Boost to overdrive amp?

[Naterade]

Hey there, i'm going from a dual channel amp to a single channel, low wattage tube amp. I'm in love with the overdrive I'm getting out of the amp with no pedals. however, I do need the availability to go from clean to dirty, and possibly to a high gain type sound. Does anyone have a suggestion of boost pedals to go from clean/slightly dirty to an overdrive, to something higher for lead?

Thanks!
Nathan

 

[Moose]

I use this pedal http://www.mieffects.com/BnBinbrief.htm

There is a bit of a spray on the virtues of buffered input vs. true-bypass that is a bit interesting.

The newer versions have both volume and gain settings. It works well for pushing a clean amp (like my bassman) and works best with single coils where the gain is significant.

 

[Naterade]

I'm curious as to the differences between the two. I've heard arguments for both, but I don't really know the differences.

I've also been looking at the Keeley Java Boost and the BBE Booste Grande. Any thoughts on those?

Thanks,

 

[Rafael]

Don't know about the Java Boost,never used one. My Boosta Grande is ok, it is not all that clean but not dirty enough to call it gain IMO. I wanted something that bossted the signal but added 0 gain...the BBE was not it. Still like it but I use my EQs for clean boost.

LOL, I don't know why I keep trying new pedals to do that for, been using the EQ for many many years with great result. Guess I keep thinking I'm going to find that grass is greener on the otherside thing in a pedal one of these days.

I also found it gets a bit bassy the more you raise the level on the Boosta Grande.

Anyhow for myself I use an old TS9, actually two now...just picked up a second, and my Boss EQs.

 

[Naterade]

After researching this today, I found this new gem from MXR. Seems to be my solve.

http://www.jimdunlop.com/index.php?page=products/pip&id=264&pmh=products/p_and_e_detail

anyone have experience with this pedal?

Thanks,
Nathan

 

[Six String]

I have not had experience with that particular pedal but the MXR pedals I have used in the past always did a good job for me. Good name! 8) 8) 8)

 

[Zeppelin Rules]

The Visual Sound Jekyll and Hyde is nice. Its basically an overdrive and distortion in one, with each one having a separate footswitch.

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/...tortion-Guitar-Multi-Effects-Pedal?sku=150481

 

[Rafael]

No experience with that particular pedal either, but like Six String I too been pleased with the MXR stuff...at least the stuff I've tried and own anyways.

Zepp, you like the Distortion side of that pedal? I do like the OD side, but the Distortion side...nah, not to much. Not saying it's bad , just not my cup of Joe. I wish I would have known about their Double Trouble before hand...still don't actually, haven't seen one yet. I have tried the single version and do like it.

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/...ual-Overdrive-Guitar-Effects-Pedal?sku=150478

 

[Naterade]

Yeah, I had looked at the double trouble...also peeked at the Route 66, which MAY be similar to what I'm looking for. However, in regards to the double trouble...with the low wattage amp that I'll be using I don't want to push too far. I'd have 3 overdrive stages of some kind going...too much mud, I think.

The route 66, overdrive and compressor/sustainer seemed nice...but that MXR pedal seems like it might be the ticket?

Anyone have experience with the Fulltone Fulldrive 2 Mosfet? Seems like it could also fit the bill, reviews are good, awards are good...anyone have any take on this pedal with my application?

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Fulltone-Fulldrive-2-Mosfet-Guitar-Effects-Pedal?sku=475963

 

[Rafael]

LOL, as a matter of fact I took that very same Fulltone pedal back after 4 weeks of fiddling with it and got the J&H instead.

It sounded great with my Strat, or single coil pickups, but it just killed my humbucker loaded guitars...actually P-90s too. Made my bottom end strings sound flat and lifeless...just nasty, no bass. Sounded like hitting a wet cardboard with drumsticks if that makes any sense. Plus all them switches and things, I only found one setting that I liked.

I use different guitars so for me it was to pricey and space consuming on my board just to have it as a one guitar dedicated type thing. As I said really great with my single coils, just didn't work out for me.

