Pedals to make Tone, not Sounds.

DoctorSkullington · 07-08-2010, 02:09 PM

I saw Nakleh's thread which throws up an interesting point.

He uses his pedals for tone, not just some random sounds. Not many people really do this. I've been wanting to do it, but I've never known how to explain it, now I do.

Any pedals to start getting for this 'tone-pedals-not-sound-pedals' thing?

Mayo5 · 07-08-2010, 02:11 PM

That's what everyone does? I'm kind of confused. What type of sound are you going for?

River · 07-08-2010, 02:14 PM

Random sounds?

JMV · 07-08-2010, 02:16 PM

I think he's talking about effects like EQ, compressor, sonic maximizers, and maybe even overdrive.

On the other side would be numbers of chorus, flanger, phase shifter, delay, etc.

The first seeks to sweeten the existing tone, the latter to change it entirely. Did I get the intent, OP? I saw Nakleh's thread and he's got a great setup for what you're talking about. First things first, I would be looking at effects like a single knob boost, nice compressor, EQ, and maybe a fairly transparent overdrive like a Fulltone Fulldrive.

DoctorSkullington · 07-08-2010, 02:19 PM

Mr Vasek is correct. I don't want to make a load of sounds. I want to be able to make a really good tone with 'tools'. Not fx. Like Compressor, EQ od blah blah

Mayo5 · 07-08-2010, 02:25 PM

I can get some incredible tone through my Dr. Scientists RRR, and my Diamond ML2. They are "sound" pedals.

If you are looking for over drive pedals, then tell us what your amp and your budget is.

DoctorSkullington · 07-08-2010, 02:44 PM

Marshall Valvestate (Don't suggest a tube amp cuz this amp is my fave), my budget is £140 or less

Mayo5 · 07-08-2010, 03:49 PM

I don't know how many overdrives are going to work great with solid state amps, but here are a few of my favorite cheap ones.

Digitech Badmonkey
Visual Sounds Rt.66
Ibanez Tubescreamer
Fulltone GT-500
Fulltone OCD
Zonkin YellowScreamer
Zendrive
Keeley Blues-Driver or SD-1

I had a GT-500 for a while, and now I have a vintage tube driver right now, with an early klon on the way.

I think you should be able to find those under or around 200$. Most of them should be under.

Overdrive pedals are a personal preference. So I would try them if you can.

AngryHatter · 07-08-2010, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mayo5

I don't know how many overdrives are going to work great with solid state amps, but here are a few of my favorite cheap ones.

Digitech Badmonkey
Visual Sounds Rt.66
Ibanez Tubescreamer
Fulltone GT-500
Fulltone OCD
Zonkin YellowScreamer
Zendrive
Keeley Blues-Driver or SD-1

I had a GT-500 for a while, and now I have a vintage tube driver right now, with an early klon on the way.

I think you should be able to find those under or around 200$. Most of them should be under.

Overdrive pedals are a personal preference. So I would try them if you can.

Cheap?
OCD ?
TS ?

If you have spare money, I could use the help.

Grey · 07-08-2010, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AngryHatter

Cheap?
OCD ?
TS ?

About 150$ for an OCD last I checked, it's fairly cheap by compairson if someone typically buys alot of Boutique pedals.

alligatorbling · 07-08-2010, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by River

Random sounds?

YouTube - moogerfooger ring modulator

YouTube - Red Panda Bitcrusher - guitar demo

Mayo5 · 07-08-2010, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spike-

About 150$ for an OCD last I checked, it's fairly cheap by compairson if someone typically buys alot of Boutique pedals.

Thank you. It also fell under his price category.

River · 07-08-2010, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alligatorbling

YouTube - moogerfooger ring modulator

YouTube - Red Panda Bitcrusher - guitar demo

Now that's what not many people really do, not the other way around.

