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Post by tjstrat on Mar 31, 2006 3:48:06 GMT -7
Check out T.C. Jauernig at Harmony Central. The Diabolical Gristle Tone Manipulator has a few reviews. A terrific, underrated pedal.
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Post by ripple on Mar 31, 2006 13:21:31 GMT -7
Over the past 5 years, I've tried various distortion/drive pedals searching for the "one". My top 3 pedals (for various reasons) have been a Maxon 808 (great rhythm gtr pedal), a Voodoo Lab Sparkle Drive, and the top dog is my Fulldrive 2 (old style w/out toggle switch).
I've read conflicting reviews of both the Sparkle Drive and FD2 on this forum, but I really love both pedals with my Maz 18 2x10. Especially using the FD2 for both rhythm and lead distortion, and stepping on the SparkleDrive as a clean boost for solos (no gain at all- just level).
I set both gain and boost knobs on the FD 2 to a minimum level (about 9:00), so both yield mild stages of grind with limited saturated gain. When the boost from the SaprkleDrive kicks in, the front end of the amp gets bludgeoned with a hot signal, and it just blossoms with compression and harmonics.
I used to be a slave to heavily saturated distortion, and wondered why my leads had no 3D texture, punch or presence in the mix. When I bought my Z, I had to rethink the way I used pedals. Once I backed off of the distortion, and boosted the level of the signal, I found what true tone really was. My leads are heavier, fatter, thicker, creamier and punchier than ever, and all with minimal gain/distorion.
The SparkleDrive's forte is not as a distortion pedal IMHO. It is a monster for a lead boost though.
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cte
New Member
Posts: 10
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Post by cte on Apr 1, 2006 10:20:10 GMT -7
For the past several years I have used three overdrive pedals for various tones with my Maz-18.
Fulltone Fat-Boost: I leave this pedal on all the time...seems to compensate for losses through my pedalboard and wireless. This adds some fatness to my strat tone which can be a little thin thru the wireless.
I use the sparkle drive as a boost, with the tone backed off. This works great for leads.
FD-2: I am not a huge fan of the FD-2 but have been using it for some time for a dirty channel. I find that I have to be careful with the FD-2 to keep the signal from getting a bit harsh and ratty. Maybe its the combo of that in combination with the fat boost. Although it's not perfect, I am still generally happy with the tone on most nights. I would really like to try out a Keeley BD and/or TS in my rig as a replacement for the FD-2....
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Post by moses on Apr 1, 2006 19:13:25 GMT -7
I just stumbled over a MXR Micro Amp with some Keeley modds, and it is going to replace my Full-Drive. I guess it goes back to the less is more type of discussion. Why just the Micro Amp? Because Dr.Z has one of the best natural gain/distortion tones one can find, so I use the Micro Amp to push that tone a little louder. I'm not saying that this fix will work for everyone, but give it a try cause it worked for me!
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Post by drzrocks on Apr 2, 2006 1:34:37 GMT -7
After using a Barber Direct Drive for about 2 years I finally got a Mosferatu and the Barber has found it's way to the closet. Still using my Barber Tone Press, Keeley Java Boost, Teese WizWah. I have bad my Maz Jr 28 "NR" for about 3 yrs and have only had to replace the rectifier tube. Installed a JJ and have noticed that the amp has a different tonal character. I may try a GT solid state. Any input on the rec tube replacement?
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Post by drzrocks on Apr 2, 2006 1:35:48 GMT -7
Check out T.C. Jauernig at Harmony Central. The Diabolical Gristle Tone Manipulator has a few reviews. A terrific, underrated pedal.
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Post by humphreyaudio on Apr 2, 2006 12:55:33 GMT -7
It's been awhile since this thread was begun, and these days my stage board is as follows:
Humphrey Audio 'Atom Smasher' compressor
Barber Direct Drive SS (Heavy drive tones.)
Barber LTD (Classic rock and SRV type blues drive tones.)
Barber Tone Press (Strictly as a solo booster. The Atom Smasher DESTROYS it on compression. I set it with the volume set on3:00, and the BLEND and SUSTAIN set at zero.)
Ibanez DDL delay (Short delays)
DanEectro Dan Echo (Longer Delays.)
I still use my modded BADDER Monkey for medium drive, But I can't keep them in stock, and end up letting mine go to customers every time. GREAT drive pedals though.
Mark Humphrey Humphrey Audio
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Post by crazy4blues on Apr 3, 2006 16:31:25 GMT -7
While it's not on overdrive per se, I've been playing around with a Fulltone '69, and it gives me a lot of what I'm looking for: complex fuzz that allows the guitar's tone to come through. There seems to be a good synergy between it and the Maz 18 Jr. Also, I like it much better in front.
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Post by mazmaster on Apr 6, 2006 12:28:29 GMT -7
UPDATE TO EARLIER PORT:
Bought an OCD and was totally blown away with how it interacts with the Maz 18. The FD2s are still an incredible match with this amp, but the OCD is bigger and more open sounding, with better touch sensitivity. In fact, the OCD was so good, I bought three of them - one for crunch rhythm, one for low gain lead and one for high gain lead.
After 2 gigs, I've had more compliments on tone from more people than in the previous 20 gigs.
- Dave
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Post by garyh on Apr 6, 2006 13:33:44 GMT -7
Just got a Homebrew Electronics power screamer and I'm quite impressed.........so much variation in tones and compression, quiet and gain to spare. It cured me from jonesin' for a BB and a Zendrive (for awhile anyway).
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Post by jakeddy on Apr 6, 2006 15:48:31 GMT -7
This is the joy of a Maz 18, it takes almost all pedals so well. I've used FD II, TS 808, Tim, Timmy, and even a Cornish SS2, they all work. The amp is a just great little amp.
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Post by mazmaster on Apr 7, 2006 10:23:12 GMT -7
This is the joy of a Maz 18, it takes almost all pedals so well. I've used FD II, TS 808, Tim, Timmy, and even a Cornish SS2, they all work. The amp is a just great little amp. Absolutely! It's the most pedal-friendly amp I've ever owned or played...even better than the Route 66 I owned.
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