 

[Zeppelin Rules]

[quote author=Rafael link=topic=19346.msg234155#msg234155 date=1245161237]
No experience with that particular pedal either, but like Six String I too been pleased with the MXR stuff...at least the stuff I've tried and own anyways.

Zepp, you like the Distortion side of that pedal? I do like the OD side, but the Distortion side...nah, not to much. Not saying it's bad , just not my cup of Joe. I wish I would have known about their Double Trouble before hand...still don't actually, haven't seen one yet. I have tried the single version and do like it.

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/...ual-Overdrive-Guitar-Effects-Pedal?sku=150478
[/quote]

I tried it in a store for a while while I was boost shopping, and I rather liked both sides of it. I'm a bit of a metalhead though, and was very into metal then so it suited what I was trying to do.

 

[1Way]

Naterade
Since your current amp does great dirt, how about getting another small tube amp for your cleans, throw in a properly quality A/B/AB box and probably install lower and higher gain tubes in the respective (lower & higher gain) amps? Going this route may be a bit more expensive, but you could have all the gain range you need. Plus you are sticking with the formula that you credited for giving you such a good sound by keeping the signal path simple and distortion/overdrive is naturally provided by tubes.

As for a pedal for clean boost, I'm not very experienced in different models, but I like the Ibanez Tube Screamers, I have the Turbo (something) and it's an excellent clean boost. However I'd recommend upgrades like Keely because the tonal range and sonic character seems a bit lacking, but it is a decent transparent/clean boost.

Eventually and if you wanted to, you could simply add an appropriate line out from after the transformer (=serious but doable mod) from the clean amp into the guitar input of the dirtier amp to create a Herzog or early Eddy VH type rig.
:rockin:

BTW, what kind of low wattage amp did you get?

 

[Rafael]

[quote author=Zeppelin Rules link=topic=19346.msg234160#msg234160 date=1245168926]


I tried it in a store for a while while I was boost shopping, and I rather liked both sides of it. I'm a bit of a metalhead though, and was very into metal then so it suited what I was trying to do.
[/quote]

Oh Yeah....not bad for that at all I think. LOL, I just mainly go in the other direction being an old fart. You know...slow and clean with a bit of grit. As I said earlier my dirt pedals are TS9s, nothing fancy.

I did like the EH Metal Muff for that ZZ Top type stuff, really a great sounding pedal IMO. But it didn't like low watt amps for some reason, had to have the amp very loud for the pedal to shine. It sounded very very heavy in the mid range with a low watt amp...very ice pick and harsh sounding. Same if you try and clean it up via your guitar which I do.

Anyhow I gave it to my son and he loves it.

 

[Zeppelin Rules]

I'm convinced we use less gain as we get older. Its already started for me. When I first got my Marshall I didn't think that gain and volume on 10 was distorted enough, so I bought a boost. Now its gain on 3 volume 6, and I sometimes go less. It just makes it sound more like a guitar and less like a firebreathing dragon.

 

[Naterade]

Picked up a 1986 Marshall Studio 15/4001 1x12 Combo

2 6V6, 2 12AX7 through 1 celestion Greenback

I'm thinking of ripping the guts out and putting into another cab...as I think I might get a little more rounded out low-end out of a close-back cab...we'll just have to see. Might end up pulling the amp section and going head/cab separate. Only thing I don't like about it is that I'm used to Fender cleans, with juicy lows to boot...might go pick up a Fender Blues Jr and go the A/B route.

 

[8-ball]

[quote author=Zeppelin Rules link=topic=19346.msg234163#msg234163 date=1245170515]
I'm convinced we use less gain as we get older. Its already started for me. When I first got my Marshall I didn't think that gain and volume on 10 was distorted enough, so I bought a boost. Now its gain on 3 volume 6, and I sometimes go less. It just makes it sound more like a guitar and less like a firebreathing dragon.
[/quote]

I agree. I catch myself playing more on clean than drive. I'm 44 y.o.

