nosajwp Posted January 5, 2006 Posted January 5, 2006 I really love the sound of my DC-10, especially with the JJ's, but every now and then, I could use a little different sound. I'm not looking for anything wild or over the top, just some subtle things. I also want something that would be useable for more than just one or two songs, but not all the time.I've been messing around with a cheap chorus pedal, and I like what it can do when it's added in small doses. What other kinds of things could I use as "subtle" effects?Also, I love the sound of my lead channel, but I wish I could "turn it to 11". Is there an OD/booster pedal that could give me that extra push, without changing the character of the channel?
RobB Posted January 5, 2006 Posted January 5, 2006 What other kinds of things could I use as "subtle" effects?Is there an OD/booster pedal that could give me that extra push, without changing the character of the channel?I like to use the MXR EVH Phase90 on the "script" setting, set to a very slow sweep. It gives you a nice treble goose but is not too obnoxious. The "block" setting is a more modern, cutting phase and is more up-front.As a booster, been through 'em all: Distortion+, TS-9, FulldriveII, Zack Wylde OD, Fatboost, etc. I've been happy for a few years with the Xotic RCBooster. It really kicks a lead channel in the head and does NOT alter the guitar sound unless you use the bass/treble controls. I'd also like to check into a Keeley KatanaBoost or a Bad Bob Booster.
Jeff R Posted January 5, 2006 Posted January 5, 2006 +1 on both of Rob's suggestions. My choice of phaser is the Boss PH-2 because it has a second mode that I can cop a half-assed flanger sound out of if need be. Plus it's a sick ass green instead of sick ass orange.My amp is one channel and ultra clean (Fender Twin Reverb). I cascade a Fulldrive 2 followed by a Vintage Rat Reissue. The FD2 by itself gives me pushed Fender, the Rat alone is set to cop a singing Marshall (gain is at 10 o'clock, and both together gives it Marshall pushed to howl and sustain more.
RobB Posted January 5, 2006 Posted January 5, 2006 My amp is one channel and ultra clean (Fender Twin Reverb). I cascade a Fulldrive 2 followed by a Vintage Rat Reissue. That sounds like it kicks ass:1. Clean Fender Twin2. FDII-Pushed Fender OD3. FDII w/boost-Sustainy, loud Fender.4. Rat-Marshall crunch5. Both-Fuzzageddon!Sounds like an ideal and simple setup for getting a lot of sounds.
SirDouglas Posted January 5, 2006 Posted January 5, 2006 You tried the Jeykl and Hyde yet????? this is soon to replace my Dist + Sir Douglas Randy
Jeff R Posted January 5, 2006 Posted January 5, 2006 This setup is simple and puts some past rigs I had a HELLUVA lot more money in to absolute shame. I have under $650 in the amp and the two pedals (now granted, I know how to shop good ) Considering the Twin is somewhere between 80 or 100 all-tube watts (four 6L6s) and designed to produce clean headroom to forever volumes, the rest of the tones are forever in volume as well should I need it.
darc Posted January 5, 2006 Posted January 5, 2006 In the same line as MCC's recommendation: I'm totally hooked on rotary cab sims. I don't own a pedal version, but the market seems to be growing. Line 6 and Boss have both released dedicated rotary pedals in recent months. I'm pretty curious about both of them.
raymund Posted January 5, 2006 Posted January 5, 2006 I faced a very similar problem. I play a Mesa Boogie Studio 22 with its typical sound. But for a different sound from time to time I use my Tech 21 Sans Amp GT-2 as a stomp box. You can get a very nice Fender and even a quite accurate Marshall sound out of your Boogie. To me the Sans Amp GT-2 is like an amp modeller with a beautiful vintage sound and a very good overdrive/distortion pedal at the same time. Check the sound samples at http://www.tech21nyc.com.
MTM105 Posted January 5, 2006 Posted January 5, 2006 Rocktron Nitro is a real subtle to raunchy EQ tone alteration for under $50. This is defintely probably what you are looking for. It puts the Led in Zeppelin. Put it first in chain and it brings life to pick ups. I don't play without it on all of the time.Tube Works Real Tube also does the trick for me, if you are looking for tube OD.
nosajwp Posted January 5, 2006 Author Posted January 5, 2006 Would the Real Tube/Blue Tube alter the voicing of my guitar/amp much, or would it just add to what is already there?Also, I'm kind of stuck in a chorus vs. delay problem too. I like what chorus can do, but I've heard good things about delays as well. I've just never used a delay before. What about a compressor, or BBE? I know a lot of guys say compression is a must-have, but I've never used it either.
pesocaster Posted January 5, 2006 Posted January 5, 2006 Would the Real Tube/Blue Tube alter the voicing of my guitar/amp much, or would it just add to what is already there? Yes... it would alter your tone.... However the Blue Tube is a fantastic booster for a tube front end....
darc Posted January 5, 2006 Posted January 5, 2006 What about a compressor, or BBE?The BBE is really intended to correct fidelity problems, and in some cases (usually full-bandwidth applications like a PA mix) can add clarity or punch. Used as intended, it's a pretty subtle thing, and if you get an "effect" out of it, it'll probably be a bad one.Compression is a good thing. In front it provides boost, among other things. I've also used multiband in effects loops to add sag to solid state amps and color the tone a little - put some shimmer on top etc.
hardheartedbill Posted January 5, 2006 Posted January 5, 2006 I'm a big tremolo fan. me too, I prefer it to a modulated effect in the same application
anotherfreak2 Posted January 5, 2006 Posted January 5, 2006 I almost always have a H2O and a J&H with me at all times. The H2O is in the effects loop, and I pull the Jekyl & hyde if I'm not getting the drive I want. I can get just about anything out of the J&H.
MTM105 Posted January 6, 2006 Posted January 6, 2006 I meant to say that the Nitro is a subtle compression, not EQ.Real compression is a must have, go for a quality rack unit. If you like ZZ Top Eliminator sound, that is the way to go. Boss stomp might be OK, but go for a rack.I read that the rule of thumb when using chorus is that the less heard, the better. I had an Ibanez stomp once and I miss the hell out of it.I have the BBE Sonic Maximizer. The instructions indicate that it is meant for recording, that's it. I was kinda suprised. I still use it anyway. I suggest the rack which is just a few bucks more than the stomp.Also Aphex Exciter. In the $100 range, but it basically cleans up your tone and evens everything out. You will hardly notice its there, butyou won't play without it. In the 70's, professional recording studios charged like $300 bucks a minute recording time with it, or something like that.
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