Distortion pedal recommendation

NewGuy

New member
I am using an american fender std sss strat into a blackheart 5 watt amp. The amp is a single channel tube amp and I am thinking of getting a distortion pedal to supplement it. I am looking for a pedal that is versatile and good for low to high gain settings. I play some iron maiden, bon jovi, beyond, mayday and eric clapton stuff. My budget is about 300 bucks for the pedal.

I tried the tubezone but somehow, it seems to have it's own unique voicing which I don't really like. What pedals will you recommend me to check out and where can I find it?
 
For single coils, I find one of the best distortion pedals money can buy for that 80s vibe with good transparency will be the Keeley Mod DS-1.
 
Go try them out

Hiya, well my suggestion, you must first know what type of sound you are looking for. Once you have identified the sound that you want, go check out the gears the artist is using. You also ought to try different pedals out for yourself to find what you like.

For me I'm using 3 types of distortion sound. First is the amp distortion sound through my Mashall TSL, I back it up with a reissue Ibanez Tubscreamer 808, usually for solos. Second, is the MI Audio Crunch box, backed up also by the Ibanez Tubscreamer 808 for solos and screeming leads. Third, is a MIJ Boss Super Feedbacker/Distortion backed by a DOD Rectifier pedal. All these combination give me the tones from soothing Eric Johnson's tone to some really distorted Satriani stuffs.

But, trust your ears, you know what you like, cos you will spend a reasonable amount of time playing things that you like to hear, in that way, you spend more time with your instruments better.

Cheers...
 
Mike Mod DS-1 Live Turbo IMHO one of the most useful, versatile and best sounding distortion units out there, also sold by SV.
 
I used to use MXR Distortion+ but now I use a BOSS OS-2 Overdrive/Distortion. More versatile and produces a nice tone when set properly. You could get a Beez mod BOSS DS-1. There are people selling it over at the Buy/Sell section or you could just bring an unmodded DS-1 to his shop at Roxy Square, opposite Parkway. Not sure how much he charges to mod it.
 
I used to use MXR Distortion+ but now I use a BOSS OS-2 Overdrive/Distortion. More versatile and produces a nice tone when set properly. You could get a Beez mod BOSS DS-1. There are people selling it over at the Buy/Sell section or you could just bring an unmodded DS-1 to his shop at Roxy Square, opposite Parkway. Not sure how much he charges to mod it.

True i second that, the beez mod DS1 is one of the nicest DS1 i have ever owned, pretty similar to the keeley mod imo but cost much less ;) but the ultimate DS1 for full out heavy tones have to be edder's DS1 mod, too bad i sold it off and currently i am regretting it.......cause he no longer makes them anymore!
 
Serious? Beez doesn't mod them anymore? Sigh... So I guess its Keeley mod then?

Haha! Anyway I'm too in love with my OS-2 to give it up. =D
 
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when i play my blackheart, i supplement it with my Wampler Pinnacle 2 & any other mild overdrive pedal for the added kick, only because drive overkill is my staple 8-)
 
Mike's Mod DS-1 is discontinued? That's the worst news for me since 2009. Heard many great comments for that but never had a chance to make a trip down. What am to do now?

What other versions of DS-1 Mods are still available?
 
yes... uber disappointment. What about the others Mods of DS-1? I've heard of Beez's Mod, but Keeley too? Sorry noobie here. What is actually still available & able to enlighten where I can get them? Thanks.
 
Thanks for the input guys. I need to check the wampler pinnacle pedal out, heard some youtube clips and find that it has that raw vintage rock sound but can it be used to play milder overdrive style stuff? How does it sound with another overdrive adding as boost in front of it? Or has anyone try the super estacy pedal?
 

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