What's The Best Distortion To Get Distinct Chord Sounds.

XxMangoxX

Basically my DS-1 isn't really that distinct so I'm looking for a new distortion pedal that won't over fuzz in high gain situations.

I've heard stuff about the Boss Blues Driver.

What about the EH Big Muff or the Ibanez Tube Screamer?

Or anything else.

Thanks!

tragictravisty

big muff is okay for chording. id stay away from the blues driver. OCD seems to be good, lava box, or tube classic.

tylerfender

id go with the ibanez tube screamer..its great for chording and doesnt hardly give any fuzz

tragictravisty

its not distortion really though. its barely even an overdrive. the reason its clear is cause theres no clipping and its bright as hell.

tremolo

have you ever tried a metal zone on lower dist. settings?

don't read so much into the name of the pedal...it's just a marketing tool.

you can get some really clear chording and amazing harmonics with the metal zone, but you have to tinker with it for a while.

tragictravisty

no you cant. i tried it. sounds kinda nasty. the EQ is great, the distortions the problem.

tremolo

you can't? i could. i played through a fender twin reverb with one, what did you use? suggestion to try nonetheless.

it is much clearer than a big muff in my opinion.

edit: i am also in the market for a new dist....so will be curious to see how this one pans out. i currently just have my so so amp, and a hm-2 (precursor to the metalzone, but def. not good for clear chording), the blue box, which is awful in a good way sometimes, and the square wave on the micro-synth....none of the above are really musical in the traditional sense, with exception to amp gain...but that gets boring.

tragictravisty

i used a laney. try a jekyll & hyde. jekylls a tube screamer, and hydes a nice sounding distortion.

tremolo

I have never been a big fan of stand alone pedals from digitech (do get a kick out of the whammy, and what i have seen of space station), but i will admit i am curious abt this new line they have....

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ ... sku=500137

tragictravisty

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qURYNTWli7E

AnotherTool

Any distortion will give you clear chording sound, but it all depends on the settings, and what type of chord you are using.

jellybelly

I had a blackstar overdrive which had beautiful chord voicing. Also, although tragic dosn't agree, the metal zone is a great distortion if you don't use if for metal and the blues driver is sweet too if used with correct settings and a good amp. What amp do you have btw?

BanditGuitarist1

Maybe the VOX Joe Satriani Satchurator its supposed to be the most versatile distortion ever, but its not out yet Im just saying it looks neat.

tragictravisty

mi audio crunchbox maybe

Richie

No-one seems to have paid much attention, but I've reccomended the VOX Cooltron Big Ben overdrive (i.e. what I use) several times on this forum (Ithink I have anyway, don't lambast me if I'm remengineering things there), it's the single most transparent overdrive I've ever heard. They've gone quite cheap now as well, or at least cheaper than they originally were.

tragictravisty

Fran

Marshall dirt boxes are great value, but like Tool said, it depends on your pedals settings. In the DS-1's case it has very little range so its difficult to not use too much gain.

Overdrive has always been number one for full chords because it lets the third come through the mix, distortion turns it into a mess. Thats why heavy bands usually stick to 5 chords (or power chords).

You need a pedal that goes inbetween the two ideally, like a MXR Distortion +, Marshall Guvnor or Jekyll & Hyde.

tremolo

Fran...what's your experience with the Marshall Shredmaster?

There is a boutique guy that does 1-1 clones for abt 120 bucks. I know Greenwood and Shields use/used them...but they (like everything else) are super expensive and hard to find.

Is it too similar to a hm-2 to be considered?

Fran

tremolo said: Fran...what's your experience with the Marshall Shredmaster?
There is a boutique guy that does 1-1 clones for abt 120 bucks. I know Greenwood and Shields use/used them...but they (like everything else) are super expensive and hard to find.
Is it too similar to a hm-2 to be considered?

I tried one back in the day and thought it was crap, but maybe unfairly. I certainly dont think they are worth the money they go for, but Greenwood and Shields can't put a foot wrong with Pedal People so thats that.

I have an HM-2 which is good for the early MBV sounds, its like a distortion/fuzz hybrid with a screwed up EQ.

I'm asuming Mango wants some classic tones, pushing a valve amp wins hands down but its pricey. The pedal alternatives are limited, best bet is browsing artist rigs on http://www.guitargeek.com to give some ideas.