My Pedals Combined since sound thin on their own

NoPro · 25th August 2011

Anyone combining a stock DS-1 and Big Muff? Both are sorta thin on their own. Is it overkill to combine distortion pedals like a big muff and a stock DS-1? thoughts on combining low end distortion pedals..thanks

darkhorse · 26th August 2011

First thing is that neither of these pedals is true bypass. If you like them that much and have no wish to change you can have them mod'd pretty cheap and you will love the result. (Check out JHS.com)

The issue of stacking pedals is problematic. Two high gains do not work into each other and I think you have discovered that. When the pedals combine it is not important they are gained up because when they feed each other it creates an ubergain effect. SRV is famous for using 2 Tube Screamers and neither were gained up much at all. See the Visual Sound Double trouble, has dual TS clones and read the manual they give you suggestions on how to stack them. SRV preferred them over using the typical Fuzz Face.

Usually a clean boost or OD in front of a higher gain pedal works the best. It adds to the drive signal and gives it more distortion and touch. Often putting a clean boost after the high gain or a not too gainy OD can thicken and boost the gain structure of the high gain. you have to decide that it is you are trying to do. I find an OD in front of high gains adds to their character without washout gain.

If you want better gain structure I suggest better pedals. Do check out Keeley or JHS for mods on these pedals they vastly improve them.

If you like high ubergain distortion that is articulate I suggest Wampler pedals. I prefer his overdrives over anything and his high gain distortions are just face melters. Check out the Triple Wreck. It is a very great sounding high gain pedal with a built in Fuzz circuit that is switchable. Cleans up well also. Gets a fried out uber fuzz like Gilmour's Big Muff pedal sound but is a far better quality pedal and circuit.

25th August 2011	#1
NoPro Gear addict Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 319 Thread Starter	My Pedals Combined since sound thin on their own Anyone combining a stock DS-1 and Big Muff? Both are sorta thin on their own. Is it overkill to combine distortion pedals like a big muff and a stock DS-1? thoughts on combining low end distortion pedals..thanks

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26th August 2011	#2
darkhorse Lives for gear Joined: Jul 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 909 14 Reviews written	First thing is that neither of these pedals is true bypass. If you like them that much and have no wish to change you can have them mod'd pretty cheap and you will love the result. (Check out JHS.com) The issue of stacking pedals is problematic. Two high gains do not work into each other and I think you have discovered that. When the pedals combine it is not important they are gained up because when they feed each other it creates an ubergain effect. SRV is famous for using 2 Tube Screamers and neither were gained up much at all. See the Visual Sound Double trouble, has dual TS clones and read the manual they give you suggestions on how to stack them. SRV preferred them over using the typical Fuzz Face. Usually a clean boost or OD in front of a higher gain pedal works the best. It adds to the drive signal and gives it more distortion and touch. Often putting a clean boost after the high gain or a not too gainy OD can thicken and boost the gain structure of the high gain. you have to decide that it is you are trying to do. I find an OD in front of high gains adds to their character without washout gain. If you want better gain structure I suggest better pedals. Do check out Keeley or JHS for mods on these pedals they vastly improve them. If you like high ubergain distortion that is articulate I suggest Wampler pedals. I prefer his overdrives over anything and his high gain distortions are just face melters. Check out the Triple Wreck. It is a very great sounding high gain pedal with a built in Fuzz circuit that is switchable. Cleans up well also. Gets a fried out uber fuzz like Gilmour's Big Muff pedal sound but is a far better quality pedal and circuit.