Need a good OD/Fuzz/Distortion. MXR Blowtorch?

autodidact · #1 09-26-2011, 04:00 PM

Anyone have any experience with this pedal? I'm looking for something that can go from a little grit, to fuzz, to full blow boarderline unnecessary distortion. But I don't want to break the bank on it, think like 150 or less.

I've tried out a Big Muff, Way Huge "Green Rhino" and a LovePedal "Super Lead" and the Rhino has the edge so far over all of them but this Blowtorch intrigues me...hell it might just be because it looks cool?

Suggestions for other pedals are welcomed to

Thanks

autodidact · #2 09-26-2011, 04:10 PM

and yes I realize "use the search function" yadda yadda, just looking for a quick answer not an obscure possible answer after reading through 20 pages of responces.

P-oddz · #3 09-26-2011, 04:12 PM

This is purely my opinion, but....

STAY FAR AWAY FROM THE BLOWTORCH! Out of the box, it only took a week for the switch to not work properly. MXR was good to me, and repaired it - but it was definitely a hassle for a new purchase.

Aside from the poor quality out of the box, to me there is really nothing pleasing about the Blowtorch's tones. At low gain, there wasn't much added, and any higher gain settings sounded farty and fizzy. DID NOT CARE FOR IT AT ALL (again, my opinion).

As far as suggestions, all you have to do is read the effects forums. There are multiple questions like this daily. My advice, keep looking past the Blowtorch and listen to a lot of clips to figure out what you want or what you are trying to accomplish.

chuck norriss · #4 09-26-2011, 04:15 PM

A guy named ralph-campbell on ebay built me Woolly Mammoth clone for $35. Find him on feebay
eBay My World - ralph-campbell

Not a fan of the Blowtorch--sounds a little too fake.

autodidact · #5 09-26-2011, 04:18 PM

Yeah I just looked up a sound clip of the Blowtorch on Ut00b. I think I'm going to pass...why's it have to look so damn cool?!

autodidact · #6 09-26-2011, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuck norriss

A guy named ralph-campbell on ebay built me Woolly Mammoth clone for $35. Find him on feebay
eBay My World - ralph-campbell

Not a fan of the Blowtorch--sounds a little too fake.

Have any sound clips of your pedal? I found one for 28 on the bay

Snakeman1066 · #7 09-26-2011, 10:12 PM

Catalinbread SFT: Bass Guitar HEAVY DOOMY - YouTube

will cover most of the ground your asking....

**bassman314** · #8 09-26-2011, 11:17 PM

It's a abit out of your price range ($170), but I really dig HBE's Hematoma.

P-oddz · #9 09-27-2011, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by autodidact

Yeah I just looked up a sound clip of the Blowtorch on Ut00b. I think I'm going to pass...why's it have to look so damn cool?!

This is life...

They all look so damn cool. Every damn pedal. You need to figure out what it is you are searching for in a pedal, before you can find one to suit the needs.

OD, fuzz, and distortion are all kind of different beasts in their own right. You need to figure out what is appealing to you first.

BassBrass · #10 09-27-2011, 08:32 AM

The only reason I don't use a Blowtorch in my band-board is the 18v ac. Otherwise it's a great pedal, really the first blended distortion I saw 3 or 4 years ago [and it's never not worked]. Amazing tone shaping capacity with 3 position mids switch and 3 band eq. Took me years to find it's replacement: Team Awesome Fuzz Machine. But I still love the BT at home...the other night I was putting a DE Dark Boost through the BT, and that sound was a wonderful synthy sawtooth. I mostly use it with torch on, mids on full and mid position switch, bass at 1 pm and high on full, blend at 10-11am, drive at 10am. If you can't find a sound you like with the BT you aren't trying.

WaldoNova · #11 09-27-2011, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassBrass

The only reason I don't use a Blowtorch in my band-board is the 18v ac. Otherwise it's a great pedal, really the first blended distortion I saw 3 or 4 years ago [and it's never not worked]. Amazing tone shaping capacity with 3 position mids switch and 3 band eq. Took me years to find it's replacement: Team Awesome Fuzz Machine. But I still love the BT at home...the other night I was putting a DE Dark Boost through the BT, and that sound was a wonderful synthy sawtooth. I mostly use it with torch on, mids on full and mid position switch, bass at 1 pm and high on full, blend at 10-11am, drive at 10am. If you can't find a sound you like with the BT you aren't trying.

Yes the Blowtorch rocks. The only reason it's not on my board is the 18v adapter.

Hyssar · #12 09-27-2011, 02:27 PM

This is my opinion of the Blowtorch:
what's the best overdrive to add grit warmth...not for metal?

P-oddz · #13 09-27-2011, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassBrass

If you can't find a sound you like with the BT you aren't trying.

Or you just think the distortion sounds like fart.

scHism · #14 09-27-2011, 04:48 PM

Hematoma for sure.

calebbarton · #15 09-27-2011, 04:57 PM

Check out the SubDecay Supernova drive as well. There are sound clips on the forum for interested ears.