Rebel 20 - just a bit more distortion

[SmellHole]

Hi,

I'm a proud new owner of a Rebel 20 and 2x12 cab. I'm very happy with the Rebel, but I'd like to get just a bit more distortion for some songs. I can get really close just with the amp - no pedals. I have an OCD that I tried using to squeeze out more distortion, but all it did was make things all "squelchy". The OCD works fine when the amp is running clean or close to it, but, again, not quite enough distortion.

So my question is, do I use some other kind of overdrive pedal (like a MXR Zakk Wylde) with the amp's distortion or do I use a hi-gain pedal and run the amp clean?

Thanks.

 

[aeroic]

Hi,

I'm a proud new owner of a Rebel 20 and 2x12 cab. I'm very happy with the Rebel, but I'd like to get just a bit more distortion for some songs. I can get really close just with the amp - no pedals. I have an OCD that I tried using to squeeze out more distortion, but all it did was make things all "squelchy". The OCD works fine when the amp is running clean or close to it, but, again, not quite enough distortion.

So my question is, do I use some other kind of overdrive pedal (like a MXR Zakk Wylde) with the amp's distortion or do I use a hi-gain pedal and run the amp clean?

Thanks.

Get a BB Preamp. They rock for adding more distortion. The OCD is great when I used it on a clean / low-gain tone.

Eric

 

[SmellHole]

Hey thanks,

I checked it out the BB Preamp and that led me to look at other things and after a while I realized I hadn't tried something. I cut the drive all the way down on the OCD, turned the volume all the way up, and set it to high-peak. That did the trick - just a volume boost. I got more creamy distortion just about how I wanted it.

Duh.

 

[Buckeyedog]

Yep, good call. Always cut the drive on the pedal when running a fairly hot amp. Only will add compression and nastiness when too much!!

 

[aeroic]

Hey thanks,

I checked it out the BB Preamp and that led me to look at other things and after a while I realized I hadn't tried something. I cut the drive all the way down on the OCD, turned the volume all the way up, and set it to high-peak. That did the trick - just a volume boost. I got more creamy distortion just about how I wanted it.

Duh.

Sweetness . The OCD is a killer pedal! I'd try the BB Preamp sometime if you get a chance. Best pedal investment I've made to date honestly.

Eric

 

[SmellHole]

I'm seeing (hearing, actually) that the OCD gets the distortion where I want it, but there really isn't a boost. A boost would be nice.

 

[aeroic]

I'm seeing (hearing, actually) that the OCD gets the distortion where I want it, but there really isn't a boost. A boost would be nice.

Then the BB Preamp is your choice!! I LOVE my BB preamp. I think every pedal board should most definitely have one. Extremely versatile!

Eric

 

[EWSEthan]

I love my BB Preamp but it depends on the type of distortion you want to add. BB is a very smooth sounding overdrive. If you want more balls, try something like the Zakk Wylde OD, though the one I had was noisy.

 

[aeroic]

I love my BB Preamp but it depends on the type of distortion you want to add. BB is a very smooth sounding overdrive. If you want more balls, try something like the Zakk Wylde OD, though the one I had was noisy.

Just throw the treble up on the BB and it gets more nasty like the ZWOD. But I prefer it as the "smooth" sounding one though .

Eric

 

[muudrock]

Voodoo Labs Sparkle Drive. Next to the BB and AC booster, this was the best pedal purchase I've made in a good while. I love this pedal for a nice boost in the gain dept without coloring the tone too much.

 

[aeroic]

Voodoo Labs Sparkle Drive. Next to the BB and AC booster, this was the best pedal purchase I've made in a good while. I love this pedal for a nice boost in the gain dept without coloring the tone too much.

I totally agree. I have a BB Preamp and Voodoo Labs Sparkle Drive on my pedalboard permanently affixed to it

Eric

 

[briguy73]

So typically, I'm more of an overdrive guy so it takes alot to impress me when it comes to distortion. That being said, a good friend of mine runs a VOX Satchurator through the front of his Rebel 20 and it sounds amazing. Works a bit better with humbuckers as opposed to single coils but we were able to dial in some really nice tones from both.