Overdrive?

Hwilliams · June 30th, 2003, 08:17 AM

I am looking to buy a pedal for overdrive/distortion. I don't know the difference between all the different names:
Overdrive
Tube Screamer
Blues Driver
Distortion
Does all of these do the same thing? I would like to be able to get something for some blues tunes and then maybe a little dirt for some rock. I have no place close to test these types of things. I may need 2 pedals for this.

I may be stupid and ignorant but it's just because I don't know. I am wanting to learn. No one I have played music with around here in the sticks uses effects.

been playing for 15 years and haven't learned anything about effects. Tele>Amp!
Thanks for all the great advice!

jordanl · June 30th, 2003, 08:37 AM

Distortion comes in many flavors, with overdrives being the milder ones, running through distortions and into "metal" distortions which are the most extreme. The Tube screamer and Blues Driver are 2 very popular overdrive units. when combined with a tube amp both cause a nice bluesy overdrive tone.

One suggestion I would make is to check out the boss website, they have a sampler CD so you can hear all of the effects. Many of the Effects companioes have sound samples available.

Everyone here has their personal favorite overdrives, its really a matter of taste. When ready to buy you might want to check out Harmony Central, or the garage sale. people are always selling overdrives they tried and didn't like.

Lance · June 30th, 2003, 09:06 AM

http://www.tonefrenzy.com/

This site has some sound samples of popular effects (Gear/Soundfiles)

In general, as jordanl said, there are many flavors of distortion. The most popular type of pedal is the "tubescreamer" type. These pedals offer moderate overdrive, a little distortion, and sound best with a tube amp already near the point of breakup. They are also characterised by a midrange hump (boost in the mids). This isn't bad and is useful as it really allows the guitar to cut in the mix.

Distortions and fuzzes are not typically overdrives in that they create distortion but are generally not used to overdrive the guitar amp. These boxes are better for getting distortion at lower volumes and creating more intense distortion.

Finally, there are clean boost pedals which as the name indicates don't add distortion but cleanly push the input of the guitar amp. These are used to make the amp distort and are also good for adding back clarity if you have several tone robbing effects. Clean boosts can really make an amp scream but as you imagine, it'll get very loud.

Many players have one of each or at least a tube screamer type pedal for the crunchy overdrive tone and a distortion pedal for leads.

Also, there are a few pedals, most notably the Fulltone Fulldrive 2, that have both overdrive (tube screamer) and distortion in a single pedal operated by 2 foot switches.

MJ Harnish · June 30th, 2003, 09:09 AM

I'd agree; it's hard to say "this is the one to get" because what sounds good to me may sound crummy to you. It also depends on exactly what sound you're looking for, the amp you're using, where you're playing (e.g., in your bedroom vs. in a bar), and your budget. The best bet is to buy used; f you've got the $$$ buy a couple different pedals, find the one that works the best and then resell the others.

Some cheap pedals that you can pick up used that will give you some ideas of what you might like:

Ibanez TS-5 - the cheap, plastic potato bug version of the tube-screamer. Dirt cheap on Ebay and will give you an idea of what the TS sound is before you plunk down more money for the TS-9...

Boss SD-1 - similar circuit to the tube-screamer; you can find them pretty cheap on Ebay.

Boss DS-1 - this is a distortion pedal, but you can get a somewhat cleaner overdrive if you crank down the gain (it's still fuzzy though). This pedal can be had for ~$40 new; used you'll probably pay $25-30.

Boss BD-2 - milder than the DS-1 but still has a LOT more gain than a tube-screamer. Used you'll pay $40-50...

Nobels OD-1 - lots of people love these and they're dirt cheap (I think under $45 new)

Of course you can go boutique and spend a lot of money but I'd wait until you at least have some idea of what you like and don't like before splunking down a lot of $$$ b/c a lot of the boutique pedals are just handbuilt versions of commercial stuff (the tubescreamer being to prime candidate).

11 Gauge · June 30th, 2003, 09:15 AM

...the terms overdrive, booster, distortion, and even fuzz can really throw you in the search for the right pedal. so many of them cross over into different territories that to call them one type of pedal is really misleading. there are fuzzes that are so creamy that some players don't even use them as a fuzz. conversely, there are distortion pedals that clip so hard that they sound like a fuzz. other distortion pedals with the gain knob dropped way down low are great at simply overdriving an amp, thereby making them a great overdrive OR booster pedal. some players even use the TS stuff just as a booster, with the gain all the way down and the volume all the way up.

