Same pedals for 8 years. I think it's time for an update. [Help Please!]

[Kush]

Hello all!
My name is Christian and I'm new to this forum but from lurking on a ton of threads I can tell that you guys know your sh*t.

Anyway, I'm playing an Agile 827 EB White (8 string) and a Schecter Damien Elite-7 on a Bugera 6260 head w/ Bugera 4x12 cab. I've been using the same Digitech Grunge pedal and Arion Digital Delay pedal for a little over 8 years now.

The ton is just old, unclean, and I can't seem to djent or get a nice distortion sound out of it. So can you guys give me any suggestions on what I should get?
I don't know if I want to stick with pedals or not. But I'm trying to stay around a $200-$1000 budget. And my influences are guitarists like Tosin Abasi, Misha Monsoor, Trent and Justin from After The Burial, and David Maxim Micic.

Thanks!!

[HeHasTheJazzHands]

Are there any specific effects you want?

From the top of my head, I'd suggest the Digitech Bad Monkey for a budget OD, or a Maxon OD808 for an expensive one. For a delay, I'd look at the TC Electronic Flashblack.

[Kush]

The only effects I need is a good distortion and delay pedal.
And maybe not even a pedal if there's a not too pricy processor-like-head like Axe FX.

With distortion I mean something that would be heavy but yet can handle my low tones from my 7th and 8th strings.

[VBCheeseGrater]

Originally Posted by Kush

The only effects I need is a good distortion and delay pedal.
And maybe not even a pedal if there's a not too pricy processor-like-head like Axe FX.

With distortion I mean something that would be heavy but yet can handle my low tones from my 7th and 8th strings.

I wouldn't rule out adding an OD pedal like the Bad monkey or Tube Screamer to your Bugera's distortion - using the two together (amp distortion + OD pedal) works wonders. I know it sounds weird combining dirts but it works well with the right OD pedal. It will really tighten up the low end and let you run the amp with less gain, which sounds like what you're looking for from your influences...try it!

[Kush]

Originally Posted by vbshredder

I wouldn't rule out adding an OD pedal like the Bad monkey or Tube Screamer to your Bugera's distortion - using the two together (amp distortion + OD pedal) works wonders. I know it sounds weird combining dirts but it works well with the right OD pedal. It will really tighten up the low end and let you run the amp with less gain, which sounds like what you're looking for from your influences...try it!

Are you sure? I tried my amps distortion with my grunge pedal and it was the worse idea ever lol. I mean it was non stop feedback at low volume levels unless I cut off the gain levels on both :/

[HeHasTheJazzHands]

You get an OD pedal, put it in front of you gain channel, put the volume on 10, tone to taste, and gain at 0. Mess around with the amp's gain to blend them together. You'll have some really awesome tones there. Thats what a lot of metal guys do these days, and it'll sound a lot better on the 7 and 8th string.

And if all you need is a delay, still check out the TC Flashback Delay. It's a digital delay, but oh god, is it an amazing sounding one. Also very, very versatile.

Also, get a an ISP Decimator or two. Noise gates are almost manditory for high-gain heads. Put one in front of the amp and one in the loop.

[tasteslikeawesome]

I second HeHasTheJazzHands regarding the ISP decimator. If you have the cash go ISP over Boss NS-2 and if you are willing to shed a little more go for two ISP Decimators. The NS-2 is a great pedal, don't get me wrong, but if you set the threshold all the way it sucks a noticeable amount of tone. Way more so if you wire it in X connection. X connection is where you wire a single NS-2 into the fx loop along with it being in front of the amp. The NS-2 can be found pretty cheap and in great used condition if you are on a tight budget. I got mine for about 40 dollars and it had been used MAYBE once or twice. Tubescreamer all the way! Haha using a distortion in front of an already heavily distorted amp is WAY too much...unless you enjoy your ears bleeding. Overdrive pedals just give it a touch more, just a little push of gain and boost rather than an explosion of gain like your grunge pedal.

[texshred777]

Originally Posted by Kush

Are you sure? I tried my amps distortion with my grunge pedal and it was the worse idea ever lol. I mean it was non stop feedback at low volume levels unless I cut off the gain levels on both :/

Your grunge pedal is a distortion pedal, not an OD pedal. Putting an OD pedal(think tube screamer type pedal) in front of your gain channel is not the same as putting a distortion pedal in front. Particularly if you're using the OD pedal as a boost(as mentioned gain-0, vol-10, tone to taste).

I'll third the ISP Decimator to bring your noise levels down.

[asilayamazing]

Originally Posted by texshred777

Your grunge pedal is a distortion pedal, not an OD pedal. Putting an OD pedal(think tube screamer type pedal) in front of your gain channel is not the same as putting a distortion pedal in front. Particularly if you're using the OD pedal as a boost(as mentioned gain-0, vol-10, tone to taste).

I'll third the ISP Decimator to bring your noise levels down.

+2 need od look at "joyo" pedals on the cheap they have copy ts-808 ~$30-40

[Kush]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions!!
I'm definitely looking into the ISP Decimator and the TC Electronic Flashback.

But for me playing low tones on the 8th string, and even djent style on the 8th string.
Which kind of OD pedal would be best?

