- Thread starter Hookpunch
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Colin
Well-known member
this is my short version, both are technically distortion. overdrive is when you turn your master volume and preamp so high it overdrives the amp. Pedals can now recreate that sound. Distortion is a much broader term given to other ways of distorting thru circuitry in pedals etc
robelinda2
Well-known member
the other day a student came in with two pedals- Boss Distortion and Boss Super Overdrive, and wanted to know the ( obvious ) difference. I said one of them sucked and the other didnt! Really the Boss Distortion pedal is awful, but the creamy Super Overdrive sounded just great, especially with my AL.
Is that the DS-1 that sucked or the DS-2?
puppyonacid
Well-known member
I have to disagree........only to a point tho. I have DS1 and it does me ok. Sits in front of my Dual Showman and just gives it a bit more bite. But, on the other hand our bass player lent me his OD1 and it did sound way better. Personally, I'm a sucker for that overdriven amp sound ala Brian May, Eric Johnson. And I am just loving Andy Timmons tone at the mo. That guy has sound.
I'd love to try try a keeley mod'd DS1 tho. Sounds interesting.
robelinda2
Well-known member
DS-1. but i am aware that sometimes you just get a good one, but others can sound really fuzzy. would really like to try the modded DS-1. but overdrive is enough for me.
IMO, distortion pedals sound fake..processed...Overdrive sounds warmer and more like an amp turned up all the way, but I guess it is all about what sound you are after. I don't think a metal player would like an overdrive pedal, and a blues player wouldn't like a distortion pedal. It's all about what sound you are after. It's great we have choices!
puppyonacid
Well-known member
Steve Vai has used a regular DS1. Joe Satch has used an OD1. Luke uses an R2-D2
Sorry. I'm bored. Must be time to a buy a guitar.
Sorry. I'm bored. Must be time to a buy a guitar.
Colin
Well-known member
it sure is...
hbucker
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 11, 2002
- Messages
- 707
I agree with this. I think of Distortion as harsher, less dimentional and buzzy. Overdrive is warmer and more organic.
There are exceptions to every rule though. I just got a Digitech Grunge pedal that is technically "distortion" and it does a good job in giving me a metal tone that kind of bridges the gap. It's somewhat harsh and metalic but has a blooming compression and overtones that are nice.
Astrofreq
Well-known member
my feeling is that overdrive pedals are supposed to add to the sound the amp is already making. sort of "over drive" the amp's natural sound. So if you are playing a clean tone, with the OD pedal it chunks up your tone. A distortion pedal usually has alot more gain and will totally change your sound, or is meant to at least.
buy Tech 21. the TRI-OD is KILLER.
buy Tech 21. the TRI-OD is KILLER.
phatduckk
Well-known member
ya theyre totally different monsters. IME I havent been able to get an OD to suffice for metal and stuff like that (like Jon said). it works for some punk but for heavier stuff i prefer a distortion.
ive finally learned to appreciate the OD Pedals tho. Just got a Maxon for xmas and im diggin it. i dug up my old box o crap and found 2 cool distortion pedals i forgot i had and assumed were broken.
ive finally learned to appreciate the OD Pedals tho. Just got a Maxon for xmas and im diggin it. i dug up my old box o crap and found 2 cool distortion pedals i forgot i had and assumed were broken.
roburado
Well-known member
I like my Maxon SD9. I might send that to Keeley. They have a mod for it, they say. I'm told it increases fidelity, bass response, and the sweep of the gain control. Also, the mod apparently decreases asymmetric clipping, whatever that means. As long as, it all means a slightly smoother, more buttery sound, I'm all for it.
I'm going to send a BD-2 to Keeley for one of their mods found here: http://www.robertkeeley.com/product.php?id=14
I'm going to send a BD-2 to Keeley for one of their mods found here: http://www.robertkeeley.com/product.php?id=14
Astrofreq
Well-known member
From what I remember reading, Satch used his OD as sort of a boost. He never used it for it primary guitar tone. I could be wrong.
R2-D2 was simply on loan to Luke from Master Obi-Wan. He never actually owned his own R2 unit, whereas R4 was assigned to Obi-Wan exclusively.
Now who used R2-Q5 is beyond me.
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R2-D2 was simply on loan to Luke from Master Obi-Wan. He never actually owned his own R2 unit, whereas R4 was assigned to Obi-Wan exclusively.
Now who used R2-Q5 is beyond me.
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=51339430
Colin
Well-known member
robelinda2
Well-known member
i think thats the difference- using a pedal to get your gain rather than using it as a boost. The DS-1 does a decnt job of adding maybe 5% to your sound, but i think it sounds terrible when its doing 90% of the work.
gool ol Tube Screamer is my favourite too, my AL loves it!!!!!
gool ol Tube Screamer is my favourite too, my AL loves it!!!!!
I didn't know Johnny Carson played a rosewood Axis...
Did you catch Ed McMahan's right arm on that Pinkburst Albert Lee?