Jordan's points are all excellent ones. This is so subjective that some research will really get you to at least square one. Get the sound sample CD, listen to some sound files on the internet, and check out Harmony Central for reviews. But perhaps the best way to learn the differences in all these pedals is to use a search engine to find some sites where guys actually design and build these pedals. You don't have to get into any more than the basics to learn what sets apart all the classic circuit designs - basically what makes each and every pedal out there what it is. And if you want to learn more, great. It will eliminate alot of guesswork by simply getting a pedal because someone else had great luck with it, or it's advertised as doing a certain thing.

But Jordan's best point of all is to find these things used on the internet. Pick up stuff for cheap that you've heard a few promising sound samples of. Give them a try with your rig. Get educated along the way, sell back what doesn't work and continue the process. You'll get an idea of what does what and if it works for you in no time.

-.011

IndyGuitarist · June 30th, 2003, 05:21 PM

a good site for sound samples is www.musiciansfriend.com, there are a ton of samples on that site as well.
We could probably point you in the right direction if we had some more info:
-what type of amp do you play through?
-what style of music do you play?
-what song has the overdrive sound that you like best?
-do you gig, play at home, or record?
-how much money do you want to spend?

I've seriously spent probably near $1500 over the last 12 months trying out pedals to see what I like, I play a tele and a strat through a fender 410 deville and I prefer the tube screamer type pedals, but my modded ds-1 sounds great for hard rock as well. I've heard good things about tonebone pedals, and my nobels pedal sounds great as well.

also, a wealth of effects info at the message boards at harmony-central.com as long as your willing to weed through the off topic posts!

hope this helps!

Brian

Hwilliams · July 1st, 2003, 08:32 AM

I play a AS Tele and a Hamer T-51 through a Peavey C50 w/410s. I play mostly country: Merle Haggard, George Jones, Jerry Reed etc. I also play some Rock.
I play in a bar band that plays all kinds of stuff except for Heavy Metal. Right now I am using a multi effects unit that is total crap. Changing to individual stomp boxes.
any suggestions would be appreciated
thanks

IndyGuitarist · July 1st, 2003, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hwilliams

I play a AS Tele and a Hamer T-51 through a Peavey C50 w/410s. I play mostly country: Merle Haggard, George Jones, Jerry Reed etc. I also play some Rock.
I play in a bar band that plays all kinds of stuff except for Heavy Metal. Right now I am using a multi effects unit that is total crap. Changing to individual stomp boxes.
any suggestions would be appreciated
thanks

cool, your running a similar rig to mine. I'd say first try a nobels odr-1, a ibanez ts-7, a boss od-3, or a boss bd-2...and you might think about running a compressor/ eq pedal/ or clean boost pedal through the front of your amp to goose the tubes...

btw-why don't you like the classic 50's distortion? Mine sounded great with jj tubes.

Brian

jordanl · July 1st, 2003, 09:10 AM

I'd pretty much second Brians suggstions, I'd suggest an overdrive and a delay to start with, then maybe some sort of modulation pedal(chorus, flange phase,etc). I'll suggest the Zoom PD-01 power drive as a nice versatile OD pedal. they're recently discontinued and are being sold for around $60. I have one and it compares very favorably against my much more expensive Klon.

Hwilliams · July 1st, 2003, 03:05 PM

I just ordered me a Dyna Comp
This was the setup I was thinking about: (but not in this order) Compressor, Delay, Overdrive, Chorus, Tuner. Does anyone have anymore suggestions. I think this will get me started.
Thanks
Delay - Boss dd-3
Overdrive - Boss bd-2
Chorus - ?
Tuner - Boss tu-2

jordanl · July 1st, 2003, 03:19 PM

IMHO you're off to a fine start. Plenty of guys make their livings using similar setups.

As for the chorus pedal, I'd suggest hunting down a Boss CE-2. they're out of production for a while but there were lots of them produced throughout the 80's and early 90's. You should be able to find one for around $65 or less used. IMHO its a nice warm sounding analog chorus. I'm probably going to send one of mine to Keeley for his mod.

