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Post by John on Mar 2, 2006 14:33:12 GMT -7
Looks like I'm narrowing pedal selection down to three possible contenders:
Fulltdrive 2 Fulltone OCD Line 6 DM4
It's to go with a Route 66.
The problem is I'm basing my selection on word of mouth and sound clips. I've never played these pedals. I'm looking for something that will give me a good lead sound, without loosing the character of the amp.
Any suggestions?
I've come to really dislike my Boss Super Overdrive. Takes away all the bass.
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Post by iggs on Mar 2, 2006 15:14:10 GMT -7
Are you looking for a high gain or a low gain (boost?) type pedal? What type of music? Single coil or HB?
The only Line6 stuff I ever liked was my POD straight into the computer ... never liked any of their stuff "live".
I have two OCDs (one old with 100K pot and a new one with 500K pot), like them both, plenty of gain and boost on tap ... the new one has a bit more mids, not as harsh top end and a bit less compressed. Great high(er) gain pedal. Use it all the time.
I have the new MOSFET FD2 and I like it, for my needs it's a low-med gain pedal. The one thing I'm finding out about Fulltone stuff is that his pedals are very, very unforgiving when it comes to guitar/amp combination ... they will sound totally different depending on one's set-up ... not saying that's good or bad, just the way it seems to be.
Another great ones are from Xotic effects ... RC Booster, AC Booster and BB PreAmp ... I have the BB and it's awesome. Very usable treble and bass EQ, plenty of gain for great crunch sound and super transparent ... RC is more of a clean boost and AC is RC with more gain (I'd say about as much as FD2).
Not to make it any more difficult for you but I just got my MI Audio CrunchBox in the mail today, did not try it yet but read some rave reviews, great cranked hot-rodded Marshall type of tone, can't wait to get home and plug it in.
Hope this helps.
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Post by billyguitar on Mar 2, 2006 15:17:26 GMT -7
I think the Fulltone clips sound better than the pedals actually do in person. At least that was my experience. Younger guys seem to like them better than older guys like me. A lot of guys like the Keeley modded pedals. You might check Harmony Central on the pedals you're interested in. Musictoyz.com has clips posted on a lot of pedals also.
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Post by John on Mar 2, 2006 16:36:22 GMT -7
iggs:
I don't know if I want a high gain or low gain. Probably a low gain. I've always in the past had a high gain amp, so I've never used an overdrive pedal before. (I know I mentioned the Boss, but that's only two months old) I'm not looking for some shredding metal pedal. But rather something to give me more sustain and boost for leads. I'll be using humbuckers (LP & 335) with the Route 66. This will be used for gigging....I don't record.
From my limited experience with the Boss, and hearing various clips....whether it's bass, mid, or treble....usually one of the three is going to be drastically changed. I'm trying to avoid that.
I'm not sure I quite understand what you mean by 'forgiving' in a setup. If different amp/guitar combinations sound so different, that would lead me to believe that the pedal is letting the true sound of the amp/guitar come through. That sounds like something I would like. Since I'm playing a LP custom thought a Route 66 head with a Mesa 2x12 half back cabinet....that's all high quality equipment (and expensive!!!) and I want to preserve that sound. A crappy guitar through a Peavey Bandit? Go ahead and let the pedal rule.
Billyguitar. I'm probably considered an 'old guy' too. (I'm 44) I don't care for that buzzy sound, whether it comes from a pedal or a 12ax7 (Mesa-Boogie!) Love that old 70's power amp feel.
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Post by G'OlPeachPhan on Mar 2, 2006 18:10:44 GMT -7
If we're chosing from the three that you put up there, based on what you said you want, I'd say go with the Fulldrive... It's the most traditional choice of the group, and probably the most natural. But I'm not thrilled with that recommendation either, as I kind of view Fulltone as the Walmart of the boutique effects world... You're going to get an OK pedal, not a great one.
The OCD is more high gain, and has a kind of funky EQ thing goin' on that I don't particularly care for.
The Line 6... man, I'm not much of a fan of modelling/digital for overdrive/distortion tones... I'd say the tonecore pedals are actually better than the big line 6 boxes tonally...
But all that said, what about a Menatone Blue Collar? I've heard it's supposed to sound GREAT with the Route 66, and I remember Dr. Z telling me a good few years ago that if there's an OD pedal that he likes, it's that one. I actually asked Dr. Z what he thought of the Fulldrive II, and he told me he much preferred the Menatone Blue Collar. I've read Ken Fischer is a fan of that OD pedal as well... another good endorsement
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Post by taswegian on Mar 2, 2006 18:37:04 GMT -7
I have a Route 66 and my choice would definitely be the Fulldrive Two as long as it has the Comp Cut option, especially if you are looking for low gain. With the comp cut you can get a really nice ampy overdrive sound which will clean up when you play it softer and is still very musical. Then you have the boost side for heavier overdrive or higher gain leads. It works really well with the 66. This is the way I run my 66 in small rooms. I think it sounds better than the airbrake attenuating to the same volume. The sound doesn't get squashed. For what it's worth I don't really like the other overdrive settings as I don't really like "tubescreameresk" type pedals. This way you get your classic ampy overdrive and a higher gain boost for heavier overdrive or leads, and it doesn't mess with the tone of the Rt 66 as it's more of a clean boost. I can highly recommend it.
