Best distortion pedal?

nero120 · 6 May 2007 at 09:04

Hey guys,

I'm looking for a distortion pedal for gigs when I can't be assed to lug my triamp to it. I need something that can be plugged into a miked up amp on clean channel. I play rock/metal style so it's got to give me enough gain for soloing and good harmonics etc.

Any recommendations?

nero120 · 6 May 2007 at 11:14

Docaroo said:
what's your budget? i ask because you can get REALLY REALLY good distortion pedals but you have to pay upto £300 for them...

or you can have a £10 behringer

Obviously with you having a triamp you won't be after a berry or that kinda junk but still, budget is paramount here

I'd be prepared to pay more for a good one, so lets say money is no object! To be honest, I've never really used effects or stomp boxes before, I've always gone clean into my amp, so I'm really clueless about this.

My main priority is to get something (stomp box/preamp/etc) that can go into a **** amp on clean channel and give me distortion with great tone. I tried my mate's bad monkey and to be honest I found it quite weak, but it had good tone.

so, please hit me with your best suggestions!

nero120 · 6 May 2007 at 18:26

Docaroo said:
...

Wow the demonizer looks awesome and perfect for what I want! However, I don't know if any shops in London would stock one for me to try and £250 is a lot to spend on a pedal without even trying it out! What to do!

Thanks for all the suggestions people!

nero120 · 6 May 2007 at 19:15

Docaroo said:
Basically dude you REALLY need to try out pedals for yourself... and I just can't stress this enough... you MUST try in this case because all the above posts should show you how much personal taste in involved!

Yeah it certainly seems that way! Sound control sell the demonizer so hopefully they'll have one in their oxford st store. I'll pay em a visit on tuesday and give it a try along with the boss and any others they have. Thanks again!

nero120 · 7 May 2007 at 12:30

EVH said:
If you have a good amp you shouldn't need a distortion pedal

rtft! I'm looking for a good pedal for when you have to go through someone else's crap amp!

nero120 · 7 May 2007 at 12:33

Okay, so right now I am considering the demonizer as the main pedal before going into the clean channel of the (crap) amp, and an mxr wylde overdrive for solo boosts before the demonizer. Funnily enough, I've never used a boost for my solos, and I think I could really use a boost before melting the crowd with my awesome plank spanking solos!

I think the mxr wylde would work really well with the triamp too.

nero120 · 8 May 2007 at 02:07

tTz said:
Out of interest, why not the Damage Control Solid Metal? It's £65 cheaper at the first place I looked, and still looks like it would give you what you're after.

Also, the Demoniser and Solid Metal both have 'nuclear' switches that bring in an extra gain stage, or some such thing, which appears to act as a boost...might mean you wouldn't need a seperate boost pedal, depending on how well that feature works.

Hmm I didnt realise it was that much cheaper! I'll definitely consider it. You're also right about the nuclear switch, however I wouldnt be using this pedal when I use my main amp so I'd need something that I could put before either for a gain boost.

I'm off out tomorrow to try some pedals! Anyone know shops in london that stock damage control pedals?