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Post by LM on Feb 12, 2020 21:23:34 GMT -5
I've tried dozens of OD/distortion pedal combinations throughout the years. Some have worked and many have not. It can be a challenge to find two OD's that are simpatico with your amp. I've been fortunate to find that combination for me.
I've had a Blues Driver, or Keeley variant, on my board for 20+ years and I've gone thru dozens of pedals to compliment it. I set the BD-2 to push the amp into light OD and then a second pedal for higher gain. Actually, I now have three ODs and the third is for lead gains.
About 10 years ago, I added a Fulltone Plimsoul and it did the trick. I've bumped it a couple of times for other pedals that I thought I wanted, but the Plimsoul always returned. Most recently, it was the Wampler Paisley Drive and Tumnus Deluxe.
With these two pedals, and now my Maz 18, I can get everything from nice cleans to bluesy breakup to Plexi'ish growl. My tone is actually making me smile these days.
Other pedals that were good on their own but didn't play well with others for various reasons were the Vox Valve-Tone, Marshall Bluesbreaker II, Reverend Drivetrain, and Barber Direct Drive.
You?
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Post by mojito on Feb 13, 2020 9:15:00 GMT -5
I have an OCD on my board as well as a Timmy. I use them separately but occasionally I will bump the OCD with the Timmy and it puts some hair on my tone.
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McCreed
Halfnote
Posts: 76
Formerly Known As: Mick Reid @ FDP
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Post by McCreed on Feb 14, 2020 1:53:12 GMT -5
“...occasionally I will bump the OCD with the Timmy and it puts some hair on my tone.”
You’ll find that when you get older, hair will just appear on it by itself 😉
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Post by budg on Feb 14, 2020 6:04:37 GMT -5
I have a Tubescreamer TS9 and a Digitech CM2 that sound great together when the CM2 modified switch is engaged.
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Post by Peegoo 🏁 on Feb 14, 2020 8:22:43 GMT -5
When I used a pedalboard I had a single boost, overdrive or distortion. Having a really good amp that sounds great all by itself is what floats my boat; I set it right at the edge of breakup when the guitar volume is at 6 or 7. Turning up the guitar volume gets the crunchies started, and then stepping on the pedal gets the tone and sustain really going. For a year or three I used a Wampler Dual Fusion, which is an overdrive and distortion in one pedal. |
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Post by zenland on Mar 5, 2020 14:19:45 GMT -5
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Post by walshb 🦒 on Mar 5, 2020 16:30:50 GMT -5
Great article! And some good info about a lot of different pedals. Thanks! |
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Post by LM on Mar 5, 2020 19:14:13 GMT -5
Good article! I would definitely add the Blues Driver to the transparent club, especially the Keeley.
To me, the Plimsoul is an OCD +. It can do everything the OCD can do plus has flexibility with the Stage 2 control to go from tweed to plexi.
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Post by mikedetorrice on Mar 5, 2020 23:46:47 GMT -5
Stacking OD pedals can be great, but I have noticed that in a number of cases, if you really fine tune and optimize a pedal to sound great by itself, you have to re-tweak one or both pedals to get an ideal "stacked" sound and response. And vice-versa, so an ideal stacked set up may need each individual pedal adjusted somewhat to get the best sound by itself.
Naturally, unless the compromises are too noticeable, many times one can still get usable results that make it worthwhile.
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Post by LM on Mar 6, 2020 8:12:44 GMT -5
I've noticed that too, Mike. That's why I added a third OD for lead boost. That configuration provides 9 tonal options.
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Post by mikedetorrice on Mar 7, 2020 13:04:49 GMT -5
I've noticed that too, Mike. That's why I added a third OD for lead boost. That configuration provides 9 tonal options. Yep, that'll work, too ! I'm also aware that all this plays (no pun intended !) into my usual "pendulum" of guitar set ups. I may start with a real simple set up, like a guitar and amp with a way to go between a clean and OD/lead sound. Then I add a pedal to give me an extra option or two. Next, another couple of pedals for great flexibility. Then, heck, my full pedalboard arrangement ........ followed by satellite pedals that can't fit on the board. From there (at least at one point during some gigging days) a 12-space stereo tube midi-controlled rack for that "awesome" sound and incredible control. And still maybe a pedal or two in front. Following that, back to a simplified smaller non-stereo rack ......... then, two small combo amps I can switch between ........ next, a single amp with various pedals ....... then a smaller combo with a pedal ...... then just an amp with rhythm/lead switch. Repeat. (but it is all still fun chasing the ideal sound and set up,, LOL !) |
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Post by Blacksunshine on Mar 17, 2020 16:14:28 GMT -5
I used to use a TS-7 in hot mode for my normal overdrive sound, then hit a TS-9 for my lead boosts. It sounded great.
Now I still use a TS-7 but this one is modded, and I use a Blues Driver for my lead boost.
Both arrangements seem to stack nicely and compliment each other.
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Post by Blacksunshine on Mar 17, 2020 16:33:17 GMT -5
I'm looking into the Bonsai, or the TS-9DX, or the Pallisades. Or all of the above! Can't have too many dirt pedals on the board, ya know.  |
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Tall-Fir
Wholenote
Liking both kinds of music—Country and Western!
Posts: 109
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Post by Tall-Fir on Mar 29, 2020 9:23:25 GMT -5
Years ago when the Boss Blues Driver was first out, I used it with a Maxon OD808. I remember using these together and placing the Maxon first in line. I really don’t think I knew exactly what I was looking for one way or the other, but I remember it was a pleasing combo. Then I went pedal less for years, but I did keep the Maxon. I use it now for just a nudge and love it. SRV used an 808 and is well worth trying out if one hasn’t already.
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