THE BEST CHEAP PEDALS: Part 1 - Overdrive/Distortion/Fuzz/EQ

Ro S · Post by **Ro S** » Fri Oct 15, 2010 12:12 am

I thought it would be interesting to devise a list of what are generally considered the best cheap effects pedals.

I'm looking for people's suggestions please.

To define 'cheap', for these purposes I mean no more than Â£45 / $70.

An item can be new or used.

This thread, Part 1, will address the following categories of pedals:

OVERDRIVE
DISTORTION
FUZZ
EQ

I thought Part 2 could deal with modulation effects, and Part 3 could address delay and reverb.

Thanks

jcyphe · Post by **jcyphe** » Fri Oct 15, 2010 12:17 am

I think there was already a thread like this.

Ro S · Post by **Ro S** » Fri Oct 15, 2010 12:19 am

Ok, to kick things off, here are my own suggestions:

OVERDRIVE

Nobels ODR-1 Natural Overdrive
Ibanez TS7 Tubescreamer (ToneLok series)
Ibanez TS5 (Soundtank series)
Boss SD-1 Super Overdrive
Arion SOD-1 Overdrive
Digitech Bad Monkey
Digitech Screamin Blues
Marshall BB2 Bluesbreaker 2
Daphon E20OD Overdrive (also known by other brand names) [Tubescreamer clone?]
Danelectro Daddy-O (large, metal series)
Danelectro Blue Paisley PureDrive (large, metal case series)
Danelectro TO-1 Transparent Overdrive v1 [Timmy clone]
Danelectro CO-1 Drive v1 [Fulltone OCD clone]
Zoom PD-01 Pure Drive
Behringer TO800 Vintage Tube Overdrive
Behringer VT911 Vintage Tube Overdrive (metal case, w/ real tube)

DISTORTION

Marshall Guvnor (original)
Marshall GV2 Guvnor plus
Boss DS-1 Distortion
Marshall ShredMaster
Boss HM-2 Heavy Metal
Danelectro Fab Tone (large, metal series)
ProCo Rat (reissue)

FUZZ

Electro Harmonix Big Muff NYC
Electro Harmonix Little Big Muff (XO series)
Danelectro French Toast (octave fuzz - plastic mini series) [Foxx Tone Machine clone]
Ibanez TZ5 60s Fuzz (Soundtank series)
Ibanez TZ7 Fuzz (ToneLok series)
Danelectro CF1 Fuzz v1 (Cool Cat series) [Frantone Peach Fuzz clone]
Behringer SF-300 Super Fuzz [Boss FZ2 clone?]
DOD FX52 Classic Fuzz
DOD FX66 Flashback Fuzz
Guyatone TZ2 The Fuzz

EQ

Arion MEQ-1
Danelectro Fish & Chips (plastic mini series)
Behringer EQ700
GLX/Beta Aivin EQ [Boss GE7 clone?]

Other contributions please...

jcyphe · Post by **jcyphe** » Fri Oct 15, 2010 12:22 am

Ro S wrote:

Ibanez TS5 60s Fuzz (Soundtank series)

The TS5 was a tube screamer. The Ibanez Sixties fuzz was the FZ5.

Ro S · Post by **Ro S** » Fri Oct 15, 2010 12:28 am

jcyphe wrote:
Ro S wrote:

Ibanez TS5 60s Fuzz (Soundtank series)
The TS5 was a tube screamer. The Ibanez Sixties fuzz was the FZ5.

corrected

Ro S · Post by **Ro S** » Fri Oct 15, 2010 12:41 am

jcyphe wrote:I think there was already a thread like this.

I did a forum search for last 3 years; I could not find such a thred.

jcyphe · Post by **jcyphe** » Fri Oct 15, 2010 12:53 am

Ro S wrote:
jcyphe wrote:I think there was already a thread like this.
I did a forum search for last 3 years; I could not find such a thred.

Legendary cheap pedals. Name your favorite budget greats

I don't have problem with a new thread I was just wondering if you already looked through the info on here. It has been the subject of threads and many posts.

Haze · Post by **Haze** » Fri Oct 15, 2010 5:10 am

Ibanez TS5 Turdscreamer
Rat 2
BMP w/ Tone Wicker
Fish n Chips EQ, $40 new? Basically a Sniper Modded GE7.

johnnyseven · Post by **johnnyseven** » Fri Oct 15, 2010 8:33 am

Ro S wrote:Ok, to kick things off, here are my own suggestions:

OVERDRIVE
Danelectro TO-1 Transparent Overdrive v1 [Timmy clone]

DISTORTION
Marshall ShredMaster

I wouldn't include either of these on the cheap list. I saw a TO-1 got for nearly 70 quid on ebay last week and don't Shreadmasters attract equally silly money due to their Radiohead/MBV connections?

However, I would include a Rat and Turbo Rat - both would need to be used/2nd hand though to get into your price bracket.

I would also agree with the Dano French Toast, if it wasn't for the fact it doesn't have an LED it would be on my pedalboard.

Fran · Post by **Fran** » Fri Oct 15, 2010 9:15 am

Given the Effects you are looking for i think Dano Cool Cats win hands down except for the EQ obviously.
I've always used an Ibanez TS7 on and off, good pedal, the Marshall GV2 is a good pedal especially at second hand prices.

Add the Dod 250 into Overdrives.
For Distortions;
Boss DS-2
Danelectro Cool Cat Distortion
Ibanez Smash Box
MXR Distortion +
Behringer Tube Amp Modeller

All decent pedals.

Haze · Post by **Haze** » Fri Oct 15, 2010 1:54 pm

Oh fuck. MXR classic distortion. Great cheap overdrive pedal

stewart · Post by **stewart** » Fri Oct 15, 2010 1:56 pm

johnnyseven wrote:
Ro S wrote:Ok, to kick things off, here are my own suggestions:

OVERDRIVE
Danelectro TO-1 Transparent Overdrive v1 [Timmy clone]

DISTORTION
Marshall ShredMaster
I wouldn't include either of these on the cheap list. I saw a TO-1 got for nearly 70 quid on ebay last week and don't Shreadmasters attract equally silly money due to their Radiohead/MBV connections

original marshall guv'nors can fetch a pretty penny too. lovely pedals though.