Overdrive pedal recommendation

[newpedals]

I have been playing my hardtail strat which has stock HSS pickups. I play covers at bars for a living.

Recently I encountered backline amps at 2 different venues which had overdriven channels which I did not like. I usually use my Boss MD-2 on such occasions, but I felt that it had more gain than I require.

I really enjoyed the OD-3 when I tried it sometime back, but it does not have a bass/ lows knob. It will be harder to be audible while playing with a band (drummer and a bassist) while using an OD-3. I have experimented while I borrowed a friend's pedal for a night.

I am thinking of swapping it for some other RELIABLE overdrive pedal with a 2 band EQ. I already have a SD-1 to step on while soloing. My budget is 100$. I don't buy pedals often, so I wanna buy a good one but not an expensive pedal.

Please suggest a full sized pedal which will solve my issue. My feet are not small and I am clumsy. So I don't wanna buy a mini-sized overdrive pedal.

Worst case scenario is turning up the gain on the amp and dialing back guitar's volume knob for a clean-ish sound.

 

[eggpl@nt]

if you like the OD-3 and just need some additional control of the low-end, what about an ODR type drive? something like an ODR-C, with the low-cut option externally?

Custom Overdrive / ODR-C

Custom Overdrive / ODR-C The beginning and why do I copy myself? The first project will be the improvement of my overdrive pedal, which I developed in 1992...

nordland-electronics.de

 

[newholland]

i guess it depends on how much gain you need, and what kinda gain structure? theres so many.. ive had good luck with OCDs as a basic dirt sound, and also SHOD circuits for the latter use case of using your volume knob- but i dont use strats, and know overcoming that bridge ring is hard at times... so grain of salt.

 

[metropolis_4]

I really enjoyed the OD-3 when I tried it sometime back, but it does not have a bass/ lows knob. It will be harder to be audible while playing with a band (drummer and a bassist) while using an OD-3.

I’m not following this part. Why would it be harder to be audible using an OD-3?

 

[Dave Lewis]

I forecast a large list of pedal recommendations coming
There are so many to choose from.
Do you have a local store that stocks a good selection that you could perhaps go and try?

 

[newpedals]

I’m not following this part. Why would it be harder to be audible using an OD-3?

I am nowhere a technical expert, like most people on this forum. But my experience is that it has more bass and less mids. The SD-1 seems to be opposite, and seems to be always audible in the mix due to it's frequencies.

 

[newpedals]

if you like the OD-3 and just need some additional control of the low-end, what about an ODR type drive? something like an ODR-C, with the low-cut option externally?

Custom Overdrive / ODR-C

Custom Overdrive / ODR-C The beginning and why do I copy myself? The first project will be the improvement of my overdrive pedal, which I developed in 1992...

nordland-electronics.de

I think these start around 170 Euros and I am unaware of the exchange rate. Probably will have to pay customs and some other taxes on top of it.

Even a used one on reverb seems to be priced at 260$. So anyway it's not affordable for me.

 

[Sascha Franck]

Check the new Nobels ODR-Mini 2. Has an additional bass control and comes at €77 over here. I own the previous version and it's pretty nice - just boomy in some situations, so a bass control is every bit what the doctor ordered.

 

[newpedals]

i guess it depends on how much gain you need, and what kinda gain structure? theres so many.. ive had good luck with OCDs as a basic dirt sound, and also SHOD circuits for the latter use case of using your volume knob- but i dont use strats, and know overcoming that bridge ring is hard at times... so grain of salt.

My friend has an OCD and I didn't like the flavor of gain it has. I know its popular, and for a reason but my personal taste is just different.

Riding my guitar's volume knob is a worse case scenario.

 

[newpedals]

I forecast a large list of pedal recommendations coming
There are so many to choose from.
Do you have a local store that stocks a good selection that you could perhaps go and try?

I will surely visit a store after noting down a list of pedals to try.

 

[Jarick]

I'd look at a Paul Cochrane Timmy or a Wampler Pinnacle. Both relatively transparent drives like the OD-3 but with EQ controls.

 

[newpedals]

I'd look at a Paul Cochrane Timmy or a Wampler Pinnacle. Both relatively transparent drives like the OD-3 but with EQ controls.

I will check the used marketplaces if I can find one for around 100$. Thanks.

 

[eggpl@nt]

I think these start around 170 Euros and I am unaware of the exchange rate. Probably will have to pay customs and some other taxes on top of it.

Even a used one on reverb seems to be priced at 260$. So anyway it's not affordable for me.

I overlooked the $100 budget, my bad. That should get you a “normal” ODR, you’ll just have to crack open the pedal to adjust the low end.

The Timmy is another good call from @Jarick

 

[Jarick]

Didn't see the $100 budget, might be worth checking out the TC MojoMojo which is only about $60 new.

 

[newholland]

(aside note: how do you all get along with a timmy? man i have one and absolutely hate it by itself- never been able to make it work without sounding like tv static over my clean guitar sound.)

 

[metropolis_4]

I am nowhere a technical expert, like most people on this forum. But my experience is that it has more bass and less mids. The SD-1 seems to be opposite, and seems to be always audible in the mix due to it's frequencies.

Ah, so you’re looking for something with less bass and more midrange emphasis?

If that’s the case I might suggest looking at Blues Breaker style drives. They tend to thin out the low end and push more in the upper mids, they sit nicely in a mix for a lot of styles.

The Timmy is another good suggestion. It has knobs that allow you to either boost or cut bass and treble, so you can dial it in just where you want it. If you could live with the smaller pedal the new MXR Timmy can easily be found in your budget.

A Mostortion style pedal would also be a good option, but might be difficult to find within your budget

 

[newpedals]

Ah, so you’re looking for something with less bass and more midrange emphasis?

If that’s the case I might suggest looking at Blues Breaker style drives. They tend to thin out the low end and push more in the upper mids, they sit nicely in a mix for a lot of styles.

The Timmy is another good suggestion. It has knobs that allow you to either boost or cut bass and treble, so you can dial it in just where you want it. If you could live with the smaller pedal the new MXR Timmy can easily be found in your budget.

A Mostortion style pedal would also be a good option, but might be difficult to find within your budget

Some pedals are rumoured to be amp like. Suppose I dig in with my pick while plugged into a bluesbreaker style pedal, will it react to my picking accordingly or sound the same when I had plucked the strings lightly?

I will try to find a used Timmy online.

I already have an SD-1 with enough mids and reduced bass. Now I am looking for a pedal which will be opposite of it, but hopefully it will have at least a 2 band EQ.

 

[newpedals]

Some online research led me to Caline Orange Burst and Pure sky. I don't know if they are the same pedals with different names and color schemes. I don't know if they are reliable either.

 

[metropolis_4]

Some pedals are rumoured to be amp like. Suppose I dig in with my pick while plugged into a bluesbreaker style pedal, will it react to my picking accordingly or sound the same when I had plucked the strings lightly?

I will try to find a used Timmy online.

I already have an SD-1 with enough mids and reduced bass. Now I am looking for a pedal which will be opposite of it, but hopefully it will have at least a 2 band EQ.

I’m not sure I’m following. I thought you said the problem with the OD-3 was it had too much bass and not enough mids.

Are you looking for a pedal with more bass and less mids or a pedal with less bass and more mids?

 

[la szum]

Are you looking for a pedal with more bass and less mids or a pedal with less bass and more mids?

Yes.