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I'm looking for a distortion to use with my Ampeg v4, non-master volume. I had the amp set up pretty clean but will get grindy depending on pick attack. I'm looking for something that will interact well with the preamp and give it some crunch/saturation.

I ordered a JMK panner PCB to build a blend box to possibly use the distortion, in case I want to blend a little of the V4s preamp with the distortion pedal. I also have a MXR 10 band I may use with the pedal.

Its been awhile since I've used distortion pedals, but I used to use a lot with my old V4; - I had one years ago, sold it, got a 3 channel head, sold that, and I'm back to a V4. Full circle.

OCD V1 was nice, wasn't the tightest, but the EQ may help.

Crunch Box wasn't my flavor, too marshally.

I don't necessarily want a scooped mids thrash distortion. Something full, akin to Adam Jones of Tool's sound.

My favorites with a V4 are (in no order):
DOD 250, RAT, and SS/BS FUCK OD

My elements sounded awesome through it when I had one. As did my fuck od.

I use a V2 and love my Fuck OD and Iron Pig.

Fuck, Black Forest and TAFM.

RATs and Ampegs get along like actual rats and huge rotting piles of trash.

Fuck OD is just one of the best overdrive pedals going into ANY amp.

Another vote for the elements.

I've gone through my share of dirt pedals, and though they all sounded good in their own ways, I don't easily jump on the bandwagon and hype pedals that are already getting a helluva lot of praise around here...

In this case though, I can't say it enough: If you haven't tried an Elements yet, you should imo. Especially cause you mensioned you're after a Tool type of tone, which is one of the many shades of dirt the Elements can easily dish out imo. The only reason I sold mine, aside from GAS and cash flow problems: It's too much for me, It's just serious overkill for what I needed.
I'm not even that familiar with V4's, but thanks to the Element's excellent EQ section, it should probably be easy enough to dial in something sweet, no matter which type of guitar or amp you're using. You could even do Rat type tones with an Elements.

I've heard before that Rat work good with ampegs. I'm sure they are, but they're still a bit more in the fizz/sizzle territory when it comes to brutal high gain imo

Almost anything will work well with a V4...good problem to have

chillerthanmost wrote:My favorites with a V4 are (in no order):
DOD 250, RAT, and SS/BS FUCK OD

I came in here to post this excact list. but the rat first.

V series ampegs + rats are matches made in heaven.

250s are perfectsauce too

I know everyone said Rat already, but TURBO RAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It will change your life. And your hearing.

i came in to say that i've had good experience with a rat and a v4. but i see that everyone has already said that. also elements. and i tried a pharoah>Lstr combo and it was killer.