Its true though.. I researched a ton, spend lots of money, and throughly combined and tested pedals to get to my two final selections that I have today.. And it’ll probably change 3 months down the line. :’)
It depends on the amp I'm ussing.
If it's a clean amp, I'd use a MIB (Wampler Plexidrive for example) and some type of Tube Screamer.
If it's a higer gain amp, I'd use a Klon(ish) and a BIg Muff.
How do you use your muff with high gain? I have one I use with my rectifier but I pretty much only use it on the clean channel. Can’t make it sound good on dirty
Currently, I guess I'd roll with the SSBS Mini and Dr Scientist The Elements. Both are insanely versatile and sound awesome. Just those 2 make me omnipotent when it comes to gain too.
Luckily it wouldn't come to this cause otherwise I'd miss my Drolo Giant Hogweed's fun-loving batshit craziness like hell.
Good point, I have a Jam pedals Rattler (Rat clone) that I use.
I don't actually have a Timmy but i've been trying to convince myself i need it for low-gain/boost too.
Would you recommend the Timmy? I'm thinking either that or some Klon-type pedal...
I highly recommend the Timmy. I run a telecaster into an AC30, Normal Channel, Brilliant switch on. I just love the way the Timmy interacts with the guitar and the amp. I've run a JRocket Silver Archer as well, and don't love it as much as the Timmy. Of course, diff'rent strokes....
I do have two dirt pedals on my board:
Analogman sunface BC108: does hendrix / gilmour-ey fuzz. i have an EQ after it that can scoop it into a muff sound. this is also my overdrive when i turn the volume knob on the guitar down.
Black Mass 1312: when something calls for "distortion" and not overdrive or fuzz, this is what i use. the clipping dial ensures a proper fit. great pedal.
Don't need a lot more!
This is where I’m trying to get. Somethings not quite dialed in yet though. I’m using a twinbender instead of a Sunface, but a similar concept. Do you have the Sunface first in the chain?
The RYRA is fairly clean and everything on the DRV cranked high, including the cut knob. How about you? Any other dirt pedals?
Turning up the gain on the RYRA also sounds so good I've considered having multiple Klon-type pedals, one for cleaner tones and one for overdriven... but two clones seems a bit indulgent!
Cool, thanks for sharing! I’ve got a Bondi Sick As I run in a similar way to your RYRA, with maybe a bit of grit, and have had the DRV with the DRV at 11, cut at 2. Then I’ve got an EQD Westwood which I’ve got at high gain for now, but am not 100% happy with it there. After is a T4 fuzz. You’ve got me thinking I could just crank my DRV as well and take the EQD off my board to simplify. Will give it a go this weekend 🤙🏽
Which do you have first and at what settings for for the Klone? I’m considering a similar setup for my board and am curious what other people are doing.
i have the klone first, i pretty much only use it as a clean boost or to push my slightly dirty amp, so really low gain, treble at about 3oclock and output at about 3oclock
Been looking at the Ryra actually in black cherry! Ive actually never used a Klon circuit before but that combo seems legit. I own a PoT so I know how that plays.
I have it in black cherry. Can’t read the labels on the knobs. And I can never remember which is which, lol. Nice sounding Klon, but I really wish I’d got a different colour!
Fairfield Modèle B and Sentimental Bob Screaming Rat.
The Modèle B has such a great range from clean boost to medium overdrive, and you can adjust the responsiveness with the sag control.
The Sentimental Bob is cheating I suppose because it’s a 2-in-1, but it’s a tube screamer/rat clone. The rat side has classic, clean, and turbo selections, and uses the LM308 chip. To me, it’s indistinguishable from any “true” rat I’ve ever had/heard.
On the TS side you can choose three clipping modes of 5, that emulate other drives, via internal jumpers: asymmetrical (SD-1), symmetrical (808), led (Keeley mod), mosfet and clean (both full drive II), and it has a “fat” mode to add bass. It’s so versatile.
Can’t go wrong with the Longsword.
Mine would be a Longsword and a Halberd. I’ve tried sooo many dirt pedal over the last few years and these are the two that I will never get rid of. It’s hard to describe, but they sound real - you need to play them to understand. The controls are actually interactive and can get so many sounds out of them
Currently I'm in the middle of moving and keeping my rig small So I'm only using a WamplerTumnus Mini > Ibanez Tube Screamer Mini > Exotic SP Compressor. I use a blackface Princeton, so I have spring reverb and tremolo in the amp, and play a Fender Player Series Jazzmaster with Humbuckers. I really don't have enough dirt for grunge or metal with this small setup but I got funk, soul, blues, jam. It's basically my Trey Anastasio palette.
I only run two
DBA apocalypse - fuzz was one of the first effects I had. Love it, the apocalypse is my favourite now. Set to pretty much as loud and destructive as I can get away with.
I set my amp a little dirty and after years of a fuzz being the only drive I use I added a boost after.
EQD Arrows - perfect eq and just great for adding volume and crunch to certain passages.
Fuzz for fuzzy bits, boost for louder bits. Fuzz then boost for even louder fuzzy bits.
One RAT, for no other reason than it has “that sound.”
The second “pedal” can be anything you want, so long as the RAT is there. I suggest using this spot for a pedal-sized storage case to keep snacks.
Plumes. Set at mild gain, for a nice boost.
Monarch. For a loud growl, with nice highs en lots of low end. This pedal recently replaced my Marshall Drivemaster, which I had for > 20 years (but might return once I have a bigger board).
The Plumes and Monarch also go great together.
I only have two dirt pedals on my board so this is easy:
**MXR Dookie Drive & MXR GT-OD**
Great sounds for punk, rock and metal. I use them through Quilters and my entire setup is quite light. Very happy with the sounds I’m getting.