 

[1Way]

[quote author=Zeppelin Rules link=topic=19346.msg234163#msg234163 date=1245170515]
I'm convinced we use less gain as we get older. Its already started for me. When I first got my Marshall I didn't think that gain and volume on 10 was distorted enough, so I bought a boost. Now its gain on 3 volume 6, and I sometimes go less. It just makes it sound more like a guitar and less like a firebreathing dragon.
[/quote]
+1

Age,,, ? ;D
Well, you may have a point, but for me, I'd say that "time" has something to do with it, but more in terms of practicing to improve one's playing ability (no matter what your age). With little effort, it's rather easy to create some cool sounds/effects from an nice overdriven tube amp because of it's huge sonic contributions and influences like; pick attack sensitivity, "chuga chuga" rhythmic punctuation, power tube overdrive provided singing sustain and harmonic overtones. So from my perspective, it might be a natural progression to grow toward less influence from an over-driven amp to create cool sounds as one's playing improves and cleans up (over time).

When I first got my JCM800, I thought it didn't have enough gain and that was my expectation before I got the amp. Today instead of looking for more gain, I ended up going for better tone. My amp currently has one 12AT7 (in a tone/signal V spot instead of 12ax7) which is significantly lower gain. However it provides smoother gain while frequency response seems more musical and organic/pure. As a consequence, the guitar sounds more tone-ful and it's that much easier to find musically related harmonic/melodic overtones. However playing with lower gain requires more skill to pull it off.

 

[1Way]

[quote author=Naterade link=topic=19346.msg234166#msg234166 date=1245177614]
Picked up a 1986 Marshall Studio 15/4001 1x12 Combo

2 6V6, 2 12AX7 through 1 celestion Greenback

I'm thinking of ripping the guts out and putting into another cab...as I think I might get a little more rounded out low-end out of a close-back cab...we'll just have to see. Might end up pulling the amp section and going head/cab separate. Only thing I don't like about it is that I'm used to Fender cleans, with juicy lows to boot...might go pick up a Fender Blues Jr and go the A/B route.
[/quote]
Excellent! My impression is that's a great amp, but I don't know much about it. I would love to hear it. I like Greenbacks for a vintage lower efficiency speaker. I bought a bass speaker and use it together with my guitar speaker of the same model line. I just play at home and it sounds great.

That's gotta be one of Marshall's lowest wattage amp. It might be the lowest. Would love to hear a sample.

vintage tube amp clean to dirt tip
With a tube amp, using the guitar's volume knob can go a long way toward providing clean to dirty sounds. Set your amp to max dirt and volume with your guitar's volume maxed so that you will not get too loud or whatever. Gradually reduce the guitar volume to gradually clean up the sound. It's that simple and it works. If I want the full range in a song, which I often do, I use about 3 for clean, 6 for typical and 10 for lead. Individual results may vary, but this approach exposes one of a tube amp's outstanding performance charms.

 

[Zeppelin Rules]

[quote author=8-ball link=topic=19346.msg234168#msg234168 date=1245177920]
I agree. I catch myself playing more on clean than drive. I'm 44 y.o.
[/quote]

Oh no, I'm 17 now, so by the time I'm Weasel's age I'll be playing through a mic pre ;D

 

[Rafael]

[quote author=Naterade link=topic=19346.msg234166#msg234166 date=1245177614]I'm thinking of ripping the guts out and putting into another cab...as I think I might get a little more rounded out low-end out of a close-back cab...we'll just have to see. Might end up pulling the amp section and going head/cab separate. Only thing I don't like about it is that I'm used to Fender cleans, with juicy lows to boot...might go pick up a Fender Blues Jr and go the A/B route.[/quote]Why don't you just pick you up a closed back cab and set the combo on top. When you need something small, you know depending of the place, just take the combo.I do that with my Princeton. I was originally going to swap out the 10" speaker in it for a 12", but decided to leave it and go with an external closed cab. I'm glad I did too...much happier and just love the combination.

Although, LOL, I did make a head for my Twin...mines a Red Knob Twin BTW. That silly thing is still heavy, HA. But I do love the tone, so I deal with. O heck, just realize, darn near 20 years now....got it in '89. But just got off my lazy butt and did the head a couple of years ago.

What's funny is the head head weighs more than the amp combo with just the two 12s in it. Those are some heavy you know what transformers Fender puts in there.