Hello
I have allot of overdrive /Distortion pedals.But i thought i would list my 5 favorite in case others have not heard of these pedals or would like info on them.
#1 Blues Pro by Mi Audio (austrailia)
#2 Crunch Box by Mi Audio " " " " "
#3 Direct Drive/with mod board added By Barber Audio (USA)
#4 Hot British/Plexi By ToneBone (Canada)
#5 Orange Crush by Nick Greer (USA)

Honarable Mention
TubeTone By Mi Audio
Monte Allums SD1 808 full mod
Keeley BD2 MOD
Keeley TS9 808 MOD
Reverend Drivetrain 1 and 2 ( i have both)
Boss OD3 With Mod by Monte Allums

Hope i put this thread in the right place....Thanks.
Parker

I haven't bought a distortion pedal for years preferring amps that had overdriven features so in the past I've had Hughes and Kettner, Gallien Kreuger, Peavey and Marshall amps all with an overdrive section BUT when I did have pedals an early one that was reliable for years was a VOX and then I got a Pro Co Rat II I think. There's a million hand wired units out there these days it seems. :)

Best one I ever used was an original stock Marshall Guv'nor (the black, pressed metal case one, NOT the current plasticky Guv'nor II), used it mostly from '87 to '94. Great tone shaping (Bass, Mid and Treble eq's). Made any amp sound like a cookin' JCM800.

Shame it died a couple of years ago, they're pretty hot property on ebay these days ...

Close second and third were my stock Ibanez TS-10 and TS-9 tube screamers back in the mid-80s.

Like Chris, I'm using modelled amp sounds (like 'most' of us?), so no stomp boxes atm ... but if I ever get my Sound City L120 valve head back up and running again ... then who knows? :boobies:

I haven't bought a distortion pedal for years preferring amps that had overdriven features so in the past I've had Hughes and Kettner, Gallien Kreuger, Peavey and Marshall amps all with an overdrive section BUT when I did have pedals an early one that was reliable for years was a VOX and then I got a Pro Co Rat II I think. There's a million hand wired units out there these days it seems. :)

Thanks for the reply WahWah
I used to be the same way my pedals had thick dust on them from non use.I always relied on my Marshalls for overdrive (Jcm 900-Jcm 2204)But in the last 4 years that has completely changed.I use up to 5 or 6 diff Boost/od/distortion pedals in my board and find that each one gives me a unique varied amount of Drive and tone for recording as well as practice.Then i got hooked on modding pedals finding out what makes them tick and started experimenting it was allot of fun.You could take a boring and cheap pedal like the Danelectro Daddy O and turn it into a raging monster!.Or mod an already good Boss pedal and by upgrading resistors ,diodes,and capacitors take it to a whole other level.

I havne't worked on the Pro Co Rat yet but it is next on my list of pedals to Frankenstein, I sure love Vox Wah pedals they are easy to mod and upgrade to true bypass and by changing the resistor values you can shape the Q voicing of the wah as well.

Parker

Best one I ever used was an original stock Marshall Guv'nor (the black, pressed metal case one, NOT the current plasticky Guv'nor II), used it mostly from '87 to '94. Great tone shaping (Bass, Mid and Treble eq's). Made any amp sound like a cookin' JCM800.

Shame it died a couple of years ago, they're pretty hot property on ebay these days ...

Close second and third were my stock Ibanez TS-10 and TS-9 tube screamers back in the mid-80s.

Like Chris, I'm using modelled amp sounds (like 'most' of us?), so no stomp boxes atm ... but if I ever get my Sound City L120 valve head back up and running again ... then who knows? :boobies:

Hey Captain
I have heard about the original Guv'nor pedal, never had one but it's tone is legendary among the pedal geeks i have come to know as of late.What kind of modelling amp do you have?.The only one i have tried is the Line 6 Spider and it sounded great in the Fender Blackface department but fell flat in the upper modelling levels such as Marshall Plexi and Mesa Boogie type models.It sure would make things easier if there was a truly great modelling system out there.My Boss/Roland recording unit has COSM and some of those sounds are close to the real thing.

Parker

P.S i must be 12 years old still.....every time i see those bouncing boobs i laugh ,somehow it gets me every time!.

Hey Captain
I have heard about the original Guv'nor pedal, never had one but it's tone is legendary among the pedal geeks i have come to know as of late.What kind of modelling amp do you have?.The only one i have tried is the Line 6 Spider and it sounded great in the Fender Blackface department but fell flat in the upper modelling levels such as Marshall Plexi and Mesa Boogie type models.It sure would make things easier if there was a truly great modelling system out there.My Boss/Roland recording unit has COSM and some of those sounds are close to the real thing.

Parker

P.S i must be 12 years old still.....every time i see those bouncing boobs i laugh ,somehow it gets me every time!.

Hi Parker ... I use a Vamp-PRO for modelling ... connect it to my pc via S/PDIF for recording ... and amplify it through a Peavey Classic 50/50 stereo all valve (tube) poweramp for band rehearsals/gigging.

