Overdrive

**Progdude** · 01-22-2009, 08:34 PM

So Im on the quest for the ultimate overdrive pedal to use with my Egnater Rebel 20.

So far I own the following.......

1. Ibanez TS9
2. Ibanez TS9 DX
3. MXR ZWOD
4. Boss SD-1
5. MXR Custom OD (its on the way from Music123)
6. Radial Tone Bone Classic
7. Radial Tone Bone Hot British

I don't feel that Ive found my favorite yet. Except the Custom OD since I dont have it yet. So if you could tell me what your favorite one(s) are and why that might help me find the one Im looking for and maybe others that are looking too!

Thanks!

**NoUse121** · 01-22-2009, 09:16 PM

I am a big fan of the Fulltone OCD and the Fulltone Full Drive II. Very warm sounding and clear. Also the Dunlop version of the "Way Huge" line has just hit stores. Jeorge Tripps the designer of Way Huge is consider one of the greatest pedal builders of all time so they might be worth checking out.

**Roubster** · 01-22-2009, 10:17 PM

You HAVE to try out the BB Preamp by Xotic! That's all I have to say about that.

**patpark** · 01-22-2009, 10:36 PM

the BB preamp is great.

also you should check out tonefreak.com his abunai 2 pedal is what i currently use. it has a 3 way voicing switch which can go from modified ts808 to straight clean boost. alot of gain on tap too.

**wolfbone07** · 01-22-2009, 11:36 PM

If you like great classic + lower gain sounds, then I recommend the fulltone Robin Trower overdrive. Also, Fulldrive II and T.C. Jauernig Gristle King.

**RobW** · 01-22-2009, 11:49 PM

Originally Posted by roubster

you have to try out the bb preamp by xotic! That's all i have to say about that.

+1

**Progdude** · 01-23-2009, 12:23 AM

Im hearing ALOT of people saying that the BB is a great one to check out. But no one says why. They just say check it out! Does anyone here even own one? Whats so cool about it? What sets it apart from the other TS9 clones?

**Slingy** · 01-23-2009, 12:33 AM

I like the TS9DX, but havn't ventured into ultra expensive boutiqey stuff.

**Jason2112** · 01-23-2009, 12:49 AM

Well, you really didn't mention what tone you're looking for, but here's what I've used that I recommend:

- Analog Man modded TS-9/808 with "Silver" mod. I see you have used a TS-9 and TS-9 DX (the DX is a poor excuse for a Tube Screamer), but forget about what you know about a stock TS-9, this sounds very little like a stock Tube Screamer. Man, everyone who plays through this pedal is absolutely blown away. The transparency, clarity, and articulation are outstanding, with a smooth overdriven tone. I've used it in front of a Marshall, vintage Fender Deluxe Reverb, and Bad Cat Black Cat (AC30 on steroids) and it sounds great with all of them. My only beef with it (which is also my beef with all TS-9's) is that it doesn't have a big low-end, but if that's not a concern to you then do yourself a favor and check it out.
Ibanez Tube Screamers

- Keeley modded Boss BD-2 Blues Driver. This pedal sounds pretty good stock, but sounds awesome with Keeley's mods. It can go from a subtle grit to a warm overdrive to all-out distortion - and sound very good the whole way through. Very transparent and articulate, not fizzy and it doesn't excessively color your tone. I often used this pedal in situations where I wanted deep, punchy bass tones. I'd suggest looking for one used since I don't know how quickly Robert will be back in business after the fire, but here's some more info:
Robert Keeley Electronics: Boss Blues Driver Mod

**guertzi** · 01-23-2009, 01:28 AM

Originally Posted by Progdude

Im hearing ALOT of people saying that the BB is a great one to check out. But no one says why. They just say check it out! Does anyone here even own one? Whats so cool about it? What sets it apart from the other TS9 clones?

It points into the TS808/TS9 direction, but as opposed to the Tube Screamers, the BB has a lot more bottom end, which is why so many people seem to like it.

Some people feel that Tube Screamers tend to sound 'honky' because they emphasize the mid frequencies and therefore the overall tone also seems to appear somewhat 'thinner'.

The BB has not only one 'Tone' knob like the TS but rather a 'Treble' and a 'Bass' knob with a center detent, so you can both decrease and increase those frequency ranges.
With those knobs you cannot only make the BB either 'behave' like a TS but you can also have tones far beyond the ordinary Tube Screamer tone that most of us know.

