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Axis 30th Anniversary

Distortion Pedals

tvanveen

tvanveen

Well-known member
What sorts of OD/Distortion pedals are folks using?

I've got the following:

- Tube Screamer
- Danelectro Blue Paisley
- Fulltone FD2
- Menatone TBIAC
- Zvex SHO

I have a Tonebone Classic that is on the UPS truck as I type, and I'll probably get the new AnalogMan King of Tone when he whips up a new batch.

It's a sickness, I know....

Point #2 - I know this thread is slightly off-topic...it seems like this forum sticks pretty close to MM issues such as parts issues and DOB's.

Do people mind OT threads?

I ask because I wouldn't mind seeing this forum a little more active. After getting my AL, and making an offer on a 2nd, I think I'm pretty much a MM guy. I'd prefer to hang out here rather than on the FDP.

tv
 
I've got an original Boss OD-1 and Ibanez TS-808, neither of which have had batteries in them for years. My main OD pedal is a silverbox Fulltone FD-2 (# 112) that's been on my pedal board for many years... I also owned a couple Mesa V-Twins (yuck!) and a killer Matchless HotBox that I really regret selling. And I recently let go of an SIB Varidrive...

...as for off topic posts, I've got no problems with them, and there's no doubt that this is a great (tho' "intimate") forum, but with a members registry that has yet to crest 1000, I don't think you'll find the kind of response here you can expect of the (allegedly) 35,000+ rolls of the FDP... of course, I got kicked off the FDP years ago (for something I said on an entirely different forum, no less), so I have go in disguise when I go over there at all, which ain't all that often any more... You might want to try The Gear Page too if you're looking for another good guitar related forum that has some size and isn't ruled by a thin-skinned Fedner droog with delusions of significance :D
 
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Why'd you let the varidrive go? That's on my short list too.

The tonebone got here about an hour ago...so far so good.

I guess the size is one of the main reasons I don't post much on FDP. It's just gigantic. If I have a specific gear question I'll go there...size is good for some things....

tv
 
I have a FD2 and a Voodoo Sparkle Drive. I use the FD2 for heavier overdrive and the Sparkle Drive for when I want something in between clean and grunge.

This board is helping me through the waiting period for my new Axis SS, so off topic is good for me. :)

Bing
 
I bought the ProCo Rat with my first electric guitar and never found a reason to look for anything else. Then came my first and last multi FX pedal, the boss ME-30. It has eight different types of distortions. I couldn't find one I liked. Finally I went to the Johnson Millennium amp from Digitech. Each amp setting has a clean and a dirty channel. I can't find a distortion I don't like. Life is to short for bad tone.
 
I run this chain from an Axis Ss Hh to the amp. GTR / cry baby/ TC Booster/Dist. Set on clean Boost / TS9 RI/sometimes I switch with a Maxon OD808/ Ibanez Sonic Dist/ Then to my Time and Mod pedals / EB volume pedal(which is scratchy as Hell after only 6 months) and Korg Dt 10 tuner from the pedal/ Marshall slp.
I hit the booster for leads with only one of the dist. pedals on. The Sonic is way cool, and Maxon has reissued them. I have about 10 new/reissue/ and vintage od/dist pedals and I keep going back to this setup.
 
i just use amp OD (Mesa single Rectifier) i've always shopped for amps with killer high gain channels in mind *mesa, vht, H&K* so i never fell too much into the market for OD pedals. in fact i don't even have any pedals as of right now. i'm up for a fulltone clyde wah, but other than that i can't think of anything i could use..
 
also i'd have to say this board is very open to off-topic threads, i've posted a few things before and gotten good response and alot of good information/ people's opinion. granted they haven't always agreed with me... ;) lol but everyone on here just seems happy to talk gear and musical related things. that being said i think its a great board to get real honest opinions at.
 
Decision Made. (For Now)

I'm sticking with the tonebone classic.

I've sold off the Menatone TBIAC, Blue Paisley and FD-2, the TS-8 will head out this week.

