Good Stomp Box Ideas

[rmj254]

What are some good distortion pedals for around 150-200 dollars? I want something with a pretty nice amount of gain and that is perfect for leads. I would like to stay away from Boss, Digitech, and Ibanez pedals. What are some good ideas? Thanks in advance for the help.

[Big Mike]

Homebrew Electronics pedals ( HBE) are awesome and not alot of bucks. I get my stuff from www.effectsforless.com mostly, but the HBE Powerscreamer ( more versitile than a TS808 clone, ) awesome. They also have the new "Big D " distortion that was killer at NAMM. usually run around 190 bucks or so. Great stuff, awesome tone.

EDIT: My Bad, powerscreamer less than 150 bucks.

[Chiba]

Toadworks "Death Rattle" - 2 distinct distortions ("Tweed" and "Plexi") and an independent boost as well. Very cool. Got mine (it's the only straight distortion pedal I have) for $150 online somewhere (can't recall).

--chiba

[rmj254]

Thanks, guys. What do yall think about the Electro-Harmonix Hot Tubes pedal? Is this worth looking into? What about Fulltone Pedals? Thanks again.

[Jen]

I highly reccomend checking up Analog Man, and his pedals, and mods. I had a plain old Boss Ods1 modded with his "silver mod" and I can't believe the tones I'm getting. Rich, warm transparent and full. I can also use the pedal as a clean boost as well for leads if I choose. All Boss pedals should sound this good. Considering what I paid for the mod, I still came out WAY cheaper than if I went out and purchased a comparable boutique pedal.


The Fulltone gear is also very good. I'm just not a big fan of the Fulltone OVerdrive and Distortion pedals. I do own a Clyde Wah which I love. I have owned both the Fulldrive II and the Distortion Pro, and they just did not have the "sound" I was looking for. Not enough "edge" for my tastes.

[Stratmeister]

Well, we need to limit the choices a bit, what type of music and rig are you playing?

I do like the Fulltone Fulldrive but I use it for exactly that, overdrive of my tube amps, not "distortion". OD and distortion are different. For OD think blues tone, for distortion think heavier like metal. I have not tried the Distortion Pro, but I know the Fulltone quality is very good. I also like the Fulltone 69 and Soulbender.

Like John, I also like the Rat, I have a vintage one that is excellent for everything from a clean boost to full bore. I also have a Barber Burn Unit that is a fantastic distortion pedal. In the drawer is a Boss-DS1 (which I modded with a switch and LED distortion option), a Zvex Fuzz Factory, and a vintage Bixonic Expandora. Talk about a wicked pedal, wooo....


Finally, every pedal will sound different with different guitars and different amps, e.g. Strat and Twin vs. LP and Marshall. You really should try a few types of pedals and don't try to get everything from one pedal that you hear about. Maybe a two-flavor pedal would be a good way for you to go at first, something like the previously mentioned Death Rattle or less expensive Visual Sound Jekyll and Hyde.

Let us know what you go with and how you like it.

[San]

Another vote here for the Homebrew Powerscreamer and www.effectsforless.com (http://www.effectsforless.com)

Good luck!

San.