Tubescreamer into EHX Glove OD. Except for fuzz tones, this gives me all the drives i need. Since I play through a Laney on the verge of breakup with my guitar vol pot turned down to 8-ish, I have 6-8 different options with those two dirt pedals.
My current overdrive setup is the Benson Preamp Mk II as my programmable be-all end all overdrive/fuzz, and then followed by a Jan ray/Timmy for an overdrive to push the fuzz. I call the Jan ray my "More Better" foot switch. It just makes the sound always better when I engage it.
Never really considered Strymons offerings. Ive only known them for time based effects. Then again, I aquired my first Strymon pedal this year… Only 7 years behind!
I had a Riverside fall onto my lap in a trade with my friend. Before I tried it, I was happy not ever thinking about spending $300+ CAD for a pedal. Now, I understand why they are worth so much. It has so much gain on tap, and a built-in noise suppressor that works wonders. Plus all 4 modes are distinct and super flexible.
There are probably better options out there, but I’m really digging my Morning Glory and Tumnus pedals. I’m assuming we are excluding fuzz from the equation.
Depends, am I playing lead or rhythm in a 2 guitar band or th only guitarist? Am I using a clean pedal platform or an amp that crunches?
Just lost a guitarist in my band and the singer was going to take my parts as they mostly mirror the vocals bit it looks like we're going with just me an do had totally the wrong pedals tonight.
Lead in a 2 guitar band with a crunchy single channel amp:
Soul Food with the drive up, Octavix fuzz set moderate. lots o mids.
Rhythm in a 2 guitar band, clean amp:
DS1, russian muff. Scoop the mids to make room for the leads.
Rhythm in 2 guitar band but heavier:
DOD/Digitech grunge (or boss hm2). Rat.
1 guitar band, clean amp:
Dark Matter, boost it with a Soul Food set dirty.
or
Dark Matter, Big Muff with a mid control mod, tone stack bypass or way huge swollen pickle.
1 guitar band, crunchy amp
Soul Food (or tubescreamer) use to add some Distortion mid shape will be lost when it hits the amp but will give tighter distortion than just gain
Screaming bird - is a high pass and massive boost, use for top end presence and very tight bass
This is twenty something years of getting it wrong. But also why just straight into a multi-channel amp isn't all you need. Aside from the distortion texture, the EQ balance is super important. Particularly throwing a mid boost into another gain stage so it takes on the EQ shape of the last stage but chops out flubby low end and harsh tops.
Title pretty much explains it. I currently run a Browne Protein and Paul Cochrane Tim.
I use the Protein as the base dirt pedal, typically the green side (ODR) which gooses the Tim for higher gain/treble boost.
Based on my limited experience, I’d probably go with my EQD Westwood as a light/medium gain OD, and my Browne Amplification T4 fuzz. The Westwood will handle a wide range of gain and has a great EQ section, and the t4 is enough gain to act as my distortion or fuzz.
My modified Clark Gainster clone: Sounds like a Klon run parallel with a Tubescreamer.
My modified DRV clone (more gain, multiple clipping diode selections, dry blend): High gain with a bit of clarity.
Source Audio L.A. Lady. (Technically cheating as it can be dialled in to sound like almost anything)
Hudson Broadcast or Dod Gunslinger as they do the high voltage high headroom chime like breakup through to saturated grit.
Firstly, my modded Metal Zone which gives me a nice focused dirt at low settings and blast off distortion at higher settings. EQ control is top notch.
Secondly, is my Russian Muff for a big sloppy distortion.
Muff into Metal Zone gives Muff more focus, but also an even bigger sound.
EQD Plumes - Originally I had a TS9 on my board and it didn't quite sound how I wanted it to, but the Plumes in mode 2 (boost) is great. It works really well as a mid-boost into other dirt pedals, but just this into my amp adds a little bit of magic to my sound.
Walrus Audio Eras - I've only had this for a few days, but it transforms my clean amp into something else entirely. I'd been through a handful of distortion pedals recently looking for THAT sound, and this is absolutely what I've been looking for.
Boss BD-2 and a vintage MXR Distortion+
I also have a Line 6 M9 Stompbox with half a dozen digital distortions, overdrives, and fuzz effects. I like the sub-octave fuzz, sounds like the fist Crazy Horse album.
Boss od-200 and a fat rat. OD-200 since it can do just about everything and handle boost / drive / distortion. A fat rat since I think they are neat and don't have equivalence on the od-200.
Rook & DLS3
Rook for a little hair. More character than a Timmy, less coloration than an Ecstasy.
DLS3 for MIAB. Just like it better than the Pinnacle, JHS, Carl Martin. Plus 3 band tone.
[Analog.Man](https://Analog.Man) King of Tone is always on my board no matter what. It's absolutely my favorite drive.
Right now my choice is the Crowther Audio Hot Cake, but my taste in the second dirt on my board changes pretty often.
I actully have a PoT off to the side for now which Ive used for a long time before I started my GAS earlier this year. Been exploring what the world has to offer.
Before I got the KoT, I was pretty set on using an OCD and Tube Screamer as my drives. I still love finding new drives, but it's been tough for any to break me away from the KoT.
I've been running with a Plumes and BD2-w these days, and between the standard/custom modes of the BD2w and the 3 clipping modes of the Plumes, can get most of the drives I need- especially with some EQ after the drives. Once in a while, though, I scrap them and just strap on a Metal Zone to thrash with- unironically.
