Distortion Pedals...

[Prime Mover]

I know this isn't exactly on-topic for DP, but I really trust everyone here on tone-related topics, so I thought I'd shoot this question your way.

I play in a progrock/metal band, and my guitarist is looking for a new distortion pedal. He's been using a decent Line 6 solid-state pedal, but being a bit of a gearhead, he's looking for a good tube pedal. We live in a small town in Alaska, so there's no guitar-centers or the like to be able to go try billions of different pedals, so we're having to partially rely on web reviews and outside suggestions. So, the other day, he picked up this Seymour-Duncan Mayhem twin-tube distortion pedal. We're running it out of this 75W bassman amp, it sounded pretty good, but honestly, probably could be a bit better, and wasn't very versitile. He's looking for a good thick metal tone (he listens to a lot of deathy stuff like Amorphis and Opeth), and I'm into my share of progmetal like Dream Theater and Pain of Salvation. But I'm worried that pedals that have good rythm sounds tend to sound really crappy for leads, and vice-versa. There's also the question of having separate EQ and gate pedals, or going with more self-contained stuff.

What route do you guys go, and what have you found works in setups you've dealt with?

Oh, and specifically, anyone have any experience with Damage Control Demonizer and Solid Metal pedals?

[Larry Mal]

I use a Pro Co Rat myself, and I love it, but it does bring up the point of a pedal being good for rhythm or lead. This shines for rhythm to me, but it doesn't cost a lot, and would be a great addition to any arsenal in my opinion. What you are describing sounds like a Tube Screamer to me. These two pedals have been around forever for a reason, it might be a good idea to start with some well established pedals here. Good luck, L

[kassonica]

I have a collection of distortion pedals and a few that I use for those kind of sounds, are indeed the Tube screamer but an original TS9 not the reissue (which are not the same) An ibanez Super metal pedal which is an incredibly versatile pedal with very good filters. Steve Via used to use one.

One pedal thats still being made now is the Digi tech Bad monkey pedal which is very like the tube screamer but a tad more versatile, worthy of checking out.

Good luck with it.

[adeptusmajor]

i will always love my EH big muff pi

they make about a million different muff pedals now, offering all sorts of options, as well as some tube driven pedals.

there's demos on their website for most of their gear.

you really can't go wrong with any of the electro-harmonix stuff.

thick, creamy, and delicious.

[corbo-billy]

I use the Adrenalinn III from Roger Linn, which is not really a pedal but with a set of rhythms and effects disengaged or not.
It is ironic but covers an ear to this product _

[mongoose]

i will always love my EH big muff pi

Ditto. Not very expensive, and sounds awesome.

[grouse]

i love the "Jekyll & Hyde" by Visual Sound. apart from the fact that it sounds great it has both "overdrive" and "distortion" on it, controlled by two separate buttons. so it can be used for rhythm and then lead with a volume boost to boot. you can also combine the 2 sounds. it's 2 great pedals in one basically.
i've had many distortion pedals over the years and this is by far my favourite.
i've just noticed they have made a new version of this. i have one of the originals.

http://www.visualsound.net/v2jh.htm

[James Steele]

Do you guys use distortion pedals as an effect for a special type of sound? The reason I ask is that I haven't owned a distortion pedal in years. I get the sound I want from the amplifier. I have used a boost-type pedal (I use a Boss EQ pedal with gain for this) for leads, but that's about it.

[Larry Mal]

That's a good point: when I play through an amp, which is virtually never these days, I use a 12 (I think) watt late 60's Fender Princeton and just turn it all the way up. The tubes distort great, the amp itself is distorting, and it isn't so loud to defeat either your hearing or a microphones. Fender makes a reissue that is designed to work the same way these days, it's a little juiced up but the concept is there.

To me, small amps are the best. I am still intrigued by those half watt pedal size amps I was looking at years ago for recording purposes as well.

[kassonica]

Do you guys use distortion pedals as an effect for a special type of sound? The reason I ask is that I haven't owned a distortion pedal in years. I get the sound I want from the amplifier. I have used a boost-type pedal (I use a Boss EQ pedal with gain for this) for leads, but that's about it.

Pretty much I use the Tube screamer as an creamy overdrive for solo's etc.

I also use the EQ pedal in the way you do. It's such a great pedal that one.

The combination of the two works a real treat.

[grouse]

Do you guys use distortion pedals as an effect for a special type of sound? The reason I ask is that I haven't owned a distortion pedal in years. I get the sound I want from the amplifier. I have used a boost-type pedal (I use a Boss EQ pedal with gain for this) for leads, but that's about it.

absolutely. amp-pedal combinations create their own unique tone. sometimes i like to crank the amp, other times i like the pedal.

[Tim]

Do you guys use distortion pedals as an effect for a special type of sound? The reason I ask is that I haven't owned a distortion pedal in years. I get the sound I want from the amplifier. I have used a boost-type pedal (I use a Boss EQ pedal with gain for this) for leads, but that's about it.

I have tons of pedals, most from the 60's and 70's. I use them in the studio for effect like you mention.
For live gigs, since the late 70's I've always used a boost pedal to kick in leads, with distortion and fuzz (Muff) pedals for low level distortion parts. For most of the 80's it was an old Ibanez three band eq pedal (which I still have) with the mid band boosted, but nowdays I use homemade clean boost pedals.

In the studio, more than pedals, I use different amps for different sounds.

I've never had a Tube Screamer; other cats can sound great with them, but not me.

[kassonica]

Do you guys use distortion pedals as an effect for a special type of sound? The reason I ask is that I haven't owned a distortion pedal in years. I get the sound I want from the amplifier. I have used a boost-type pedal (I use a Boss EQ pedal with gain for this) for leads, but that's about it.

I have tons of pedals, most from the 60's and 70's. I use them in the studio for effect like you mention.
For live gigs, since the late 70's I've always used a boost pedal to kick in leads, with distortion and fuzz (Muff) pedals for low level distortion parts. For most of the 80's it was an old Ibanez three band eq pedal (which I still have) with the mid band boosted, but nowdays I use homemade clean boost pedals.

In the studio, more than pedals, I use different amps for different sounds.

I've never had a Tube Screamer; other cats can sound great with them, but not me.

Let me know if you part with any PLEASE....

Thanks

[kurtl]

I have and use a Mesa Road King. I love it. But found I still wanted a boost of some kind here and there. Then I discovered Monte Allums. http://www.monteallums.com/
I then thought I'd try his Boss DS-1 Mods. After all Mr Vai has used a Kelly modded DS-1 for his distortion for years. The DS-1 is the least expensive Boss. I got the DS-1 Rectifier Mod., just to see how close it got to the Mesa sound.
It is very close. Then I started using it to boost my already distorted Recto sound. You dial in a good crunchy metal rhythm, then step on the DS-1 for more of everything. It could be more volume or more distortion or bite. I also got the Super Overdrive SD-808 Mod Plus. And also the CS-3 Opto Mod, makes that compressor very usable. You can never have too many colors in your palette.

[daniel.sneed]

Waiting for delivery of a Fulltone GT-500.
A dual overdrive + distorsion pedal. Seems very flexible.
If this one is what I expect it to be, I'll report here.

BTW you'll find many reports on nearly every pedals on Youtube.