Mike Bungo Posted September 17 Share Posted September 17 (edited) Hi. I play in a classic Punk band and I currently use an Ampeg pre amp which I love into a TC Electronic Nova Drive for Overdrive and the odd song with distortion. I'm wanting to get separate pedals so I'm going to get an Ampeg Scrambler for overdrive but need help with choosing a distortion pedal that's not gonna give me overkill and that's also not gonna break the bank. I've tried a Big Muff & Dark glass but they just seem to be too much......Thanks in advance Edited September 17 by Mike Bungo additional thought :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Franticsmurf Posted September 17 Share Posted September 17 (edited) I love that Ampeg pre-amp pedal and like you, I've been looking for overdrive and distortion to compliment it (although I'm after more of a Chris Squire drive sound with the option to go a little further). I've got an EHX Hot Wax pedal (originally bought for guitar). It's two independent overdrive/distortions which can also be combined (actually the 'Hot Tubes' and 'Crayon pedals crammed into one box). Works for me with a P Bass, Hohner Jack and Sterling Ray34 HH into FOH. Edit: I have also used a Marshall JMP 1 valve pre-amp rack unit, also originally bought for when I was guitaring. It has programmable patches that can be selected using a midi pedal and also has an FX loop. Rack and midi pedals, with attendant cables, is a bit bulky but I'd still use it for the right gig. Edited September 17 by Franticsmurf 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Bungo Posted September 17 Author Share Posted September 17 Just found a MXR Distortion + on YouTube which sounds great for what I need 😊👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigwan Posted September 17 Share Posted September 17 When you say the Muff and Darkglass were too much, what do you mean? Too much distortion? Which Darkglass did you try? My go-to distortion pedal at the minute is the Darkglass Alpha-Omicron clone by DemonFx. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahpook Posted September 17 Share Posted September 17 May I ask you think is lacking in the Nova Drive ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimR Posted September 17 Share Posted September 17 The JOYO Double Thruster is a Darkglass B3K clone depending on which Darkglass pedal you've already tried. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bolo Posted September 17 Share Posted September 17 Rat 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BreadBin Posted September 17 Share Posted September 17 I find the B3K very capable, can be set to a mild drive or something a lot more grunty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacDaddy Posted September 17 Share Posted September 17 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skybone Posted September 18 Share Posted September 18 Ampeg Scrambler? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norris Posted September 19 Share Posted September 19 On 17/09/2024 at 10:35, Mike Bungo said: I'm going to get an Ampeg Scrambler for overdrive 22 hours ago, Skybone said: Ampeg Scrambler? I'm going to guess at "Yes" 😅 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dudewheresmybass Posted September 21 Share Posted September 21 Ebs have some great offerings in the distortion area. what amp are you using? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelDean Posted September 21 Share Posted September 21 A Joyo Ultimate drive could do the job nicely, or a TC Electronic Mojo Mojo. Both have worked nicely for me. You can get them to go into a very overdriven/distortion territory, but they also do a nice breakup tone too. I'd also take a look at the Laney Black Country Customs Blackheath. Different modes to try and sounds great on demos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meterman Posted September 21 Share Posted September 21 A regular old Boss FZ-5 always worked for me, particularly the 'Maestro' setting with the boost almost on full. Rock solid build quality as well and £50 off ebay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted September 21 Share Posted September 21 Source Audio Aftershock can load 40 different drive sounds. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warwickhunt Posted September 21 Share Posted September 21 Based on YT reviews/videos I bought the MXR (used)... too much drive for me (even when dialled to minimum). I'd heard good things about the Ampeg Scrambler, so I bought one (used)... not the right type of 'drive' (for me)! I'm subsequently back to square one looking for the right kind of OD but I'm not listening to any more online samples and I need to have them trialled in real world scenarios with the band! LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markbunney Posted September 21 Share Posted September 21 I picked up a Line 6 HX One recently, and the Clawthorne Drive on there is really good, as is the copy of the B3K. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smithy Posted September 22 Share Posted September 22 If it's just about getting some more meat to it, I'd recommend TC's Dark Matter (low priced as well). Might be not harsh enough for playing Punk though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redbandit599 Posted September 22 Share Posted September 22 I went through a similar curve to work out that I really didn't want distortion, but low gain overdrive/boost did what I needed. Just a bit 'more'. Maybe a TC Spark ( big one) , Tubescreamer type thing? I use the Klon model on my HX Effects. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baloney Balderdash Posted September 22 Share Posted September 22 Mosky Black Rat in Turbo RAT mode! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk_lefty Posted September 23 Share Posted September 23 On 17/09/2024 at 12:00, Bigwan said: When you say the Muff and Darkglass were too much, what do you mean? Too much distortion? Which Darkglass did you try? My go-to distortion pedal at the minute is the Darkglass Alpha-Omicron clone by DemonFx. I had the actual DG and it was so incredibly flexible, only sold it as I went back to multi FX. Try the clone version, it's a cheap way of learning what you like/ what plays nicely with the rest of your set up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boodang Posted September 24 Share Posted September 24 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.