Starting My Pedalboard...Guys NEED HELP!

[reez_rock]

Hi Guys,
I'm thinking of starting my pedal board after been playing through multi fx for so long. I'm currently using a POD XT live and been through various mfx such as Zoom 707, Korg 1500, Korg 3000G, Boss ME 30, Boss ME 50 and a few more. I feel very2 bored and unsatisfied with my tone right now. Need all of the experienced people here to suggest me. I'm really a noob in single pedals. I mainly need these pedals at the moment.

- Distortion/OD pedal - Noise Supressor - Reverb - Lead Booster - Wah -

Need your guys input to fill this chain. I'm currently eyeing on Zakk Wylde OD and Zakk Wylde wah.

Oh, I play Rock, Pop, and classic rock on Les Pauls.

1 more thing, Don't suggest me to invest on amps. Caused that's totally not my direction at the moment. I found it a bit unpractical because I can't carry a huge amps to a gig


Thanks so much Guys!


w/ Luv,
Reez

 

[dudelove]

can i ask why the zakk wylde stuff??

invest in good drives first. since u said forget abt the amp.

 

[Godspeed64]

OD:
If you want something with slight grit, Boss SD-1, Digitech Bad Monkey, or Ibanez TS9 will do..
If you want versatility, Fulltone FD-2, G2D Creamtone, NOC3 Pure Drive will do..
If you want more grit, an OCD will do well..

Distortion:
A modded DS-1 for rock and roll, or a Pro Co RAT, or MI Audio Crunchbox.. If you have more budget, and need a Boost, Xotic BB Preamp or Zvex BoR..

Reverb:
Digitech Hardwire Reverb have been receiving raving reviews.. If not Boss RV-5, or Digitech DigiVerb..

Wah:
Vox V847
Dunlop GCB95f
Morley Classic Wah or Pro Series II
If you have more money, go for an RMC wah, or a Fulltone Clyde..

I think you need to state your budget for each, and overall budget for us to have a better view..

 

[reez_rock]

Thanks for all the suggestions so far. Forgot to mentioned that I've owned a few single pedals in the past although none of them are boutique. Used a Boss overdrive/distortion, Blues driver and Super distortion. Somehow I found something is wrong with their sound.

I had problems with 2 of my crybaby. I owned 95Q and GCB95(if I remember it correctly) both gave me problems and ended up I sold it off cheaply.

Reason for Zakk Wylde OD simply because I'm a fan of him always love his solo sounds and watched a few good review about it on youtube. The other dive pedals that I'm considering is Tonebone Hot british.

My budget for total is about 600(I'm looking to buy 2nd hand items here)

 

[Godspeed64]

600 is a little narrow.. I'd suggest a Wah, OD, Dist first.. You do not truly need the rest at the moment..

I had the same problem with my Crybaby.. Just couldn't click.. But check out Morley's low end stuff.. 50 bucks to around 70 can get you a Classic Wah or Pro Series II (which I prefer)..

For overdrive, I'd recommend a used SD-1, or if you like tube-screamers, TS7.. The SD-1 would be pretty cheap second hand.. Say $60-80..
If you want a very very versatile OD (if OD is your main thing), Fulltone FD-2 or Skreddy Screwdriver should cost you around 260-280..

Distortion, maybe a MI Audio Crunchbox, or OCD.. They are more to rhythm playing for that added crunch and rawness.. Would set you back around 180-240.. Even a RAT would suffice, but this is highly subjective since some ppl don't like the voicing of a rat..
If distortion is not your main thing, a simple modded DS-1 would do.. Around 100 for this..
If you've got a blues thing going on, a Keeley BD-2 would be really nice.. 180-220 bucks for this baby..

Best thing bro is to go around and try out liao.. :mrgreen:

Edit:
Shit what am I doing.. Sorry for shameless promoting my own ad but here..
http://soft.com.sg/forum/guitar-efx-buy-sell/85372-lai-lai-pedals-lai.html
OD plus 2 channeled distortion pedal.. If you don't need the amp we can work things out.. OD can be repaired for 30 bucks from Seekz or Goose..