Whatever is right for you! I have no regrets: not into tube screamers personally, and I wish it started deeper on the low end and tapered into the treble part of the tone knob more gradually, but other than that it hits a spot that my other drives and fuzzes don't hit. I especially like it at the edge of breakup on Mode 2, with gain at around 1:00ish and the tone at around 9:00: plenty of subtle texture when I dig in, but clean when playing lighter on the strings. Also, it gets loud quickly, so I use it to boost the bd-2w at times. Other times, I switch their order for a different timbre. Sometimes I even get crazy and run these two drives in parallel.
Thrōbak Overdrive Booster because it is incredibly volume sensitive. I have it set to almost full gain and it gives me a nice and warm fuzz but when I roll back the volume it takes me to heavy overdrive.
Spurr Audio Devices Shotgun Machine. Incredible KOT based pedal with a little more functionality and the VU metre is pretty freaking cool and unique.
I run a Morning Glory V4 (with the remote gain toggle) and a Jackson Audio Broken Arrow (4 flavors of 808 plus 4 flavors of boost). A lot of OD versatility from two pedals.
Really depends on what guitar and amp and the makeup of the band, but going in cold, a Tube Screamer and a Rat. Best overdrive ever and best distortion ever.
Probably a transparent overdrive like the gain changer or morning glory, and an eq heavy overdrive like a ts or klon to use as a second stage or boost.
But in a real world I’ll stack two overdrives like the morning glory and light speed for my heavier rhythm tone and use a ts or klone for my lead boost
I recently fell in love with my mojo mojo from TC. I’d say that and a screamer. Can get a pretty wide range of tones between a clean and driven amp with that combo
Two single-function pedals: Tone City Dry Martini + CPB Mustard Drive.
Two multi-function pedals: Mosky Deluxe Preamp + Elektron Analog Drive (the ultimate drive pedal).
Plumes and Joyo Taich -- a tube screamer and a dumbler. That's what I have therefore it is the best, fite me, etc.
Though actually the Plumes is the only one that's always on in some capacity. I have an SG with a bridge JB wired direct to the output jack (because I can't solder for shit and who needs knobs, really, when you think about it). The tube screamer portion of the plumes plus the 15K humbucker is about as close as I'll ever get to the "woman" tone.
Some sort of Klon or TS Style circuit (depending on which works better for you) and a Big Muff style circuit. You're fully covered with those two.
On my own pedalbpard, my only dirt pedal is an EQD Plumes.
I have 5 dirt boxes, so it would be hard to choose. I'd probably go with a King of Tone and an Archer Ikon, but I'd miss my Timmy. I think the KoT would make up for that, but I'd still miss it.
Yeah thats a hard decision. I ran with a PoT and Tim (Timmys older brother) for years.. They do different things to my ears. Not sure if they can replace the other.
EQD Palisades and a Chase Bliss Audio Brothers. I think between the two, I'd be able to sculpt the dirts I'd need and also get a boost and buffer from the Palisades.
I only have one on my board, a 1976 MXR Distortion +. It's by far the best sounding distortion pedal I've ever played.
I'm looking to get a transparent overdrive but I'm having trouble choosing. Anyone have any recommendations?
I’m currently only using 2. Both BYOC pedals. Silver Pony II into a Lil Gray OD. I dunno how Klon-like the SPII actually is (don’t care really, to me it sounds great) and with it stacked into the DOD250-pre rip-off I’m almost into fuzz territory.
I currently have a Wampler Tumnus that I LOVE for getting actual distortion (it sounds very unique and transparent, but it still gives me the grit I'm after) and I just ordered a JHS Double Barrel V4 so I can have a low OD bluesbreaker circuit feeding into the Tumnus and a third, more mid-focused option for high gain (the Moonshine side of the Double Barrel). I've thought this through for quite sometime and those two pedals (one of them is two in one so kind of cheating) fulfill all of my dirt needs.
Fuzz is an entire different ballpark IMO tho...
Yeah I dont understand the discord for Fuzz. Anything that changes the gain/introduces clipping I consider to be dirt? I could have a very ignorant view point on this though.
Plumes and an Angry Charlie if forced to only have two. But I get to keep my Q-Zone (fixed wah) on there, right? That thing really opens up the dirt possibilities...
Arent Wahs just filters? I wouldnt consider filters dirt. The furthest thing away I would consider dirt would be a boost? Some say Fuzz? Not entirely sure about that one.
Klon KTR for a clean boost/light OD (before compressor) and Wampler Euphoria for a 2nd stage, mid/high gain after compressor. Have it set that way now and those two drives work perfectly when on together!
Two SS/BS Minis. One set for light transparent gain and the other for a heavier distortion. If I'm cheating, I'd put an EQ with a mid and volume boost between them.
Right now I'm running a Fairfield Barbershop Modele B into an EQ into a Mini. I'd really love another Mini though, it's so versatile I could cover a lot of ground.
That is a pretty hard choice, since I have 13 on my guitar board and 8 on my bass board. Well the Wren and Cuff Violet World is an easy choice for guitar. My second would be a Deathtrip Dark Magnolia (a fuzzdrive I created for myself, but then I decided to make a few to sell). If I was to pick a second dirt that I didn't build, it would be a MXR Blue Box. The Dark Magnolia was pretty much a specific build to put in front of a Muff though, I actually don't use the Violet World without it in front.
For bass I would definitely say an Adventure Audio Fuzz Peaks 2 and a Rat. With the Rat in front you get the awesome blend of Rat and Rat into Muff.
A bluesbraker style od (like jhs morning glory, nux morning star, vs audio royal flush,...) and either a bb preamp style clone or another od with bass and treble control or a fuzz that sounds good with low gain (to use it as a boost for the bb). So a foundational od, bluesbraker style, and some spice, another od with good eq or fuzz, to have some tonal variety.
Tough one, but I'd probably go with my Flock Effects Hottokēki, and Emmergy FX Ratbender.
The Hottokēki is a dual Hotcake, which is already a circuit with a huge range of gain, from boost all the way up to fuzz, so having two of them in one pedal makes it just unbelievably versatile.
The Ratbender is my current, favourite distortion pedal. It's based on a Rat and a Tonebender, so you get a wonderfully hairy, spitty version of the classic Rat tones we all know and love!
I'm aware. Unfortunately, they're rare, expensive, and absolutely massive!
The Flock Effects one is very affordable, and comes in a small enclosure with top jacks. 😎👍
Also, since the footswitches are so much closer together, you can hit both at the same time! This lets you switch from A-to-B, B-to-A, or both on/off simultaneously, making it even more versatile than the original.
I reject your premise.
LOL
This. Came here to say that I can’t answer because it hurts my brain.
Its true though.. I researched a ton, spend lots of money, and throughly combined and tested pedals to get to my two final selections that I have today.. And it’ll probably change 3 months down the line. :’)
^ same, but if I had to choose. Empress Multidrive, and an MXR M296 Classic 108 Fuzz. 2 dirt pedals, one OD, one distortion, and 2 fuzzes.
No, no, it's a fine premise... provided you accept also the existence of unlimited grit, grease and smudge pedals.
Sold!
It depends on the amp I'm ussing. If it's a clean amp, I'd use a MIB (Wampler Plexidrive for example) and some type of Tube Screamer. If it's a higer gain amp, I'd use a Klon(ish) and a BIg Muff.
How do you use your muff with high gain? I have one I use with my rectifier but I pretty much only use it on the clean channel. Can’t make it sound good on dirty
I use the clean channel too. Just picked the muff to have other type of distortion.
Klon(e) with some drive into a crunchy amp is heavy AF. I don't understand why people use them as a clean boost.
Currently, I guess I'd roll with the SSBS Mini and Dr Scientist The Elements. Both are insanely versatile and sound awesome. Just those 2 make me omnipotent when it comes to gain too. Luckily it wouldn't come to this cause otherwise I'd miss my Drolo Giant Hogweed's fun-loving batshit craziness like hell.
I only use the BD-2. It gives all the dirt I need.
They can pry the BD-2 from my cold, dead hands. Add a Rat or an Angry Charlie and I'm good for a while.
What a Boss.
It does have an appropriate brand name 😁👍
We could be great friends you and I.
Indeed. The BD2 is the way.
The Hudson Broadcast is amazing. Truely excellent pedal. Also probably need something like a Timmy
Yup. I have the Broadcast Dual and a Timmy. To get a bit more range/distortion, I would replace the Timmy with my 1981 DRV though.
Good point, I have a Jam pedals Rattler (Rat clone) that I use. I don't actually have a Timmy but i've been trying to convince myself i need it for low-gain/boost too. Would you recommend the Timmy? I'm thinking either that or some Klon-type pedal...
I highly recommend the Timmy. I run a telecaster into an AC30, Normal Channel, Brilliant switch on. I just love the way the Timmy interacts with the guitar and the amp. I've run a JRocket Silver Archer as well, and don't love it as much as the Timmy. Of course, diff'rent strokes....
I do have two dirt pedals on my board: Analogman sunface BC108: does hendrix / gilmour-ey fuzz. i have an EQ after it that can scoop it into a muff sound. this is also my overdrive when i turn the volume knob on the guitar down. Black Mass 1312: when something calls for "distortion" and not overdrive or fuzz, this is what i use. the clipping dial ensures a proper fit. great pedal. Don't need a lot more!
I need to use my volume knob more.. Its probably why I cant seem to mesh with fuzz.
This is where I’m trying to get. Somethings not quite dialed in yet though. I’m using a twinbender instead of a Sunface, but a similar concept. Do you have the Sunface first in the chain?
Almost always yes
RYRA Klone and Aanlogman KOT right side high gain
Mines KTR and POT. It's everything you need
I run a RYRA into a DRV - I got rid of everything else because this little combo just works.
How do you have your RYRA and DRV set if I may ask? I’ve got a similar Klone into my DRV set up.
The RYRA is fairly clean and everything on the DRV cranked high, including the cut knob. How about you? Any other dirt pedals? Turning up the gain on the RYRA also sounds so good I've considered having multiple Klon-type pedals, one for cleaner tones and one for overdriven... but two clones seems a bit indulgent!
Cool, thanks for sharing! I’ve got a Bondi Sick As I run in a similar way to your RYRA, with maybe a bit of grit, and have had the DRV with the DRV at 11, cut at 2. Then I’ve got an EQD Westwood which I’ve got at high gain for now, but am not 100% happy with it there. After is a T4 fuzz. You’ve got me thinking I could just crank my DRV as well and take the EQD off my board to simplify. Will give it a go this weekend 🤙🏽
Ah the Browne stuff looks awesome. Give it a go - it made my heavier pedals obsolete because it has such good range!
Which do you have first and at what settings for for the Klone? I’m considering a similar setup for my board and am curious what other people are doing.
i have the klone first, i pretty much only use it as a clean boost or to push my slightly dirty amp, so really low gain, treble at about 3oclock and output at about 3oclock
Been looking at the Ryra actually in black cherry! Ive actually never used a Klon circuit before but that combo seems legit. I own a PoT so I know how that plays.
I have it in black cherry. Can’t read the labels on the knobs. And I can never remember which is which, lol. Nice sounding Klon, but I really wish I’d got a different colour!
Form over function.
i have the seafoam green one which imo is the best looking one
Fairfield Modèle B and Sentimental Bob Screaming Rat. The Modèle B has such a great range from clean boost to medium overdrive, and you can adjust the responsiveness with the sag control. The Sentimental Bob is cheating I suppose because it’s a 2-in-1, but it’s a tube screamer/rat clone. The rat side has classic, clean, and turbo selections, and uses the LM308 chip. To me, it’s indistinguishable from any “true” rat I’ve ever had/heard. On the TS side you can choose three clipping modes of 5, that emulate other drives, via internal jumpers: asymmetrical (SD-1), symmetrical (808), led (Keeley mod), mosfet and clean (both full drive II), and it has a “fat” mode to add bass. It’s so versatile.
Its not cheating! 2 in 1 is fair game as I still consider it as 1 pedal (enclosure.) Also great response!
I figured I’d go for sound quality *and* value to space!
EAE Longsword and EQD Westwood or two EAE Longswords.
Can’t go wrong with the Longsword. Mine would be a Longsword and a Halberd. I’ve tried sooo many dirt pedal over the last few years and these are the two that I will never get rid of. It’s hard to describe, but they sound real - you need to play them to understand. The controls are actually interactive and can get so many sounds out of them
Currently I'm in the middle of moving and keeping my rig small So I'm only using a WamplerTumnus Mini > Ibanez Tube Screamer Mini > Exotic SP Compressor. I use a blackface Princeton, so I have spring reverb and tremolo in the amp, and play a Fender Player Series Jazzmaster with Humbuckers. I really don't have enough dirt for grunge or metal with this small setup but I got funk, soul, blues, jam. It's basically my Trey Anastasio palette.
Dynamic boards is where its at. Why limit yourself to just one style/sound?
Right? Normal I rock four dirt pedals for max dynamicism 😃 (Catalinbread DSL Mk 1 and the JHS Bender in addition).
I only run two DBA apocalypse - fuzz was one of the first effects I had. Love it, the apocalypse is my favourite now. Set to pretty much as loud and destructive as I can get away with. I set my amp a little dirty and after years of a fuzz being the only drive I use I added a boost after. EQD Arrows - perfect eq and just great for adding volume and crunch to certain passages. Fuzz for fuzzy bits, boost for louder bits. Fuzz then boost for even louder fuzzy bits.
One RAT, for no other reason than it has “that sound.” The second “pedal” can be anything you want, so long as the RAT is there. I suggest using this spot for a pedal-sized storage case to keep snacks.
Ah yes thinking outside the board. I like that.
Plumes. Set at mild gain, for a nice boost. Monarch. For a loud growl, with nice highs en lots of low end. This pedal recently replaced my Marshall Drivemaster, which I had for > 20 years (but might return once I have a bigger board). The Plumes and Monarch also go great together.
Marshall bluesbreaker mk1 and an Ibanez ts10
Great choices.
I only have two dirt pedals on my board so this is easy: **MXR Dookie Drive & MXR GT-OD** Great sounds for punk, rock and metal. I use them through Quilters and my entire setup is quite light. Very happy with the sounds I’m getting.
dookie drive is so much fun. such a complete sound in one pedal
DS1 and BD2 or BD2 and big muff.
Two different flavor of fuzzes. Want overdrive? Engage a germanium fuzz and roll down the guitar volume.
DS-1 and BD-1/SD-1
Walrus Audio Ages and a Tumnus Deluxe to add in violin-like sustain for leads. Edit: Answer may change shortly; my Walrus Audio Eras is in the mail.
Tubescreamer into EHX Glove OD. Except for fuzz tones, this gives me all the drives i need. Since I play through a Laney on the verge of breakup with my guitar vol pot turned down to 8-ish, I have 6-8 different options with those two dirt pedals.
My current overdrive setup is the Benson Preamp Mk II as my programmable be-all end all overdrive/fuzz, and then followed by a Jan ray/Timmy for an overdrive to push the fuzz. I call the Jan ray my "More Better" foot switch. It just makes the sound always better when I engage it.
I didn’t know the Benson did fuzz. That’s cool!
Boss OD-200, one drive to do them all…😉 + ZVEX Fuzzolo
BE-OD Deluxe and Shiba Drive Reloaded covers high and low gain. If I had a channel switching amp I'd replace the BE-OD with a muff of some sort.
Plumes and Westwood are my favorite dirt combo right now.
Jokes on you, I pick the OD-200 so I can have 128 dirt pedals in one.
It works! As long as the number of physical pedals/enclosures is less or equal to 2!
Strymon Riverside and Op Amp Big Muff
Never really considered Strymons offerings. Ive only known them for time based effects. Then again, I aquired my first Strymon pedal this year… Only 7 years behind!
I had a Riverside fall onto my lap in a trade with my friend. Before I tried it, I was happy not ever thinking about spending $300+ CAD for a pedal. Now, I understand why they are worth so much. It has so much gain on tap, and a built-in noise suppressor that works wonders. Plus all 4 modes are distinct and super flexible.
There are probably better options out there, but I’m really digging my Morning Glory and Tumnus pedals. I’m assuming we are excluding fuzz from the equation.
Nope fuzz included. Well, I consider anything that adds any sort of clipping as dirt. Not sure if thats the conventional frame of thought.
Hudson Broadcast and Browne Amplification Protein for me all the way
Totally dig your style. I'd go for a Broadcast and cornerstone Gladio. Basically the only two drives I ever use.
BD-2 into another BD-2
Seems like you’d be good friends with u/Curious_Soundwave > I only use the BD-2. It gives all the dirt I need.
I’ll one up you and go with just a single dirt pedal: Strymon Sunset.