Hey if you get a chance check out this much anticipated "Xotic" Combo pedal.
Allot of pro's use these pedals and this one is brand new.Here is the video demonstration of it.

http://www.prosoundcommunications.com/english/xotic/effects/ac_plus/

Sounds like it can pull double duty,....two overdrive/boost

Xotic Effects AC Plus:
The AC Plus combines Xotic's widely acclaimed booster circuits with a very versitile preamp overdrive. Both channels offer shimmering smooth tone with tons of sustain. Each channel delivers two distinct voicing modes that cover the entire range of gain structure. Activate both channel stacks with a single button for unlimited configurations of superb tone.

Specs:

I always liked my Hotcake pedal that I had for a while. That had a range of sounds in it. Very warm, versatile pedal. Pricey, but well worth it.

:thumb:

I always liked my Hotcake pedal that I had for a while. That had a range of sounds in it. Very warm, versatile pedal. Pricey, but well worth it.

:thumb:

I looked up the Hot Cake pedal and they still make& sell them.It says they were made by a company named Crowthers ltd.I have never heard of this pedal until now even though the article said they have been around for awhile ,and many people like and use them.

Is this a British Company? sometimes people will support pedals that are native to them.I know in Canada we are proud of the Radial Tone Bone brand of somp boxes.They are extremly well built and have great tube emulation.

Parker

I've been using the Boss OD-20 for the last 2 years and I love it

http://www.bosscorp.co.jp/products/en/OD-20/

Thanks for the reply WahWah
I used to be the same way my pedals had thick dust on them from non use.I always relied on my Marshalls for overdrive (Jcm 900-Jcm 2204)But in the last 4 years that has completely changed.I use up to 5 or 6 diff Boost/od/distortion pedals in my board and find that each one gives me a unique varied amount of Drive and tone for recording as well as practice.Then i got hooked on modding pedals finding out what makes them tick and started experimenting it was allot of fun.You could take a boring and cheap pedal like the Danelectro Daddy O and turn it into a raging monster!.Or mod an already good Boss pedal and by upgrading resistors ,diodes,and capacitors take it to a whole other level.

I havne't worked on the Pro Co Rat yet but it is next on my list of pedals to Frankenstein, I sure love Vox Wah pedals they are easy to mod and upgrade to true bypass and by changing the resistor values you can shape the Q voicing of the wah as well.

Parker

I have an ancient Rat, what sort of mods would you have in mind?

I've been using the Boss OD-20 for the last 2 years and I love it

http://www.bosscorp.co.jp/products/en/OD-20/

Hello PlasterCaster.(with a name like that you have to be a BIG Kiss Fan)

I have often wondered about that pedaL it looks like Boss's answer to the Swiss Army Knife of Overdrive/ Distortion pedals.Looks like you could control all aspects of drive boost and gain.I have The SD1,DS1, And the latest OD3 that i have modified and have always loved the sound of Boss pedals......even more than The TS808 series.What would you describe as the best sound or setting on this OD-20?.Are they big bucks.:wtf:

Parker:eek:

Hello PlasterCaster.(with a name like that you have to be a BIG Kiss Fan)

I have often wondered about that pedaL it looks like Boss's answer to the Swiss Army Knife of Overdrive/ Distortion pedals.Looks like you could control all aspects of drive boost and gain.I have The SD1,DS1, And the latest OD3 that i have modified and have always loved the sound of Boss pedals......even more than The TS808 series.What would you describe as the best sound or setting on this OD-20?.Are they big bucks.:wtf:

Parker:eek:

here ya go;
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Boss-OD20-Drive-Zone-Twin-Pedal-wCOSM?sku=151427

as for sounds.. thats all up to you, some settings i have no use for.. but most of them are dead on of the originals.

I have relied and swear by the old Boss OD-1. It's just the best pedal for my style of OD. Try one sometime. It's subtle, but give you that "just enough over the top" tone and lets the amp's tone compliment it nicely. It's not for heavy metal at all. But then you would not want an OD, but perhaps a pure distortion pedal for that. 20 years plus and I have not found a better tone out of a box.

I have relied and swear by the old Boss OD-1. It's just the best pedal for my style of OD. Try one sometime. It's subtle, but give you that "just enough over the top" tone and lets the amp's tone compliment it nicely. It's not for heavy metal at all. But then you would not want an OD, but perhaps a pure distortion pedal for that. 20 years plus and I have not found a better tone out of a box.


Here Here....I agree with you on that.
I am lucky enough to own 2 OD-1 Long Dash Pedals.And they have some of the best most pure overdrive tones i have come across.They don't color your sound and for blues and 70's rock they are perfect.The only pedal that comes close to that original smooth tone are the new OD-3 pedals Boss has just put out.

Youv'e got a classic there 3 fingers never let it go!:bowdown:

Parker

Hi Parker ... I use a Vamp-PRO for modelling ... connect it to my pc via S/PDIF for recording ... and amplify it through a Peavey Classic 50/50 stereo all valve (tube) poweramp for band rehearsals/gigging.

Hey Captain.

