Distortion Pedal Recommendation

KeepSwinging · May 14th, 2008, 08:44 PM

The old Boss Metal Zone pedal just isn't cutting it these days and I'm ready for an upgrade. I'm looking for a pedal that has a wide range of distortion from a little blues overdrive to some high gain rock. Music I play ranges from blues, alternative, occasional metal jam. I just don't want to be held down by the pedal, kind of thinking about the Jekyl and Hyde for the wide range of distortion. I'd like to spend around 125 but I'll go up to 200 if it's something really special. Comments/Suggestions? Thanks guys.

Beerts · May 14th, 2008, 09:04 PM

I just got my Jekyll & Hyde and I'm loving the sounds I'm getting. the OD side I keep the gain kinda low and the volume up for a boost and it really cuts through the mix when I engage it. the Hyde, well, it's a crazy versatile distortion pedal on it's own but when I engage my fulldrive 2 in front of it, it is just insane. not out of control like I've found some distortion pedals to be but amazingly cool. I think anyone who likes distorton should like this one, but there seems to be some around here who don't (go figure) someone called it a TS clone, and that's true of the Jekyll half but the similarity to a TS ends there.

try it, I bet you'll like it!
(just my opinion)

bowlfreshener · May 14th, 2008, 09:12 PM

I say send it to Keeley and let them mod it. I have a Keeley modded MT-2, and its my favorite distortion. Don't let the name Metal Zone fool you, Warren Haynes of Govt Mule uses one.

product26 · May 14th, 2008, 09:17 PM

Tonebone Plexitube... I WANT ONE!

http://www.tonebone.com/tb-plexitube.htm

http://youtube.com/watch?v=go-ilMukOT4

stxrus · May 14th, 2008, 09:34 PM

maybe an old Dallas-Arbitter Fuzz Face? wish i still had both of mine.

steve

Wardpike · May 14th, 2008, 10:32 PM

[quote=product26;1245779]Tonebone Plexitube... I WANT ONE!

http://www.tonebone.com/tb-plexitube.htm
Holy crap, that's impressive!! Be sure to check out the sounds link on that page.

Thanks, product26, for the tip!!

KeepSwinging · May 14th, 2008, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by product26

Tonebone Plexitube... I WANT ONE!

http://www.tonebone.com/tb-plexitube.htm

http://youtube.com/watch?v=go-ilMukOT4

It's an impressive pedal for sure but 300 dollars, that's WAY too rich for my blood

Califiddler · May 14th, 2008, 10:55 PM

I recently got a Keeley-modded TS-9 off ebay for about $125 and love it.

Telegazer · May 15th, 2008, 04:14 AM

I think this is the part of the show where a few might recommend the MI Audio Crunch Box. We don't have one, but it looks and sounds like a decent heavy OD to distortion box for $129.95:

http://kr.youtube.com/watch?v=zTdoq7FmLhQ

Axis29 · May 15th, 2008, 05:22 AM

OCD? I just picked up one used on eBay for 125.00

TB72 · May 15th, 2008, 07:58 AM

If you're confident with a soldering iron, I'd try the BYOC Mighty Mouse. There's a 6-way rotary switch which gives you three styles of "Rat" (classic, turbo, and asymetrical clipping), and three styles of overdrive (symetrical, asymetrical, and mosfet).

Since I've built mine, I've been using it as a sonic swiss-army knife. It can go from blues to metal with no problems.

Later...

John Thigpen · May 15th, 2008, 03:33 PM

Go to CMATMODS.com and listen to the Signa Drive clips, then read the Harmony Central reviews, which are linked on his website. The reviews are nearly straight 10's. Supposedly it goes from clean boost to Marshall distortion. If that's not enough gain, look at the Brownie, which also gets very good reviews. I'm planning to order a Signa Drive in the next week or two.

John

strat64 · May 15th, 2008, 06:01 PM

For what you're looking for, I like the Jetter Gain Stage (I like the Blue - seems to the most verstile of the different Gain Stages). I also like the IndyGuitarist (Wampler) Pinnacle (the new one with the boost switch). Either pedal can be found on Ebay, or in the case of the Wampler (subscribe to the mailing list, and the price is allot less that $199 listed on the site), on the mfg website for less than $200.