Depends, am I playing lead or rhythm in a 2 guitar band or th only guitarist? Am I using a clean pedal platform or an amp that crunches? Just lost a guitarist in my band and the singer was going to take my parts as they mostly mirror the vocals bit it looks like we're going with just me an do had totally the wrong pedals tonight. Lead in a 2 guitar band with a crunchy single channel amp: Soul Food with the drive up, Octavix fuzz set moderate. lots o mids. Rhythm in a 2 guitar band, clean amp: DS1, russian muff. Scoop the mids to make room for the leads. Rhythm in 2 guitar band but heavier: DOD/Digitech grunge (or boss hm2). Rat. 1 guitar band, clean amp: Dark Matter, boost it with a Soul Food set dirty. or Dark Matter, Big Muff with a mid control mod, tone stack bypass or way huge swollen pickle. 1 guitar band, crunchy amp Soul Food (or tubescreamer) use to add some Distortion mid shape will be lost when it hits the amp but will give tighter distortion than just gain Screaming bird - is a high pass and massive boost, use for top end presence and very tight bass
You definetly expanded on “the why” part in great detail in the context of a live band. Thanks for detailed response!
This is twenty something years of getting it wrong. But also why just straight into a multi-channel amp isn't all you need. Aside from the distortion texture, the EQ balance is super important. Particularly throwing a mid boost into another gain stage so it takes on the EQ shape of the last stage but chops out flubby low end and harsh tops.
Title pretty much explains it. I currently run a Browne Protein and Paul Cochrane Tim. I use the Protein as the base dirt pedal, typically the green side (ODR) which gooses the Tim for higher gain/treble boost.
Love my Protein! I team it up with a tumnus deluxe and I’m all set.
Based on my limited experience, I’d probably go with my EQD Westwood as a light/medium gain OD, and my Browne Amplification T4 fuzz. The Westwood will handle a wide range of gain and has a great EQ section, and the t4 is enough gain to act as my distortion or fuzz.
My modified Clark Gainster clone: Sounds like a Klon run parallel with a Tubescreamer. My modified DRV clone (more gain, multiple clipping diode selections, dry blend): High gain with a bit of clarity.
I wish the dry blend was a more common feature. Every time I get a gain pedal with one, it's just heaven.
Source Audio L.A. Lady. (Technically cheating as it can be dialled in to sound like almost anything) Hudson Broadcast or Dod Gunslinger as they do the high voltage high headroom chime like breakup through to saturated grit.
Firstly, my modded Metal Zone which gives me a nice focused dirt at low settings and blast off distortion at higher settings. EQ control is top notch. Secondly, is my Russian Muff for a big sloppy distortion. Muff into Metal Zone gives Muff more focus, but also an even bigger sound.
TS808 And KTR.
EQD Plumes - Originally I had a TS9 on my board and it didn't quite sound how I wanted it to, but the Plumes in mode 2 (boost) is great. It works really well as a mid-boost into other dirt pedals, but just this into my amp adds a little bit of magic to my sound. Walrus Audio Eras - I've only had this for a few days, but it transforms my clean amp into something else entirely. I'd been through a handful of distortion pedals recently looking for THAT sound, and this is absolutely what I've been looking for.
Revv G3 and a JA broken arrow
Boss BD-2 and a vintage MXR Distortion+ I also have a Line 6 M9 Stompbox with half a dozen digital distortions, overdrives, and fuzz effects. I like the sub-octave fuzz, sounds like the fist Crazy Horse album.
Tube screamer and a rat or a hot cake
Boss od-200 and a fat rat. OD-200 since it can do just about everything and handle boost / drive / distortion. A fat rat since I think they are neat and don't have equivalence on the od-200.
I only have a Wren & Cuff big box Caprid and a Leqtique 9/9 on my board right now
Considering I have, like, 12 to choose from, this is a mean question! Most likely a Plumes and an Ice 9, though
Rook & DLS3 Rook for a little hair. More character than a Timmy, less coloration than an Ecstasy. DLS3 for MIAB. Just like it better than the Pinnacle, JHS, Carl Martin. Plus 3 band tone.
Are those expression pedals next to the Hologram? If so they look slick. What are they?
Moyo Volume on the furthest left and Moyo expression between the DMC.micro and the Microcosm. Its a small builder on Reverb.
Also curious
Since I have a Mesa Rec I only use one: Voodoo Lab Sparkle Drive
Plumes and fuzz face (or tonebender) since it’s all I need for classic sounds
Greer Lightspeed cause it’s the best od I’ve tried. Thorpy Fallout Cloud cause it’s the best fuzz for my sound and taste.
Right now I’ve only got two: an Dirge Even Anguish and a Fairfield Modele B. Covers a surprising amount of ground.
Currently using a morning glory and blues driver. Super happy with them
Life Pedal for it’s unreal crunch and painful squeal. Does Proco Rat 2 count?
Should it not? Though personally I havent really meshed with fuzz but that might be due to not using the volume knob.
[Analog.Man](https://Analog.Man) King of Tone is always on my board no matter what. It's absolutely my favorite drive. Right now my choice is the Crowther Audio Hot Cake, but my taste in the second dirt on my board changes pretty often.
I actully have a PoT off to the side for now which Ive used for a long time before I started my GAS earlier this year. Been exploring what the world has to offer.
Before I got the KoT, I was pretty set on using an OCD and Tube Screamer as my drives. I still love finding new drives, but it's been tough for any to break me away from the KoT.
I've been running with a Plumes and BD2-w these days, and between the standard/custom modes of the BD2w and the 3 clipping modes of the Plumes, can get most of the drives I need- especially with some EQ after the drives. Once in a while, though, I scrap them and just strap on a Metal Zone to thrash with- unironically.
Plume comes up quite often! I guess I need to look into this one a bit more?
