Your "Go To" dirt pedals

[rockabilly69]

Origin FX Revival Drive Custom (very realistic amp like tone Plexi/5E3/AC15)
Mythical Overdrive (Klon type, sounds great with my Princeton Reverb)
FullDrive III (Classic Overdrive and Boost)

[KevWind]

Xotic original run AH Soul Driven
Karma MTN-10

[Glennwillow]

Originally Posted by David Eastwood

I recently picked a TC Zeus - also a Klon clone - and it does everything I need. Add a little girth for rhythm, or some smooth warmth for lead - I don’t think there’s an unusable tone in the thing. Not bad for around $60.

I have used primarily a Boss Blue Driver pedal for years, and while I like this pedal a great deal, I, too, have been very tempted to buy the TC Zeus pedal. The demo provides some great overdrive sounds in my opinion. And as you've noted, it's not terribly expensive.

I should just do it!

- Glenn

[Poppa]

My original Marshall Blues Breaker ha been my #1 overdrive for darn near 30 years.

It's pretty much a one trick pony, but it does that trick very, very well. It has sent many boteek offerings to new owners.

A few years ago, I took a flyer on a used Tone City Bad Horse (klone) and what a great pedal. Never played a real klon before, so no idea how it stacks up, but there is not a bad sound in this pedal.

The two work well together also.

[David Eastwood]

Originally Posted by Glennwillow

I have used primarily a Boss Blue Driver pedal for years, and while I like this pedal a great deal, I, too, have been very tempted to buy the TC Zeus pedal. The demo provides some great overdrive sounds in my opinion. And as you've noted, it's not terribly expensive.

I should just do it!

- Glenn

I watched lots of reviews - this was the one that really sold me on it. Actually trying it out on a visit to Sweetwater sealed the deal.

[tdyer]

Very timely post ! I just had a BD-2 delivered this afternoon and I'm looking forward to trying it out.

In the past I haven't use pedals too much, but I recently acquired an amp with no master volume and since I play mostly at lower "inside voice" volume I decided I needed a pedal to add a bit of grit. Considered several, but the BD-2 seems to have a lot of devotees, reportedly doesn't color your overall tone too much, and doesn't cost more than my amp.

Any usage tips from those who have them?

TD

[GoPappy]

Anybody here tried the Emerson EM-Drive Transparent Overdrive?

[DanR]

My favorite dirt pedal is an early version (without the fuzz switch) of the MI Audio Blues Pro. While it can get really gainy with plenty of overdrive, I have it set for the most subtle almost imperceptible overdrive. That is the best pedal I have heard for that particular sound. I then have a Barber Direct Drive for a bit more overdrive and having them both on gives me more overdrive. So the two pedals give me three levels of dirt.

[Glennwillow]

Originally Posted by David Eastwood

I watched lots of reviews - this was the one that really sold me on it. Actually trying it out on a visit to Sweetwater sealed the deal.

That was a great demo David! Thanks so much!

I am going to have to order one of these things!

- Glenn

[BoneDigger]

My favorite is my Strymon Sunset. I can get just about any kind of overdrive tone I want out of it.

[Gutch]

Wampler Tumnus
Timmy
OCD v2

Depends on the guitar. Timmy seems the most versatile of the three, and sounds great in combo with either one of the others.

Gain setting on all of them is max 25%-30% - Just gettin' gritty. That allows the stacking of the pedals without getting all mushy.

[Dru Edwards]

Originally Posted by tdyer

Very timely post ! I just had a BD-2 delivered this afternoon and I'm looking forward to trying it out.

In the past I haven't use pedals too much, but I recently acquired an amp with no master volume and since I play mostly at lower "inside voice" volume I decided I needed a pedal to add a bit of grit. Considered several, but the BD-2 seems to have a lot of devotees, reportedly doesn't color your overall tone too much, and doesn't cost more than my amp.

Any usage tips from those who have them?

TD

I've never had the BD-2 Blues Driver (although I'd like to have one) but I imagine it's like other OD pedals. One thing to try is to set the pedal with the Gain down very low (0-1) and the Volume up high (7-9). That's a popular OD setting but it does depend on what tone you're looking for and your amp settings.

Let us know how you like it.

[rockabilly69]

Originally Posted by Dru Edwards

I've never had the BD-2 Blues Driver (although I'd like to have one) but I imagine it's like other OD pedals. One thing to try is to set the pedal with the Gain down very low (0-1) and the Volume up high (7-9). That's a popular OD setting but it does depend on what tone you're looking for and your amp settings.

Let us know how you like it.

Yep it keeps the OD from getting fizzy and the gain of the pedal just pushes the front end of the amp enough to get the amp working.

[jseth]

The pedal I use most all the time is a Tomsline "Bluesey", a little half size pedal that is incredibly inexpensive - like $40 +or-! Needs an adaptor for power (no battery function), but I don't like using batteries anyway...

Although the Bluesey will do a substantial distortion/overdrive, where it shines is using just enough to simulate a Fender tube-amp just beginning to break up... that little bit of "crack" to the notes when you dig in a bit. Sounds wonderful through my '76 Deluxe Reverb, but surprisingly good with my old Yamaha GL-100-112 solid state amp.

I also have a Tube Screamer, should I need/want something a bit more hectic, but. truth be told, since I got that little Bluesey pedal, I've not used the Tube Screamer but one time...

[tdyer]

Originally Posted by rockabilly69

Yep it keeps the OD from getting fizzy and the gain of the pedal just pushes the front end of the amp enough to get the amp working.

Thanks for the tip Dru and rockabilly. I'll give that a try.

I haven't spent too much time with it yet and I'm still experimenting. After being a mostly acoustic player the past few years, this newfangled electric stuff is kind of fun.

TD