I don't consider judiciously applied chorus, reverb, and delay "random sounds". I've not found a distortion effect I prefer to my (simulated) amp overdrive, but then I've no need to look.

onehippie · 07-08-2010, 06:20 PM

just my 3 channel crate glx 212s on board fx and a '94 green big muff pi version 7 thru fx loop for extended tone shaping with an extra gain stage and vol between preamp and poweramp stages the pi isnt used as an effect perse more a 4th channel

heres my post from another thread on fx hope its helpful
i also have a washburn blues overdrive for tone definition in the loop

DoctorSkullington · 07-09-2010, 10:21 AM

I'm looking for a:
Drive (Versatile, good for blues and can do heavy)
EQ
Compressor (one that's good for humbuckers)
Noise Suppressor
Any other reccomendations really welcome

-=[Shifty]=- · 07-09-2010, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mayo5

I don't know how many overdrives are going to work great with solid state amps, but here are a few of my favorite cheap ones.

Digitech Badmonkey
Visual Sounds Rt.66
Ibanez Tubescreamer
Fulltone GT-500
Fulltone OCD
Zonkin YellowScreamer
Zendrive
Keeley Blues-Driver or SD-1

I had a GT-500 for a while, and now I have a vintage tube driver right now, with an early klon on the way.

I think you should be able to find those under or around 200$. Most of them should be under.

Overdrive pedals are a personal preference. So I would try them if you can.

Just FYI, Marshall Valvestates are not solid state amps.

EvLectric · 07-09-2010, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -=[Shifty]=-

Just FYI, Marshall Valvestates are not solid state amps.

Sorry Shifty, I kinda gotta call you part of the way on this.

I guess technically it's a hybrid, but that 12ax7 in there isn't the whole preamp, it's like a solid state preamp, sweetened with the tube, into a mosfet (SS) power section. It's only one step away from being completely SS. Granted, that's a step I'd prefer to take though.

DoctorSkullington · 07-09-2010, 11:06 AM

Drive - Fulltone OCD (Or anything else that does that vintage rock swagger).
EQ - MXR 6 Band or Boss Eq.
Compressor - Something that works with humbuckers, and not much noise.
Boost - Not sure, I'm a rythm player that will do a solo if nessacery.
Tremolo - I like it when a tremolo is used like a delay. Like the tide gradually coming in, then going off. It doesn't completely cut out, just drops a touch. Radiohead - Creep is a good example on the clean rythm.

eddie_bowers · 07-09-2010, 12:36 PM

I'm still not super happy with the compressors I have tried with humbuckers. What tends to work great for my strat, doesn't for my LP. I'm currently using the Aphex Punch Factory. It's very good, but not perfect.

The MXR EQ pedals are really good IMHO. They do exactly what you would expect (which can't always be said for pedals)

As for noise suppressors, all I have to say is stay away from the Hum Debugger. I hated it. It got rid of the hum, but your tone was changed drastically.

This is probably a "No No" to plug your own stuff, but I really think my overdrive is great for blues and what I would call Heavy Blues (think Bonamassa). Check out www.tonebrick.com if your interested (special MyLesPaul prices)

DoctorSkullington · 07-09-2010, 12:40 PM

Mr Bowers, thankyou for the great advice.
It looks like I could going for the MXR then if the Boss doesn't get a good comment. I'll look into your Heavy Blues. What sort of price is this MLP discount then??

eddie_bowers · 07-09-2010, 01:34 PM

Shoot me some email offline. I don't want non-members asking why they don't get that price

eddie@tonebrick.com

JMV · 07-09-2010, 01:38 PM

Take a look at the Keeley modded Boss Tremolo. It sounds incredible and can be used as a clean boost if you need it for an application. Seems like it could kill two birds with one stone for you.

DoctorSkullington · 07-09-2010, 02:36 PM

I have just found a discovery.

On one of the Total Guitar Magazine CD there was a nice backing track to the Beatles of Let it Be. Vocal free, just the backing music. It's in the key of A Minor, so with a new set up I made in 5 minutes I've been practicing to show my old man!

Guitar > Boss CS3 Compressor > Dunlop Crybaby > Boss BF3 Flanger > Boss DS1 (Modded) > Amp.

It sounds really nice. I start with a fingerpicked thing, then when the acoustic joins in I turn on the flanger and compressor. The compressor strangely brings things to life, really picking the guitar up and making it sound beautiful. Then when the drums come in I start doing some nice bluesy improv, with my compressor helping things cut through for my leads. Maybe I should just find another compressor that could do what my CS3 does but better, then get a better drive and invest in a tremolo?