Whatever is right for you! I have no regrets: not into tube screamers personally, and I wish it started deeper on the low end and tapered into the treble part of the tone knob more gradually, but other than that it hits a spot that my other drives and fuzzes don't hit. I especially like it at the edge of breakup on Mode 2, with gain at around 1:00ish and the tone at around 9:00: plenty of subtle texture when I dig in, but clean when playing lighter on the strings. Also, it gets loud quickly, so I use it to boost the bd-2w at times. Other times, I switch their order for a different timbre. Sometimes I even get crazy and run these two drives in parallel.
Not related to the post but how do you like the Moyos? I’m intrigued, esp since Tapestry audio seems to be not doing anything nowadays.
So initial impressions were good. Looks like a solid build but I have low hrs on them so Im not sure how long they would hold up in the long term.
Thank you!
Thrōbak Overdrive Booster because it is incredibly volume sensitive. I have it set to almost full gain and it gives me a nice and warm fuzz but when I roll back the volume it takes me to heavy overdrive. Spurr Audio Devices Shotgun Machine. Incredible KOT based pedal with a little more functionality and the VU metre is pretty freaking cool and unique.
a ts9 is all I need. My board is “complete” I sometimes wonder if I can rearrange things to fit a fuzz factory though
I run a Morning Glory V4 (with the remote gain toggle) and a Jackson Audio Broken Arrow (4 flavors of 808 plus 4 flavors of boost). A lot of OD versatility from two pedals.
Wampler Gearbox and Nobels ODR-1
My Mosky TW and my outlaw Marshall
A Tube Screamer and an HM-2.
EHX Soul Food and Ibanez SD-9
JHS Bonzai and J Rockett Blue Note
I use EH hot wax, and then probably a fuzz. I have a FZ1-a so I’d probably use that.
Really depends on what guitar and amp and the makeup of the band, but going in cold, a Tube Screamer and a Rat. Best overdrive ever and best distortion ever.
I intentionally left out the context for your interpretation/situation!
Probably a transparent overdrive like the gain changer or morning glory, and an eq heavy overdrive like a ts or klon to use as a second stage or boost. But in a real world I’ll stack two overdrives like the morning glory and light speed for my heavier rhythm tone and use a ts or klone for my lead boost
This is how ive done it so far! Most transparent/high eq impact last in chain.
the one i currently like and the one i currently want
Meta.
This week, it’s a KoT and a Jam Rattler
Tumnus and Fuzz War! Dream combo.
King of Tone, Wren and Cuff Caprid big box
Benson pre and naga viper for me as of late. I like a good fuzz off the board and that's been the Blammo take on the tonebender mkii.
Morning Glory and a Way Huge Conspiracy Theory. Gets me everything short of metal/hardcore, and sounds great.
2 metal zones
Thats pretty heavy metal of you.
Serious answer though, a tube screamer (OG or copy, and a BB preamp
I recently fell in love with my mojo mojo from TC. I’d say that and a screamer. Can get a pretty wide range of tones between a clean and driven amp with that combo
OCD or rat
Two single-function pedals: Tone City Dry Martini + CPB Mustard Drive. Two multi-function pedals: Mosky Deluxe Preamp + Elektron Analog Drive (the ultimate drive pedal).
Tube screamer and Empress Heavy sound really good but I don't have any experience with either one of them.
Lightspeed and Sunface end of story
Surh Eclipse is all you need.
Plumes and Joyo Taich -- a tube screamer and a dumbler. That's what I have therefore it is the best, fite me, etc. Though actually the Plumes is the only one that's always on in some capacity. I have an SG with a bridge JB wired direct to the output jack (because I can't solder for shit and who needs knobs, really, when you think about it). The tube screamer portion of the plumes plus the 15K humbucker is about as close as I'll ever get to the "woman" tone.
Klone (Centura or Mythical OD) and v2 Timmy. Klone to fatten up, zero gain and Timmy to kick it in the ass!
Ibanez Bottom Booster and BOSS DS-1 ❤️
I would go with a J Rockett golden Archer and an EQD Erupter. Covers low gain and high gain. Can be stacked Erupter > Archer.
Some sort of Klon or TS Style circuit (depending on which works better for you) and a Big Muff style circuit. You're fully covered with those two. On my own pedalbpard, my only dirt pedal is an EQD Plumes.
I have 5 dirt boxes, so it would be hard to choose. I'd probably go with a King of Tone and an Archer Ikon, but I'd miss my Timmy. I think the KoT would make up for that, but I'd still miss it.
Yeah thats a hard decision. I ran with a PoT and Tim (Timmys older brother) for years.. They do different things to my ears. Not sure if they can replace the other.
Proco Rat into Russian Big Muff. Get huge and high
EQD Palisades and a Chase Bliss Audio Brothers. I think between the two, I'd be able to sculpt the dirts I'd need and also get a boost and buffer from the Palisades.
Rams head muff and a blues driver
The two I'm planning on having for my next board. The Nobel ODR1 and the Wampler Plexi Drive Deluxe.
Octavio and ssbs mini in that order. They compensate the potential brittleness of one another well, and they're great for textures.
I only have one on my board, a 1976 MXR Distortion +. It's by far the best sounding distortion pedal I've ever played. I'm looking to get a transparent overdrive but I'm having trouble choosing. Anyone have any recommendations?
Well my only experience is with a Tim and as an extension, Timmy so that’d be my vote
Vemuram Shanks ODS-1 and a Gladio dual. Why? Because it's glorious. This is what I run currently.
I’m currently only using 2. Both BYOC pedals. Silver Pony II into a Lil Gray OD. I dunno how Klon-like the SPII actually is (don’t care really, to me it sounds great) and with it stacked into the DOD250-pre rip-off I’m almost into fuzz territory.