Also, for me to switch from distortion to clean I'm guessing I would have to turn off my amps distortion and OD pedal to reach the clean tone, right? I mean I can't just quickly go to clean?

[Ishan]

If you don't go mad on the OD settings you could get away leaving it ON on the clean channel, but I'd learn to tap dance if I were you
There's no best OD pedals, it's all a matter of taste. I like the Hardwire CM-2 a lot myself but some hates it check any OD based on the Ibanez Tube Screamer, there are a lot of these out there.
My suggestion would be :
ISP Decimator G-String (excellent gate with a loop)
Hardwire CM-2 OD

You could get a compressor later to put in front of the gate if you need an even tighter tone but it's not really necessary.

[CYBERSYN]

Look into the MXR range too.

GT-OD for a boost.
Noise Clamp for a gate.
Carbon Copy for delay.

MXR are amazing quality and tone.

[HeHasTheJazzHands]

When using an OD, I learned to dial back the treble and mids and add in some bass on the clean channel and use my volume knob to clean it up a bit more. You still have to use the clean channel, but you don't have to use both the footswitch and turn off the OD.

[All_¥our_Bass]

+1 to what these guys are saying.

Take an overdrive pedal, gain on 0 tone and volume to taste-try tweaking both of these while playing through your amp set to dirty.

I prefer to use an eq pedal in a similar fashion (a boss ge-7) kill that 100hz slider, and try boosting/cutting high end based on what I'm going for.

Also, about the cleans:
With the gain on 0 on the OD pedal it won't be COMPLETELY clean but it has a certain character that sounds rather nice (IMO).

[Kush]

Okay so from the looks of most posts the ISP Decimator is absolute yes.
I'm leaning back and forth with the Carbon Copy and TC Flashback delays and for overdrives I'm not sure to go with a Tubescreamer or a Hardwire CM-2.

I'm sure all are good. I just wish I could test these out before ordering them.
The amp distortion for my Bugera is HORRIBLE (can't emphasize enough) on my 7th and 8th strings. I'm a bit shaky on whether these overdrives can make that much of a difference.

[HeHasTheJazzHands]

Trust me, it will.



OD808 into a 6505 (Basically your amp)

[Kush]

So out of a Hardwire CM-2, a Tubescreamer, and a Maxon O808.
Which would probably be best for the sound I'm going for? (Volumes, After The Burial, Animals As Leaders, Periphery)

[HeHasTheJazzHands]

Well, all 3 are of the Tubescreamer variant, but since it's used a lot more and still uses the original TS circuit, I think you should go for the OD808. But if you're tight on money, I also heard really good reviews of the CM-2. It's on sale ATM.

DigiTech HardWire Series CM-2 Tube Overdrive Guitar Effects Pedal | Musician's Friend

[Kush]

Alright then looks like I'll be going with the Maxon OD808.
With delay pedals, do you think a Carbon Copy or TC Flashback would be better? I'm looking for one with a lot of flexibility but also not too sensitive. The problem with my old one is the knobs are so sensitive that if I tap my foot it messes with the delay time which causes my tones to bend flat.

[HeHasTheJazzHands]

Originally Posted by Kush

Alright then looks like I'll be going with the Maxon OD808.
With delay pedals, do you think a Carbon Copy or TC Flashback would be better? I'm looking for one with a lot of flexibility but also not too sensitive. The problem with my old one is the knobs are so sensitive that if I tap my foot it messes with the delay time which causes my tones to bend flat.

The TC has a LOT of flexibility, while the Carbon Copy just has a very nice sounding delay, albeit too short for me (600MS).

And the knobs aren't very sensitive in my experience with the TC Corona Chorus. Besides, the Delay knob is on the top row.

[refusetofall87]

cant go wrong with a 5150 for decent, clear distortion

[VBCheeseGrater]

Originally Posted by Kush

Are you sure? I tried my amps distortion with my grunge pedal and it was the worse idea ever lol. I mean it was non stop feedback at low volume levels unless I cut off the gain levels on both :/

yup, everyone else pretty much answered but yeah, a distortion pedal + amp distortion will not work, it will just turn to mush. An OD - i recommend a TS9, or any of the previously suggested models, will work great. And yeah, you'll have to turn it off for pristine cleans, but it once you hear that tight, juicy chug, you'll realize its worth it!!

again, i know it sounds like a weird idea until you try it, but it works, you get a very clean, tight, distortion, since you can run the amps gain lower. Like everyone else says, on the OD, gain all the way down, level should be at least above halfway - basically as high as you can go without feedback.

EDIT: Maxon808 should be perfect!!!

[VBCheeseGrater]

Originally Posted by HeHasTheJazzHands

Trust me, it will.

THIS!! it'll work, will solve the very problem you are describing

[Kush]

@HeHasTheJazzHands: Thanks! I'm thinking of going with that TC now.
@vbshredder: I'm still in a dilemma between the Hardwire CM-2 and the Maxon OD808. These are risky buys for me since I can't test them before I get them so I just want to make sure which would work best for my playing style.

[HeHasTheJazzHands]

Well, the OD808 worked for many 6505, 5150's, and 6260's, so it should work for you.