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Post by billyguitar on Mar 2, 2006 18:39:41 GMT -7
Hard to really discuss it without more a more specific set of goals.
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Post by guitarboy02451 on Mar 2, 2006 19:09:41 GMT -7
Hermida Zendrive or Zendrive II
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Post by hollywood5150 on Mar 2, 2006 19:37:37 GMT -7
I have not been a Line6 fan. If you are going for more of a classic OD, the Fulldrive is the way to go. If you want dist., the OCD will get you there.
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Post by Beckanon on Mar 2, 2006 19:54:36 GMT -7
The Rt.66, in my experience, takes very well to many of the higher quality overdrives out there today. I have never gotten along with Fulldrives, but that was mainly with cleaner, EL84 based amps. If your Rt66 is at least running a nice hot clean with a little grit on its own, recently I have noticed that fatter sounding pedals (like the Fulldrive, or Barber LTD) sound HUGE.
In my own setup I'm running a Lovepedal Eternity for overdrive and a Menatone Red Snapper (old version) for boost/dirt stuff. I recently got to test drive a bunch of Menatone pedals through my Rt.66 and they mostly all sounded killer. TBIAC, Red Snapper, Foxy Brown, Howie all sounded great. The Blue Collar was not to my liking...too dark. The Workingman's Blue is a nice JTM45-ish pedal that suits the Rt66 very well also. And now I realize most of these pedals are not included on your original list. Duh!
But like Tas said, a Fulldrive with comp-cut option would do well. Of the pedals I mentioned I seriously think the Red Snapper is easily one of the greatest pedals I've heard ever.
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Post by iggs on Mar 2, 2006 20:02:26 GMT -7
Yeah ... I'm a "younger guy" ... I do like the higher gain ones ... however, one of the low gain ones that I have and like A LOT is the Barber Silver LTD, very natural and "amp-like". If you don't need an extra gain stage (like on the FD2) then I would also strongly suggest Xotic AC Booster ... I really liked it but went for the BB PreAmp only because of a bit more gain and more of a "distortion" vs. "overdrive" type sound. Go to: www.prosoundcommunications.com/english/xotic/effects/ac_booster/index.htmlCheck out the Reality Web Videos that they have ... Josh Smith SMOKES!!! Also, love my MI Crunch Box ... definitelly NOT for you if you don't want a high gain pedal ... this thing could melt rock. Here's some more food for thought: Crowther Hot Cake Paul Cochrane's Timmy and Tim HBE Power Screamer or BigD AnalogMan KOT V4 (the waiting list should open soon!!!) BTW ... By "not forgiving" I mean that if your setup has a tendency to be a bit bright (for example) that will just get even more obvious with the Fulltone stuff. People seem to love to hate Fulltone effects and Mike Fuller in particular, no idea how he managed to do that, maybe his stuff is not boo-teek enough, I don't know and don't really care for that matter ... all I care is if I like it or not.
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Post by guitarman1 on Mar 3, 2006 14:51:41 GMT -7
+1 on what iggs said. Barber Silver LTD. A-L-L pedals change your tone. The LTD simply changes it less.
I don't really like pedals, but I do need pedals, especially at low volume gigs. You'll rarely hear me raving about any of them, but this Silver LTD is truly special. Frigging amazing at $125.00!
I bought one on faith and when it showed up, I immediately compared it to my Fulldrive II. The Fulldrive went on Ebay that same week.
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auratnik
New Member
Brain busting and darkly seductive.
Posts: 38
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Post by auratnik on Mar 4, 2006 0:16:11 GMT -7
Tech 21 Double Drive is very cool pedal and goes well with clean or dirty channels and not overpriced at all... It's kind of overlooked but very good one. For all purpose (low and high gain)pedal I found Okko Diablo an excellent over drive/distortion with so many drive possibilities and variations that it's practically mind boggling. It's not expensive for the quality it offers, made in Germany and build like a tank with an excellent painting job. It outperform most of OD box on the boutique market and in it's price range (cca. 199 EU- $240) ... it's like a secret weapon and I'm totally proud of it. Clean or treble booster, '80 thrash metal monster, blues machine, crunch box, '70 hard rock dialer, cranked amp, light overdrive... This baby is going to stay with me! www.stompbox.de/diablo_e.shtml
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Post by Curt on Mar 4, 2006 7:30:10 GMT -7
The Doc's EF-86 amps love a hot signal, you mentioned "sustain", you might try a decent compressor ?!?!?, again, not a lot to go on here, but here's a few;
Keley modded BD-2 as a clean boost/slight OD Xotic RC or AC (or BB for a lil heavier tone) Barber (any of several) Durham sex drive or mucho busto or according to BW something from Tim Jeaurnig Greer's stuff is reported good as well.
