Revolving OD pedals

[Danny G]

I've built many OD pedals and experimented with many OD circuits.  But I keep coming back to my Boss Blues Driver w/DIY Keeley mods.  

I wish i could have only hand-built DIY pedals on my board, but you just gotta go with what works!

I've built:

GGG TS-808
GGG Big Muff Pi (works GREAT for bass!)
GGG AMZ mini booster
GGG BSIAB II
ROG Tube Reamer (a close second, but the BD-2 is just sweeter)
ROG Whisker biscuit
ROG Thunderchief

And many assorted little circuits, but I just keep coming back to the Blues Driver.

[fikri]

Great, sounds like you have found your best tone !  

[dv8]

Yeah I have the same problem.  I keep going back to my modded Boss SD-1.

I guess that's why there are so many flavors to choose from, everyone has thier own favorite.

What I've been doing lately is going back to mod the pedals that didn't quite fit my sound.  Changing tonestack or clipping diodes.

A couple of pedals that are quite different than the ones you mentioned are some variation of the Distortion+, I really the YJM 308 and the Liquid Drive.  Try an Fuzz or an Ocatave-Fuzz like the Foxx Tone Machine.

[MartyMart]

Hmm, I kind of agree, though i do use several others for similar jobs but
the BD-2 with a few "tweaks" is dammed hard to beat !!
Try getting another and just use that for "clean" boost, kick the other in
for some "grit" - FAB !!

Marty.

[vanhansen]

We all seem to have our "old faithful" when it comes to the right overdrive.  For my small practice setup, the ZW-44 fits perfect.  When I'm using my Marshall, a simple boost in front of it is perfect.  Lately I've been putting my Marsha Valve circuit through the ringer with it and it's been taking everything I can throw at it.  However, if your amp has lots of gain already, it may make it squeal if the level is up too high.  Find that sweet spot and it's just right.

[Fret Wire]

I wish i could have only hand-built DIY pedals on my board, but you just gotta go with what works!

That's the bottom line right there. When you step on the switch, is there great tone, or not? That's what matters, not if the pedal is DIY, or the ckt is interesting from an EE's point of view.  It all comes down to; does it rock?

Have you given the DOD 250 or SD-1 a try?

[Danny G]

Update:


I was practicing last night was running straight into my JCM800 and running it at full bore.  No pedals at all, and it sounded pretty damn good on it's own.  (It even overheated and cut out for a few seconds, heh).  

I tried putting the Blues Driver in front of the 800 and there was little effect.  The amp just kinda swalowed it up it.

I might experiment with getting a Boss GE-7 for a solo mid boost.  The BD-2 is great for lower amp volume settings.  But running wide open the head sounds great by itself.

Again, gotta go with what works!

[vanhansen]

Update:


I was practicing last night was running straight into my JCM800 and running it at full bore.  No pedals at all, and it sounded pretty damn good on it's own.  (It even overheated and cut out for a few seconds, heh).  

I tried putting the Blues Driver in front of the 800 and there was little effect.  The amp just kinda swalowed it up it.

I might experiment with getting a Boss GE-7 for a solo mid boost.  The BD-2 is great for lower amp volume settings.  But running wide open the head sounds great by itself.

Again, gotta go with what works!

That is exactly what my JCM900 does.  It doesn't like OD pedals very much when the master volume is up around 4-5 or higher.  It does react well to a booster slamming the front end harder though.

[Steben]

I really like my Blue Magic (from GGG's site).
Not sure why really. I think it really has some Fender twank in it and warm bassy blues at full settings. The SD/TS things are too bright at high gains, which are BTW also way tooooo high gains for a OD IMO.

But that's just me...