the best inexpensive stompbox for metal distortion

Post by olav b
I am in the marked for a 13th birthday present for my son who is into
metal. he needs a pedal for good tight metal distortion. what would
you suggest?
-o

Danelectro Cool Cat line of pedals. I have the transparent overdrive,
chorus and vibe. They also have distortion and metal pedals. Prices
seem to go from $30-$50.

Great pedals for the price.

New B.

2010-04-23 02:51:14 UTC

Post by olav b
I am in the marked for a 13th birthday present for my son who is into
metal. he needs a pedal for good tight metal distortion. what would
you suggest?
-o

IMPORTANT ==>> What is your definition of "inexpensive".?

Well to make a more educated recommendation it would be
extremely helpful to know about his current rig.

Guitar(s), Amp(s), other effects owned/used, etc...

And what tone he would like to emulate...

Old School: AC/DC, Metallica, Sabbath, Zeppelin,

Perhaps something else ? (Nu-Metal)

What guitarist or band/s does he love the tone ?

There are a myriad of disto pedals, harmony central has many reviews.

Why not select it together, always a good idea for father and son to
search for good tone.

BTW (some of those vintage boxes for sale on ebay, are there for a
reason: mainly it's because they suck)

Why not build one ? Build your own clone ?
www.buildyourownclone.com/

There are some great modders of vintage boxes online.

Shitty tone is cheap, Great tone doesn't have to be expensive.
Define a spending limit, new/used, etc...

Electric guitarist have been debating what is the 'best' distortion
for well more than 13 years <HeHe>,

At least as far back as the first "solid body electric spanish guitar"

IIRC that was the Fender Esquire 1949
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fender_Esquire

...and will discuss for many, many more years..
You have an unusual opportunity to connect with your son on a very
deep level. I wish you well in your endeavor.

JFYI, the search for 'tone' for guitarists is neverending.
But, that's a *very* good thing.
Refining an ever evolving tone keeps guitarists interested for life.

If you have more questions, ask them here.
There are a very good group of knowledgeable players here, very
willing
to share their opinions.

L8er, and good luck,

PS the "Metal Zone" seems to be popular with the kidz.

olav b

2010-04-23 09:01:37 UTC

Post by New B.

Post by olav b
I am in the marked for a 13th birthday present for my son who is into
metal. he needs a pedal for good tight metal distortion. what would
you suggest?
-o

IMPORTANT ==>> What is your definition of "inexpensive".?
Well to make a more educated recommendation it would be
extremely helpful to know about his current rig.
Guitar(s), Amp(s), other effects owned/used, etc...
And what tone he would like to emulate...
Old School: AC/DC, Metallica, Sabbath, Zeppelin,
Perhaps something else ? (Nu-Metal)
What guitarist or band/s does he love the tone ?
There are a myriad of disto pedals, harmony central has many reviews.
Why not select it together, always a good idea for father and son to
search for good tone.
BTW (some of those vintage boxes for sale on ebay, are there for a
reason: mainly it's because they suck)
Why not build one ? Build your own clone ?
www.buildyourownclone.com/
There are some great modders of vintage boxes online.
Shitty tone is cheap, Great tone doesn't have to be expensive.
Define a spending limit, new/used, etc...
Electric guitarist have been debating what is the 'best' distortion
for well more than 13 years <HeHe>,
At least as far back as the first "solid body electric spanish guitar"
IIRC that was the Fender Esquire 1949
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fender_Esquire
...and will discuss for many, many more years..
You have an unusual opportunity to connect with your son on a very
deep level. I wish you well in your endeavor.
JFYI, the search for 'tone' for guitarists is neverending.
But, that's a *very* good thing.
Refining an ever evolving tone keeps guitarists interested for life.
If you have more questions, ask them here.
There are a very good group of knowledgeable players here, very
willing
to share their opinions.
L8er, and good luck,
PS the "Metal Zone" seems to be popular with the kidz.

thanks for the thoughts. here some details.

spending limit: boss type pedal.

equipment: transitor amp, strat clone (in the future possibley the two
humbucker design guitar he is talking so much about).

style: trash metal (old metallica, helmet, ..), tight, well defined,
..

i think being able to make an informed guess for a good sound is
important.

by the way, i am not sure about the metal zone, great name, but not so
useful for your basic sound (unless you like bees a lot).

-o

New B.

2010-04-23 20:48:09 UTC

Post by olav b

Post by New B.

