Visual sound route 66

[Suttykins]

having tried the new V2 route 66 and listening to the clips on the visual sound website I've been hunting for one and I've come across a few but they're fair pricey (well they're actually a very good deal I'm just slap bang in the middle of a life long financial crisis)

however.. I've found that the original models can be obtained quite cheap second hand so aside from being rather goofy looking is their any difference tone wise?

I know the V2 series have all the practicality features like better switches and built in noice gate but I just wanna know in terms of overdrive circuit.. is it the same?

[Jakedog]

Originally Posted by Suttykins

having tried the new V2 route 66 and listening to the clips on the visual sound website I've been hunting for one and I've come across a few but they're fair pricey (well they're actually a very good deal I'm just slap bang in the middle of a life long financial crisis)

however.. I've found that the original models can be obtained quite cheap second hand so aside from being rather goofy looking is their any difference tone wise?

I know the V2 series have all the practicality features like better switches and built in noice gate but I just wanna know in terms of overdrive circuit.. is it the same?

I have the original version, and have played the new ones... I prefer the original. FWIW, I think the newer version is far more goofy looking... But to each their own...

Anyhow, the only difference I can ascertain, is that the newer ones have more available volume on the OD side. Not a big deal at all if you use the gain knob over 10 o'clock or so. But if you run the gain all the way down, and use it more as a clean boost, it might not have enough juice for you depending on how loud you play. If you want to use it strictly as an OD though, you should be more than ok.

The bass boost switch is useless on both models. On, it sounds killer for single note solo stuff, but mushy/muddy for rhythm. So I just leave it off, sounds fine without it. I have used it "on" in the studio a few times, where I am just playing a solo or fill passage though, and it smokes.

As far as the OD itself, it's supposed to be a TS-808. I have a vintage 808, and with my eyes closed, I can't tell the difference between it and the 66.

[reverberocket2]

I have the old version. I bought it used. I sent it off to Keeley for the TS mod and it just smokes. I only use it for a lead boost never for rhythm, so I leave the bass switch on - it does help fatten up the tone.