Pedal pedal pedal

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edit0r
Member Since: Aug 17, 2004

I'm not liking the sound of the distortion coming from my rig these days. Basically I'm using a LP Studio through a Hughes and Kettner Tubefactor into a Fender Bassman re-issue.

It sounds really gritty and I would like something much smoother. I'll try and post a sample of my latest recording soon.

I love the clean tone I'm getting but think its time to invest in a new pedal.

So far I like the look of the Soldano supercharger, Tech 21 Double drive and the Visual sounds Jekyll & Hyde Ultimate Overdrive. All pretty pricy though :-(.

I'm looking for a Anthem Part Two by Blink 182 meets 1000 Days by Alien Ant Farm tone.

Anybody have any ideas?

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Member
Since: Aug 13, 2005


Sep 09, 2006 05:09 am

With valve amps its difficult getting the right amount of distortion due to valve overload.Make sure all the possible gain/output settings have been tried, also vol of amp.When its right they sound great.The type of things I use are,Marshall gov'ners (old and new) Blues breaker and Proco Rat, Hope this helps.

Typo Szar
Member
Since: Jul 04, 2002


Sep 09, 2006 12:24 pm

I find that the Les pauls give alot of bite on their own, so maybe the problem doensnt lie in pedals, but the LP itself. I've had problems with LP's that sound ok clean, and with any pedal in teh chain its just too much distortion to tame. If you can't get another guitar, try something along the lines of the Rat2, Boss SD1, Tube Screamer type o/d stuff. They dont dsitort on their own, they just boost ur gritty LP signal into distortion.

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Sep 09, 2006 01:22 pm

CS, I'll wait to hear what you post. I have tried the Soldano and the Tech 21 DD. Not sure on the Jekyll and Hyde though I'll ask about that one.

My opinion on the first two is kind of varied depending on the sound your after. I"ll try and catch the tunes you posted as I haven't heard either for awhile now.

I am not a crook's head
Member
Since: Mar 14, 2003


Sep 09, 2006 02:26 pm

Too much grit out of a bassman? Wow. What are your preamp gain/master volume settings?

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Sep 09, 2006 04:14 pm

CS, I just remembered a few pedals I have tried in the past. These are custom made pedals from NZ of all places. My favorites were the Classic and the Custom, though all 4 were excelant pedals. Not as expensive as the others you mentioned either. But not cheap by any means.

www.g2d.co.nz/

edit0r
Member
Since: Aug 17, 2004


Sep 11, 2006 01:44 am

That was a good call about the Les paul there crux. Trying another guitar did tame the grit, but its still really noticable.

I'm starting to think it could be the sound of the amp as well. I tried a diode distortion unit the other day, and while it sounded a little cleaner, it still sounded very gritty. This is the first time its had a mic shoved in front of it, so I'm starting to think its just the sound of the amp?

I have seriously tried every variation of amp/pedal/guitar setting as well as mic position.

Noize, I'll have a look at those pedals, cheers.

Sample should be up tonight.

Thanks for all the help guys.

edit0r
Member
Since: Aug 17, 2004


Sep 11, 2006 09:12 am

Rough sample mix of the songs up in my profile. It doesn't sound as bad with the other instruments but I think it still sounds a bit gritty in the highs and lack some clarity.

What do you guys think?

Answer:On a good day, lipstick.
Member
Since: Jun 24, 2004


Sep 11, 2006 09:17 am

Hey CS: Once again I find myself in agreement with Tadpui (I hate it when that happens.... ). The Bassman should be doing the job. The LP/Bassman combo should be giving you plenty of edge.

You said that this is the first time a mic has been put in front of it. Which mic (I'm so jealous of your mic cabinet)?

Crux's post about the pedal in the chain perhaps being too much signal seems to be hitting a nerve with me. I wouldn't be surprised at all if this is one of the factors. If you need some pedal, try something vintage/old if you can get your hands on it. The newer pedals are very hot (most of them are too much distortion for my ears).