Most compressors aren't used this way, but it's my own feet y'know!

snaredrum · 07-09-2010, 02:50 PM

george's solo on let it be (the movie) was lovely. it sounds like he had a leslie rotating speaker to make it sound more 'gospel' and it was lovely. towards the end of this vid.

YouTube - The Beatles -Let It Be

as for using pedals to tone up, i pick my overdrive pedals on what they do for my overall tone with my guitar's volume rolled back. a nice boost but not distorted, so when i roll up to full i get a nice grunt.

DoctorSkullington · 07-09-2010, 02:58 PM

I use flanger pedal that gives a sound really similiar to this, which isn't standard rock flange, but that lesie chorus vibe! Just realised, without trying to I've made my guitar sound like Harrisons. I kind of grew up on this 60's & 70's music since I was 4 really.

DoctorSkullington · 07-09-2010, 02:58 PM

Yeah I prefer overdrive that thick and versatile without being ridiculously buzzy like I find Distortion pedals.

snaredrum · 07-09-2010, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoctorSkullington

I use flanger pedal that gives a sound really similiar to this, which isn't standard rock flange, but that lesie chorus vibe! Just realised, without trying to I've made my guitar sound like Harrisons. I kind of grew up on this 60's & 70's music since I was 4 really.

excellent work, doctor!

soberdave09 · 07-09-2010, 03:08 PM

what i find great for my tone is my fulltone deluxe wah.it really gives you nice tone.

DoctorSkullington · 07-09-2010, 03:20 PM

Can you get that Fulltone OCD sound in a cheaper pedal?

It would be nice to have it cheap, but If push comes to shove I'll go for the real deal.

Rich · 07-09-2010, 03:33 PM

Here is what I use with my band rig and why.

First off, for rehearsal, I bring just one guitar because it's a pain in the ass involving moving my stuff to and from the car 8 times. I know this is a Les Paul forum, but I bring a Strat; it covers a wide range of tones (more than a Les Paul) and, with pedals, I can even reasonably cover tones where I would prefer to use a Les Paul.

Seymour Duncan Pickup Booster: This is the coolest pedal I've bought in a long time. I keep the output set all the way down (it still boosts even when all the way down) and the "tone switch" set to neutral. I bought it with the hope that I could get more of a humbucker tone out of the Strat's single coil bridge, but it wasn't as good as what I was already using (see next pedal) but it is AWESOME at really bringing the guitar alive. I have no idea what it does but, whatever it is, it makes the guitar feel more tactile (if that makes any sense to you). I also use it at home with a Blues Jr and it does the same thing with that amp. Best eighty bucks I've ever spent.

Analogman Beano Boost: This is a Dallas Rangemaster clone but I don't use it in the default tone setting. This pedal is great with the Strat when used in the Low tone setting for getting a big, thick chunka-chunka hard rock/heavy metal sound where a guitar with a humbucker would normally be much better suited. Used with a guitar with humbuckers, I use the normal Rangemaster setting for getting some cool, snarky tones. In any setting, it works great for playing our version of The Beatle's "Taxman."

Analogman King of Tone: I use this as a "mostly clean" boost and it's at the end of my signal chain (Pickup Booster first, Bean Boost second, swirly effects in between). I have the first channel set up to be very neutral sounding and use it in combination with both the Pickup Booster and the Beano Boost so I can control the overall amount of signal hitting the amp. The second channel is set up to knock some of the brightness down and boost the mids a bit when used with the bridge pup of the Strat and I combine it with the Pickup Booster.

I am always running either the Pickup Booster or the Beano Boost but never both at the same time because neither pedal works as well with another pedal active in front of it. Basically, I use those to shape the sound of the pickup and then use the King of Tone to do the serious level boosting, especially with the Beano Boost because the amount of dirt I like from that pedal doesn't provide enough output signal for the amp I'm using. It sounds like a real balancing act (and it is) but I have it down so it's very easy for me to switch to whatever sound I want... all with one Strat.

My advice to you is to experiment. For me, the trick is to find the sound I want by balancing pedal overdrive with preamp overdrive with poweramp overdrive. I could spend an hour going over the ridiculous minutiae of how I have my rig set up but it would be pointless because it's not what you use; listen to what is going on with your rig, learn to figure out where stuff is happening and trust your ears.

