I have the Joyo Ultimate Drive as well. At first I didn't get along with it, but after playing around with it again I love it. Similar settings to you. DSL50 on clean channel with gain at 3 o'clock. Always set it there if using pedal gain to make it sound more natural. Just at the point of a little breakup. Pedal gain at 9 o'clock, tone at 1-2 o'clock, at volume at unity. I'll push the gain past 1 o'clock if I want a fuzzy distortion.
@OP: I, too, have an older SD-1 (maybe 20 years old). For me, SD-1 is one of those pedals that has just enough unique tone characteristics that is hard to find in other pedals and in most amps. SD-1 works great as a boost to a channel that is already distorted/dirty, but it also works great as main distortion/dirt tone if you set the amp for a clean tone. I doubt if I'd ever let it go because it's just too good.
I am also a proud owner of the Joyo ultimate drive, and I use it in the high mode, I last used it on my Origin rig Gain just before 9:00 Tone just before 12:00 Level just past 12:00 No boost was used on the Origins And with my V I got a great old school Marshall tone. The clip on my Utube channel is Shadows on the Moon !! Cheers
Thanks Mike, I appreciate the compliment, and that early Priest swagger is very much what I was trying for. Cheers Mitch
I A/B’d my tube screamer against my joyo ultimate drive and the ultimate drive won! It had a little more balls and bite to it.
Thinking of purchasing 1 more SD-1 to have two on the board. One to drive the amp and one to boost. Stacked would probably be killer. For big SD-1 fans here you go.
I love my SD-1 it was my first pedal and it always finds its way back. Currently, I'm really enjoying MXR's sugar drive as a boost, but may have to switch back to the Boss to see how they compare.
Right on! For a little while I was using my MXR Custom Modified Badass OD ( another SD-1 variant). Great, great OD, but missing my SD-1, on a whim I decided to throw it back on the board. It's just a perfect engagement with ALL my Marshalls. Very transparent even max' d out (except for gain). I have a Taiwanese version as well so I can't speak for a MIJ unit.
After all the SD-1/Marshall talk on the forum, I finally got one. Already have a TS9, so I wasn't expecting a big difference, and there isn't. But the difference is there. Similar mid-hump, similar gain sound. The SD-1 was slightly brighter with gain at zero, tone half, and level maxed. But I do think the SD-1 is better boost for a Marshall than a Tube Screamer. Nice gain sound. The TS seemed slightly rough, and the SD smoother. More even. It's nice to have another flavor of pedal, but if you already have a Tube Screamer, not sure you really need it. But it definitely wouldn't hurt.
@Guitar Rod Happy SD-1 day my friend! The SD-1 is so critical and dependent on my tone. Level maxed, Tone maxed, and Gain won't budge above 9'o clock pending amp. Making the amp do most of the work with the final touches with the SD1. With the addition of the MXR 10 Band EQ in the loop with slight V configuration, the tone is unstoppable. Fat, thick, and creamy no matter what Marshall you pick. Those two units really work FANTASTIC together. **Zero Treble is key for all my Marshalls** ( that knob will make you sell your Marshall.. to me) ** Mids are very dependent on amp as they can really add sizzle so I start with Zero on my Marshalls and adjust to taste** ** Presence and Bass are where my Marshalls sing and shine** ( again..with the SD-1 and MXR 10 Band EQ)
I've been hearing about this magic combo for years but have yet to pull the trigger. I have a TS9 and while it is a nice pedal I can't say I love it, so hearing that the SD1 is in the same ball park I am not sure. But I am curious
Yea, an SD-1 is a little different flavor tubescreamer. I feel like the last thing I need with a Marshall is a mid hump.
Its been a love/hate thing for me. I like them but bypassed they do change the dry sound which I dont like. Allthough I have found recently if I run the tone low its does sound better bypassed. And despite what the internet says they dont sound best with the level dimed...about 2oclock seems to be the sweet spot then add back in some gain.
I think I'd rather want an OD-3, it has less of that tubescreamer character, doesn't it? My SV20 is bright enough as it is, if anything I'd want to smooth out the mids and highs and add a bit of saturation at lower volumes.
That's what I think too. Same with my Klon clone. About 1-2 works best for boost. For my tastes I'd rate it the Klon as the best boost by far, then SD-1, then TS9. The Klon lets more frequencies through but tightens everything up, though the SD-1 might be better in a mix.