Post by olav b
I am in the marked for a 13th birthday present for my son who is into
metal. he needs a pedal for good tight metal distortion. what would
you suggest?
-o

IMPORTANT ==>> What is your definition of "inexpensive".?

thanks for the thoughts. here some details.
spending limit: boss type pedal.
equipment: transitor amp, strat clone (in the future possibley the two
humbucker design guitar he is talking so much about).
style: trash metal (old metallica, helmet, ..), tight, well defined,
..
i think being able to make an informed guess for a good sound is
important.
by the way, i am not sure about the metal zone, great name, but not so
useful for your basic sound (unless you like bees a lot).
-o

You are very welcomed.
Glad to be of service to someone, anyone :-)

Why guess ?
Take your son, his amp, his guitar, to the local music store
and actually test several disto pedals.

Believe me, your son would rather pick his own, than
to be 'surprised' with a pedal that sucks.
It is still a BD gift !
With the added bonus the he got to pick it out !!!
With his Dad !!!

NO returns needed ! Yay ! Hurray ! Everyone is happy !
8^]]

Be advised that I am not trying to pry, am trying to help ya'll get
the best tone for the least bucks.

Boss type pedal : less than $150 ?
<just a guess>

The Boss DS-1 is very popular with pros and most every one else.
You can get it from GC or MF for about $40

Me ? I like the Ibanez 'Tube Screamer" to "punish" the input
of a tube amp.

Don't get me wrong, SS (solid state) does have it's uses...
Mainly in sound reinforcement.

Transistor Amp ? can you specify ? Wattage/ Speakers (# and size)/
Combo/ Head+Cab, Brand ?

BTW just for edification, SS (solid state)<transistor> amplifiers
cannot produce the same clean power that a tube amp can.
When SS 'clips (=pushed beyond power limits)' it sounds downright
nasty, ugly, and non-musical.

Don't get me wrong, tube amps have their own inherent limitations.
Heat, cost of tubes, heavier (due to bigger transformers), etc...
But when pushed into 'clip'; that is when they sound best for guitar,
and have a 'responsive touch'.
If you run across an old dusty tube amp <of any kind> at a garage sale
'pick' it for a song, that old hardware can be rebuilt !

Strat Clone, Brand ?
3 Single coils ? Commonly notated as s/s/s
then there are the h/s/h
h=humbucker (two coils)
Ibanez has some interesting h/s/h with switching options.

The 'metallica' crunch doesn't come from a pedal though.
More like Multiple Marshall heads through multiple 4X12 cabs.

That's loud, I tell ya !
It is possible to get the same tone at lower volumes though.

But the important thing is *Tube* amplification !!!
Not modeling nor SS <solid state>
Nothing comes close to an overdriven tube amp.

There are some very nice 'all tube' 5-watters on the market
The head/cab versions versus 'combo' are preferrable IMO.

Am more than willing to advise you further if you wish.

BTW have been playing guitar, and searching for 'tone'
since 8 y.o.

New B.

2010-04-23 22:27:28 UTC

Post by olav b
by the way, i am not sure about the metal zone, great name, but not so
useful for your basic sound (unless you like bees a lot).

I do like 'honey', does that count ?

Tube "Pre-Amp" disto sounds like killer<africanized> bee (60Hz) hum.

That's why I !Despise! pre-amp disto. So damn 'buzzy'.

It's power tube saturation that sounds good.

For good 'chunky', 'tight', 'defined' metal sound
a closed back cabinet and a 'dimed' tube amp is a must.

For that open airy fender 'clean' open back is the ticket.
Champ/Princeton/Deluxe/Bassman/Twin...
Sad that the tweeds and blackfaces were only made as combos AFAIK
But... one can unplug the 'combo' spkr(s) and use an external cab.
As long as you watch your "Ohm" load(z)

Once you have the head/cab option one can tailor the tone
to what you desire.

A JCM800-50W (2204) sounds much different than a dimed BlackHeart 5W
through the same cab. Me? I like 1X12 cabs for practice or small
clubs. Can also haul two (1X12) for medium to large clubs.
For arenas and stadiums, your 4X12 <miked> is appropriate.

You can also run multiple amps, set for different tones.
The question is: "Just how much gear are you willing to haul ?"

Rest assured that you can get the chunk/grind/crunch/sing @ ANY
volume....
<caveat>...with the* right* equipment.

Recording/Arena/Practice/Club ?
All are possible.

However it is difficult, if not impossible, to get all
of the above from just one rig.

Hence, we have GAS...
Gear Aqusition Syndrome

Used to be called: GAS = Guitar Aquisition Syndrome
and... AAS (pronouced "ass") Amplifier Aqusition Syndrome

TheChris

2010-04-23 20:30:35 UTC

Post by olav b
I am in the marked for a 13th birthday present for my son who is into
metal. he needs a pedal for good tight metal distortion. what would
you suggest?
-o

New B.

2010-04-23 22:29:17 UTC

On Fri, 23 Apr 2010 20:30:35 +0000 (UTC), TheChris

Post by olav b
I am in the marked for a 13th birthday present for my son who is into
metal. he needs a pedal for good tight metal distortion. what would
you suggest?
-o

Boss Metal Zone.

