Overdrive Question...

[maxtheaxe]

Originally Posted by M Sarad

Thanks Max. I’ll give it a go with the Chandler.

Check https://www.thetubestore.com/

If you describe what you're after they're very helpful with recommendations.

edit: Incidentally....https://www.thetubestore.com/tube-brands/mullard

[AuntieDiluvian]

I don't use any OD or distortion pedals at all - I don't even own any anymore. 100% of my break-up comes from the amp.

[DukeX]

Originally Posted by AuntieDiluvian

I don't use any OD or distortion pedals at all - I don't even own any anymore. 100% of my break-up comes from the amp.

Same here (5e3 Tweed Deluxe, Vox AC4HW1). I have an overdrive pedal but never use it.

[Sonics]

For those who don't know the sonic differences between the different types of 'distortion' pedals, here's a primer...a long primer.

[Steve DeRosa]

Originally Posted by AuntieDiluvian

I don't use any OD or distortion pedals at all - I don't even own any anymore. 100% of my break-up comes from the amp.

Same here; I like to ride the razor's edge of tone, going between clean and breakup with right/left-hand technique alone - something I've yet to see done with anything but an honest-to-John Fleming tube amp, regardless of how sensitive the player's touch...

[aknow]

An old Chandler Tube overdrive for one setup. I also use the Wampler Hot Wired (Bret Mason) a lot. I have several others that are collecting dust.

[roylor4]

Originally Posted by Dru Edwards

OD pedals can do amazing things with just a simple, light touch. I love my EXH Soul Food. Inexpensive and it boosts my overdriven Marshall or Traynor amps just the way I like it. I also a few other ODs but the Soul Food is my "always on" pedal.

I have the Soul Food also and find it to be an excellent pedal.

OTOH, I usually use my Hot Wax pedal for gigs. It has both the EH Crayon and Hot Tubes in one pedal and effectively is 3 pedals in one. a, b and A+B. Go from SRV to Green Day to full blown saturation with both on. Relatively inexpensive too.

[s2y]

I have a Blues Driver somewhere in a drawer as well as a Marshall Drive Master. I should dig those out.

My main ODs are a Holdsworth OD/boost pedal, which I use to give me some sparkle when I'm playing relatively clean and a little break up when I dig in.

My next is a Zen Drive for slightly harder OD.

I also have a Tube Screamer clone that I crank for 90's era overdrive.

I then have an orange distortion clone for hard rock/classic metal.

[Dru Edwards]

Originally Posted by roylor4

I have the Soul Food also and find it to be an excellent pedal.

OTOH, I usually use my Hot Wax pedal for gigs. It has both the EH Crayon and Hot Tubes in one pedal and effectively is 3 pedals in one. a, b and A+B. Go from SRV to Green Day to full blown saturation with both on. Relatively inexpensive too.

I'll have to look up the Hot Wax. How do you like the Crayon?

[robj144]

You guys are mentioning a lot of good pedals.

However, I'm absolutely amazed today what you can get for the money... for everything: guitars, amps, and pedals are no exception.

The Xtomp I already mentioned is an absolutely outstanding pedal that has many OD's and other effects for about $70. And, trust me, the pedal sounds amazing and authentic. I have an actual tube screamer and the Xtomp has an emulation of one and I honestly can't hear the difference at all.

Besides that, I have a Caline OD that even has a boost, that I picked up for about $20. It's pretty good. It has three very distinctive types of OD and two different boosts. I also have a Mosky Klon Clone that I got for $19. That's also pretty good, but it does color the sound a bit, but it's good for certain styles.

Also, although they are meant to be amp simulators, the Joyo amp pedals, can shape your sound in front of an amp and the drive on them can be used as an OD too. The $30 Joyo British Pedal sounds absolutely amazing in front of every amp I've paired it with. It's a really crunchy OD that's not muddy at all. I HIGHLY recommend everyone buy these Joyo amp pedals. Specifically the American and British pedal.

[Paleolith54]

Originally Posted by maxtheaxe

This is a bit of a tangent to the OP's question here, but those Chandler/BK Butler Tube Driver pedals are easy to swap the tube for a less aggressive one. They come with a really grinding 12ax7 but you could put in a less 'clippy' 12au7 or something similar with softer clipping. I suspect that EJ has done something like that with his.

Also, folks need to understand that his lead tone is only partially based on the Chandler. The Fuzz Face and cranked Marshall have a lot to do with it, and I suspect far more than his OD. There are plenty of rig rundowns out there to consult for specifics.

[Dru Edwards]

Originally Posted by robj144

You guys are mentioning a lot of good pedals.

However, I'm absolutely amazed today what you can get for the money... for everything: guitars, amps, and pedals are no exception.

The Xtomp I already mentioned is an absolutely outstanding pedal that has many OD's and other effects for about $70. And, trust me, the pedal sounds amazing and authentic. I have an actual tube screamer and the Xtomp has an emulation of one and I honestly can't hear the difference at all.

Besides that, I have a Caline OD that even has a boost, that I picked up for about $20. It's pretty good. It has three very distinctive types of OD and two different boosts. I also have a Mosky Klon Clone that I got for $19. That's also pretty good, but it does color the sound a bit, but it's good for certain styles.

Also, although they are meant to be amp simulators, the Joyo amp pedals, can shape your sound in front of an amp and the drive on them can be used as an OD too. The $30 Joyo British Pedal sounds absolutely amazing in front of every amp I've paired it with. It's a really crunchy OD that's not muddy at all. I HIGHLY recommend everyone buy these Joyo amp pedals. Specifically the American and British pedal.

Hey Rob, yep, many of those Joyo pedals are inexpensive and sound great.

[alnico5]

I've been using a Barber Direct Drive since 2003. I just purchased a Barber Gain Changer. The DD has a thicker OD with more midrange. The GC is capable of a more open, lower gain OD. I like them both and am probably set for a looong time. I have no intention of diving head first down the dirt box rabbit hole, never to be seen again. I gig 50+ times a year.

[roylor4]

Originally Posted by Dru Edwards

I'll have to look up the Hot Wax. How do you like the Crayon?

I like both the Hot Tubes and Crayon side. The Crayon is a bit edgier, think Hard Rock like Green Day, AC/DC, The Kinks. The Hot Tubes side is smoother and a great Bluesy OD tone but it can get pretty grindy too if needed. The 2 together go into full-blown Carlos Santana lead kind of thing.

The only thing I don't like is how finicky the knobs can be. I like lots of gain in my OD & Distortion - small increments in the volume knob can make an enormous difference in volume. I put it in a box to carry to gigs to keep from inadvertently turning the knobs.

For the wide variety of stuff we play, I find the ability to access 3 overdrives with one pedal an incredibly useful feature.

[Dru Edwards]

Originally Posted by roylor4

I like both the Hot Tubes and Crayon side. The Crayon is a bit edgier, think Hard Rock like Green Day, AC/DC, The Kinks. The Hot Tubes side is smoother and a great Bluesy OD tone but it can get pretty grindy too if needed. The 2 together go into full-blown Carlos Santana lead kind of thing.

The only thing I don't like is how finicky the knobs can be. I like lots of gain in my OD & Distortion - small increments in the volume knob can make an enormous difference in volume. I put it in a box to carry to gigs to keep from inadvertently turning the knobs.

For the wide variety of stuff we play, I find the ability to access 3 overdrives with one pedal an incredibly useful feature.

Thanks for the follow-up. That's one pedal I'll have to give a try.