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Vintage threads from the first ten years

Sweetest pedal..

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9/8/1999 10:58 PM
David Manson	Sweetest pedal.. This has probably been asked over and over in here.. but here goes.. has anyone tried the SIB Varidrive, TS-808 or Fulldrive2 next to each other.. I'm looking for total sweetness.. nothing else... thanks..

9/9/1999 9:44 AM

Here's the problem:

Through what amp and with what guitar?

All of these pedals can sound like crap through the wrong setup. All of these pedals sound great through the instruments/amps that they were designed with.

On the other hand, it's kinda hard to beat a high voltage tube device like the Varidrive.

On the other hand - define "sweetnes".

I've played them all and of the ones you mention, I like the Varidrive best. Next to the Varidrive is the Shaka Braddah III which I helped voice with Jack Orman.

Next in line is the Hotcake - but all of these have to be played through the right amps.

Aron

9/9/1999 12:44 PM

Like Aron, I'm not sure what you mean, *but* if what you mean is an overdrive that sounds like your guitar and amp instead of an overdrive pedal, I'm not sure anything really works except an overdriven amp. The closest thing I've found to a truly transparent overdrive is actually a Fulltone '69 pedal with the "fuzz" knob turned down about halfway, or at least as low as 3:00 with the volume knob on the guitar rolled back to 7 or so. It sounds best (ie, most like the guitar itself) to my (yes getting older) ears with the internal trimpot turned just a little bassier than out of the box. It's by no means specifically an overdrive pedal, but I think that's why it works so well, it doesn't cause the midrange bump or metallic treble sound that overdrives tend to.

Hi

9/9/1999 6:07 PM

Well,

Here's the rub - I have heard MANY pedals that sound great in a specific situation. The Hotcake sounds great in a Trainwreck! The Klon sounds great through a Fender. The right Varidrive sounded good through a variety of amps. I say the "right" one because they differ a lot. You need to find the right one.

My Shaka Braddah sounds great through my Blonde Bassman and even through black faced Bassmans and a Trainwreck _with specific guitars and speakers_.

My point is that each pedal can sound good in a specific situation. It is nearly impossible to "generalize" and say that this pedal sucks and another is great because you have to put it in the context of the situation.

In addition, an "overdrive" pedal is a loosely defined term as stated in the GEO effects FAQ and several of Jack Orman's articles.

Thanks,

Aron

9/9/1999 8:55 PM
David Manson	I dont use pedals for gain or distortion -- my jcm800 has far enough.. I use them to color the sound... and I dont feel it is sweet enough (think 6v6 tube or a violin) -- thats what i am trying to achieve.. I've already got some nos tubes and it did help -- but i need a little more... thanks..

9/9/1999 9:53 PM
Jim S.	I don't think ANY pedal will make up for any perceived shortcomings in the amp! Which model JCM800 is it? Is it a single-channel master volume type? If so, it can be easily modded to sound fatter and less bright. Those amps can sometimes have a piercing treble (especially at lower master volume settings) that may be getting in the way of you obtaining some "sweetness" in the tone.

9/10/1999 2:05 AM
David Manson	its a Marshall - 2203 its not harsh -- its nice and smooth just bland -- not sweet enough.. I was hoping there was something beyond switching tubes I could do to sweeten the sound up..

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