Author Topic: Overdrive./Distortion (Read 140 times)

jazzyvee · « **on:** December 17, 2005, 06:47:06 PM »

I've just got back from doing my first gig with my Orion guitar. I need some advice on what over drive/distortion pedal works best with it.
I have a procom rat pedal ( the first one)> it doesn't seem to work as well with the Orion as it does with my strat. It just wont get dirty and have that creamy overdriven sound.

I don't want a digital distortion as I really hate the way they sound and take too much of the original guitar tone away.

I imagine I would get a better sound with a tube driven distortion unit.... any idea's.
Jazzyvee

jalevinemd · « **Reply #1 on:** December 17, 2005, 10:00:04 PM »

Try the new Fulltone OCD. I found it to be one of the best sounding overdrive-distortion pedals for my Alembics. I once confessed to Pete Cornish that I really didn't understand the difference between an overdrive pedal and a distortion pedal. He said neither did he!

hydrargyrum · « **Reply #2 on:** December 19, 2005, 09:58:26 AM »

You will find there are a number of pedals that don't work well with active electronics (particularly fuzzes, this is the first distortion I have heard of though). I would suggest that you make sure to try them out with your guitar before buying.

jazzyvee · « **Reply #3 on:** December 19, 2005, 11:26:36 AM »

Yeah, i intend to but I was wondering if anyone with an active alembic guitar uses one and can recommend one to look at. The choice in the uk is limited and anything other than boss, Ibanez etc have to be ordered specifically which is really time consuming. SO really if anyone has some they can recommend, I can just cut out the time delay and ask the store to order the recommended ones and hopefully reduce the frustration.

I need one to take on the road so that I know that whatever backline is provided I can get my sound.

I don't want a digital multi-effects unit unless it has a true bypass and a mix function so my clean sound is not going through the electronics and when it is I can blend the clean and wet signals together in the ratio's I like.

Sorry for sounding fussy but, I have a decent guitar and want to keep that sound and add to it rather than have it losing its distinctive sound with an overprocessed digital box.
Jazzyvee

lbpesq · « **Reply #4 on:** December 19, 2005, 11:38:48 AM »

Jazzyvee:

You might want to look at the Ibanez Tube Screamer. I don't know much about the current version. I have an older one that has been modded by Analogman to TS-808 specs and also a Super Tube from the 80's. Both are usable with my Electrum with a little tweaking. While the original Tube Screamers(TS-808 & TS-9) cost a FORTUNE these days, the little known Super Tube can be had for a song. (One recently sold on eBay for only $55). You might also contact Analogman (analogman.com) and see if there is a special tweak Mike can do for you to make the pedal more compatable with active electronics. (I got my analogman pedals before my Electrum). In my experience, analogman Mike does great work at very reasonable prices with a quick turnaround.

Bill, tgo

zuperdog · « **Reply #5 on:** December 19, 2005, 01:35:31 PM »

Second the Ibanez Tube Screamer TS808. The reissue is great, though still expensive. The TS9 is not bad, but a definite step down.

If you can find one used (they're no longer in production), the Mesa Boogie V-twin pedals are also good, and have a bit warmer sound to my ear. It is a bit more fragile than the boss/ibanez pedals, though.

Good Luck
-Rob

willride3 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 01, 2006, 08:54:04 AM »

anyone out there ever try the electro-harmonix big muff? i just came across a mint 1st. version of one at a sale,it's pretty cool when not over used, but i hate to put anything over the sound of my Essence. anyone know what it would be worth? lots of people who have seen it desire it. it is a perf. board hard wired circuit. pretty cool sustain, and all the fuzz you can handle. tom

David Houck · « **Reply #7 on:** February 01, 2006, 10:36:36 AM »

I don't know anything about Big Muff pedals. But I went to Ebay and entered electro-harmonix big muff and checked the completed auctions. There are lots of pedals from the 70's that have traded recently, but the trading range is quite wide. I noticed that not all the pedals look alike. The range ran from $85 to one Original 1st issue that went for $412.