Cheep distortion/overdrive

[Jonnda]

What are some of the best sounding distortion or overdrive pedals under $40?

[photoweborama]

Like I said before, the Tubulator is one.
I had a Danelectro Wasabi overdrive. JUNK...
I also had the Dano mini overdrive pedal. I wrote a review on it. It was not bad, but not as good as the Tubulator.

[Franklin]

Not much under $40, the bad monkey seems to be popular.

[curtisstetka]

You could probably score a Boss DS1 on the 'bay in that price range.

[LPDonkey]

Bad Monkey...won't find a better pedal for the money....39.99 at GC.

[Kap'n]

You could probably score a Boss DS1 on the 'bay in that price range.

Often you can find the DS-1 on sale at G-Mart for $39.99. It's a love it or hate it pedal. I'm on the hate-it side, but I imagine it really depends on your rig and tastes.

The Bad Monkey, OTOH sells for $39.99 everywhere in the states, and is a much more general purpose pedal, IMHO.

[JAM]

$40 will also get the Boss SD-1. I've had a couple (both stolen) and they're decent.

[curtisstetka]

Often you can find the DS-1 on sale at G-Mart for $39.99. It's a love it or hate it pedal.

Ain't that the truth.

I didn't love it until I got one that our man TremeloKing had hot-rodded. Wowie zowie. It sorta picks up where my FD2 leaves off.

[RedRain]

I like buying pedals used. Anything by Boss should get the job done. You can get BOSS overdrives and Distortions for about $40 used. I think the DS-1 goes for about $40 new. For cheapy, try out those mini Dano pedals. I dont know how they sound, but the FAB distortion can be had new for under $20 these days. FLEABAY is a good place for used pedals. Just dont forget to add the shipping into the cost.

[photoweborama]

I really like the DS-1 Chucko gave me, but it's not stock. He told me what it does,but I forgot. He added a toggle switch and 2 LED's.

Switch down, one LED lights when you play, Switch up, both of them light when you play. It has a nice, scratchy Marshall sound to it, but you can get a blues sound if you bring the tone way down.

[mmcquain]

I like buying pedals used. Anything by Boss should get the job done. You can get BOSS overdrives and Distortions for about $40 used. I think the DS-1 goes for about $40 new. For cheapy, try out those mini Dano pedals. I dont know how they sound, but the FAB distortion can be had new for under $20 these days. FLEABAY is a good place for used pedals. Just dont forget to add the shipping into the cost.

The Danelectro mini pedal called the Pastrami will give you basic distortion and can be found on eBay for as little as $9.99 plus $5 shipping.

[photoweborama]

http://www.allthingsguitar.com/2003R...g/pastrami.htm

[Jesse S.]

I have the Bad Monkey, too, and I like it a lot. It's not really a "distortion" pedal - more of a Tube Screamer-ish overdrive boost. I can get some nice crunchy Rolling Stones tones with it, and some credible singing blues overdrive.

It won't do "fuzz" or anything like that, but it's an especially good box for a crunchy rhythm tone.

[mmcquain]

http://www.allthingsguitar.com/2003R...g/pastrami.htm

Thanks for the link. The All Things Guitars is a great resource site.

[Jonnda]

http://www.allthingsguitar.com/2003...ng/pastrami.htm

Is there a similar review for the Bad Monkey? I think I'll either get a Bad monkey or Pastrami. Does any one have both for an "A/B" comparison? I know harmony central users gave it a good reveiw. The names they give FX pedals.. Bad Monkey, Pastromi.... I thought some car names were strange.


What I really want is something from Indyguitarist or Analogman, but I don't have a job yet this semester. It isn't like i gig or anything like that to justify the price. I just think i need a step up from my fab distortion.

Edit to add: Dang! the ppl on H-C.com repeatedly rate this bad monky's sound at 9 and 10. I'm goin for the bad monkey i think. Thanks everybody.

[wstandis]

Hey Curtis,

I saw your post for the Boss DS1 - "I didn't love it until I got one that our man TremeloKing had hot-rodded. Wowie zowie. It sorta picks up where my FD2 leaves off." That comment peaked my interest, You and a few other led me to buy the FDII WHICH I LOVE. Could you provide more info on this Boss DS1 that TremeloKing had hot-rodded? I did a search for TremeloKing but had no luck.

I would be interested in finding out more as It sounds like we have similar tastes.