Hmmm....

No elaboration ?

What are your current practice/rehearsal/club/arena rigs ?

TheChris

2010-04-24 23:21:55 UTC

Post by New B.
On Fri, 23 Apr 2010 20:30:35 +0000 (UTC), TheChris

Post by olav b
I am in the marked for a 13th birthday present for my son who is into
metal. he needs a pedal for good tight metal distortion. what would
you suggest?
-o

Boss Metal Zone.

Hmmm....
No elaboration ?
What are your current practice/rehearsal/club/arena rigs ?

My gig rigs are either my Marshall 2210 or Carvin Legacy. I use the tube
distortion on them... For all other small gigs I'll use my Boss OD1-r. But
I'm going for a Priest/Maiden/Nugent distortion. When I had my Metal
Zone, I could play that through ANYTHING, and it sounded like GOD..

I'm a strong supporter of the Boss DS-1 - That's my utility distortion -
but I have a modded one I use.

Tell you what... I have an unmodded DS-1 I was trying to give away for a
while.. If I haven't missed your sons birthday, I'll gladly donate it to
the cause...

The Interceptor

2010-04-24 08:54:22 UTC

Post by olav b
I am in the marked for a 13th birthday present for my son who is into
metal. he needs a pedal for good tight metal distortion. what would
you suggest?
-o

Boss Metal Zone.
--
Christopher Bell
http://www.myspace.com/bellboudreaux

Not a bad suggestion, even in the face of many negative opinions. My
suspicion is people don't know how to use the Metal Zone and/or anti-Boss
snobbism. The trick is not too back off the mids too far, and don't go
beyond 50% with the gain. And if you roll your guitar volume off a bit (or
the gain on the pedal for that matter) it can do more than just metal.

It's the only pedal that makes my Strat have serious balls. (I do have the
Les Paul as well, so I can confirm it works with humbuckers too)

Brett

TheChris

2010-04-24 23:23:43 UTC

Post by The Interceptor

Post by olav b
I am in the marked for a 13th birthday present for my son who is into
metal. he needs a pedal for good tight metal distortion. what would
you suggest?
-o

Boss Metal Zone.
--
Christopher Bell
http://www.myspace.com/bellboudreaux

Not a bad suggestion, even in the face of many negative opinions. My
suspicion is people don't know how to use the Metal Zone and/or anti-

Boss

Post by The Interceptor
snobbism. The trick is not too back off the mids too far, and don't go
beyond 50% with the gain. And if you roll your guitar volume off a bit (or
the gain on the pedal for that matter) it can do more than just metal.
It's the only pedal that makes my Strat have serious balls. (I do have the
Les Paul as well, so I can confirm it works with humbuckers too)
Brett

My only issue with the MZ (even though I suggested it) was that it
didn't translate to gig volumes well. It almost sounds 'modeled' - so,
at 100 watts (much like the old Rockman gear) all of the EQ scoops make
it sound weird... But, through small amps, it was pretty Beefy.

Jim

2010-04-23 21:57:41 UTC

Post by olav b
I am in the marked for a 13th birthday present for my son who is into
metal. he needs a pedal for good tight metal distortion. what would
you suggest?
-o

I was going to suggest the Rocktron Zombie, but then you posted that he
has a solid state amp. Even the manufacturer points out that it sounds
better with tubes. It might be fine if you keep output level and treble
at lower settings.

The Line 6 Uber Metal is another option. I ended up selling mine, but I
liked the EQ section, and thought it offered more options than the Boss
Metal Zone. Used prices seem to have dropped since I sold mine.

The other oddball that I like is the out of production DOD "Death
Metal." But I buy it because I modify it (heavily) to give low
gain/overdrive options. The stock pedal is very high gain, so it's easy
to make it sound buzzy and noisy. You can tame it by lowering guitar
volume and rolling off the treble. Strong points are price, heavy
construction, and the 3 band EQ with interesting overlap.

stolarskin

2010-04-26 19:26:03 UTC

Post by Jim

Post by olav b
I am in the marked for a 13th birthday present for my son who is into
metal. he needs a pedal for good tight metal distortion. what would
you suggest?
-o

I was going to suggest the Rocktron Zombie, but then you posted that he
has a solid state amp. Even the manufacturer points out that it sounds
better with tubes. It might be fine if you keep output level and treble
at lower settings.
The Line 6 Uber Metal is another option. I ended up selling mine, but I
liked the EQ section, and thought it offered more options than the Boss
Metal Zone. Used prices seem to have dropped since I sold mine.
The other oddball that I like is the out of production DOD "Death
Metal." But I buy it because I modify it (heavily) to give low
gain/overdrive options. The stock pedal is very high gain, so it's easy
to make it sound buzzy and noisy. You can tame it by lowering guitar
volume and rolling off the treble. Strong points are price, heavy
construction, and the 3 band EQ with interesting overlap.

