'Low-medium' gain distortion

shae · Post by **shae** » Sat Dec 06, 2008 2:28 pm

I'm about to start writing this summer and I want a few toys to play with. I used to have a ProCo Turbo Rat but it had far too much gain for me. I really liked the idea of the Ruetz mod on the Rat2's. How difficult would it be to have a 3-way switch to choose between both the resistors and in the middle position 'stock rat'. If so, that'd be leading the pack for me in terms of choices. Any others would be fantastic.

I currently have a Zvex Box Of Rock but I'm going to sell it and build myself SHO clone instead (already have the kit and it'll be my first proper build).

I play... uh, 'indie'? I guess? Think Cursive/early Modest Mouse/Desaparecidos guitar tones...

Post by **Mike** » Sat Dec 06, 2008 2:54 pm

The reutz rat is just a resistor snip, so you just need a 2 way switch to switch it in and out of the circuit, it's simple enough.

The Turbo RAT uses LEDs for clipping diodes, I think, instead of regular silicon switching diodes in the normal RAT2.

Sloan · Post by **Sloan** » Sat Dec 06, 2008 3:38 pm

T00BZ

shae · Post by **shae** » Sat Dec 06, 2008 3:49 pm

Mike wrote:The reutz rat is just a resistor snip, so you just need a 2 way switch to switch it in and out of the circuit, it's simple enough.

The Turbo RAT uses LEDs for clipping diodes, I think, instead of regular silicon switching diodes in the normal RAT2.

Ooer, that's a handy tip. Thanks muchly. The two-way would be much more plausible/simple enough for me to tackle confidently.

Sloan wrote:T00BZ

I already has a decent amp, a Vox AC15CC that's been modded and biased hot.
I like the hairy tones I get from it and I'd like some different distortion t0nez too hence the lust for a pedal.

BradK · Post by **BradK** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 1:55 am

If price isn't an option, you can always check Lovepedal pedals. I plan to pick one up in the new year, not sure which, but they all sound so great, imo.

Sloan · Post by **Sloan** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 4:47 am

A variety of ampz

shae · Post by **shae** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 5:13 am

Thanks guys. After watching Mikes vids (you should have directed me to them dude! I hadn't seen 'em before, I thought Doog was the 'go to' ruetz guy) I've decided to grab a Rat2 on Fleabay. I'm really gung-ho on this minimalist, somewhat 'cheap' setup. I'm think the whole 'GAS' thing has worn off and really all I'm gassing for is stability/flexibility/simplicity.

Basically this is how it'll look come time my BoR goes.

fender tele > zvex sho clone > ruetz rat2 > boss dm-2 > tremolo/reverb footswitch (rehoused, if possible?) > vox ac15

I like the idea of it especially with the sho left on most of the time and just use my volume knob. I would have loved to have gotten a SMMwH but vintage mojo, trade on a set of my HD25 headphones (I have two) and the fact that I prefer analog as I'm not into insane delay definitely sways me in that direction. Even though some tap tempo and loop functions would be effin sweet...

Thanks guys for the help thus far on my quest to finish my pedalboard before I head off to the country for some quiet writing time

I've got about 3-4 weeks so hopefully I'll be able to get it sorted by then and come up with a few cool tunes... or something.

Mages · Post by **Mages** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 6:58 am

Sloan wrote:A variety of ampz

yeah, I think that "indie" tone you are talking about is basically:

fender guitar (usually neck pickup) --> fender amp (turned to 7 or more)

that gives you that midrangey thing with mild breakup.

jcyphe · Post by **jcyphe** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 7:27 am

mage wrote:
fender guitar (usually neck pickup) --> fender amp (turned to 7 or more)

That's a tone I loathe.

I can't tell you how many boring bands have a Tele Deluxe or some boring shit like that, into a loud for no reason Fender Twin.

Sloan · Post by **Sloan** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 7:50 am

BASSMAN 10

light rail coyote · Post by **light rail coyote** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 8:05 am

Sloan wrote:2 BASSMAN 10s

Sublimedo · Post by **Sublimedo** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 10:41 am

Sloan wrote:BASSMAN 10 + BASSMAN + TWIN REVERB

I GOT WHAT U NEED

Sublimedo · Post by **Sublimedo** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 10:43 am

jcyphe wrote:
mage wrote:
fender guitar (usually neck pickup) --> fender amp (turned to 7 or more)

That's a tone I loathe.

hahaha we must piss you off everyday.

shae · Post by **shae** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 10:51 am

jcyphe wrote:
mage wrote:
fender guitar (usually neck pickup) --> fender amp (turned to 7 or more)

That's a tone I loathe.

I can't tell you how many boring bands have a Tele Deluxe or some boring shit like that, into a loud for no reason Fender Twin.

I guess my explanation failed. By indie, I meant not like a typical TGP user in that I think 'sound'/music/whatever should have it's "flaws" (their definition, not mine) such as being 'flabby', 'saturated' et al. I didn't mean that b/s you'd usually reference 'indie' with. Just not 'perfect'/expected I guess.

Really happy that I've finally got an idea on paper. Thanks for all the suggestions and a special thanks to Hurb and Mike for their videoz.

shae · Post by **shae** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 12:57 am

Just one more thing, in my searches for a delay I came across a Subdecay Echobox. These things are really, really, really nice.
Check it out on this YouTube clip.

The kids a bit funny too. I liked the Semaphore tremolo... ahh! I hate having capital/starting something over.

Post by **Mike** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 8:24 am

Yeah that video is awesome. The EchoBox is something we've chatted about here before, the guy makes good stuff.