[detuned]

FWIW,

If it were me, I wou;dn't put *too* much stock in H-C reviews. They're useful for figuring out the features & street prices, but a little too generous in their ratings, IMO.

However, I've heard alot of good things from people I trust - I think if you're looking for a cheap 'screamer clone, the Bad Monkey is a good choice...

*edited to add*
A quick search of usernames will find you TremoloKing, if you're looking. Sounds like he's not modding pedals at present, although you could try a "pretty please".

TremoloKing mods

[jrgtr42]

I have a DS-1 that's a kinda backup for the backups, but I recemtly plugged it into my VibroChamp and it sounds great. Like someone else said, depends on what you're listening for and your rig. at $40 new, probly find them for 20 used, it;s a heck of a deal for a throw in the car if your main one goes down kinda thing. I can't stand any of the Dano minis, though I have a Daddy-O that is pretty servicable...
It all comes down to just what you're looking for in a distortion box.

[ziess]

How much are TS7s in the US?

[Jonnda]

Well, my main problem with the fab distortion is that it always seems either to be too much for jazz band and not enough distortion for heavy rock rhythm.

[JAM]

How much are TS7s in the US?

About $40:


http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...cts?sku=150286

[ziess]

About $40:


http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...cts?sku=150286

Well there's my opinion on the subject.

[Jonnda]

Good point, why not get a real ibanez. I like the hot mode function (though i'd change the switch to a foot controllable mini switch), and it would be a upgrade for my FAB Dist. But i think maybe the monkey would suit my needs better, because it is more of an overdrive... i think?

[Jonnda]

Good point, why not get a real ibanez. I like the hot mode function (though i'd change the switch to a foot controllable mini switch), and it would be a upgrade for my FAB Dist. I read reviews that said it's better for higher gain tone, and i think maybe the monkey would suit my needs better. (for the more rockin' tunes in jazz band)

Thanks for the post

[JAM]

I've have the Ibanez TS-5 version of the tubescreamer (from the cheap Sountank series). It's been modded to give more assymetrical distortion and sounds great. I've been considering getting the TS-7 since it looks better made.

[Jonnda]

Asymmetrical?

[Kap'n]

Asymmetrical?

Yep. Your guitar signal is something like a sine wave.

Asymetrical clipping is when one side of the sine wave clips differently than the other. More amp like, according to some folks. The FDII does this, as does one of the Boss boxes.

[Jonnda]

Fascinating. I knew how clipping works, but I never heard of it being asymetrical. Where does one get this asymetrical ts-5?

[JAM]

Jonnda,

Put simply, one side of the waveform is clipped more than the other. The Ibanez TS-9 and its variants use signal diodes to clip the positive and negative portions of the wave. These pedals use one diode for each side. You can add another diode or use a different type (germanium, for example) to get the clipping different for the two halves. I addded a couple of germaniums to one side on my TS-5. The Boss SD-1 does asymetrical clipping, one diode on one side and two on the other. This is to mimic what some tube amps do (they dont clip symetrically). Gives a 'sweeter' sound to the overdrive.

Some SS amps use clipping diodes on their OD channels - Marshall AVT series and the Fender Dyna-Touch like the Stage 1000. These could be modified for asymetrical clipping too.

[Jonnda]

So is there a way to change out a diode in my fab distortion? I don't see any diodes in it except for the LED, there are three microchips, and countless resistors and capacitors of various types.

Any known mods out there for this thing? I know it is a cheap pedal, but i thought i'd give it a shot.

[franchelB]

I had the Bad Monkey...and it's a GREAT pedal. But for what I need at the moment, I had to trade it for a Boss DS1. Both are GREAT pedals for the price.

[studio1087]

I like the Bad Monkey; it's like a slightly hotter TS-9.



Has anyone tried the newer cheap Dano's (the ones that are larger than old plastic Dano's)?

[wingnut1]

I had a TS-7 lying around and bought a mod kit. Sounded good before, sounds great now. The kit only cost $15 and it took me a couple of hours to change out the parts. The most difficult thing was figuring out how to dissasemble the boards inside.

[ziess]

I had a TS-7 lying around and bought a mod kit. Sounded good before, sounds great now. The kit only cost $15 and it took me a couple of hours to change out the parts. The most difficult thing was figuring out how to dissasemble the boards inside.

What kind of mod kit did you get?
Is there a weblink?

Tommy.