valcian

Hi, I'm using a DSL-401 with an ibanez RG-1570 with high output Dimarzios, and I'm looking for a decent distortion pedal, but I'm not really sure what to go with.

I'm using a boss sd-1 with the gain down and volume up to act as a gain booster for the amp, but I'm looking for something to give me a nice modern metal tone when the need arises.

So far I'm looking at either a Boss md-2 or an Electro Harmonix Metal Muff (with top boost), so if you know anything about either of those pedals it would help.

Other suggestions are welcome, but I don't have mega money, so anything around the same price as either of those pedals would be ideal, thanks,

Valcian

Keefoman

__________________
www.myspace.com/auduneggen

valcian

If that didn't cost more than double what I want to pay and had none of the amp emulation, it'd be ideal :P

Keefoman

I guess both Boss md2 or the Boss Metal Zone will do the job.
You can also check out Marshall The Guv'nor or Jackhammer pedals which are nice budget pedals.

__________________
www.myspace.com/auduneggen

Webslinger

Try the Boss OD-20 (double pedal)

Yes, it's got many emulations, but that doenst mean you have to use all of them. With this unit, you should definatley find the one sound you're looking for. Lock that one in as your main sound, and you still have other choices, should you ever need one (or four...read on). As for price, yes it's more expensive, but there are used ones on ebay all the time for less than the new price of any single pedal.

I've got one, and it's the best distortion pedal I've ever played.
It has 22 different voicings (6 generic distortions voices, 6 specific Boss models, and 10 models of other manufacturers). User reviews on Harmony Central mostly said the voicings are not exact but very close to what they are imitating. (the alternative is buying 16 different pedals) So I Bought one on ebay. I was playing this on a solid state amp with a very loud clean channel and was very happy with it.

I own two of the pedals this thing emulates, the Boss DS1 and the Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer. I can tell you it does imitate them very close (the DS1 almost exact). But you also have more control over the shape of the tone (which probabaly explains the perceived slight overall sound difference, but in a good way).

It also has 4 presets, so you have five voicings on hand. I keep the regular
setting on DS1 cause thats what Im most familiar with.
But for Preset#1, I use "TS9" for a bluesy OD sound.
For #2 "Stack" with the drive way up (a nice 70's distortion),
#3 "GUV DS" (a tubey-british sound),
#4 MT1 (or HM1?) with the Bottom, Drive, and Octave knobs at about 2o'clock for a Metal tone.

The left pedal turns it on & off, the right scrolls-though the presets. Not as complicated as other multi-pedals where you have to do a tap-dance. You do however must do an off/on EQ at gigs before performing, because the "level" between voicings is different. A few times I've engaged the pedal and it either wasnt loud enough or blew everyone away.

From what you write, you may like the "Bottom" and "AttacK" controls, they give a wicked "Zack Wylde" sound, even through a 1x12, but make sure your speaker/s can handle it. You may have to rein-in the bottom a bit .

psphill27

Valcian,
The Boss Metal Zone is a killer pedal that been around for years...it works...and you can get a variety of tones. I really like the Boss products. I've been using them since my early to mid-80s days playing metal. However, the MXR Dimebag pedal is worth taking a look at if you want something that will peel the skin off you face.
Cheers,
Pete

valcian

Thanks everyone, the od-20 looks like a killer pedal, the price is the only problem.

I've looked at the metal zone but find it a bit tinny, which given the high treble of the dsl and the same problem with my evo-2 has put me off it a bit.

The dime distortion is tempting though, from what I can tell the mxr stuff is well made but my only thought is it'll only really do the 'dimebag sound' but that said it has a 3 band EQ.

I'm still leaning towards the EH pedal, if only because it's half the price of most other similar pedals and EH seem to make some quality kit (plus it has a top boost)

st.bede

EH makes great pedals (and I own a whole bunch) but my advice would be to save your money and get something boutique or modded (analogeman, keeley, ect)....the muff has a very paticular tone..take your time and search around a bit...one of my fav sites is:
YouTube - ProGuitarShopDemos's Channel

__________________
Peace: is not the lack of dischord but an active process that transforms the present dischord into harmony through reverence

"to criticize without vision is to be complicitious with dominance" Carolyn Casey

"Go easy and, if you can't go easy, go as easy as you can" Jennifer Stone....(from KPFA Cover to Cover)

valcian

Thanks for the advice and the link

BBlang4d

Metal Zone! Sweepable Mids,tons Of Gain ,very Versital!

valcian

Right, well I tested a few pedals out, the EH pedal was a bit too fizzy, especially with that top boost, yuck.

