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Need advice with Christmas coming....Distortion

jwilson67

jwilson67

Jun 2, 2015
2,378
2,569
59
San Dimas, CA
#1
OK - My band plays a couple Muse tunes and some other things that require distortion/fuzz. At this point I'm using the original Zoom B3 which is GREAT for all the clean stuff but definitely lacking in the overdrive department.

Soooo here is a list of things I'm interested in doing. My Christmas budget would be around $200. I'm looking for other ideas too in that price range.

1. Boss LS-2 with whatever distortion(s) I want
2. Source Audio Aftershock
3. MXR Bass Distortion
4. Tech 21 Bass Boost Fuzz Metallic Effects Pedal
5. Zoom B3n

Thanks!
 
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#2
jwilson67 said:
OK - My band plays a couple Muse tunes and some other things that require distortion/fuzz. At this point I'm using the original Zoom B3 which is GREAT for all the clean stuff but definitely lacking in the overdrive department.

Soooo here is a list of things I'm interested in doing. My Christmas budget would be around $200. I'm looking for other ideas too in that price range.

1. Boss LS-2 with whatever distortion(s) I want
2. Source Audio Aftershock
3. MXR Bass Distortion
4. Tech 21 Bass Boost Fuzz Metallic Effects Pedal
5. Zoom B3n

Thanks!
Click to expand...

The Source Audio Aftershock is a pretty hard pedal to beat as a 6 preset dirt box that can do gated, OD, rat, muff and most dirt styles. Sure they are approximate models and not boutique versions (like the MXR Bass Distortion) but it's most certainly the most versatile dirt box available. But it is necessary to interface it with a laptop or the mobile app to get the most out of it.
 
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#4
GMC said:
The Source Audio Aftershock is a pretty hard pedal to beat as a 6 preset dirt box that can do gated, OD, rat, muff and most dirt styles. Sure they are approximate models and not boutique versions (like the MXR Bass Distortion) but it's most certainly the most versatile dirt box available. But it is necessary to interface it with a laptop or the mobile app to get the most out of it.
Click to expand...
I really like this pedal from the clips I've heard. It seems to have some real "meat" to the sound as opposed to some of the other modeling pedals. It may be my go-to choice, especially at the $149 price point.

bassbrad said:
If I were just diving into the drive pool I would look at the EHX Hot Wax and the Green Muff.
Click to expand...
If it's going to be used alone and without some sort of blender like the LS-2 it will have to have a dry blend knob.
 
#5
jwilson67 said:
I really like this pedal from the clips I've heard. It seems to have some real "meat" to the sound as opposed to some of the other modeling pedals. It may be my go-to choice, especially at the $149 price point.


If it's going to be used alone and without some sort of blender like the LS-2 it will have to have a dry blend knob.
Click to expand...
The HotWax has a dry blend as well as a 2 band EQ, the Green Muff has good low wne and does not need a blend.
 
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#8
jwilson67 said:
I really like this pedal from the clips I've heard. It seems to have some real "meat" to the sound as opposed to some of the other modeling pedals. It may be my go-to choice, especially at the $149 price point.


If it's going to be used alone and without some sort of blender like the LS-2 it will have to have a dry blend knob.
Click to expand...

It's the only digital dirt pedal I've really liked and that sounds analogue to my ears.
 
#9
GMC said:
It's the only digital dirt pedal I've really liked and that sounds analogue to my ears.
Click to expand...

My only issue is I had specific analogue pedals before it and it seemed like all the tones were not going to replace any of them... close but I found it a jack of all trades master of none. It did do a pretty cool octave fuzz and non turbo rat engines though... I missed the turbo rat sound, and it couldn’t replace my cog mini 66, mbd1 or my new to me now you’re doom.
 
#12
Curve ball time.

Full disclosure: I don't have mine yet so I can't confirm.

That being said, I jist ordered a Team Awesome Fuzz Machine directly from the builder himself for $175.

Here's the thing. Dig deep into the YouTube videos. It will always be demoed as an angry fuzz first. But this pedal goes much deeper than that. You can adjust soooooo many things to get you to a really nice mild drive sound. Once you get that dialed in the stomp of a button gives you get another sound to work with.

Check out some videos but get past the in your face part and watch/listen to the part where they discuss and demo the more subtle intricacies of it.

Based on what I have heard it could get you your Hot Wax tone and then have a zillion more options.

Edit: By the way, these are the very reasons I bought it. I will likely rarely use a super gritty peel your face off fuzz..... But if I change my mind, it's in there. It's better to have more grit than you need rather than wish you had more grit.
 
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#13
Ah! Christmas for a musician is either a godsend or a curse!

I say that only because in the past (let's say, in my TEENAGE YEARS) , I have gotten stuff/things/etc that make little or no musical sense to me, and yet the people giving them (usually my Parentals) think the items are totally awesome and I'd love them. Usually it is a CD or something of what they think is a cool band that I, for some reason they think I'm "really into".

That being said, I've learned to usually asked for money so I can get what I want!

In this case (and this Christmas, and to answer your question in a long and drawn out way), I've given a long enough list with MANY items, so that hopefully, I'll get something that has to do with at least ONE of my many musical DIY projects...

Luckily, my Wife and Mother-In-Law really do understand me, my playing needs and such (who else's Mother-In-Law gave them a double vinyl copy of Metallica "And Justice For All" three Christmas's ago????). Or a wife that routinely says, " I ordered you a set of Rotosounds today!" See what I mean????

So I might actually GET the stuff I want this year!

Like a Boss LS-2 in order to allow my Ampeg SCR-DI and Tronographic Rusty Box to become a "switchable, dual channel preamp". That idea rocks!

YMMV

(I also hinted at a Vintage P-bass and a Porsche 911 Carrera 4S this year, as i have in the past, but nada yet)
 
#14
jwilson67 said:
OK - My band plays a couple Muse tunes and some other things that require distortion/fuzz. At this point I'm using the original Zoom B3 which is GREAT for all the clean stuff but definitely lacking in the overdrive department.

Soooo here is a list of things I'm interested in doing. My Christmas budget would be around $200. I'm looking for other ideas too in that price range.

1. Boss LS-2 with whatever distortion(s) I want
2. Source Audio Aftershock
3. MXR Bass Distortion
4. Tech 21 Bass Boost Fuzz Metallic Effects Pedal
5. Zoom B3n

Thanks!
Click to expand...

None of the above.

Nothing better for coping Muse tones than the new MXR Sub Octave Fuzz :thumbsup:
 
#18
jwilson67 said:
OK - My band plays a couple Muse tunes and some other things that require distortion/fuzz. At this point I'm using the original Zoom B3 which is GREAT for all the clean stuff but definitely lacking in the overdrive department.

Soooo here is a list of things I'm interested in doing. My Christmas budget would be around $200. I'm looking for other ideas too in that price range.

1. Boss LS-2 with whatever distortion(s) I want
2. Source Audio Aftershock
3. MXR Bass Distortion
4. Tech 21 Bass Boost Fuzz Metallic Effects Pedal
5. Zoom B3n

Thanks!
Click to expand...

GMC said:
The Source Audio Aftershock is a pretty hard pedal to beat as a 6 preset dirt box that can do gated, OD, rat, muff and most dirt styles. Sure they are approximate models and not boutique versions (like the MXR Bass Distortion) but it's most certainly the most versatile dirt box available. But it is necessary to interface it with a laptop or the mobile app to get the most out of it.
Click to expand...


I would have to agree here with @GMC , the Aftershock may be the way to go for you if you need it for Muse type tunes. From what I hear it's pretty awesome. And there is a ton of dirt in that little box.
 

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