Crunch

[AeroG33k]

Basically, what pedal/fx unit would I use to add a heavy crunch to an otherwise clean amp?

 

I have a Gibson GA-30, LOVE the sound, but it won't do heavy crunch. Although I usually play clean, sometimes I just feel the need for heavy leads (petrucci-like is the sound I'm going for), which my SD-1 (by itself) just won't deliver. Not to mention it clouds the signal even when bipassed. True tubes would be a plus, but I'm assuming I'll have to go solid state, since I can't imagine a little pedal-enclosed preamp tube alone giving me the crunch that I need. Suggestions?

[Tone Taster]

You'll find something that's kinda cool for a little while, and then you'll realize that you need to just get an amp that crunches

 

For a quality pedal that gets tons of a gain and doesn't screw your tone up, get the NADY TD-1 for 129 FRNS

 

The Tone Bone copied their patent and sells it for 300 FRNS

[picker]

You might try the Visuasl Sound Jeckyl & Hyde pedal. IT will do both bluesy overdrive and heavy crunch. You might also consider using a POD 2.0 in front of the amp. It doesn't do bluesy overdrive well at all, but it does the mondo heavy crunch thing really well.

[Guitarzan]

Originally posted by yZeCounsel:

You'll find something that's kinda cool for a little while, and then you'll realize that you need to just get an amp that crunches

 

For a quality pedal that gets tons of a gain and doesn't screw your tone up, get the NADY TD-1 for 129 FRNS

 

The Tone Bone copied their patent and sells it for 300 FRNS

you mentioned this before, maybe the original designer took the idea and started radial engineering or something like that. i am curious about this. i checked Nady's site. do they still make the TD-1? the tonebone does look very much like it doesn't it.

do you have any more info about this?

i am curious if the insides are as similar as the outside.

[BiC]

Try the Boss Metal Zone:

 

web page

 

God Bless

[67gretsch]

If you have an open mind and are willing to re-think what you now know about amps and pedals, I would like to introduce you to www.amptone.com.

 

I found this site recently and it is changing EVERYTHING for me. This guy has the mystical knowledge I've bee looking for. I am still winding through his research before applying to my own set up.

[Tone Taster]

Originally posted by 67gretsch:

If you have an open mind and are willing to re-think what you now know about amps and pedals, I would like to introduce you to www.amptone.com.

 

I found this site recently and it is changing EVERYTHING for me. This guy has the mystical knowledge I've bee looking for. I am still winding through his research before applying to my own set up.

Looks pretty intriguing

 

Thanks

[Warthog]

Originally posted by Picker:

You might try the Visuasl Sound Jeckyl & Hyde pedal. IT will do both bluesy overdrive and heavy crunch. You might also consider using a POD 2.0 in front of the amp. It doesn't do bluesy overdrive well at all, but it does the mondo heavy crunch thing really well.

I second that recommendation on the J&H. Awesome!

[67gretsch]

For an interesting overdrive /distortion pedal,you might try the one i have by Line 6 called: TONECORE UBER METAL.I use this one for blues.

It is built like a tank.Gives you overdrive sounds and setting combos for 1960's - 80's.Lots of EQ to sculpt the sound.

If you get one make sure you buy a power supply -it eats batteries for breakfast.

I also recommend a well made treble booster.

[souvenir]

You could try one of the MI Audio pedals:

 

http://miaudio.com/Pedals.htm

[jimash]

I have a NAdy TD-1 and I quite like it. I cvould easily have spent twice as much and been half as happy.

Yes they still make 'em and you can get a new one for 100 bones.

What's his name at indyguitaist.com com[pared the innards and says "same as Tonebone".

I bought it because i have been using an 80's Nady TO-2 and quite like that too but I wanted something with more bottom which the new one has.

I would change the tube but so far I've hasd trouble taking apart so I gave up.

If regular pedals always sound "gritchy" to you it's a good alternative.

[Tone Taster]

Originally posted by jimash:

I would change the tube but so far I've hasd trouble taking apart so I gave up.

.

I tried, too

 

You'd have to take the pcb out to do it

[jimash]

Thanks Yze,

I understand the process and looked at the pictures,

you do have to strip it down completely. I just couldn't get the screws on the bottom loose. The phrase "built like a tank' comes to mind.

Incidentally, if you look it up, this too is just like the Tonebone.

 

With my old TO-2 the box is like an old MXR box. 4 screws off thew bottom and there is the tube. But I never changed that one either (in 18 years) because it already had in it a tube identical to the one I handpicked. Shocking.

[musicalhair]

Hey Areogeek, your playing like an old Gibson amp like a '62 or something, right?? If that is the case-- or even if it is not for that matter-- and you love your tone and it does like what you need most of the time then I think you are right in looking for a stompbox to get the distorted sound you want.

 

That said I beleive what a stomp box sounds like has a lot to do with the guitar in front of it and the amp in back of it. Any recommendation I make comes from my amps and my guitars and my ears and ultimately just starting off points for you to think about.

 

Of the pedals I've used that might get you what you want, considering you're playing essentially a bullet-proof amp, I'd recommend checking out the Fulltone Fulldrive II, SIB Varidrive, or a Marshall Jackhammer. Each sound different and are in different price ranges and availabilities, but each for my tastes can get a really heavy sound.

 

Petrucci (sorry if I spell his name wrong) uses Mesa Boogie amps I think (I could be way off, I'm not a big Dream Theater guy) and they have their own sound that you might be looking for. Maybe you should check out a Mesa Boogie V-Twin. I haven't but it might do what you're looking for.

[AeroG33k]

Thanks for the advice, I'm on a very limited budget (still in college), so I know I won't nail that sound completely, I was just stating that's the 'type' of sound I'm going for. I'm going to check your suggestions out along with a Seymour Duncan Twin Tube Classic...the Brian May Special is also still in the game (I made good experiences with using two boosts, in this case SD-1 + BM Special, in series to get a high-gain sound) and I was looking for a low-power recording/practice amp. Thanks again!

[jimash]

Seymour TWin tube is expepnsive.

The one at GC was broken.

[Ol Boy Rivers]

Aero, I actuall have a J&H and it is really an awsome peice of work. All analog, TRue bypass, Two channel stomper. On the one side its a tubescreamer ( Which i think is absolutly awsome for rythm work ) And the other side is justa heavy metal pedal. IT cranks, And SCREAMS! ( And Since you play a strat it would have the basic same effect, Only god knows what it would sound like with that lespaul of yours ) I say get the visual sounds J&K, OR that new huges and kettner pedal they have out, Im not sure what its call but if its but Huges im sure its a mean machine!

[Xplorer]

Originally posted by BiC:

Try the Boss Metal Zone:

 

web page

 

God Bless

The Boss Metal Zone all the way. It will give you crunch until you can't handle it. I've had lot's of distortion pedals, and I'm always finding myself trying to push them harder. The Meatl Zone, I need to back off on. It can handle light overdrive all the way up to ear bleed.