Wampler Pinnacle:
http://www.wamplerpedals.com/pin2.htm

Jetter Gain Stage Blue:
http://www.jettergear.com/products/gainstage.cfm

Chris

Here's a comparison of the ZVex Box of Rock, the Wampler Pinnacle, and the Wampler Plextortion - Tele and Peavy Valve King 1x12:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCZOt...eature=related

Here's demo of the Jetter Gain Stage Blue (by the builder - doing the live intro/chords to Cliffs of Dover)- Strat, Echoplex, DRRI:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4y63O0_49M0

Here's another demo for the Gain Stage Blue compared to a HotCake, Zendrive, Cactus Crunch, Bumbox, and a Little Green Wonder - showing wich one is the most "Dumble like" - PRS and a Diezel amp:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9wLF...eature=related

Here's one just for the Gain Stage Blue - Suhr Strat style guitar and a Diezel amp:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xf-NL...eature=related

tazzboy · May 15th, 2008, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stxrus

maybe an old Dallas-Arbitter Fuzz Face? wish i still had both of mine.

steve

There is one at the music I go to for price of $600.

sabby · May 16th, 2008, 12:05 AM

I don't understand why Red Llama clones don't get more love. They're uncompressed and dynamic, respond perfectly to the guitar's volume, can play the role of a present boost with a ton of volume or put on a black cape and get thick and crunchy like Tweed or an early Marshall.

It's not just a great overdrive, it's a benchmark. A food group that every guitar player should get four full serving of a day.

Do yourself a favor and check it!

... or get a Fuzz Face

hockey_head · May 16th, 2008, 11:52 AM

tube screamer, any model

crossroader · May 16th, 2008, 02:07 PM

"...a pedal that has a wide range of distortion from a little blues overdrive to some high gain rock."

I've got a ProCo Turbo Rat that does exactly that when I plug it into a clean Deluxe Reverb. And by "clean", I mean NOT set to be on the verge of breakup.
Great tones, true bypass switching, built like a little battleship, and can be had for under $100 brand new. It really is a surprisingly versatile pedal.

So how many different pedal suggestions does that make, now?

KeepSwinging · May 16th, 2008, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crossroader

So how many different pedal suggestions does that make, now?

I think somewhere around 12. Right now I'm kind of leaning toward a box of rock but one of my friends has a BYOC Might Mouse Rat clone that I'm going to check out. But keep the suggestions coming, maybe after another 100 replies there will be an overall winner haha

fakeocaster · May 16th, 2008, 03:44 PM

A Rat sounds like what you need

RocksOff · May 16th, 2008, 05:24 PM

I think the Zinky True Grit is pretty nice.

stxrus · May 16th, 2008, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tazzboy

There is one at the music I go to for price of $600.

holy cow!! about $450 more than i would pay. now i WISH i had both of my old ones

steve

Loco · May 17th, 2008, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bowlfreshener

I say send it to Keeley and let them mod it.

+1

TeleBrew · May 17th, 2008, 03:40 PM

I used to have a Boss MD-2 Mega Distortion and it was easily the most versatile distortion box I've ever owned. It'll go from bluesy overdrive to uber-metal.

surfoverb · May 17th, 2008, 03:42 PM

Keeley modded Boss BD2 Blues Driver

Paul in Colorado · May 17th, 2008, 04:15 PM

I hope Keeley has improved his Metal Zone mods 'cause the one he did for me didn't sound so hot. I traded it for a Barber Direct Drive and never looked back. In defense of Mr. Keeley, the guy I traded with loved the modded MZ. It just wasn't anything like what I expected.

franchelB · May 18th, 2008, 11:41 AM

While I loved my Digitech Bad Monkey, I didn't think it had enough overdrive for my taste. I traded it to a "rocker" friend for a Boss DS1, which I DO love. BUT interestingly enough, my friend thinks the Bad Monkey is "perfect" for his style of rock music, which is harder edge sounding than mine!

Anyway, I also had my DS1 modded by another friend who used the "indyguitarist" mod. Now, no matter what happens, my Boss DS1 will always be with me.

Boss DS1...I definitely recommend it!

May 14th, 2008, 08:44 PM	#1 (permalink)
KeepSwinging TDPRI Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Atlanta, GA Age: 21 Posts: 26	Distortion Pedal Recommendation The old Boss Metal Zone pedal just isn't cutting it these days and I'm ready for an upgrade. I'm looking for a pedal that has a wide range of distortion from a little blues overdrive to some high gain rock. Music I play ranges from blues, alternative, occasional metal jam. I just don't want to be held down by the pedal, kind of thinking about the Jekyl and Hyde for the wide range of distortion. I'd like to spend around 125 but I'll go up to 200 if it's something really special. Comments/Suggestions? Thanks guys.