 

[mus]

Just to add to godspeed's point,

If you want an SD-1, you can get it 1st hand at $70 (non-modded)

 

[penta-tonic]

actually i do believe that for high gain multi effects can get really good tone, one example would be the vox tonelab. however the reason y i gave up using digital is cos somehow when playing in a 2 guitar band it cant ever cut thru no matter what freq i boost or cut and how much volume i use. ive heard that to rectify this problem u could stick an analog pedal boost btwn the multi fx and the amp.

and u might not need a noise suppresor if u get pedals which are silent. one good pedal which can cover alot of ground for drive and is very quiet is the mi audio crunchbox. and its one pedal which allows alot of ur original guitar sound to come out eg the chime of strats.

 

[Metalling]

CryBaby->MXR dyna comp->Crunch box->ISP Decimator->Ibanez AD9->DigiTech HardWire RV-7 Stereo Reverb

 

[dudelove]

do note that zakk wylde uses his od for boosting his main drive.. so u will have to get a separate drive unit. and really lah invest in the drives first.

and yes the best way, is to go try them out for urself.

 

[reez_rock]

Goodspeed : Ah? I tot the most important things are Drive pedals+Noise Supressor+Booster...cause from my experience with my Boss OS2 it gives a lot of noise that I found quite disturbing when you play songs that has a lot of pause. My band has 2 guitarists so I'm afraid without booster it will be difficult to cut through during the solos. Yeah, I guess tubescreamer is a good option also.

Metalling : What's ICP Decimator does?

Yeah my other guitarist also recommended MI audio crunchbox also but I'm afraid I'll sound too much like him since he's also using double humbuckers guitar as my les pauls.

The first reason why I decided to go with MFX is because I'm just too lazy to try out a lot of pedals..hahaha


Thanks so much for the suggestions guys. I'll start to look around. But I guess my first buy will still be the ZW OD..haha

 

[mus]

Can I answer your question to Metaling?. Please!

ISP Decimator is a noise suppressor pedal. I think one of the best in the market.

 

[Godspeed64]

If you don't want the crunchbox, you can try the OCD..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZ3iumBEvCE PGS Demo with LP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XYi4sEVrD4 PGS Demo comparison (WATCH THIS)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6cREnN6jsA TF Demo with Strat
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xht70sagx8 GMD Demo v2 v3 v4 with Tele

Godspeed : Ah? I tot the most important things are Drive pedals+Noise Supressor+Booster...cause from my experience with my Boss OS2 it gives a lot of noise that I found quite disturbing when you play songs that has a lot of pause. My band has 2 guitarists so I'm afraid without booster it will be difficult to cut through during the solos. Yeah, I guess tubescreamer is a good option also.

Well.. I've rarely found the need for a noise suppressor, even with 4 drive pedals on board.. The important thing is in your settings dude.. If you're using a MT-2 to boost a Landmine or something like that, you're bound to have noise.. So it truly comes to play due to your settings and when stacking..
Booster is kinda hard to recommend at this price range..
If you want a gain booster, get a TS (but there will be more fattening of the mids).. Even an SD-1 can fit the bill..
If you want a volume booster, Catalinbread Serano Picoso, HBE Uno Mos, MXR CAE Boost, Xotic RC Booster (expensive), NOC3 Earthtone Boost, or Goosonique Boosty..
To cut through, you can also have an equalizer to boost certain frequencies.. Recommend MXR 6-band EQ or Boss GE-7..

Oh yeah.. I've used a metal muff w/ top boost for hard rock before.. The top boost help me cut through.. Quite cheap as well..

 

[Metalling]

Goodspeed : Ah? I tot the most important things are Drive pedals+Noise Supressor+Booster...cause from my experience with my Boss OS2 it gives a lot of noise that I found quite disturbing when you play songs that has a lot of pause. My band has 2 guitarists so I'm afraid without booster it will be difficult to cut through during the solos. Yeah, I guess tubescreamer is a good option also.

Metalling : What's ICP Decimator does?

Yeah my other guitarist also recommended MI audio crunchbox also but I'm afraid I'll sound too much like him since he's also using double humbuckers guitar as my les pauls.

The first reason why I decided to go with MFX is because I'm just too lazy to try out a lot of pedals..hahaha


Thanks so much for the suggestions guys. I'll start to look around. But I guess my first buy will still be the ZW OD..haha

Decimator is a noise gate. it does not suck your tone much.

