Best distortion pedal?

I bought a Zvex 'Box Of Rock' a couple of weeks ago. Hand made, very high quality - it's quite possibly the finest distortion pedal ever made.

boxofrock.jpg


The Vexter versions can be had for £120, and are exactly the same as the higher priced model, just without the hand painted artwork.

Check out the video on the zvex site, the pedal was created to sound like a cranked Marshall JTM45 - you can't tell the difference. Perhaps doesn't have as much gain as other distortions, but it's still got tons of growl, and also includes an additional volume boost which can be used with or without the distortion.

Definitely the best pedal I've ever purchased.
 
Docaroo said:
Damage Control Demonizer - Top drawer $$$ pedal, but wow @ the sounds.
Click to expand...

Isn't there a similar version, but a little cheaper and a little more metal-oriented that doesn't have built in preamp stuff? Either Solid Metal or Liquid Metal, I can't remember (and yes, I know they're polar opposites...). :o



Andelusion said:
I wouldn't recommend a DS-1 without a mod, either by analogman or keeley, on they're own their the most tinny pieces of crap I've ever heard (I have one).
Click to expand...


Not too brilliant on their own, true, but try using them as a boost for solos/heavy rhythms. Brings out the best in them imo, and I wouldn't be without mine for that reason alone. Not what the OP is looking for though, I'll concede that.



Docaroo said:
Krank Distortus Maximus - If you wanna go super heavy metal distortion.
Click to expand...


I've heard a lot of good stuff about these. Had my eye on one a while ago, but couldn't justify it.:o


:edit:

Damage Control Solid Metal is the other one I was on about - http://www.damagecontrolusa.com/slm.htm
 
EVH said:
If you have a good amp you shouldn't need a distortion pedal ;)
Click to expand...
nero120 said:
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?
Click to expand...
;)

I used to gig using somebody elses amp, was always a worry I wouldn't be able to get a decent sound or one that I liked.. I suppose it depends if you are doing a big/"decent" gig then taking your amp is a must but for those little gigs a pedal would be cool.

I used to use a MT-2, it was wicked and had tons of gain but you have to use it carefully - marry it up with the right settings on your guitar/amp and it can sing but otherwise it just fizzes :(

You just can't beat the proper sound of guitar -> amp though, pure tone :)
 
tTz said:
Not too brilliant on their own, true, but try using them as a boost for solos/heavy rhythms. Brings out the best in them imo, and I wouldn't be without mine for that reason alone. Not what the OP is looking for though, I'll concede that.
Click to expand...
Regarding the DS-1..

We went to the Bare Knuckle Pickup stand when at the London Guitar Show last week and they had a few rigs to try out. Two of them were:

Guitars loaded with Bare Knuckle pickups -> DS-1 -> Zakk Wylde Marshall stacks

The tone was awesome, I just couldn't get enough and the DS-1 was enough of a boost to really push the amp - my brother bought one from a different stall the same day and I am going to borrow it to see if it can push my Marshall just that little bit more.

Zakk Wylde used to use the same DS-1 -> Marshall trick and I believe he left it on all the time - the low gain channel then turns into the higher gain channel and the high gain channel really cooks, we are talking proper balls to the wall rocking sound. Now he uses an MXR Wylde Overdrive, check out this vid for a nice sound from an AVT amp: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7HPtIGEVDA. Interestingly, he runs his wah after the overdrive pedal..
 
Last edited:
I used to run my DS1 into a Marshall DLS401 for a gain boost, it was the only way harmonics would jump out, so for a boost yeah it's great, just don't expect tone miracles if you're putting infont of a very low gain signal or using it on a clean channel.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
Click to expand...

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?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom