Distortion sounds - Need advice

carlos seo · #1 07-30-2001, 10:06 PM

In my quest for perfect tone, I've now found the clean sound I want: JEM into a Fender amp with a tape echo and volume pedal in the FX loop (plus the excellent Fender reverb).

Now I'm trying different combinations to get a good distortion tone using the SAME amp. The Fender drive channels aren't that great for what I want (something like Steve Morse's sound in Deep Purple), so I would like suggestions for a distortion pedal -- for DISTORTION use, not lead boost!

Thanks!!

jay ratkowski · #2 07-30-2001, 10:21 PM

You will probably think I'm nuts...

But check out one of the old Marshall Shredmasters... they are neat.

DEFINATELY check out a Fulltone pedal of any sort... preferably all of them.

Josh Blagg · #3 07-30-2001, 10:48 PM

First off, I wouldn't try looking for a lead tone out of a Fender amp unless it's one you can get to start breaking up a lot. *However, if you do this, then you've lost your clean tone.

You can still get distortion, but I would tend to think it would be for psychadelic lead or rhythm playing. *Try some fuzz units, especially something by Fulltone or an old Fuzz Face.

Josh Blagg · #4 07-30-2001, 10:49 PM

By the way, which Fender amp are you using?

rgr · #5 07-31-2001, 11:01 PM

Wow, I agree with Jay, the old Shredmasters are pretty good distortion generators, not alot of output but they do sound good. *I also like the old Ibz MS-10 Metal Chargers, more of a distortion pedal than a "metal" pedal.

-R

jay ratkowski · #6 07-31-2001, 11:55 PM

Wait, someone agrees with me? *I change my mind. *Shredmasters suck! *Hahaha. *Kidding kidding.

What amp are you using anyways? *That might help find a distortion box that will match it.

Jesse Greenawalt · #7 08-01-2001, 12:12 AM

I like the Boss Metal Zone (but no OTHER Boss fuzzes that I've heard, strangely enough)

Tube screamer with the hot switch is pretty good - the TS-7. *Still not MASSIVE gain, though.

I also dig the DOD "super american metal" - the one with 4 knobs. *No subtlety - it's metal. *But a GOOD kinda metal, IMO... *But it does dominate the tone. *You might be able to get a used one cheap.

carlos seo · #8 08-01-2001, 12:45 AM

I'm using an old Roc Pro 700 (it sucks, I know...) for now. I'm getting a CyberTwin or an AVT in the end of the year.

Here's what I have:
- BOSS DS-1: great as a lead boost, suck at rhythm distortion.
- Ibanez TS-808: same as above, except if you like that SRV tone (I like it, but I want something like Steve Morse for now).
- Zoom 505 II: too artificial

Maybe I'll try an EQ after one of these pedals, but I don't want too many of them in my signal chain. I'm not even using a wah anymore!

Please, continue submiting your sugestions! Thanks!

PS- NO METAL TONES ARE DESIRED! Thanks!

jay ratkowski · #9 08-01-2001, 12:48 AM

Trust me, the Shredmaster, as metal as it sounds... does NOT get you a metal distortion tone... it is more of a warm rythm sound without all that much gain.

rgr · #10 08-01-2001, 05:35 PM

I agree, the Shredmaster or the MS-10. *The Metal Zone is way too buzzy to my ears. *
-R

AJ Love · #11 08-01-2001, 06:53 PM

either an Ibanzez TS-9 tubescreamer modded to 808 specs or a Crowther Hotcake

jay ratkowski · #12 08-01-2001, 07:40 PM

From my limited understanding, the Hotcake is not a distortion unit, but just a signal boost/enhancer... the little bit I've heard of it makes it sound like a fabulous unit... but I don't think it's intended as a distortion unit (unless there is more than one Hotcake out there?)

carlos seo · #13 08-02-2001, 01:16 AM

Hmm... I think I'll try the Shredmaster. And maybe the TS-9 reissue too (I don't like taking my TS-808 to gigs...there lot of bad people out there that would kill for one...).

I'll give you my thoughts about them ASAP...

AJ Love · #14 08-02-2001, 05:10 AM

the Hotcake is not a distortion unit or a signal boost but is an overdrive

I have one and its working very well in terms of pushing the amp into faster overdrive mode and giving a little extra sustain and overdrive tone

haven't used it with a Humbucker equipped guitar yet though, so I don't know if it'll be as good with Humbuckers or if that'll even make a difference, but with *single coils its great (I'm using a Telecaster, saving up for a 7VWH)

Josh Blagg · #15 08-02-2001, 02:17 PM

Choosing a unit such as a Metal Zone or anything of the like is going to create some very sharp sounding distortions with a clean amp, especially if it is solid state. *Your waveform is being massively amplified and clipped, which takes a lot of the tone characteristics away and produces a buzzing type of distortion.