opinions on distortion pedals

[Gunner89]

Hi, i really need a distortion pedal as i have a Boss OS-2, but its not all that good for distortion. My setup at the moment is Epiphone Les Paul Standard, Original Cry Baby Wah, Vox AD30.

Any suggestions? i would like a versatile sounding distortion pedal, i want to be able to play nine inch nails style guitar (think 1,000,000 from "the slip") and guns n roses songs.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. thanks

[Urban Masta]

I used to have a Vox AD15, and I thought the distortions it had were fine for GNR tunes (not necessarily grungy sounds though), you just gotta tweak it around abit in the knobs instead of using the preset channels.

Have you tried combining yous OS along with other distortions on your amp?

I really hated the distortion sounds on my vox for a long time, but after awhile you find your ideal setups within it. 

I've actually heard the Boss Metal Core pedal, it sounds like it would be great for heavy HEAVY stuff.

[Stiltzkin]

in my opinion, distortion should come from the amp, not a box.

sheer volume 

[nemo]

MI Audio Crunch Box.  Great overdrive sound although if you want full on distortion you're gonna need something else.

[youtube]

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=zTdoq7FmLhQ

[/youtube]

I kinda want this; Bucketsixx posted it a while ago, it sounds cool as a overdrive/distortion plus it oscillates for crazy noises...

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tU2M6j1guJ8[/youtube]

I also use one of these which might be pretty useful for the nin type stuff.  Tis a pretty good distortion pedal on its own but play around with the blend knob and it's also an octave pedal churning out the same note only 2 octaves lower (note this may break your amp if you're blasting detuned power chords out at lower than bass frequencies) turn it up high though and it starts to glitch like crazy which is fun if you want to sound like you're playing a kettle through a whammy pedal (and I really, really do).  It's called an MXR Blue Box and everyone should have one...

[youtube]http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=35rPVL4cfUA&NR=1[/youtube]

Finally I have one of these, but I tend to use it for bringing down empires and torturing people, it's called a Zvex Fuzz Factory and it's pretty much useless unless you like communicating with whales (which again is kinda cool for me but wasn't really what you asked for.)  It is undoubtedly the greatest pedal ever made providing you know how to use it and don't expect it ever to sound the same twice

[youtube]http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=JVceBkgsDME[/youtube]

[Jordan123]

I really want a fuzz factory now. 

[Bumble-head]

Finally I have one of these, but I tend to use it for bringing down empires and torturing people, it's called a Zvex Fuzz Factory and it's pretty much useless unless you like communicating with whales (which again is kinda cool for me but wasn't really what you asked for.)  It is undoubtedly the greatest pedal ever made providing you know how to use it and don't expect it ever to sound the same twice

[youtube]http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=JVceBkgsDME[/youtube]

     I want one of these now.

[Iconic Shawn]

in my opinion, distortion should come from the amp, not a box.

sheer volume 

Thats what I go with. 
Never really liked that electronic crunch too much..
~S~

[PurpleHaze]

That would be tube overdrive, not distortion.

And yes, it does sound better.

[nemo]

Of course it does.

But my first problem (and I'm sure it's one faced by many people) is that I live in a flat (that's an apartment to the Americans by the way) and have neighbours directly above, below and to either side of me and a flat mate who doesn't want to listen to me play guitar at ear-slitting volume all day.

My other problem (which you probably noticed from the pedals I listed) is that I like making very fucked up noises hence all the oscillating and glitchy distortion pedals.

And to be honest most people use really crap amps with abysmal overdrive anyway since someone somewhere decided the most important thing to look for in an amp is a really high number of watts.

[PurpleHaze]

My other problem (which you probably noticed from the pedals I listed) is that I like making very fucked up noises hence all the oscillating and glitchy distortion pedals.

Well yeah, there's a difference between cool fuzz pedals for making uniquely flavoured distortions and a Digitech SUPA MEGA d15T0RT1f1c4T0r that sounds just like Syn1st0r Gatez cuz my mates dad told me.

As for not making much noise.... actually, yeah... you're pretty much completely fucked.

I suggest you purchase an aircraft hangar that you can practice in by day and rent out as an acid house rave den by night.

It's the most practical solution.

[Bansidhe]

The fuzz factory gives a very Neil Young "Hey Hey My My" kinda sound.

[Sean]

nothing wrong with fuzz or something to push your amp even more.  right too many use crap amps anyway.

anyway I like crazy sounds too as nemo stated.. as long as done with class with not too much ummm digital means.  but when I'm forced to sell off or stay with basic overdrives/distortions:  I kept my  Ratt (made in 84 I think), BiggMuff, and that Ibanez mofo fuck...  you now the one.. green fucker .. can't think today TT? uh wtf.. nm  screamer ? turbo whatever.

[Bumble-head]

nothing wrong with fuzz or something to push your amp even more.  right too many use crap amps anyway.

anyway I like crazy sounds too as nemo stated.. as long as done with class with not too much ummm digital means.  but when I'm forced to sell off or stay with basic overdrives/distortions:  I kept my  Ratt (made in 84 I think), BiggMuff, and that Ibanez mofo fuck...  you now the one.. green fucker .. can't think today TT? uh wtf.. nm  screamer ? turbo whatever.

Tubescreamer? Idunno, I'm just guessing, but i used to have one and it was green 

[Sean]

yes its that but .. was trying to remember the exact model .. TS9  tis it.

right Turbo Tube Screamer