second pedal in to reach serious distortion with the PRS and/or leads). Yesterday, though, I heard Michael Angelo Batio live (in a little pub ten minutes from home, how lucky...); he was awesome and the tone he got with those humbuckers and a big Marshall head+cab was really what I'd like to try. A little research revealed that T-Rex makes a pedal which is the "MAB overdrive", Michael Angelo signature. I forgot to ask him what he used for that gorgeous driven sound, but it would be logical to think it was his signature pedal.

So... I liked it very much, but I'm just assuming, plus I never heard the OCD, which seems to be quite more "famous".

What do you guys suggest me to do?

Thanks,

Giacomo

Rat.

For what you describe, I would recommend the Fulltone Plimsoul over the OCD.

OCD is not really a high gain pedal. It will probably be OK for hard rock (say, Led Zep I or II tones for example) but definitely not for metal.

Brian

RAT. And when you realize you don't want that much gain you just back it off. You won't to sell it and buy a different one.

Maybe not exactly what you're looking for, but the AMT Electronics preamp pedals are oustanding, especially for the price. The also do some distortion boxes to go in front of the amp too, although I've not heard those.

Here's a raw recording I did at the studio last week to test the AMT P1 pedal:

http://soundcloud.com/robsilentcity/amt-p1-test

Signal chain was: Gibson Les Paul Studio (Seymour Duncan distortion bridge pickup) --> Maxon OD9 --> AMT P1 --> Marshall Mosfet effects return --> Mesa rectifier 4x12 cab

Just used an SM57 and an NT1 to mic it up.

Rob

Have you checked out the Barber Direct Drive? It's quite versatile and can definitely get marshall-like gain. I also think they are a great bargain.

RAT. And when you realize you don't want that much gain you just back it off. You won't to sell it and buy a different one.

You'll want to find one of the older Rats from the 1980's. The new Rats sound hideous; I tried one in a store and the wife and I looked at each other and said, "This is supposed to be a classic?"

For bang-for-buck, I'd highly recommend the Digitech Hardwire SC-2. Very present and dynamic and kicks out a decent amount of gain. Very underrated pedal, IMO.

http://www.faultlinemusicstore.com/store/images/T/SC-2.jpg

Mi audio crunch box. One trick pony but a good one. Want more gain? Boost the front of it.

Take a look at the Machine Head Pedals "Evelyn MkII Distortion."

Thanks guys for your opinions so far. I see the RAT is widely recommended, and I might lean towards one of those (vintage '80s with the right chip inside, got it); I'm surprised no one commented on the T-REX MAB signature, maybe not that specific model, but I thought T-REX pedals were well known and respected.

Anyway, a lot of things to listen to if I fail with the RAT. Thanks!

Have a nice sunday,

Giacomo

Do a search on youtube for the wampler line of pedals. Brian from Wampler does everything from a Marshall JTM45...to a JCM800....to a very modded rectifier sounding distortion pedal. One will definitely work. I'm currently using a Plextortion....which edge out my Catalinbread Dirty Little Secret. Either stacked with a Tim/Timmy are a great combination. I think Wamplers are probably some of the best sounding dirt boxes out there now.

For what it's worth, I've bought/sold an OCD a number of times now. It really is a very versatile pedal that just works very well for a number of uses. I'm not sure its a metal style pedal but it will cover a lot of distorted tones. I had the Plimsoul for a short while but couldn't bond with it...compared to the OCD it seemed kinda uninspiring. While it can sound heavier than an OCD it also gets very vague sounding....while the OCD cuts through. I've kept my latest OCD...even though it's not on the board because I suspect one day it could just return. What I will say is that I keep it in my gig bag as a "need something now" pedal. It will cover clean boost through heavy dirt so it's a great pedal just to have with you in case all else fails.

I've also had a number of Rats over the years. Rats are hit or miss. I don't like them with Fender style amps...they don't sound right. With a Marshall style tone stack, it can sound killer. The other problem with Rats is they can be tricky to dial in live. Set properly, they're great....but often, you step on them and you totally disappear in a mix. As others have said, the newer ones are different. I'm not quite sure I'd categorize them as bad as other have said but they are different.

Anyway, there are a number of very good choices but each will depend a lot on your rig. There's no "best"....just what you like "best". Consider it a journey!...half the fun is getting there.

Thanks Lance, very thoughtful. I have a Fender amp indeed, but it's a Bassman LTD... Shouldn't it be "close" to a Marshall?

Giacomo

Yes/No. You've been doing your reading I take it. Marshalls were based off a Bassman circuit. However, the tone controls change the frequency response of the Marshall to give it its unique tone. But, a Bassman still sounds a Fender...just a more raw version than the newer circuits. This is because they're less scouped than a blackface circuit....more tweed.

A rat could work but it wouldn't be my first choice for a Bassman. Best to try this out!

Give the Marshall Jackhammer a test run. It sounds alot like a vintage Rat, but with an OD/Dist switch that changes the tonality of the whole thing. OD setting sounds like a vintage Guv'nor, and the DIST setting sounds like an old Rat-both with more gain. The folks at Marshall definitely know how to get the "Marshall sound" whether in a big amp or a tiny stomp box.

i am in a similar search (have the OCD, but you're right, not high gain) -- which rats stand out as being all-around keepers?

Yes/No. You've been doing your reading I take it. Marshalls were based off a Bassman circuit. However, the tone controls change the frequency response of the Marshall to give it its unique tone. But, a Bassman still sounds a Fender...just a more raw version than the newer circuits. This is because they're less scouped than a blackface circuit....more tweed.

A rat could work but it wouldn't be my first choice for a Bassman. Best to try this out!

Thank you for the further explanation, and thank you all folks for the suggestions.

In the meantime, something good happened, Musician's Friend updated their available shipping destinations for their recent exclusive, the Wampler Sovereign pedal. I was curious about it when it had been announced, but I didn't expect Musician's Friend to ship it worldwide; since they now do, I placed my order.

Wampler's Pinnacle was (is) very well regarded for achieving the famous Van Halen "brown sound", which I really dig; I didn't like the "amp in a box" concept though, and the Sovereign should cover that area AND be a more transparent and universal toy when needed, or so they say. I'm also curious since Brian Wampler's effects are getting a lot of respect these days, and I've never had one.

I hope it's all true and good and I'll test it as soon as it gets here.

Thank you all again for everything you posted, it will come in handy if I don't like the Wampler, or for future needs.

Best,

Giacomo

wampler sovereign will get the job done and then some!!!

wampler sovereign will get the job done and then some!!!

+1, it's great. It can go from a medium/heavy OD all the way to super mid-scooped death metal and all forms in between. Great pedal, great company.

Yeah, that's the range of versatility I was looking for, since I already have the Sparkle Drive and the London Fuzz to cover other vintage/classic territories...

Can't wait.

Giacomo

See my mini review here: http://www.tdpri.com/forum/stomp-box/331079-wampler-sovereign-1st-impressions-mini-review.html

I read somewhere that that MAB is a full range Tubescreamer. I considered getting one.

In the meantime, something good happened, Musician's Friend updated their available shipping destinations for their recent exclusive, the Wampler Sovereign pedal. I was curious about it when it had been announced, but I didn't expect Musician's Friend to ship it worldwide; since they now do, I placed my order.

Does MF ship to the EU now? If so that is great news!!