Amp gain vs. distortion - Which one you prefair and why?

urkoman · #1 03-29-2002, 04:28 PM

That´s it. For me it´s crystal clear, nothing like a good distortion through a valve amp. Gain just for some rythms. What´s your oppinion?:argue:

Timon · #2 03-29-2002, 05:47 PM

Sorry, but what is the main difference between gain and distortion?

Haizal · #3 03-29-2002, 10:52 PM

Quote:

urkoman on 3:28 pm on Mar. 29, 2002
That´s it. For me it´s crystal clear, nothing like a good distortion through a valve amp. Gain just for some rythms. What´s your oppinion?:argue:

Are you talking about a distortion pedal *through an amp ? If you are then i have to disagree cos' if your amp is a good one like the Bogner Ecstacy, Rivera Bonehead, Carvin Legacy or Mesa Boogie Mark IIC, then why would you need a pedal to generate your distortion ? Yes, i admit that i do use a Boss DS-1 pedal with my Ecstacy and Legacy heads to overdrive the input but not to get distortion. Whatever, makes you happy i suppose cos' tone is subjective.

urkoman · #4 03-29-2002, 11:53 PM

I´m meaning to that ds-1, dmx distortion, a lot of other distortion peedals, multi FX distortions,etc...
*For me they are very different. I´ve used a lot a triple rectifier(and some other high gain amps,but maybe this is the most representative), do you think this amp´s gain is the same than a distortion?Not for me. Gain are less focused, good for some rithms but not even near to a disto in soloing specially.

Guitarlos2 · #5 03-30-2002, 04:13 PM

I prefer an amps gain over a pedals distortion most anyday. *It really depends on what kind of amp youre using though. *I have a Mesa DC-5, and I love the lead channel. *It has a great rhythm sound, and its good for leads as well *(although i do use a pedal to boost my signal for leads). *

You just cant get the same saturated tube tone out of a distortion pedal. *Its just a bunch of diode clipping, and simulated tube tone. *Distortion stomp boxes are cool for some stuff, but when it comes right down to it, the amp is where its at *

texshred777 · #6 03-30-2002, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Guitarlos2 on 3:13 pm on Mar. 30, 2002
I prefer an amps gain over a pedals distortion most anyday. *It really depends on what kind of amp youre using though. *I have a Mesa DC-5, and I love the lead channel. *It has a great rhythm sound, and its good for leads as well *(although i do use a pedal to boost my signal for leads). *

You just cant get the same saturated tube tone out of a distortion pedal. *Its just a bunch of diode clipping, and simulated tube tone. *Distortion stomp boxes are cool for some stuff, but when it comes right down to it, the amp is where its at *

Of course if you're using a soldano G.T.O supercharger it sounds quite a bit better...but for a 400 dollar distortion pedal it sure as hell better! *I thought about using one in a legacy on the lead channel when i want to get kinda crazy... :silly:

texshred777 · #7 03-30-2002, 06:20 PM

Quote:

urkoman on 3:28 pm on Mar. 29, 2002
That´s it. For me it´s crystal clear, nothing like a good distortion through a valve amp. Gain just for some rythms. What´s your oppinion?:argue:

I strongly disagree...listen to Jeffrey's track. *If Im correct he's just using his amps gain and it sounds pretty heavy to me. *Same with amps like bogners and VHT's. *If you're using a 50 watt plexi maybe the overdrive isn't heavy enough for leads, but any good modern high gain amp should have ample gain in the distorted preamp channel. *I use ds-1's and such for db boosts for lead work, but it sure as hell isn't for the gain. *But like I said, a tube driven o.d pedal like the supercharger should be good. *But or course the supercharger is basically the gain section of the slo 100's if Im correct. *

Sevenstringer · #8 03-30-2002, 07:04 PM

Amp distortion all the way. I don't even like processors for my sound. They are usually too brittle and harsh. Nothing will ever beat a nice tube amp distortion in my eyes

Fredric · #9 03-30-2002, 08:14 PM

Definitly Amp distortion

strat110 · #10 03-31-2002, 02:46 PM

A good quality amp distorion will allow you to clean up your tone somewhat by rolling back your volume control, I have yet to try a distortion pedal that does that well, I only use Overdrive pedals in front my Boogie DC-5 or Marshall 1987XW.

At the end of the day valve amp distortion has dynamics, pedal distortion doesn't.

CrossingStar · #11 03-31-2002, 04:58 PM

I've never had an expensive amp so I just about always use a distortion pedal for my leads. Like urkoman said, it's seems more focused that way.

Frankie · #12 06-05-2002, 02:54 AM

Quote:

I use ds-1's and such for db boosts for lead work, but it sure as hell isn't for the gain.

Why do you use the ds-1 to boost your signal for solo work? Why not use an EQ pedal of some sort?? Wouldn't ds-1 affect the nice distorted tone from your amp ??

Mr Orange · #13 06-05-2002, 03:55 AM

A fuzz pedal combined with amp distortion is the way to go... and vol pot on the guitar works!

RSVampire · #14 06-05-2002, 04:18 AM

anybody ever pop pedals in front of a Line 6 Flextone or POD?

texshred777 · #15 06-05-2002, 05:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RSVampire

anybody ever pop pedals in front of a Line 6 Flextone or POD?

I thought about it once...but i haven't. Only guitar and my wah pedal before the pod. i find that doing some tracks with the pod can get really muddy...so i would never do that.