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Could I get your opinions on adding dirt to my board?

For years I have played with practically no dirt pedals on my board. Example...



However, I've pretty much nailed down everything else I could ever want on my board (delays, mod, etc) and have also gone from playing purely folk-y music to something with a bit more variety of tones. So while I love my Tim (it is staying on my board for sure) I am ready to add to it. Here's what I currently have and what I'm considering.

Zvex Mastotron - It's near the beginning of the board and I love it. It's the only pedal I've bought twice.

Tim - middle/dirt section of my board. I've been using it was a tone shaper and love the boost side.

EQD Musket - I've since moved it to just after the Tim but have never entirely bonded with it.

The above I already own. The below is what I'm considering.

Fulltone Plimsoul - I used to own one and got rid of it when I realized how little I used dirt. I do remember liking it though and would consider it again.

JHS Superbolt - Will give me a real variety in OD tone compared to the Tim, prob a good compliment.

Xotix SL Drive - Similar idea to Superbolt. Even though one of my amps is a JCM 2000 I never have them cranked enough to get that Marshall tone direct from the amp.

W&C Tall Font Russian - Tried this in a store and loved it. It seemed to be able to nail the tone I always wanted out of my Musket. However that was playing solo where as I've read in a band setting it can sometimes get lost?

Arc Big Green Pi - Same deal as the TFR.

TC Spark mini-boost - Might be nice to have a boost although the Tim kind of already does this.

Wampler Black '65 - Loved this pedal from the first time I tried it but never pulled the trigger on it. Maybe now is the time?

WMD Geiger Counter Civilian - Considered a replacement for my Mastotron depending on the gig; not a high priority.

Dunlop Germanium Fuzz Face - I just want one to place before my board when I feel like it. Really, this will have no effect on my other dirt - this is just for me.

So, all that being said, I'm looking at having the Mastotron still near the front of my board (before my Whammy) and 4 max dirt pedals mid-board, one will be the Tim, one will be a fuzz (right now it's a Musket but could change to a green muff clone), and the other two...?

That's why we have gear forums.

Are there any other guitarists whose signature sound is something you're subconsciously shooting for?
What kind of guitars/amp/speakers are you using?

I saw the JCM 2000 mentioned...and from your list as-is I like the Ge FuzzFace, Big Green Pi, SL drive. Also the Wampler.

rustywire wrote:Are there any other guitarists whose signature sound is something you're subconsciously shooting for?
What kind of guitars/amp/speakers are you using?

I saw the JCM 2000 mentioned...and from your list as-is I like the Ge FuzzFace, Big Green Pi, SL drive. Also the Wampler.

Good questions! There's no particular guitarist I'm trying to emulate although I am fond of the guitar sounds of Portugal. The Man, Andrew Bird, Black Keys, etc...

For guitars I have a Gibson ES-125 (single p90), Fender Cabronita (Telebration), Squier VM Jazzmaster, and an incoming Squier Bass VI. Plans are in the works to purchase a high-end Gretsch (White/Black Falcon or Country Club).

Amps are Dr. Z Maz 38 with 2x10 closed-back cab, SF Super Reverb (Bassman tone stack and Blackface'd) 4x10, and Marshall JCM 2000 with 4x12 1960av cab incoming. Plans are in he works to get a Marshall 1987x head with Orange 2x12 closed-back cab.

Have a look at the dirt offered by the builders on ILF. many have stuff that sticks out a little bit in terms of sound or functionality.

goroth wrote:Have a look at the dirt offered by the builders on ILF. many have stuff that sticks out a little bit in terms of sound or functionality.

So this.
I have an algal bloom that I think is great, Ape Blaster is just an all out fuzz that rules, might not be for you basing off what you mentioned, BAT pedals are all killer if you want something with lots of low end but not farty, If 6 was 9 I just got to play with and really dug it, very versatile. Hell I know there are a few builders here who would build to what you want it to sound like if you could describe that out better.

The Musket is actually by Blackout, not EQD. But Jamie from EQD used to work for the Black Keys, and working on / fixing their pedals got him started in building his own (as I understand it). So while no pedal gives you a "band X in a box" sound, maybe look into them. The EQD Dirt Transmitter, Hoof, and Tone Reaper all have really great reputations around these here parts. Also, I love the EQD Talons - most flexible, shapeable, and overall tasty OD I've played.

As I understand it, the Hoof is based on a Muff, and the Dirt Transmitter is based on the Fuzz Face. Oh, and then there's the Monarch, which is great for dark, kinda sludgy Orange Amp-esque tones.

And if you can get your hands on a Buzzaround clone or variant, give one of those a try - great "tight" fuzz that I've found is really appealing for folks who usually prefer overdrive. Arc Effects makes one - the Crimson King, I think (named thusly because Fripp used a Buzzaround in his rig back in the Kung Crimson days).

jrmy wrote:And if you can get your hands on a Buzzaround clone or variant, give one of those a try - great "tight" fuzz that I've found is really appealing for folks who usually prefer overdrive. Arc Effects makes one - the Crimson King, I think (named thusly because Fripp used a Buzzaround in his rig back in the Kung Crimson days).

Buzzaround or the closely related Elka Dizzy Tone are kinda Muff-ish, but with less excess bass wool and with midrange. Good moderate gain fuzz and better clean-up to the volume control than I've heard in any Muff. The bias control also makes them great for dialing in a texture that will work in a musical context. There's a fair number of clones out there, and at least circuit boards are available for DIY-ers.

If you like the JHS Superbolt you could also consider the Bearfoot Honey Bee. Stacks as nicely as any pedal I've played and has the same Supro tone as it's basis.

You should also check out Smallsound/Bigsound on ILF

jrmy wrote:... try - great "tight" fuzz ...

TWSS

If you're wanting a versatile overdrive, take a look at smallsound/bigsound and dr scientist! They both do pedals that I think blow most stuff out of the water in that field.

Fuzzhugger do a bunch of very cool fuzzes, the Algal Bloom is particularly nice, does a nice range of fuzz sounds from full on to ragged and light fuzzy drive.

The other stuff, yeah maybe a legit Fuzz Face would be cool, a whole bunch of people make those!

I envy you those shoes.

But yeah, I'd poke around the ILF builders for things that catch your eye. We have good pedalbreax here.

If that would be my board, I would add a Fairfield Circuitry Unpleasant Surprise or a FuzzHugger(fx) AB-Synth.

Mantra!

sylnau wrote:If that would be my board, I would add a Fairfield Circuitry Unpleasant Surprise or a FuzzHugger(fx) AB-Synth.

This