May 14th, 2008, 09:12 PM	#3 (permalink)
bowlfreshener Tele-Afflicted Join Date: May 2007 Location: Virginia, USA Age: 32 Posts: 1,325 6 Photos	I say send it to Keeley and let them mod it. I have a Keeley modded MT-2, and its my favorite distortion. Don't let the name Metal Zone fool you, Warren Haynes of Govt Mule uses one. __________________ RAMA LAMA FA FA FA

May 14th, 2008, 10:55 PM	#8 (permalink)
Califiddler Tele-Holic Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: California Posts: 860	I recently got a Keeley-modded TS-9 off ebay for about $125 and love it. __________________ "In the fiddler's house, all are dancers."

May 15th, 2008, 05:22 AM	#10 (permalink)
Axis29 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Virginia, USA Age: 40 Posts: 1,034 1 Photos	OCD? I just picked up one used on eBay for 125.00 __________________ John F. TDPRI # 1764

May 15th, 2008, 07:58 AM	#11 (permalink)
TB72 Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Ottawa Canada Posts: 464	If you're confident with a soldering iron, I'd try the BYOC Mighty Mouse. There's a 6-way rotary switch which gives you three styles of "Rat" (classic, turbo, and asymetrical clipping), and three styles of overdrive (symetrical, asymetrical, and mosfet). Since I've built mine, I've been using it as a sonic swiss-army knife. It can go from blues to metal with no problems. Later... __________________ Why is easy-listening music so hard to listen to?

May 14th, 2008, 09:04 PM	#2 (permalink)
Beerts TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Freeport Illinois Age: 47 Posts: 79	I just got my Jekyll & Hyde and I'm loving the sounds I'm getting. the OD side I keep the gain kinda low and the volume up for a boost and it really cuts through the mix when I engage it. the Hyde, well, it's a crazy versatile distortion pedal on it's own but when I engage my fulldrive 2 in front of it, it is just insane. not out of control like I've found some distortion pedals to be but amazingly cool. I think anyone who likes distorton should like this one, but there seems to be some around here who don't (go figure) someone called it a TS clone, and that's true of the Jekyll half but the similarity to a TS ends there. try it, I bet you'll like it! (just my opinion)

May 14th, 2008, 09:17 PM	#4 (permalink)
product26 TDPRI Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: idaho Posts: 34	Tonebone Plexitube... I WANT ONE! http://www.tonebone.com/tb-plexitube.htm http://youtube.com/watch?v=go-ilMukOT4

May 14th, 2008, 09:34 PM	#5 (permalink)
stxrus Tele-Holic Join Date: May 2007 Location: St. Croix, USVI Age: 56 Posts: 582	maybe an old Dallas-Arbitter Fuzz Face? wish i still had both of mine. steve

May 14th, 2008, 10:32 PM	#6 (permalink)
Wardpike Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: St. John's, Newfoundland Age: 43 Posts: 585	[quote=product26;1245779]Tonebone Plexitube... I WANT ONE! http://www.tonebone.com/tb-plexitube.htm Holy crap, that's impressive!! Be sure to check out the sounds link on that page. Thanks, product26, for the tip!!

May 15th, 2008, 04:14 AM	#9 (permalink)
Telegazer TDPRI Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Republic of Korea Posts: 55 9 Photos	I think this is the part of the show where a few might recommend the MI Audio Crunch Box. We don't have one, but it looks and sounds like a decent heavy OD to distortion box for $129.95: http://kr.youtube.com/watch?v=zTdoq7FmLhQ

May 15th, 2008, 03:33 PM	#12 (permalink)
John Thigpen Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2003 Location: Rock Hill, SC Age: 52 Posts: 173	Go to CMATMODS.com and listen to the Signa Drive clips, then read the Harmony Central reviews, which are linked on his website. The reviews are nearly straight 10's. Supposedly it goes from clean boost to Marshall distortion. If that's not enough gain, look at the Brownie, which also gets very good reviews. I'm planning to order a Signa Drive in the next week or two. John