Who makes the Vamp-Pro? and what made you decide on that over say a POD by line 6 or other modelers.(I am assuming that they are similar)
The Peavey Classic sure is a great amp, i have the Peavey Classic 30 and it is one on my favorite amps for overall Blues and Rock.I replaced the iner speaker with a Celestion 25 watt Greenback and it really kicks now.

Parker

Hey Captain.

Who makes the Vamp-Pro? and what made you decide on that over say a POD by line 6 or other modelers.(I am assuming that they are similar)
The Peavey Classic sure is a great amp, i have the Peavey Classic 30 and it is one on my favorite amps for overall Blues and Rock.I replaced the iner speaker with a Celestion 25 watt Greenback and it really kicks now.

Parker

Vamp-PRO = Behringer 'equivalent' of the PodXT-Pro, tho' only half the price. Generally reckoned by Pod owners to be "not-so-good" as the Pod, but most Vamp owners I know (at least on here) disagree.

Rack-mount 2U unit with analogue and digital connectivity.

I didn't so much 'choose' this one over a Pod, but got it in a deal for another Peavey Classic 120W mono tube poweramp. The previous owner wanted a tube poweramp, I wanted a preamp/fx unit.

He gave me the Vamp + £50 ($90). The Peavey may have been worth more in monetary terms, but it had cost me literally nothing ... and I really wanted a stereo poweramp instead of mono anyway, so it was no wrench for me to agree the deal.

ten months later, I found the Classic 50/50 on ebay for only £130 ($250), so smiles all round!

Btw, the 50/50 is a rackmount 2U poweramp only, not a combo. I drive my Behringer 4x12 400W (2 x 200W) stereo cab with it.

I looked up the Hot Cake pedal and they still make& sell them.It says they were made by a company named Crowthers ltd.I have never heard of this pedal until now even though the article said they have been around for awhile ,and many people like and use them.

Is this a British Company? sometimes people will support pedals that are native to them.I know in Canada we are proud of the Radial Tone Bone brand of somp boxes.They are extremly well built and have great tube emulation.

Parker

Think a bloke from New Zealand designed and sold them. If I can remember from the documentation that came with them. I'd never heard about them until I tried it in the shop. Tried a Boss, a Big Muff, an Ibanez Tube Screamer and the Hotcake. Little white pedal, looked like MXR in design. Loved the Tube Screamer, but the Hotcake did a little more even if it wasn't necessarily as hot as the tube screamer. The tube screamer did one thing and did it really well, the Hotcake gave you a wider range of sounds.

I loved it.

http://www.pedalgeek.com/cgi-bin/new_shop.cgi?config=&uid=QvlBdAAA1181504984&command=link--cah
http://www.guitar.com.au/effects/hotcake-audio/index.htm
http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Study/9077/hotcake.html
http://cgi.ebay.com/crowther-audio-hotcake-bluesberry_W0QQitemZ320230419252QQcmdZViewItem?IMS fp=TL0803211098a20834

"Crowther Audio Hotcake:
The Hotcake was first produced in 1976, while Paul Crowther was in the UK with the band, Split Enz. The Hotcake is designed to leave the undistorted component of the guitar sound unchanged.


Thanks for listing all those sites i got the above info off of pedal geek.
Interesting to see the Split Enz connection with Crowther.I have always liked the Finn brothers music they were way ahead of their time.I also see by the Ebay listing that they hold their value really well.If i didn't already have so many pedals i would buy the Hotcake sounds like it is very useful in many different areas.

Park

I guess the best endorsement I can give is that if I got back into an amp setup again and needed a distortion pedal, I would buy this one again.

As I use the Podxt, I didn't have a need for it.

I bought it for £125, and sold it for £132 I think was the final bid on ebay, so yeah, definitely held it's price.

Great pedal, just like the MXR phaser I also sold, but like I say, without a need for it, it was useless to me.

:thumb:

Here is a mod i did today to my Sparkle Drive Pedal.This pedal is made by Voo Doo Lab's and is basically a TS808 that has the ability to inject a clean signal blend into the overdrive.Great pedal for blues John Mayer uses one.
The biggest knock against it is that the gain is not powerfull enough and the mid are to strong without good bottom end.

In the picture shown are the mods i did the whole thing took about an hour

#1 was to replace the resistor from 4.7 to 1.1 Carbon Comp this will give it allot more gain and overdrive.,(also 3.3 or 2.2 can be used for less gain)
#2 was to replace the exsisting diodes with two 2 volt LED diode's these make the pedal louder and boosts gain ( red & yellow diodes)

#3 was to replace the.47uF capacitor with a .22uF this boosts the lows and gives the pedal more bottom end.
#4 was to replace the Op Amp Chip with and interchangable holder so i can experiment with different chips...like Bur Brown op amp or JRC4458D or LMN series like the chip used in the Pro-Co Rat

This mod took me just over an hour to do and gave me a vastly improved pedal that is capable of going head to head with tube powered overdrives like the Radial Hot British.
I have been doing this for a couple of years now and can offer advice if you would like to try this stuff yourself it is easy and fairly cheap to do.