Distortion Pedal

I'm getting a ProCo Vintage Rat. In fact, it's already paid for and on it's way to my mailbox. So I figured this would be a good time to ask, are Vintage Rats any good? I know the Boss distortions and stuff aren't so great, and the only other distortion I know of that I might get is the Big Muff. If anybody knows of some other distortion pedals that really stand above the rest, please post your thoughts. Keep in mind, I am not looking for overdrive, so NO TUBESCREAMERS!

Originally Posted by: acapella rapeme I know the Boss distortions and stuff aren't so great, and the only other distortion I know of that I might get is the Big Muff.

GET A TUBESCREAMER! Heh...just kidding. I don't know about that pedal but...what do u mean the Boss distortions aren't so great? Don't Vai and Satch both use the DS-1 distortion? I know Vai recently got his modded...and had one Modded for Satch too but before that...they were stock pedals. Hmm...what kind of distortion were u looking for?

Usually, usually..people ask if something is good before they buy it. And, BOSS distortions are fine along with MXR. A tubescreamer is an overdrive pedal and will not give anywhere near the same sound as a Big Muff or Rat.

Originally Posted by: acapella rapemeI know the Boss distortions and stuff aren't so great

Hey Mike, you're absolutely right, but they're not that bad either.

Originally Posted by: Tele MasterA tubescreamer is an overdrive pedal and will not give anywhere near the same sound as a Big Muff or Rat.

Yes, I am well aware that tubescreamers are overdrive, note my original post where I said specifically I am not loooking for OVERDRIVE, no TUBESCREAMERS.
Also, I am not looking for a "good" distortion or a "fine" distortion, I am looking for an AWESOME distortion that quite clearly offers more than the rest.

Originally Posted by: acapella rapemeYes, I am well aware that tubescreamers are overdrive, note my original post where I said specifically I am not loooking for OVERDRIVE, no TUBESCREAMERS.
Also, I am not looking for a "good" distortion or a "fine" distortion, I am looking for an AWESOME distortion that quite clearly offers more than the rest.

Stop being so rude!

Try a metal master or something. Best thing to do is try a few of them in a guitar shop on the same amp you've got and see which one sounds best.

Originally Posted by: earthman buckStop being so rude!

Sorry!!!!!

rocktron silver dragon, marshall guv'nor, marshall jackhammer.

a lot of people like the boss metal zone.


edit: oh yeah, also check out the dallas arbiter fuzz-face pedal.

For another perspective, some of the best distortions I've heard weren't from a pedal per se', but from a Line 6 Pod amp emulator. I've seen some distortion pedals approach $300! That seems awfully excessive in comparison to all that a Pod can do IMO. I'm pretty sure they also offer dedicated pedals too if that's the route you're intent on, but why not have the versatility to go along with it and have a whole library of tones?

actually, i myself am looking to upgrade my distortion and i'm thinking of getting a tonebone trimode....anyone have experience with it/tried one out/owns one?


http://tonebone.com/tbone-trimode.htm

i run a DOD FX 86 death metal pedal. oh man, this thing has distortion that will kill giants. totally awesome pedal. i think the ProCo Vintage Rat is an awesome pedal too. i used one of those about 10 years ago. really good sound. i have also used a turbo rat, and the regular rat. all good ones. i just love the death metal pedal because it has lots of distortion and has a good punchy bassy sound with plenty of cut.

well, if you were looking for a big muff, then I guess you were looking more towards that fuzzy vintage tone. so I'm guessing a boss metal zone or ds-1 isn't going to give you that tone. but that doesn't mean the boss pedals are bad. I for one love both the ds-1 and mt-2 for different sounds. but for fuzzy vintage tone I can understand why you wouldn't like them.

actually, I take that back. there is a boss pedal that suits your tone. it's called a boss pw-2. I have one, and I think it's a great pedal, but it's not the tone I'm looking for. I'm looking more for ds-1 and mt-2 type tones. but look around on ebay for one, they are about $50-$65.. they stopped making them several years back, and now they are rare pedals that are slowly gaining value... I bought mine for $40 used about 6 months ago. now I could easily sell it for $50 if I wanted to.. but I want to see how high it can go before I sell it.

You should totally look into a Visual Sound Jekyl & Hyde pedal. They're great. My brother and I tried one out in Nashville and it sounded good on almost every setting we came up with. It costs about $140 in stores. It's worth every penny. You've got two different channels, one a tubescreamer clone (Jekyl side), and the other a distortion channel that can go from blues to metal (Hyde side). The neat thing is you can combine them. They each have their own dedicated gain, level, and eq controls, and there's also a sharp/blunt switch for different sounds on the Hyde side. It is sure to have what you're looking for, whether it's a great lead tone or a great rhythm tone. Check out the reviews at Harmony-Central. Check it out.

Originally Posted by: AkiraThey use the Keeley DS-1 Ultra.

I have one, it rocks.

Oh yeah, stay away from the Marshall distortion/overdrive pedals.

Yeah, Always use the Keeley DS-1 Ultra. Keeley has THE BEST distortion/ normal pedals around. Some of his more famous customers are, (maybe you've heard of them... :D ), Vai, Satch....ME... :D

Originally Posted by: jcoggins7You should totally look into a Visual Sound Jekyl & Hyde pedal. They're great. My brother and I tried one out in Nashville and it sounded good on almost every setting we came up with. It costs about $140 in stores. It's worth every penny. You've got two different channels, one a tubescreamer clone (Jekyl side), and the other a distortion channel that can go from blues to metal (Hyde side). The neat thing is you can combine them. They each have their own dedicated gain, level, and eq controls, and there's also a sharp/blunt switch for different sounds on the Hyde side. It is sure to have what you're looking for, whether it's a great lead tone or a great rhythm tone. Check out the reviews at Harmony-Central. Check it out.

I've heard of those. Is that like a Deucetone Rat at all?

Originally Posted by: AkiraYes, but obviously the fact that I use a Keeley pedal is their main selling point. :rolleyes:

Of Couse! How could I forget?! :p

Originally Posted by: AkiraOh yeah, stay away from the Marshall distortion/overdrive pedals.

my jackhammer works for me...

[FONT=Georgia]you cant just take opinions from other people, or just not look at something because of the company its from. my best advice is, get what sounds best to you. now youre probably wondering "where can i hear some?" well musiciansfriend.com has many audio samples of their pedals and htey have many from many different companys. so umm just write down all the names of the pedals they told you to check out and drop by musiciansfriend.com to hear for yourself.[/FONT]


note: i am in no way affiliated with MusiciansFriend (r) or their partners.

Originally Posted by: acapella rapemeI'm getting a ProCo Vintage Rat. In fact, it's already paid for and on it's way to my mailbox. So I figured this would be a good time to ask, are Vintage Rats any good? I know the Boss distortions and stuff aren't so great, and the only other distortion I know of that I might get is the Big Muff. If anybody knows of some other distortion pedals that really stand above the rest, please post your thoughts. Keep in mind, I am not looking for overdrive, so NO TUBESCREAMERS!

Good buy! Proco (vintage, 2) Rat is the best distortion pedal ever! When you turn the distortion to the left you get crunchy distortion, to the right it gets fuzzy! Your guitartone stays thick and rich as it is!
greets,

Paul W