I think I'm just a tube guy. I'll probably try the SIB varidrive next, but I'm pretty happy with the tonebone for now.

tv
 
Normally I run my Triaxis for distortion/od with a Lexicon MPX-1 and a Boss Gt-6 for efx.

If I'm not using my rack though, I get my distortion from a Sansamp GT-2 and OD from a Fulltone FDII.

Out of regular use, I also a own a plastic TS-5 Tubescreamer which sounds pretty good actually! And a Boss MT-2. Used to have a DS-1.
 
Damn, this topic is right on time. I was just thinking about posting a question about distortion pedals. I should probably give a little background first though.

I waiting for my guitar to ship, supposed ship date is 1/23. EBMM Petrucci 6 with the piezo option. I'm looking for an amp to go with this. I know I'll have to play it through many before I find out what I'll like. I've been asking the guy at my local music store for some opinions, and I think I'll probably settle for an all tube model. He recommended the Fender Hotrod telling me about the incredible cleans, although saying the distortion sucks, but that I can use a pedal to get what I'm looking for.

My musical tastes run the gamut, so the idea of great cleans sound good but will have to try and figure out what I'll need to get the desired distortions. I will be wanting to play almost anything except death/speed metal. I guess I'm looking for a cross beween Van Halen, Dream Theater, Rush, Sammy Hagar, TSO and some acoustic style fingerpicking, hence the piezo option.

I know this is a wide open question, but I guess I'm looking for some direction as to what combination of amp and effects I should be looking for.

Sorry for the long post, and thanks for any input.
 
What's your price range? Where will you be playing it?

A lot of people like the Fender...I have 2 friends who have them. I think if they were re-tubed and had ther speakers swapped, they'd sound ok, but I personally am not a fan.

From your list I'd suggest something a little more on the Marshall end of the spectrum. A Fargen miniplex would be on my shortlist.

tv
 
I'm willing to spend between $800 - $1000. I'll be playing at home and possibly with a few friends occasionally so I'm not looking for anything overpowering or difficult to lug around. I was thinking about a 212 combo of some sort.

I know I'm asking a really tough question, I'd just like to have some idea on what to start looking at. I've thought about modeling amps, but like I said, I was was leaning more towards a tube model and providing the effects as needed.

thanks!
 
I agree on the tube amp part, but like anything else, it's a matter of taste.

I play in the same sorts of situations as you and find a 15 to 20 watt combo amp is perfect. A 2x12 sounds a little better than a 1x12, but the 1x12 is easier to lug around.

A 1x12 Fargen Miniplex is $1150. (I haven't actually played one of these, but I'm not really a plexi guy.)

http://www.fargenamps.com/

A used Marshall would be a good bet...

You might also consider buying an amp off ebay. More bang for your buck.

I'm sure you'll get other, and different suggestions. You'll have to figure out for yourself what might work, but hey, that's half the fun!

tv
 
I like an old non master volume super reverb, black or silver face. Point to point wiring, great clean tone, and great warm distortion with the right pedals. A nice one can be gotten for 700.00 to 1100.00 out of vintage guitar. Ck the website. Much less than you'd pay for a new boutique amp made like these. Just a thought.
Bryce
 
fsmith, if you end up going all tube, i really reccomend using the JJ tubes. they're really the best i have found. i swapped out a old mismatched set of groove tubes and sovtek outa my preamp and dropped in a new set of these guys in and wow! i bought them from www.eurotubes.com sites a little dorky, but this guy is really devoted to tubes and my friend and i have both made purchases from him and got really good service.

on the amp note, if you think you'd like the flexibility of having multiple amps and FX i'd deffinitly check out the line 6 stuff. the flextone III's sound pretty nice and have tons of different amps and options to play around with and some very decent FX. they also have good connectivity if you wanna do some recording with them. you could check out the flextone III plus thats a 112 60 watt model that becomes a 212 100 watt when you add on any 112 cabinet. also the 100 watt 212 combo has it all in one deal. check out all the stuff, you don't have to go tube to get good tones.
 
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