Overdrive/ Distortion for Country?

[jonkay1]

I'm searching for a pedal that can approximate the gritty edgy kind of overdrive that most modern country twang bangers use. I'm not looking something that I need to order and be put on a waiting list, rather something more commonly available at Guitar Center or a local store. I had a GT-500 by Fulltone. It wasn't bad, but maybe a little too sterile sounding. I switched to a Fulltone Overdrive 2, which sounds okay, but doesn't knock my socks off. I have only had the Fulltone for a few days, so I will be returning it. So I am asking any country puckers out there, what are you guys using for overdrive/ distortion. I am playing a couple of different Teles through a Fender DRRI or a Peavey Delta Blues with a 15". Before anyone mentions getting a compressor, I am already using one.

[zoppotrump]

Have a try with the Voodoo Lab Sparkledrive.
It has a blend knob, to blend the overdrive signal into the clean signal, very nice.
if it´s good enough for Mr. Brent Mason, then it might fit you...;O)

[schenkadere]

Originally Posted by zoppotrump

Have a try with the Voodoo Lab Sparkledrive.
It has a blend knob, to blend the overdrive signal into the clean signal, very nice.
if it´s good enough for Mr. Brent Mason, then it might fit you...;O)

Or the newer Sparkle Drive Mod may give you more gain and tonal options.

I agree with the GT500...no character...generic and sterile...love the concept and the build...just didn't love the pedal.

[honeycreek]

DigiTech Hardwire Series SC-2 Valve Distortion...I really like the light overdrive I can get with it set to "crunch" with my PV Classic 50 for country. It can also do the not-so-light modern country sounds.

[WaylonFan76]

Visual Sounds Double Trouble, basically two Tubescreamer type pedals in one with more volume on tap and a bass boost switch. Check out also the other VS ODs. Very good products at low prices. http://www.visualsound.net/index.php/products/pedals

[Durtdog]

I got a Joyo AC tone from eBay a couple of months back. It'll do that honky gritty tone that Brad Paisley and others use. I've also gotten a fairly wide variety of other good sounds out of it.

Not sure if they're available in stores, but it arrived in a couple of days.


TDPRI lingo translation:
I pulled the trigger and scored a Joyo AC tone from fleabay. It nails Brad's tone hands down. It sounds amazing and will give you awesome tone.

You can't get these in stores, gotta order it.

[waparker4]

I like the boss od-3

It reacts well to boosting the comp level into it and sounds good for crunchy rhythm as well as leads

I like it after a low gain ts as well

It even sounds good before the compressor

[ADinNYC]

Voodoo Sparkle or Wampler Paisley Drive would fit the bill I think.

[Leep Dog]

I don't play country music, but I've noticed that my MXR Custom Badass distortion really reminds me of a country sound when you set it up with the gain low and play with a Telecaster. It sounds really twangy to my ears. Check it out.

[blowtorch]

For country with a tele I recommend the MXR Custom 78 Badass Distortion

[telequacktastic]

I like my OD3 for a louder boost, my durham sexdrive for cleaner/milder boost, and my blues driver for light chordal picking rhythm stuff. I'm fixin' to order the New Sparkle Drive Mod, and a Wampler Paisley Drive here soon.

I don't think only one overdrive would get it all at the gig for me, although I could play a gig with just a yellow SD-1 and be perfectly happy to be playing, it is nice to have options on the board.

[Modern Saint]

I use a Paisley Drive and a Xotic AC

[jonkay1]

I am considering the Jeckll and Hyde pedal because the You Tube videos sound promising. Plus I would be getting a distortion pedal as well. What do you think? Any comments? Any country players using one of these?

[BillNeaves]

Another vote for Boss OD-3

[Teleman]

Wampler Paisley Drive or Barber UN LTD. The Barber is nice because it gives you 2 pedals in one and you can set a nice gritty rhythm and lead tone for solos.
Both highly recommended.

[blowtorch]

Originally Posted by jonkay1

I am considering the Jeckll and Hyde pedal because the You Tube videos sound promising. Plus I would be getting a distortion pedal as well. What do you think? Any comments? Any country players using one of these?

Jekyll side is good for country.

[BWNadeau]

LOL - there must be 50 of these threads on here now - I love every one of them.

I can't agree at all regarding the Badass OD - I was thinking the same thing, then bought one, and didn't jive with it at all - ymmv.

I've gone through many pedals and pedal combos to arrive at what appeals to me the most - a combo of the Timmy and a Fairfield Circuitry Barbershop. I use the Timmy to boost it, or to change the texture - basic boost through to Dumble-style. The basis of my entire sound right now is the Barbershop - it beefs up the overall sound of the amp, and can be dialed in to add just a hint of hair. It's also incredibly touch sensitive - moreso than the Timmy or the SHOD (also a fine country OD pedal).

[blowtorch]

"I can't agree at all regarding the Badass OD - I was thinking the same thing, then bought one, and didn't jive with it at all - ymmv."

I recommended the Badass Distortion (the red one), not the OD (the yellow one)

[blowtorch]

Originally Posted by Leep Dog

I don't play country music, but I've noticed that my MXR Custom Badass distortion really reminds me of a country sound when you set it up with the gain low and play with a Telecaster. It sounds really twangy to my ears. Check it out.

Yeah this box set to low gain with the tone knob around 1:00 is instant hyper twang

[Jakedog]

Originally Posted by jonkay1

I am considering the Jeckll and Hyde pedal because the You Tube videos sound promising. Plus I would be getting a distortion pedal as well. What do you think? Any comments? Any country players using one of these?

I was actually gonna recommend the J&H. I have an old one, one of the first of the red box versions. It kills. Sounds absolutely amazing with Tele and Strat for country and roots stuff.

Strangely, in my actual "country" bands, I only play acoustic in one, so no pedals. In the other, I play my LP Jr. almost exclusively. For that band, I use a Fulltone FDII and a Fulltone OCD. They sound much better with the Jr. and my LP Spc. than the J&H does, to my ears.