Recommendation for OD pedals
- Thread starter J.custom
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EugeneSmasher
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The Digitech Bad Monkey's a good overdrive pedal for the money, it's kind of similar to an Ibanez Tubescreamer from what I have heard, but I can't comment since I haven't tried any Tubescreamers yet. It's solidly made, built in the USA and costs only 129 dollars, but you can get a second hand piece on SOFT for around 60-70 dollars.
I suppose the Bad Monkey's a 'heavier' type of overdrive, it can get really, really saturated tone if you're using humbuckers, but it cleans up a lot when you back down the gain. Phil X did say in one of Fretted Americana's videos that he prefers his Bad Monkey to his boutique overdrives, if I didn't hear wrongly. Not saying it's better than boutiques, but in my opinion it's a good and affordable overdrive pedal to check out.
Another overdrive pedal I tried was by Electro-Harmonix. It was the Muff Overdrive I think. Frankly I was very disappointed. It didn't sound like an overdrive. Sounded more like a lower-gain fuzz to my ears. But it is one of the 'Muff' models so I guess that should be expected.
I suppose the Bad Monkey's a 'heavier' type of overdrive, it can get really, really saturated tone if you're using humbuckers, but it cleans up a lot when you back down the gain. Phil X did say in one of Fretted Americana's videos that he prefers his Bad Monkey to his boutique overdrives, if I didn't hear wrongly. Not saying it's better than boutiques, but in my opinion it's a good and affordable overdrive pedal to check out.
Another overdrive pedal I tried was by Electro-Harmonix. It was the Muff Overdrive I think. Frankly I was very disappointed. It didn't sound like an overdrive. Sounded more like a lower-gain fuzz to my ears. But it is one of the 'Muff' models so I guess that should be expected.
Last edited:
teleplayer
New member
To add on, you can also try the biyang OD-7. It's also very similar to the Tubescreamer.
J.custom
New member
The Digitech Bad Monkey's a good overdrive pedal for the money, it's kind of similar to an Ibanez Tubescreamer from what I have heard, but I can't comment since I haven't tried any Tubescreamers yet. It's solidly made, built in the USA and costs only 129 dollars, but you can get a second hand piece on SOFT for around 60-70 dollars.
I suppose the Bad Monkey's a 'heavier' type of overdrive, it can get really, really saturated tone if you're using humbuckers, but it cleans up a lot when you back down the gain. Phil X did say in one of Fretted Americana's videos that he prefers his Bad Monkey to his boutique overdrives, if I didn't hear wrongly. Not saying it's better than boutiques, but in my opinion it's a good and affordable overdrive pedal to check out.
Another overdrive pedal I tried was by Electro-Harmonix. It was the Muff Overdrive I think. Frankly I was very disappointed. It didn't sound like an overdrive. Sounded more like a lower-gain fuzz to my ears. But it is one of the 'Muff' models so I guess that should be expected.
i've played on it before but a couple a years ago, so i cant really remember what it sounds like. dont get me wrong i like this kind of overdrives to a certain extent but how bout something that gives my clean sound just a bit of dirt, like how andy timmons uses the bb preamp.
i've also had my surprises with EH. i bought a graphic fuzz at the yamaha clearance sale for just $90! and i got a good surprise rather than a bad one. i was actually looking for a more distortion type sound and this is exactly what i wanted. there were so many different sounds i could get out of it esp because it had a 6 band slider eq and an envelope which including sustain and dynamic sliders which helped to creater nicer phrasing when i played.
J.custom
New member
hahaha. aiya, i'm aware how many there are but just trying to get your opinion on which are the better ones available at the stated price range. i'm a student so cant afford too much but i do research quite a fair bit.
junkiemanxl
Active member
a pre owned Xotic BB preamp sounds like what you might be looking for
naviros
New member
Search for pedals should be about achieving a desired tone, not about really getting what money can buy. Given your price range, there ranges from cheaper overdrive units from the Biyang OD-7/8, all the way up to a second hand Wampler, to many other drive units.
And not one of them perpetuates the same purpose, and then some... (Used to own a Wampler Pinnacle II which can do Bogner tones, even though its said to be brown sound in a box) What I'm asking is what tone you're trying to achieve? Maybe some sample clips of music you like? Different people have different definitions of "better", which varies from people.
J.custom
New member
I have to say i totally agree with what you say thank you for enlightening me, sorry for being vague. well i want the od for about 2 main purposes i guess, one for boosting solos, getting that extra 'omph' abd the second for possibly using it for rhythm like for classic rock or songs that do not require such high gain, maybe for a more bluesy tone.
dudelove
New member
I like, a Catalinbread DLS, then in front of it a nice germanium treble booster to hit for leads. DLS alone makes a great rock rhythm pedal and a superb nice Blues Breaker type tone when set low gain.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RiO-JNtHZs
Keeley Java boost into a DLS
J.custom
New member
hahaha i like your recommendation. when the guy hit on the pedal i n the video i literally went HOLY CRAP. that tone is crazy! how much is it? first hand and second?
dudelove
New member
First hand for a DLS is 240SGD at TYMC I believe. 2nd hand can go as low as 180 if you're lucky. Normally its about 200 for a used one.
I love how treble boosters hit marshall amps thats why I recommended you that combination. Treble boosters is a whole other thing already. The Java boost is not cheap at all.
J.custom
New member
thanks for the info. cant get it anytime soon cos just spent money on EH graphic fuzz and a biyang ad7 delay. what other ods would you recommend that are not as trebbly as this one? honestly i prefer something with a bit more of a boosted midrange
dudelove
New member
DLS is a Marshall in a box. Marshalls are usually associated with a huge midrange. I've owned his pedal before and the tone knob is very useful. Its definitely not a bright, trebly pedal. On its own its actually quite polite.
If you like mids, and maybe a smooth, slightly compressed drive, there are literally hundreds of Tubescreamer type overdrives out there.
J.custom
New member
no offense but honestly, i prefer a mesa boogie sound rather than marshall. any ideas on that?
dudelove
New member
MI Audio Tubezone. You're done. Low gain, High gain. Whatever it does. With the budget you have its perfect for you.
naviros
New member
I sold my Pinnacle for $250. Think I spoiled the market there a little...
Not too sure if you can still find it around, but Om Lab's Sahasrara has just enough for blues, and a little rock. Has a pregain and tone control to adjust the sounds to your liking.
I would stack this pedal though, if I were you.
For availability check with TYMC.
*edit* Tubezone is also an awesome choice.
Not too sure if you can still find it around, but Om Lab's Sahasrara has just enough for blues, and a little rock. Has a pregain and tone control to adjust the sounds to your liking.
I would stack this pedal though, if I were you.
For availability check with TYMC.
*edit* Tubezone is also an awesome choice.
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