The Rusty Box/ Traynor TS-50B preamp actually already do have a unique multi-band distortion going on that is really the secret sauce in the circuit. After the Fender-type passive EQ, the sound is split into 3 separate frequency bands (each with their own clipping transistors) then recombined. Unfortunately there are no fine controls to adjust the specific gain or level of each frequency band though (the EQ kinda does it in a broad sense at least as far as how pushing/attenuating any of the EQ will create more/less gain in that general area- though the EQ and split gain stages are only distantly related, but nothing like the deep control found in the other stuff mentioned in this thread). I never found the need for clean lows when using a Rusty Box, but also almost always used it set with pretty low gain and I tend to prefer a pretty tight sound anyway. It's definitely not the pedal for big booty bass! One thing often overlooked about the Rusty is that it uses a Fender-type EQ, so the "flat" sound is with Bass and Treble turned most of the way down and the Midrange turned most of the way up (if not all the way- the Mid is actually modified from the traditional Fender type, so doesn't work quite the same though is effectively still a cut-only circuit) and the EQ definitely favors the Treble/high-mid part of the circuit- so if you want more bass, turn the treble down first!Currently looking for this type of pedal as well. I own a Brimstone XD1 and the thing has a huge footprint. It sounded better than the XD2 when i bought both so i kept the big guy. looking for a new sound and dug it out since i havent used it in a long time. Still love it but not the sound i'm going for. reviving this thread to see what else has hit the market as of recent. Really looking toward the new sub atomic by DSM. would love to score the little guy but they stopped production on those. I'm really picky on my clipping. I really like the Traynor TS-50b type of overdrive. I really dont want to run a clean blend with like a rusty box.
Last edited: