multi levels of overdrive, opinions wanted...

[guitarman_nebr]

okay, i have a few amps with good overdrive and many years of gigging experience. that said, here is what i am working towards.....

i have an amp with perfect cleans for me. i run a compressor in front and an Xotic RC booster. behind that I have a modded Bad Monkey for mid-overdrive. what pedal for heavier overdrive?

the amp is a slightly modded Masters TVA30. the clean channel is to die for, the overdrive channel sucks.....period.

the shared eq screws any possibility of switching. much like a stock HRDX.

however, the cleans and my Tele rule, i just need "that" overdrive pedal to get into the 70's rock area. Thin Lizzy, early AC/DC, Foghat, early Nugent....

[backalleyblues]

I've been doing the same thing for years (several drive pedals, that is!)...

First choice for me would be a vintage RAT pedal, or one of the clones that uses the LM308 chip, great pedal, and covers that sonic very nicely (and plays well with Tubescreamer types)

Another would be a Fulltone OCD (I've been using the Danelectro Cool Cat Drive, which is a clone of that pedal) VERY touch sensitive, and fun to play. If you're unsure about dropping the kind of coin for an OCD, buy the CCD for $25 and see if you like it. I'm thinking of upgrading to the OCD myself (the switch cover on the CCD is a bit dodgy) I really like the sound of this pedal.

I'm sure a lot more people will chime in here shortly, but there's plenty of choices out there...

Franc Robert

[neocaster]

I used a BOSS OD-2r. Multi-stage with a remote (Roland FS-5L) to activate the turbo od. Pedal was $60 USD used, and the remote pedal was $14.99 new. I liked it, but replaced it with a modded MXR distortion+

[guitarman_nebr]

thanks much, backalleyblues. i have tried several drive pedals over the years, but on different amps. i have looked very hard at the OCD. one may find it's way here.

i have owned the Xotic BB preamp....too compressed

i own an Xotic AC booster, it is hooked to another rig (i need to try it)

i have owned the Fulltone Distortion Pro, Crunchbox,and Fulldrive II. they were either too muddy or way too much distortion.

an OCD or Barber SS may be what i need....

[guitarman_nebr]

how is the MXR modded?

[nosuch]

try a box of rock, approximates that marshall sound of ac/dc, thin lizzy etc.

[neocaster]

Originally Posted by guitarman_nebr

how is the MXR modded?

79 distortion+, modded for true bypass, led, and dc adapter input.

[guitarman_nebr]

good mods. who did that, Neocaster?


no such, is the Box of Rock a decent sounding pedal? i guess that one slipped my mind. i am off to youtube for clips of this stuff

[morroben]

I use a SuperDuper 2in1. It actually gives me 3 OD levels...the first side of the pedal, the second side, or both together.

[Budda]

I really dig the BYOC Rat Clone with the Mo'D Mods. Very hip and versatile. The BB also is really cool. And the ZenDrive is also a good choice. But, I find the Mo'D Clone more versatile than either of those.

There are a couple more options to investigate.

I often "Stack" 2 ODs nowadays. And I prefer High Gain>Low Gain. I find that running the Higher Gained OD first, allows the Lower Gained OD to push the High Gainer "Over The Top". Running Low Gain into High Gain, can become too mushy and indistinct sounding for my tastes.

So, 2 ODs yields 4 Tones.
1. Clean
2. Low Gain, Dirty Rhythm
3. High Gain, Crunch
4. High Gain into Low Gain, Over the Top Leads

Actually, for those 4 Hour+ Gigs, I take 3 or 4 different ODs. Just for more variety. But, I never Stack more than 2 at a time. Usually one of them into the Timmy. But, occasionally I'll turn the Timmy off, and stack 2 others.
LastGig's Pedalchain:

Guitar>PedalTuner>Mo'd Clone>MI Audio Blues Pro>Eternity Clone>BYOC Chorus/Vibrato>Timmy>TC SCF>Amp.

I use a Timmy as my Low Gainer. It allows for restoring some of that "On the edge of breakup" Tone and Responsiveness, when I can't get the Amp to that sweet spot. It also has an extremely versatile EQ Section. I usually set it to boost some, and also to retain the Bass that might be lost from other pedals in line before it.
Your RC would probably be great for the "Last In Line" position, too.

I would alsp recommend you considering an "Amp Head Switcher". If you have a Head that has great ODs, then a Pedal to switch between both Amps would be the best of both worlds. Even if they share the same Cab.
So, that's another option.

[guitarman_nebr]

i have a Zinky Blue Velvet and a Tech 21 Trademark 60 along with the Masters TVA30.
the Zinky is set up for my Les Paul's. the Trademark is my low volume practice amp. the Masters is being set up exclusively for my Tele and Strat (single coil guitars)

the Zinky has all the tone and drive anyone needs. however, two amps at one gig is not realistic. besides, the cleans on the Masters TVA30 are to die for with a Tele. i am looking to set it up for country gigs. we cover classic rock and modern country. that is the level of drive i am after.

yea, i could use the Zinky and be done with it, but i love a clean amp for a pedal platform once in a while.

i tried the Xotic AC booster and it sounds great!! just not quite enough drive. maybe i will stick a TS behind it and see what happens.

[neocaster]

Originally Posted by guitarman_nebr

good mods. who did that, Neocaster?


no such, is the Box of Rock a decent sounding pedal? i guess that one slipped my mind. i am off to youtube for clips of this stuff

I don't have the guy's name, but it's in the box. A mom and pop shop out here sells his work on consignment. I'll look tonight.

[guitarman_nebr]

okay here is what worked. i run all of my pedals through the "loop" of my Boss NS-2 noise supressor.

1. H.A.M. Modded Boss CS-3 compressor......one of the best compressors on the market, period. Mark makes this modded pedal a musical piece that is as transparent as anything out there.......into

2. H.A.M. Modded Badder Monkey.......again, Mark's magic is worked so this thing is as close to the old TS's. it is my lower gain "edge of break up"......into

3. Xotic AC Booster.....Budda gave me the idea of stacking gain stages so i cascade the Bad Monkey into the AC. THAT IS THE TICKET!! it added the sustain and grit the AC doesn't have on it's own. I took the RC Booster out of the loop and all the sound is there.

i now have great cleans, low level gain ala Paisley (badder monkey alone), mid gain- think Stones (AC Booster alone), and bad ass overdrive-70's rock (Monkey into AC Booster). 60's country to modern country covered and enough gain to get early AC/DC dead on.

[guitarman_nebr]

one ammendment......i didn't mean to write "think Stones" i meant to write "think Black Crowes"

the Stones were on the TV and i got caught up in the music.....my mistake!! LOL