 

[moo_5150]

Reez....

if I could be you, I would bloody struggle to get...

OD/ Dist : Xotic BB+, I owned. This effect a bit pricey but very very versatile... my DS1 seem useless after I bought it!!!! Can cover as the tone as much as I want. But not for heavy grind whatever metal... edgy dist... not for this purpose!!!

NoiseGate : ISP decimator... (but seems u can get it later... masi blm perlu) coz the BB+ doesnt make a horrible noise at all...

Reverb : For me TREX RoomMate is the king, but suck ur wallet a.s.a.p... U can nail with HolyGrail EHX, or Boss RV5. I know this both cant compare with TREX RoomMate.

Semoga sukses

Lead Booster : For me RC Booster. But MI audio Booster is very nice also.

Wah : VOX 847 A is enough... very warm... but cheap....worth it. highest range things of course Fulltone Clyde Deluxe or RMC picture wah.

 

[phyldemicx]

Trust your ears!

hey man

i'm a relatively new guy to single pedals too. my advice is this: listen and try out as many pedals as you can. listen to them personally, or just view the awesome proguitarshop.com reviews on youtube.

then source around, and just see what fits your playing and your guitar

i recommend the following

drive:
seymour duncan twin tube OD
Vox big ben Tube OD
TS808
MI audio crunch box

wah:
crybaby 535/535Q
budda wah
RMC picture wah

yeap. good luck!

 

[reez_rock]

wah...thanks guys...so many suggestions...getting more confused now...hahaha.....yeah...I know that trying out hell lots of pedals will be the best way to find the best...But the problem is that I'm trying to shorten my learning curves due to time and budget constrain....

I guess I'll try to be a bit more specific....I'm looking to get Zakk Wylde kind of tone... what pedals should I get??

 

[Ized]

zakk wylde uses a marshall jcm 800/900 so obviously you sld be getting a pedal that can get marshall type sounds. I think the OCD is out cos the bottom is rather loose and you get that "sag" when playing with more gain, which would be useful for certain genres but not mr wylde as he has a very thick and focused lead tone. The crunchbox and the seekz stomperz punchtone comes to my mind. Or you can try a tonebone hot british for heavier sounds, or a sansamp gt-2 with the hot rodded marshall mode (can get to near insane metal levels). Use the mxr zakk wlyde OD (which is one of rare examples of artistes actually using their own products) in front of your drive pedal of your choice to boost it. Turn down the gain and up the level on the zakk wylde. This will give you extra saturation and more clarity for single note playing, as well as more sustain and a screaming lead tone which pinch harmonics will literally scream from the amp.

If you still feel you need a CLEAN boost to cut thru, any of the pedals godspeed mentioned will suffice. use that clean boost pedal after BOTH pedals i've mentioned to cut thru for lead.

I think you sld not get the noise suppressor. Try playing with less gain and tweak your amp and pedals for a noise free setup. Stacking pedals which i've mentioned earlier can get you the same amount of gain with reduced noise. Try and see.

 

[FiS]

u can try the mi audio tubezone. very2 versatile pedal for ur gain needs.

or the seventheaven? haven tried it though but clips and features looks good.
3 basic eq knobs and thers also a boost side and dif gain channel for the pedal
so tht can cover up ur dist/od and lead booster in one single pedal.

if u wan a single boost pedal on its own, den try the byoc overdrive.
read up on it and u'll be convinced i think. haha

noise supressor - either boss ns-2/isp decimator

wah - since ur into zakk wylde den get the zakk wylde wah den.
after going through diff wahs any wah will do actually

reverb - boss rv5/nova reverb. or any delay pedal can do reverb well too.
and u can play around will delay and reverb at the same time if u buy a delay pedal instead

 

[moo_5150]

I can nail Zakk's OD with BB+... =)
And gain-wise BB+ is quite enough... can go smooth to harsh. =)

 

[naviros]

OD/Booster = SD Twin Mayhem, Fulltone 2 MosFet, or Visual Sound Jekyll & Hyde
Noise Surpressor = ISP Decimator ('nuff said)
Wah = Budda Wah (smoothest, most even wah I've heard)

Hmmm.... Add all of 'em up, about a cool 800 worth of dmg...?