ShortScale.org

Can someone recommend a good one?

I have the MD-2 from boss.

How about MXR Distortion 3 or Distortion Plus?

Want some Classic dist tones. All from Smashing Pumpkins to Black Sabbath and Andy Timmons.

Iommi used a Rangemaster into a valve amp, usually a Laney but sometimes a Marshall or an Orange. Corgan used a modified Big Muff into a modified Marshall.

I find I can get decent enough Sabbath sounds from my Big Muff Tone Wicker. I've never really tried to dial in that Corgan sound, but y'know, it sounds good enough. I'd say have a good look at a Muff pedal. I love Muffs.

ekwatts wrote:Iommi used a Rangemaster into a valve amp, usually a Laney but sometimes a Marshall or an Orange. Corgan used a modified Big Muff into a modified Marshall.

I find I can get decent enough Sabbath sounds from my Big Muff Tone Wicker. I've never really tried to dial in that Corgan sound, but y'know, it sounds good enough. I'd say have a good look at a Muff pedal. I love Muffs.

Electro Harmonix Muff?

Have a look at the MXR Super Badass Distortion, looks to be pretty versatile with a 3 band eq.

Classic distortion...

I'd suggest:

- Marshall Guvnor (90s black one)

- MXR Distortion +

OR a DOD 250 (based on the above)

- Proco Rat

- Marshall Shredmaster (black case)
OR, the distortion side of the Visual Sound J&H pedal. is based on a Shredmaster.


Admittedly some of the above might be considered overdrive by modern standards.

I'm not into modern, high gain distortion sounds.

To me, classic distortion is a Rat pedal. You can't go far wrong with one.


edit: typos

I recently tried a Turbo Rat again, and was pleasantly surprised.

What don't you like about the MD2?

johnnyseven wrote:What don't you like about the MD2?

Who? Me? The Boss MD2? I don't know much about it explitcitly, but it's name puts me off to start off with. :p It just isn't the sort of distortion sound that is my thing: I'm not into modern hard rock or metal. And I'm generally not fussed with Boss dirt pedals (actually, Boss pedals in general); I think there are better options.

A RAT is a good place to start. As much as I utterly love them, I find muffs are a little tricky with certain setups - I've gone through several amps and types of Muff to find the right combination for certain sounds, and I still haven't finished really. The same goes for any type of fuzz...they're fun but strange beasts at times. RATs are easier to use and really versatile. It's probably as good of a 'go-to' dirt box as any.

That said, the Sabbath sound is is very fuzzy and muff-y with some midrangey valve breakup on occasion, as is the classic Pumpkins I guess. Loads of distortion, but not necessarily in a heavy metal "thrashy Metallica scooped dual rectifier amp" kind of way. Which I'm not really a fan of either. I dig old-school fuzz too.

Thanks for advice everyone.

I dont like the md2 because it so noisy.
I think the distortion in that pedal is to much.
It isnt the classic distortion. Its more of the nu-metal sound.

Oh, and there's all those modern Marshall-in-a-box type of crunch/distortion pedals - and their cheap Chinese brand clones.

for example:

- Mi Audio Crunch Box and the Joyo equivalent (JF-03 Crunch Distortion?) -and the Danelectro Cool Cat Distortion? and Mooer Cruncher?

- the Joyo version (JF-16 British Sound) of the Tech 21 'British'

- the Joyo or Mooer equivalent of the Suhr Riot


Do they that count based on what you're after?

What kind of amp are you using?

dub wrote:What kind of amp are you using?

Im using a Peavey valve king 4x12 amplifier.
And also direct into my mixerboard.

Have also tried it on a Bugera 2x12.

Ro S wrote:Oh, and there's all those modern Marshall-in-a-box type of crunch/distortion pedals - and their cheap Chinese brand clones.

for example:

- Mi Audio Crunch Box and the Joyo equivalent (JF-03 Crunch Distortion?) -and the Danelectro Cool Cat Distortion? and Mooer Cruncher?

- the Joyo version (JF-16 British Sound) of the Tech 21 'British'

- the Joyo or Mooer equivalent of the Suhr Riot


Do they that count based on what you're after?

I have to see.

weeping_moon wrote:Thanks for advice everyone.

I dont like the md2 because it so noisy.
I think the distortion in that pedal is to much.
It isnt the classic distortion. Its more of the nu-metal sound.

I have an MD-2 and found it to be quite versatile, it has plenty of lower and higher gain tones inside it's little red box.

What pickups are you using? If using higher gain pickups it may explain why you think the distortion is a bit over the top. It sounds great in my Tele with a Dimarzio Pre B1 in the bridge, it is fussy about which amps it sounds good through though.

imo distortion = rat EVERY TIME (especially for sabbath!)

It can be picky with overly powerful pickups though so take care there

I mostly use high output humbuckers.
All from 10 ohms to 25 ohms.

I think that's where your problem lies, especially with the noise problem. If you want classic distortion tones and versatility i'd try using lower output pickups and let the pedal/amp do the work.

Maybe give one of these a whirl, 7 'classic' distortion pedals in one.

http://www.digitech.com/en/products/df- ... on-factory

Johno wrote:Maybe give one of these a whirl, 7 'classic' distortion pedals in one.

http://www.digitech.com/en/products/df- ... on-factory

A digitech dirtbox modeller pedal. Eek. *shivers*