Just some thoughts....


edit0r
Member
Since: Aug 17, 2004


Sep 11, 2006 09:46 am

I swear I've tried every damned setting on the planet: input to distortion up/down, output of distortion up down and master volume on amp up/down, M Volume up down and settings up/down, guitar volume/tone up/down etc. etc.

I did get my bassman re-tubed with Electro Harmonix tubes though. Could that be a part of the problem?

The mics were an AKG C414, U 87 and a beta 57 A. I ended up placing both condensers about 1.5 meters at 90 degree angles to the cabinet (side of mic facing cabinet).

If you've got time tallchap, could you check out the sample and tell me what you think?

Cheers.

Answer:On a good day, lipstick.
Member
Since: Jun 24, 2004


Sep 11, 2006 10:44 am

These are not the best speakers on the planet (hell, they're probably not the best speakers in this room!), so I can't be absolutely sure. However, one thing I'm sure of is that you are worrying over nothing! The guitar sounds awesome (Dave Navarro taught me that word...). Unless you are being a total anal retentive (we all are at some level)!

Not sure where your problem is! It sounds full, and edgy, and the definition is there. Maybe a little less gain, but that's opinion only. That said, the edge on the guitar seems to have a feeling of 'urgency' about it. Nice.
Sorry I can't be more helpful.

I'm not as versed on tubes as some (pjk?), so I can't comment on your EH tubes. Possibly they are higher gain than the standard...

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Sep 11, 2006 05:16 pm

CS, I'll give it a liisten tonight when I get home. I hate to say ti but as much as I like the H and K pedal it doesn't have the smoothness of the pedals I put the link up for. If you can go and try one or a couple of them I think you will find they can do a pleasant boost without the high edgy grit your talking about. I know my first LP was like that. No matter what I did with a pedal as I was playing through a 62 twin reverb at the time. I could not get a good smooth tone. It was always to bright and gritty as you put it.

I KNOW NOTHING
Member
Since: Jun 08, 2006


Sep 11, 2006 07:35 pm

I'm with Tallchap. Sounds pretty darned good to me. I wouldn't worry about it unless you're just looking for a different "sound".

Typo Szar
Member
Since: Jul 04, 2002


Sep 11, 2006 08:28 pm

Sorry, havent had time to listen to the recording, but are you maybe trying to get a more old school overdriven sound? Thats wat i htink of when i think of smooth creamy distortion, AC/DC or Queen type stuff. I think if your looking for something that is closer to bieng clean then distorted, but with that flavor, could you maybe try this experiment? Knowing the nature of tubes giving more tone at full warmth, try not just plugging and recording at the get go. Turn on your tubes and play your guitar through the amp or just leave it in an unairconditioned room for say... 2 hrs? I'm just thinkin that, when the tubes are at max heat theyll be extra creamy, and then it just a matter of dabbling a boost to kick it into o/d, or maybe you can still use the LP. So your amp is on clean but basically its so hot its clipping in a smoother more natural way.
All hypothesis though...

Answer:On a good day, lipstick.
Member
Since: Jun 24, 2004


Sep 12, 2006 09:46 am

Good call crux. Yep, tubes like it toasty.

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Sep 12, 2006 02:09 pm

Hye CS, I finally got a minute to listen to the rough track. Like the tune by the way!

As for the distorted guitar sounds. They are not all that bad. But I do get the picture of what you are hearing. It is a bit heavy in the mid to mid high end. That is the H and K pedal sound for sure. Especially going with the LP through the Bassman. How do you have the Bassman set for that sound? I think it could be a combination of both the pedal, guitar and the amp settings. But the amp is probably playing the least part in it as the Bassman shoudl be pretty smooth throughout the tonal width it is capable of.

The tone in your rough track has some real crunch to it. But with the boosted mid and high mid it does indeed get that gritty feel to it. I dont know that the H and K pedal can smooth that out without loosing a big chunk of the good part of the distortion.

But in all fairness it isnt real bad, and I'm wondering if some slight EQ might help smooth the gritty feel of it out a little bit.

Noize

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