I checked it out once, but it did not go well together with my POD XT Live, so I decided not to buy it.
I will test it again with my new amp that I just purchased. When I have done so, I can give you an update if you like.

Maybe you want to check out the Xotic Website, there's a cool video demonstration by Allen Hinds of the BB:
Xotic Reality Web Video "Allen Hinds"

Hope that helps, Rock on!

**Progdude** · 01-23-2009, 01:48 AM

Originally Posted by Jason2112

Well, you really didn't mention what tone you're looking for, but here's what I've used that I recommend:

- Analog Man modded TS-9/808 with "Silver" mod. I see you have used a TS-9 and TS-9 DX (the DX is a poor excuse for a Tube Screamer), but forget about what you know about a stock TS-9, this sounds very little like a stock Tube Screamer. Man, everyone who plays through this pedal is absolutely blown away. The transparency, clarity, and articulation are outstanding, with a smooth overdriven tone. I've used it in front of a Marshall, vintage Fender Deluxe Reverb, and Bad Cat Black Cat (AC30 on steroids) and it sounds great with all of them. My only beef with it (which is also my beef with all TS-9's) is that it doesn't have a big low-end, but if that's not a concern to you then do yourself a favor and check it out.
Ibanez Tube Screamers

- Keeley modded Boss BD-2 Blues Driver. This pedal sounds pretty good stock, but sounds awesome with Keeley's mods. It can go from a subtle grit to a warm overdrive to all-out distortion - and sound very good the whole way through. Very transparent and articulate, not fizzy and it doesn't excessively color your tone. I often used this pedal in situations where I wanted deep, punchy bass tones. I'd suggest looking for one used since I don't know how quickly Robert will be back in business after the fire, but here's some more info:
Robert Keeley Electronics: Boss Blues Driver Mod

Cool thanks guys.

As for what I like, I like noiseless single coils, low output humbuckers. I dont really like that scooped mids tone, but I hate it when my tone is "honky" from too much mid range. And I like vintage tones but I also dont mind cranking the gain up once in a while and shredding it up (lol) as long as its never muddy or thin sounding.

I really like all these guys tones..........

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muRWVpQEbqY]YouTube - Guthrie Govan playing to Jimi Hendrix style track[/ame]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAG-kX_IlUw]YouTube - Stevie Ray Vaughan Little Wing[/ame]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmOaDfYtfRA]YouTube - Andy Timmons - Gone [Young Guitar][/ame]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-d5CA_XxB_Y]YouTube - John Petrucci & Jordan Rudess - In The Moment[/ame]

**lenny** · 01-23-2009, 06:53 AM

ima booteek kinda guy ..i find with the private builders you get what is inside your head ,,,,,some of these guys build pedals just to sound like 1 particular tone ,,so there is all kinds of choices and not crazy expensive ...some of the peds on my board are $300.00-$400.00 but lots of them are under $200.00 ....check out a place called tonefactor ,unique and booteek peds with great service ...i have a few dirt pedals because of the different tones ..you can see FUZZ,Overdrive, and distortion...alot of peeps think its all the same ...all i can say is dont tell that to gilmour hahahaha...and if your looking for the ultimate transparent overdrive for your TUBE amp then i recommend a TIM or a Timmy!!!!

**JMB27** · 01-23-2009, 06:59 AM

while my main overdrive right now is a Diamond J-Drive, I am also a fan of BB Pre-amp, Hao Sole Pressure and Zen Drive. I find with the BB there is a greater flexibility in dialing in your tone and working the gain to find the sweet spot. The Sole Pressure? I use it with clean side of a Dr Z Galaxie and it can get some very nice tweed-y fender overdrive tones. Makes me happy. And, the Zen? I've used with a few of the Bad Cat and Boogie amps. it just seems to make my Super Sports sing like nothin' else.

also, a quick plug for the Flying Dragon from Lizard Leg Effects - a boost that will drive a tube amp very, very nicely

cheers always, eh

Joel

**John C** · 01-23-2009, 08:19 AM

Another vote for the FullDrive II - I'm running mine into a Fender Princeton reissue and found it to be a nice, warm overdrive that lets the sound of the guitar ring through. The boost function is a nice touch too; kind of two pedals in one.

I haven't tried the OCD yet; it's on my list to try out sometime.