I'll second the earlier post on
the Danelectro Cool Cat. Got the Red one,
and not sure which model it is because
I just looked at it and it doesn't have a model number written on it.
Sam Ash closeout $19.95, and it's a sweetie.

Really want to try the Jacques Fuseblower,
listened online and I think it's got a real wide
range of distortion possibilities.
Haven't seen them at Sam Ash or Guitar Center,
so don't know who retails them.

--- news://freenews.netfront.net/ - complaints: ***@netfront.net ---

Joseph Morrell

2010-05-28 09:20:53 UTC

Post by olav b
I am in the marked for a 13th birthday present for my son who is into
metal. he needs a pedal for good tight metal distortion. what would
you suggest?
-o

EHX Metal Muff :) Nice pedal

RobWoozle

2010-07-21 00:31:25 UTC

Post by olav b
I am in the marked for a 13th birthday present for my son who is into
metal. he needs a pedal for good tight metal distortion. what would
you suggest?
-o

EHX Metal Muff :) Nice pedal

I had a Boss HM-2 which had a fairly wide range of sounds...VERY
metal! Definitely worth a try.

When I was younger and was looking at my first pedal, my Dad took me
to the guitar store and I tried out a whole heap. Maybe you could do
that with a price limit.

BTW, I got a BOSS OD-2 Turbo Overdrive that day. And I still have it
21 years later.

Rob

Zootal

2010-07-21 17:23:10 UTC

Post by olav b
I am in the marked for a 13th birthday present for my son who is into
metal. he needs a pedal for good tight metal distortion. what would
you suggest?
-o

EHX Metal Muff :) Nice pedal

I had a Boss HM-2 which had a fairly wide range of sounds...VERY
metal! Definitely worth a try.
When I was younger and was looking at my first pedal, my Dad took me
to the guitar store and I tried out a whole heap. Maybe you could do
that with a price limit.
BTW, I got a BOSS OD-2 Turbo Overdrive that day. And I still have it
21 years later.
Rob

You can get a DOD Grunge from eBay for about twenty bucks. I like it, but
it's a bit of an acquired taste. The Danelectro Fabtone has a very
different sound, but is also fairly good - another acquired taste, perhaps,
and also inexpensive.

TheChris

2010-07-22 18:19:12 UTC

Post by olav b
I am in the marked for a 13th birthday present for my son who is into
metal. he needs a pedal for good tight metal distortion. what would
you suggest?
-o

EHX Metal Muff :) Nice pedal

I had a Boss HM-2 which had a fairly wide range of sounds...VERY
metal! Definitely worth a try.
When I was younger and was looking at my first pedal, my Dad took me
to the guitar store and I tried out a whole heap. Maybe you could do
that with a price limit.
BTW, I got a BOSS OD-2 Turbo Overdrive that day. And I still have it
21 years later.
Rob

You think the HM-2 has a wide range of sounds?? Man... that pedal is
probably the worse use of the term "Heavy Metal" :)

Agreed on the OD-2... I have the same pedal - but with the remote - OD2-
r - my favorite distortion.

RobWoozle

2010-07-23 02:33:36 UTC

Post by olav b
I am in the marked for a 13th birthday present for my son who is

into

Post by olav b
metal. he needs a pedal for good tight metal distortion. what would
you suggest?
-o

EHX Metal Muff :) Nice pedal

I had a Boss HM-2 which had a fairly wide range of sounds...VERY
metal! Definitely worth a try.
When I was younger and was looking at my first pedal, my Dad took me
to the guitar store and I tried out a whole heap. Maybe you could do
that with a price limit.
BTW, I got a BOSS OD-2 Turbo Overdrive that day. And I still have it
21 years later.
Rob

You think the HM-2 has a wide range of sounds?? Man... that pedal is
probably the worse use of the term "Heavy Metal" :)
Agreed on the OD-2... I have the same pedal - but with the remote - OD2-
r - my favorite distortion.- Hide quoted text -
- Show quoted text -

re: the HM-2 - I used it back in the day when maybe I wasn't so picky.
It had plenty of oomph and the two "colour mix" knobs gave me plenty
of variation. I liked it for a tight chugging rhythm. Of course, your
mileage may vary!!

OD-2 - in the end I was underwhelmed by it. With the turbo engaged it
was a good lead sound but without it I felt that the standard
overdrive sound was weak in comparison with the SD-1 (as I found out
later on).

Cheers,
Rob

ed s

2010-08-08 13:32:22 UTC