June 30th, 2003, 08:17 AM	#1 (permalink)
Hwilliams Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Dry Creek, La Age: 35 Posts: 174	Overdrive? I am looking to buy a pedal for overdrive/distortion. I don't know the difference between all the different names: Overdrive Tube Screamer Blues Driver Distortion Does all of these do the same thing? I would like to be able to get something for some blues tunes and then maybe a little dirt for some rock. I have no place close to test these types of things. I may need 2 pedals for this. I may be stupid and ignorant but it's just because I don't know. I am wanting to learn. No one I have played music with around here in the sticks uses effects. been playing for 15 years and haven't learned anything about effects. Tele>Amp! Thanks for all the great advice!

June 30th, 2003, 09:06 AM	#3 (permalink)
Lance Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 2,164	Some thoughts.... http://www.tonefrenzy.com/ This site has some sound samples of popular effects (Gear/Soundfiles) In general, as jordanl said, there are many flavors of distortion. The most popular type of pedal is the "tubescreamer" type. These pedals offer moderate overdrive, a little distortion, and sound best with a tube amp already near the point of breakup. They are also characterised by a midrange hump (boost in the mids). This isn't bad and is useful as it really allows the guitar to cut in the mix. Distortions and fuzzes are not typically overdrives in that they create distortion but are generally not used to overdrive the guitar amp. These boxes are better for getting distortion at lower volumes and creating more intense distortion. Finally, there are clean boost pedals which as the name indicates don't add distortion but cleanly push the input of the guitar amp. These are used to make the amp distort and are also good for adding back clarity if you have several tone robbing effects. Clean boosts can really make an amp scream but as you imagine, it'll get very loud. Many players have one of each or at least a tube screamer type pedal for the crunchy overdrive tone and a distortion pedal for leads. Also, there are a few pedals, most notably the Fulltone Fulldrive 2, that have both overdrive (tube screamer) and distortion in a single pedal operated by 2 foot switches. __________________ Lance "not very good...but I make up for it by playing loud"

June 30th, 2003, 09:09 AM	#4 (permalink)
MJ Harnish Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Hattingen, Germany Posts: 457	I'd agree; it's hard to say "this is the one to get" because what sounds good to me may sound crummy to you. It also depends on exactly what sound you're looking for, the amp you're using, where you're playing (e.g., in your bedroom vs. in a bar), and your budget. The best bet is to buy used; f you've got the $$$ buy a couple different pedals, find the one that works the best and then resell the others. Some cheap pedals that you can pick up used that will give you some ideas of what you might like: Ibanez TS-5 - the cheap, plastic potato bug version of the tube-screamer. Dirt cheap on Ebay and will give you an idea of what the TS sound is before you plunk down more money for the TS-9... Boss SD-1 - similar circuit to the tube-screamer; you can find them pretty cheap on Ebay. Boss DS-1 - this is a distortion pedal, but you can get a somewhat cleaner overdrive if you crank down the gain (it's still fuzzy though). This pedal can be had for ~$40 new; used you'll probably pay $25-30. Boss BD-2 - milder than the DS-1 but still has a LOT more gain than a tube-screamer. Used you'll pay $40-50... Nobels OD-1 - lots of people love these and they're dirt cheap (I think under $45 new) Of course you can go boutique and spend a lot of money but I'd wait until you at least have some idea of what you like and don't like before splunking down a lot of $$$ b/c a lot of the boutique pedals are just handbuilt versions of commercial stuff (the tubescreamer being to prime candidate). __________________ MJ Harnish Suburbs: Where they cut down all the trees and then name the streets after them.