I tried the metal zone and the metalcore pedals but again, they were too fizzy, so i went with the mega distortion, it's handy having that low boost control since the dsl401 is lacking so much in bass.

Thanks for everyone's help.

guitarweasel

Check out Keeley Pedals. Excellent stuff and he does great mods to other pedals.

Robert Keeley Electronics Guitar Effects Pedals Mods, Custom Built High Fidelity Compressor RKFX BOSS IBANEZ Ross Boost Overdrive Distortion Chorus Analog Delay

Also Fulltone makes excellent pedals as well.

http://www.fulltone.com/

__________________
Age and wisdom will beat youth and craftiness every time.


www.guitarweasel.com

9200

The BlackStar HT Pedals.....High voltage valvedriven monsters!!!!

Blackstar Amplification | HT Range

You will NOT be disapointed!

JohnH

I use a Digitech Bad Monkey with my DSL401. Very handy bass and treble controls, in a well built but very economical package.

John

__________________
DSL401
8412 cab
'76 Shergold Masquerader
'93 Les Paul Studio
'83 Roadstar

dolphinstreet

I have tons of overdrive and distortion pedals. The one I like the most is the Maxon SD-9. Wonderful pedal. The next one I really like for tone is the 14 dollar Danelectro FAB Distortion - yes really! The only problem is it's cheaply made out of plastic and has no weight. But it sounds good...

__________________
Free guitar lessons My 18 watter - Heatseeker

rocker67

I found the Metal Planet by Roctron to be a kick-ass distortion pedal. It does has it similarities to the boss metal zone, but it's cheaper.

RachelMorgan

Maxon OD808 or Ibanez TS808 if your Marshall is dirty and cranked already. I don't know how it would work on the DSL but the 808 really kicks ass on my 5150 II.

__________________
Guitars: ESP LTD Alexi-600 V; Gibson SG Standard; Schecter C-1 Hellraiser (JB/'59 w/ JB coil tap)
Amps: Peavey 6505+; Fender HR Deville.
Board: Crybaby -> TS808 -> amp -> M-108 -> Whammy -> BF-3 -> DD-6 -> Sonic Stomp -> amp -> Hot Plate ->
Speakers: Avatar Contemporary 212s #1: Greenbacks; #2: Vintage 30s

mike sicowitz

Hi all,
I had to comment on this. The tube screamers do the job if your amp is dead, but I've had a 401 and those are kind of hot already. That overdrive channel is what the 808 is supposed to do to amps that lack attack. I like the slight warmth from the 808 that makes some breaks seem easier. You can just step on that thing and go back to playing clean. But, for true fuzz, I love, yes love my fuzzface. That thing just goes on and on. It does not take long to see why Hendrix had one. I was lucky to find a beat up one for $75. I'd have paid twice that because you can't model the real thing; some are getting close, Digitech for one, but screw modeling. In short, that 808 is plenty, want more, go find a good old fuzzface, but that 401 should hum pretty good without a pedal. Mike Sicowitz, Great Forum and members.

Brutalitarian Supremacy

The EH Metal Muff is the best high gain pedal on the market....J.D. from The Sword pushes an Orange OR120 (w/ volume halfway up...meaning amp signal has very little natural breakup) w/ a Metal Muff w/ Top Boost and anyone who has heard em knows they have killer tone. From my experiences w/ the pedal the Top Boost is useless....unless you like that MT-2 tin can sound!

HOT TUBES 70

i do pedal mods on the side , and my vote for the best pedal to use in front of a marshall
still has to be the BOSS SD 1 , this little box can be transformed into " boutique " level
with just a few changes , and if you want to go for the whole ball of wax they can be
just killer. remember that most overdrive pedals share the same basic set up inside, by
changing various resistors , caps, diodes etc. you can totally change how a pedal sounds , i can change 3 things in ts 9 to make it sound just like a sd1 . if your buying
"boutique" beware.