Effects and distortion question

[BennyD]

Hi Guys,

I just got my first EBMM JP, pics to come soon (as soon as I stop being lazy and upload them off my digicam). My question is, the guitar really sounds great plugged straight into the amp, but the amp's distortion is just really thin and pathetic sounding.

For those of us who can't afford triple rectifiers or marshall heads etc, are there any really good distortion boxes out there you recommend? Or a multieffects unit that has great distortion? I've heard good things about Line6.

Right now I've got a modified ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer that I absolutely love for bluesy stuff but i'm trying to get more of a shred sound.

Any thoughts?

 

[brentrocks]

Welcome and congrats on the JP!!!!

what kind of amp are you playing through?

maybe a sonic maximizer would bring out the balls in your amp?

 

[BennyD]

Welcome and congrats on the JP!!!!

what kind of amp are you playing through?

maybe a sonic maximizer would bring out the balls in your amp?

It's a marshall AVT50, I'm really just not happy with it, but maybe a lot of that is the fact I live in an apartment complex and usually play at just like 1.5 volume.

 

[Colin]

If you're not happy with your amp, maybe it's time to go shopping. Getting a good distortion pedal shouldn't be hard to find (there's about a million of them). I always start with the clean sound when looking at amps, as I find that is the harder sound to achieve to satisfy my tastes.

 

[Dcareaga]

The Best Dist. Boxes I have ever owned are a Stock Ibanez SD-9 and a
Keeley Modded Boss DS-1.

Analogman sells the Maxon SD-9 with the Super Mod Super and it's Killer, I just prefer my old one..
Maxon Made the old Ibanez models so they are pretty much still the same.

The Keeley DS-1 is Incredible, I never liked the DS-1 until I tried Keeleys Modded one.


DC

 

[Chad]

My favorite distortion pedal is the Zoom 5000. I love them so much I have 3....a backup for my backup.

 

[brentrocks]

It's a marshall AVT50, I'm really just not happy with it, but maybe a lot of that is the fact I live in an apartment complex and usually play at just like 1.5 volume.

i know how you feel...i play through a 5150 combo and have never had it above 2...neighbors, you know!!!

 

[jeffrey]

The Line6 distortion modeler is a good value for the money. It doesn't do any one particular sound really incredibly, but it does a lot of different sounds pretty well.

For a budget, it's a pretty safe purchase.

 

[kneeoh]

I'll second the Keeley modded DS-1. I just got one for my birthday and the thing just kills. I normally shun most effects but I'll never go without this one.

 

[shimi]

well its hard to define what is a good distortion ........distortion are full of colors and everybody likes something else

Boss have many good effects generally

if you talks about multi effect in reasonible price { if i can say something like that }

the Boss GT-6 , GT-8 , can give you plenty of distortions styls and colors.....

and ofcourse plenty other effects .

A nice harmonizer when you solo - toto "love is always on the line" ........

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

The boss OS-2 Overdrive/Distortion is a firm favourite for me.

 

[brentrocks]

well its hard to define what is a good distortion ........distortion are full of colors and everybody likes something else

Boss have many good effects generally

if you talks about multi effect in reasonible price { if i can say something like that }

the Boss GT-6 , GT-8 , can give you plenty of distortions styls and colors.....

and ofcourse plenty other effects .

A nice harmonizer when you solo - toto "love is always on the line" ........

i have a boss VF-1 multi effect i'll sell you (mint w/ manual)....email or PM if interested

 

[Philip]

It's a marshall AVT50, I'm really just not happy with it, but maybe a lot of that is the fact I live in an apartment complex and usually play at just like 1.5 volume.

hey BennyD,

as I posted in your previous post I also have a AVT but 150 one. All I can say is the distortion on those amps are crap. It doesn't work good with my EBMM JP either. It worked better with my strat because it had more mid-range humbucker and I think it gave the amp a little more punch. But other than that the amp sounds like buzzing bee when cranked. I think you should think about getting a new amp because no distortion box will make it sound good

 

[PrpaLe]

Do yourself a favor and buy new amp (all tube!!!)
Mesa v-twin is incredible pedal,and sound great in front of a good clean tube amp(like Fender Super reverb)
JP+v-twin+fender super=great tone,lot sustain

 

[scottie]

It's a marshall AVT50, I'm really just not happy with it, but maybe a lot of that is the fact I live in an apartment complex and usually play at just like 1.5 volume.

Hey, I think there is a device called a "power soak" that sits between the amp and speakers that lets you crank up the volume for natural overdive and yet not blow out the neighbors. It was by Scholz which is outta business. Maybe you can find one used or somebody else makes something similar.

HTH,
--scottie

PS: Welcome to the Pet Club. I have one too and love it!

 

[PrpaLe]

Hey, I think there is a device called a "power soak" that sits between the amp and speakers that lets you crank up the volume for natural overdive and yet not blow out the neighbors. It was by Scholz which is outta business. Maybe you can find one used or somebody else makes something similar.

HTH,
--scottie

I have Marshall se 100 speaker emulator/soak,work great

 

[SteveB]

My favorite distortion box was a DOD (FX-50 I think?... the yellow one), but not the newer ones, the mid-1980's version with only two knobs instead of three.

I don't have one anymore, but it gave me great sound for many years through several amps.