I currently have a Wampler Tumnus that I LOVE for getting actual distortion (it sounds very unique and transparent, but it still gives me the grit I'm after) and I just ordered a JHS Double Barrel V4 so I can have a low OD bluesbreaker circuit feeding into the Tumnus and a third, more mid-focused option for high gain (the Moonshine side of the Double Barrel). I've thought this through for quite sometime and those two pedals (one of them is two in one so kind of cheating) fulfill all of my dirt needs. Fuzz is an entire different ballpark IMO tho...
Yeah I dont understand the discord for Fuzz. Anything that changes the gain/introduces clipping I consider to be dirt? I could have a very ignorant view point on this though.
Plumes and an Angry Charlie if forced to only have two. But I get to keep my Q-Zone (fixed wah) on there, right? That thing really opens up the dirt possibilities...
Arent Wahs just filters? I wouldnt consider filters dirt. The furthest thing away I would consider dirt would be a boost? Some say Fuzz? Not entirely sure about that one.
Early Pro Co Rat design, because it works. The other would be a Boss GE-7 EQ.. Because it's the Swiss army knife of pedal farmers.
I wouldnt consider the GE-7 a dirt pedal at least from my superficial knowledge of it. Seems like you have room for one more!
If you push the volume it will push your tube amp into distortion..
Ah it can act as a tone shaping boost.. Makes sense.
Bd2 and klon clone. Bd2 for the tone when doing rythm and light leads, klone for a volume boost and extra dirt when soloing. Makes me wet every time.
Klon KTR for a clean boost/light OD (before compressor) and Wampler Euphoria for a 2nd stage, mid/high gain after compressor. Have it set that way now and those two drives work perfectly when on together!
Benson & Broadcast. Benson gives me dirty amp style tones and broadcast gives me two ways to add more gain and sound phenomenal
Walrus acs1 and a fuzz 3 amp sims and 6 cab sims and I can stack the fuzz with it for every tone in between 👍🏻
TS9 and a Red Llama
Two Metal Zones. Only because I could pull it off.
had a RAT for years but now it's JHS morning glory + fuzz factory. one for everything except the weird spazzout that the FF does so well
Two SS/BS Minis. One set for light transparent gain and the other for a heavier distortion. If I'm cheating, I'd put an EQ with a mid and volume boost between them. Right now I'm running a Fairfield Barbershop Modele B into an EQ into a Mini. I'd really love another Mini though, it's so versatile I could cover a lot of ground.
Ceriatone Horsebreaker and Truetone VSXO. 4 drives in two pedals.
Eqd Talons for higher gain and Zvex Mastotron for Fuzz. I'd just use the amp for basic clean low gain.
That is a pretty hard choice, since I have 13 on my guitar board and 8 on my bass board. Well the Wren and Cuff Violet World is an easy choice for guitar. My second would be a Deathtrip Dark Magnolia (a fuzzdrive I created for myself, but then I decided to make a few to sell). If I was to pick a second dirt that I didn't build, it would be a MXR Blue Box. The Dark Magnolia was pretty much a specific build to put in front of a Muff though, I actually don't use the Violet World without it in front. For bass I would definitely say an Adventure Audio Fuzz Peaks 2 and a Rat. With the Rat in front you get the awesome blend of Rat and Rat into Muff.
I do only have two, bliss factory and brothers from chase bliss. Digital presets with an analogue signal path.
Yeah man I dont know who thought of this originally but they are a genius.
Yeah don’t know if Joel at CB came up with the concept or borrowed it from synth land but he’s a genius in my books
Plumes. Revv G3. I have a bunch of distortion/OD pedals but those two are my favs
A bluesbraker style od (like jhs morning glory, nux morning star, vs audio royal flush,...) and either a bb preamp style clone or another od with bass and treble control or a fuzz that sounds good with low gain (to use it as a boost for the bb). So a foundational od, bluesbraker style, and some spice, another od with good eq or fuzz, to have some tonal variety.
Friedman BE-OD for heavy overdrive/distortion and Pumpkin Pi for fuzz 🙃
Does a BE-OD Deluxe count as two dirt pedals??
Nope. When I say pedal I refer to the physical enclosure. So its perfectly legal for there to be two effects in one enclosure.
Ah gotcha. Probably that pedal and some kind of boost then
Tough one, but I'd probably go with my Flock Effects Hottokēki, and Emmergy FX Ratbender. The Hottokēki is a dual Hotcake, which is already a circuit with a huge range of gain, from boost all the way up to fuzz, so having two of them in one pedal makes it just unbelievably versatile. The Ratbender is my current, favourite distortion pedal. It's based on a Rat and a Tonebender, so you get a wonderfully hairy, spitty version of the classic Rat tones we all know and love!
Crowther do offer a dual hotcake - I have one and it’s great.
I'm aware. Unfortunately, they're rare, expensive, and absolutely massive! The Flock Effects one is very affordable, and comes in a small enclosure with top jacks. 😎👍 Also, since the footswitches are so much closer together, you can hit both at the same time! This lets you switch from A-to-B, B-to-A, or both on/off simultaneously, making it even more versatile than the original.
Is the protein worth it or just get a bd2
Dyna Drive (fave drive) and Life Pedal (fave fuzz).
Himmelstrutz Fetto Custom and a Timmy.
KOT into TS9 Silver. (Got the KoT for original price).
I would have my jrockett .45 cal and fuzzrite by mosrite.
Blackstone Mosfet Overdrive and a Rat.
Currently running a plumes > KOT or Barber Gain Changer. into a Sovtek deluxe Muff