May 15th, 2008, 06:01 PM	#13 (permalink)
strat64 Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Age: 43 Posts: 127	For what you're looking for, I like the Jetter Gain Stage (I like the Blue - seems to the most verstile of the different Gain Stages). I also like the IndyGuitarist (Wampler) Pinnacle (the new one with the boost switch). Either pedal can be found on Ebay, or in the case of the Wampler (subscribe to the mailing list, and the price is allot less that $199 listed on the site), on the mfg website for less than $200. Wampler Pinnacle: http://www.wamplerpedals.com/pin2.htm Jetter Gain Stage Blue: http://www.jettergear.com/products/gainstage.cfm Chris Here's a comparison of the ZVex Box of Rock, the Wampler Pinnacle, and the Wampler Plextortion - Tele and Peavy Valve King 1x12: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCZOt...eature=related Here's demo of the Jetter Gain Stage Blue (by the builder - doing the live intro/chords to Cliffs of Dover)- Strat, Echoplex, DRRI: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4y63O0_49M0 Here's another demo for the Gain Stage Blue compared to a HotCake, Zendrive, Cactus Crunch, Bumbox, and a Little Green Wonder - showing wich one is the most "Dumble like" - PRS and a Diezel amp: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9wLF...eature=related Here's one just for the Gain Stage Blue - Suhr Strat style guitar and a Diezel amp: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xf-NL...eature=related Last edited by strat64 : May 15th, 2008 at 07:04 PM. Reason: posted links

May 16th, 2008, 12:05 AM	#15 (permalink)
sabby Tele-Meister Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Youngstown, Ohio Posts: 258	I don't understand why Red Llama clones don't get more love. They're uncompressed and dynamic, respond perfectly to the guitar's volume, can play the role of a present boost with a ton of volume or put on a black cape and get thick and crunchy like Tweed or an early Marshall. It's not just a great overdrive, it's a benchmark. A food group that every guitar player should get four full serving of a day. Do yourself a favor and check it! ... or get a Fuzz Face

May 16th, 2008, 11:52 AM	#16 (permalink)
hockey_head Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: shortsville, ny Age: 50 Posts: 241	tube screamer, any model

May 16th, 2008, 02:07 PM	#17 (permalink)
crossroader Tele-Meister Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Endicott, NY Age: 51 Posts: 145	"...a pedal that has a wide range of distortion from a little blues overdrive to some high gain rock." I've got a ProCo Turbo Rat that does exactly that when I plug it into a clean Deluxe Reverb. And by "clean", I mean NOT set to be on the verge of breakup. Great tones, true bypass switching, built like a little battleship, and can be had for under $100 brand new. It really is a surprisingly versatile pedal. So how many different pedal suggestions does that make, now? __________________ Mark Flying blind on a rocket cycle.

May 16th, 2008, 03:44 PM	#19 (permalink)
fakeocaster Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Enniscorthy, Ireland Posts: 625	A Rat sounds like what you need __________________ cheers fakeocaster

May 16th, 2008, 05:24 PM	#20 (permalink)
RocksOff Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Joplin, MO Posts: 138	I think the Zinky True Grit is pretty nice. __________________ It's only rock 'n roll, but i like it...like it... yes, i do.

May 17th, 2008, 03:40 PM	#23 (permalink)
TeleBrew Tele-Holic Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Kittredge, Colorado Age: 36 Posts: 795	I used to have a Boss MD-2 Mega Distortion and it was easily the most versatile distortion box I've ever owned. It'll go from bluesy overdrive to uber-metal. __________________ "Where do you fit in pthtttpt magazine?" - Pete Townshend

May 17th, 2008, 03:42 PM	#24 (permalink)
surfoverb Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,375	Keeley modded Boss BD2 Blues Driver

May 17th, 2008, 04:15 PM	#25 (permalink)
Paul in Colorado Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Fort Collins, CO Age: 55 Posts: 4,012 3 Photos	I hope Keeley has improved his Metal Zone mods 'cause the one he did for me didn't sound so hot. I traded it for a Barber Direct Drive and never looked back. In defense of Mr. Keeley, the guy I traded with loved the modded MZ. It just wasn't anything like what I expected. __________________ www.tuatha.net

May 18th, 2008, 11:41 AM	#26 (permalink)
franchelB Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Irving, United States of Texas! Age: 43 Posts: 1,792	Weird story... While I loved my Digitech Bad Monkey, I didn't think it had enough overdrive for my taste. I traded it to a "rocker" friend for a Boss DS1, which I DO love. BUT interestingly enough, my friend thinks the Bad Monkey is "perfect" for his style of rock music, which is harder edge sounding than mine! Anyway, I also had my DS1 modded by another friend who used the "indyguitarist" mod. Now, no matter what happens, my Boss DS1 will always be with me. Boss DS1...I definitely recommend it! __________________ Feel free to visit my homepage! http://www.myspace.com/francisbalagtas