Surf it man, several places will let you return promtly if you "no likey"
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Post by bluzsteel on Mar 4, 2006 7:35:54 GMT -7
check into the Xotic line AC RC booster, or Zendrive
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Post by John on Mar 4, 2006 11:26:14 GMT -7
I guess something I forgot to add: I want a pedal that does not compress too much. I didn't spend all this money on a nice dynamic amp to have it squashed down with a pedal that compresses too much. ....and not color the tone too much. ...and....and...and...
Am I asking too much? Is there such a pedal?
From the looks of things, I'll probably purchase a used Fulltone 2.
But thanks for all the suggestions.
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Post by James on Mar 4, 2006 12:13:03 GMT -7
I had an OCD with the RT 66 and I liked it with the gain on 6 to 7 oclock.........but beyond that it was too compressed, fuzzy........and made the amp sound "not as good" as without using it at all.......
I would say BB ..........but I am also borrowing a friends Fulldrive 2........and using as tas suggests is giving me some nice boost..........but the rst of what the FD has to offer seems a bit harsh and compressed.........again, it does not make the amp better........IMO
good luck
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Post by iggs on Mar 4, 2006 13:26:11 GMT -7
Check these guys out as well ... heard nothing but amazing things: www.lovepedal.com/Eternity Overdrive looks like what you're after ...
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Post by Beckanon on Mar 5, 2006 8:29:13 GMT -7
Check these guys out as well ... heard nothing but amazing things: www.lovepedal.com/Eternity Overdrive looks like what you're after ... I forgot to mention that one...right on! I have an Eternity in my setup as well. Goes great with a Rt66 turned up a little bit. To my ears it's more "open" than most ODs including the FD2. Compression and overdrive are tastefully done, and the tone knob is more of a treble range finder -- not your typical treble roll off. No loss of bass, and there's juuuust enough midrange added to give a little muscle. Very nice pedal.
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Post by guitarman1 on Mar 6, 2006 13:00:22 GMT -7
I guess something I forgot to add: I want a pedal that does not compress too much. I didn't spend all this money on a nice dynamic amp to have it squashed down with a pedal that compresses too much. ....and not color the tone too much. ...and....and...and... Am I asking too much? Is there such a pedal? From the looks of things, I'll probably purchase a used Fulltone 2. But thanks for all the suggestions. Even with the compression switch off, the Fulldrive has allot of typical overdrive pedal compression IMHO.
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robt
Full Member
Posts: 138
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Post by robt on Mar 7, 2006 10:29:12 GMT -7
I've posted this same info elsewhere, but the short answer is...try the Keeley Seeing Eye Mod on the Boss DS-1. I am amazed at this pedal and I use it to kick my Maz 18 up a notch or two into mild overdrive. Cleans up with volume knob, does NOT color tone, retains the wonderful bottom of the Maz. I started some years ago with an early Klon and a BF Super and went on through a succession of pedals, many of which are listed below. I have to say that I've never used or owned Fulltone, so have no comment either way. Before the DS-1 I had a Hotcake in front (I was tickled a while back when I read somewhere that BP also used one. I saw him in the Orlando airport a couple of years ago and regret that I didn't bug him but there he was, sitting with his wife, waiting for a plane like the rest of us.....) and the Hotcake also keeps the bottom end but now sounds a little fuzzy in comparison to the DS. I'm not a great player and don't play out much anymore but I have been astounded at how this pedal can go from a juicy clean boost to a faux Marshall cab sound, depending on settings.
Sorry to ramble on, would be interested to know if others have used or tried this pedal.
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Post by Tom the Guitar Guy on Mar 16, 2006 20:44:44 GMT -7
Though they are not on your list, I'd 2nd the recommendation of a Zendrive, or maybe the RC Booster. Not going to get you the high gain shred stuff (sounds like you don't want that anyway) and either of these pedals will get you to that "more sustain & boost for leads (the RC really excels at that).
Hope that helps.
tomtheguitarguy
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Mar 16, 2006 21:23:42 GMT -7
I would reccomend the Xotic RC or AC booster or BB preamp.
I also recommend a MJM Blues Devil. It just knocked my Analogman Maxon OD-9/silver/Kws of my board. The MJM was just more amp like to me. Very clear and open sounding. The way I have always wanted an overdrive to sound. A big improvement over the AC booster and the Analogman modded Maxon(tube screamer). I don't know if the MJM is a ts-808 clone because I never played one that sounded this good. He hand selected these pedals for me and man do they rock. I highly recommend these two pedals for sure. The MJM silicon London fuzz II would probably get you some great Hendrix to Eric Johnson sounds with a Route 66. Creeaaammyy. ;D
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Post by southpawtone on Mar 17, 2006 2:05:33 GMT -7
I woud definitely recommend the Menatone stuff. Brian Mena makes fantastic sounding pedals and they are all hand wired. I had the Top Boost In A Can, but it didnt work well with my amp which already does the Vox thing. Also, i dont think you can go wrong with anything in the Maxon pedal line. My current overdrive is the Maxon OD820. It's very natural, open, and transparent. Happy pedal hunting..........
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