June 30th, 2003, 09:15 AM	#5 (permalink)
11 Gauge Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: The East Coast Posts: 2,898 10 Photos	may not help but... ...the terms overdrive, booster, distortion, and even fuzz can really throw you in the search for the right pedal. so many of them cross over into different territories that to call them one type of pedal is really misleading. there are fuzzes that are so creamy that some players don't even use them as a fuzz. conversely, there are distortion pedals that clip so hard that they sound like a fuzz. other distortion pedals with the gain knob dropped way down low are great at simply overdriving an amp, thereby making them a great overdrive OR booster pedal. some players even use the TS stuff just as a booster, with the gain all the way down and the volume all the way up. Jordan's points are all excellent ones. This is so subjective that some research will really get you to at least square one. Get the sound sample CD, listen to some sound files on the internet, and check out Harmony Central for reviews. But perhaps the best way to learn the differences in all these pedals is to use a search engine to find some sites where guys actually design and build these pedals. You don't have to get into any more than the basics to learn what sets apart all the classic circuit designs - basically what makes each and every pedal out there what it is. And if you want to learn more, great. It will eliminate alot of guesswork by simply getting a pedal because someone else had great luck with it, or it's advertised as doing a certain thing. But Jordan's best point of all is to find these things used on the internet. Pick up stuff for cheap that you've heard a few promising sound samples of. Give them a try with your rig. Get educated along the way, sell back what doesn't work and continue the process. You'll get an idea of what does what and if it works for you in no time. -.011

July 1st, 2003, 08:32 AM	#7 (permalink)
Hwilliams Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Dry Creek, La Age: 35 Posts: 174	My Rig! I play a AS Tele and a Hamer T-51 through a Peavey C50 w/410s. I play mostly country: Merle Haggard, George Jones, Jerry Reed etc. I also play some Rock. I play in a bar band that plays all kinds of stuff except for Heavy Metal. Right now I am using a multi effects unit that is total crap. Changing to individual stomp boxes. any suggestions would be appreciated thanks

June 30th, 2003, 08:37 AM	#2 (permalink)
jordanl Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Farmingdale, NY Posts: 554	Distortion comes in many flavors, with overdrives being the milder ones, running through distortions and into "metal" distortions which are the most extreme. The Tube screamer and Blues Driver are 2 very popular overdrive units. when combined with a tube amp both cause a nice bluesy overdrive tone. One suggestion I would make is to check out the boss website, they have a sampler CD so you can hear all of the effects. Many of the Effects companioes have sound samples available. Everyone here has their personal favorite overdrives, its really a matter of taste. When ready to buy you might want to check out Harmony Central, or the garage sale. people are always selling overdrives they tried and didn't like.

June 30th, 2003, 05:21 PM	#6 (permalink)
IndyGuitarist TDPRI Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Indiana Posts: 25	a good site for sound samples is www.musiciansfriend.com, there are a ton of samples on that site as well. We could probably point you in the right direction if we had some more info: -what type of amp do you play through? -what style of music do you play? -what song has the overdrive sound that you like best? -do you gig, play at home, or record? -how much money do you want to spend? I've seriously spent probably near $1500 over the last 12 months trying out pedals to see what I like, I play a tele and a strat through a fender 410 deville and I prefer the tube screamer type pedals, but my modded ds-1 sounds great for hard rock as well. I've heard good things about tonebone pedals, and my nobels pedal sounds great as well. also, a wealth of effects info at the message boards at harmony-central.com as long as your willing to weed through the off topic posts! hope this helps! Brian

July 1st, 2003, 09:10 AM	#9 (permalink)
jordanl Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Farmingdale, NY Posts: 554	I'd pretty much second Brians suggstions, I'd suggest an overdrive and a delay to start with, then maybe some sort of modulation pedal(chorus, flange phase,etc). I'll suggest the Zoom PD-01 power drive as a nice versatile OD pedal. they're recently discontinued and are being sold for around $60. I have one and it compares very favorably against my much more expensive Klon.

July 1st, 2003, 03:05 PM	#10 (permalink)
Hwilliams Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Dry Creek, La Age: 35 Posts: 174	Thanks guys! I just ordered me a Dyna Comp This was the setup I was thinking about: (but not in this order) Compressor, Delay, Overdrive, Chorus, Tuner. Does anyone have anymore suggestions. I think this will get me started. Thanks Delay - Boss dd-3 Overdrive - Boss bd-2 Chorus - ? Tuner - Boss tu-2

July 1st, 2003, 03:19 PM	#11 (permalink)
jordanl Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Farmingdale, NY Posts: 554	IMHO you're off to a fine start. Plenty of guys make their livings using similar setups. As for the chorus pedal, I'd suggest hunting down a Boss CE-2. they're out of production for a while but there were lots of them produced throughout the 80's and early 90's. You should be able to find one for around $65 or less used. IMHO its a nice warm sounding analog chorus. I'm probably going to send one of mine to Keeley for his mod.