Posted by
motterpaul on
URL: http://guitar-fx-layouts.238.s1.nabble.com/A-few-definitions-Overdrive-Boost-Fuzz-Distortion-tp13960p13988.html
Thanks Dbat...
When I think of overdrive pedals I naturally envision a 12ax7 pre-amp on the verge of breakup - Like a 2204 or Suhr. I guess there are a lot of Fender users out there, but I have a Fender Twin with JBL D-120s and I can't think of a worse amp for overdrive pedals. It just sounds all nasal and honky. Amazing clean tone, though.
I once ran an MXR Dist+ through a 60s bassman, though, and it did sound identical to my Marshall 50-watt (a 2205 at the time). Yeah, I know that is what Marshalls were based upon.
Some people also seem to equate that "shredded speaker" sound with gainy overdrive, but I don't. When I hear a speaker trying to jump out of its voice coil I just think "nope, that's not the tone, that's just abusing a speaker."
To me the tone is in the pre-amp and if the EL34s add some hair that is cool, as long as it is a good sound. I prefer heavy gain 12ax7 pre-amps with the headroom of 6L6GCs. So, to me an overdrive pedal should emulate a great pre-amp (Plexi, JCM800, Bogner). Anything else is an 'effect" to me - not a real staple pedal to create a signature tone.
And yes, I do try my pedals at decent volume. Right now 30 watts all tube amp with 12ax7s and 6L6GCs. I also try to take them out to use on my EVH51510 or Marshall DSL100.
Joe Bonnamasa gets a great tone out of Les Pauls and Marshalls - and of course he is famous for using a fuzz face (EDIT - OR IS IT A MUFF?). So, I hear what you guys are saying about them. I have never heard him getting a "fuzz" sound, so he does have the right one and he knows how to use it. The only decent "fuzz" sound I have heard in modern times is Slash on "Sweet Child of Mine". In concert he tries to use the same tone and it just gets lost in the mix - no attack. It is like he needs to be playing solo for it to be heard.
I will look into them. Other pedals I have had good luck with are Tims. One I don't like is the FullTone Mosfet. The one I have (red anniversary model) just didn't do anything for me.
dBat - how do you use your overdrive pedals? In front of a single channel? I know some guys here are using them on their gain channels on Marshalls, even ENGL, which is fine if that is what you are looking for.
Ironically (and I didn't really know this until a couple years ago) many boutique amps are one channel tube amps - so essentially made for drive pedals. I am talking about Fuchs, Dr Z, Swart, - most things you see here:
http://www.thegearpage.net/board/forumdisplay.php?f=95I will also look into Tokai and all recommendations.