07-08-2010, 02:09 PM	#1 (permalink)
DoctorSkullington Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 783 Thanks: 5 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Pedals to make Tone, not Sounds. I saw Nakleh's thread which throws up an interesting point. He uses his pedals for tone, not just some random sounds. Not many people really do this. I've been wanting to do it, but I've never known how to explain it, now I do. Any pedals to start getting for this 'tone-pedals-not-sound-pedals' thing? __________________ A Mistake Made, is a Lesson Learnt...

07-08-2010, 02:11 PM	#2 (permalink)
Mayo5 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Brussels, BE Posts: 1,301 Thanks: 1 Thanked 4 Times in 1 Post	Re: Pedals to make Tone, not Sounds. That's what everyone does? I'm kind of confused. What type of sound are you going for?

07-08-2010, 02:14 PM	#3 (permalink)
River Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Rural Colorado, USA Posts: 54,403 Thanks: 741 Thanked 847 Times in 77 Posts	Re: Pedals to make Tone, not Sounds. Random sounds? __________________ River Bottom Blues Band - Music Home of the River Bottom Blues Band

07-08-2010, 02:16 PM	#4 (permalink)
JMV Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 13,783 Thanks: 238 Thanked 162 Times in 33 Posts	Re: Pedals to make Tone, not Sounds. I think he's talking about effects like EQ, compressor, sonic maximizers, and maybe even overdrive. On the other side would be numbers of chorus, flanger, phase shifter, delay, etc. The first seeks to sweeten the existing tone, the latter to change it entirely. Did I get the intent, OP? I saw Nakleh's thread and he's got a great setup for what you're talking about. First things first, I would be looking at effects like a single knob boost, nice compressor, EQ, and maybe a fairly transparent overdrive like a Fulltone Fulldrive. __________________ Guitars Gibson SG Standard \| Gibson Les Paul Classic \| Tele Partscaster \| Strat Partscaster \| Squier Jaguar \| Taylor 714ce \| G&L L-2000 Amps Cygnus-7 \| Cygnus-30 \| Armstrong P51 \| Weber 5e3 Clone \| Fender Greta

07-08-2010, 02:19 PM	#5 (permalink)
DoctorSkullington Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 783 Thanks: 5 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Pedals to make Tone, not Sounds. Mr Vasek is correct. I don't want to make a load of sounds. I want to be able to make a really good tone with 'tools'. Not fx. Like Compressor, EQ od blah blah __________________ A Mistake Made, is a Lesson Learnt...

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07-08-2010, 02:25 PM	#6 (permalink)
Mayo5 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Brussels, BE Posts: 1,301 Thanks: 1 Thanked 4 Times in 1 Post	Re: Pedals to make Tone, not Sounds. I can get some incredible tone through my Dr. Scientists RRR, and my Diamond ML2. They are "sound" pedals. If you are looking for over drive pedals, then tell us what your amp and your budget is.

07-08-2010, 02:44 PM	#7 (permalink)
DoctorSkullington Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 783 Thanks: 5 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Pedals to make Tone, not Sounds. Marshall Valvestate (Don't suggest a tube amp cuz this amp is my fave), my budget is £140 or less __________________ A Mistake Made, is a Lesson Learnt...

07-08-2010, 03:49 PM	#8 (permalink)
Mayo5 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Brussels, BE Posts: 1,301 Thanks: 1 Thanked 4 Times in 1 Post	Re: Pedals to make Tone, not Sounds. I don't know how many overdrives are going to work great with solid state amps, but here are a few of my favorite cheap ones. Digitech Badmonkey Visual Sounds Rt.66 Ibanez Tubescreamer Fulltone GT-500 Fulltone OCD Zonkin YellowScreamer Zendrive Keeley Blues-Driver or SD-1 I had a GT-500 for a while, and now I have a vintage tube driver right now, with an early klon on the way. I think you should be able to find those under or around 200$. Most of them should be under. Overdrive pedals are a personal preference. So I would try them if you can.

07-08-2010, 06:20 PM	#14 (permalink)
onehippie Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 3,637 Thanks: 164 Thanked 64 Times in 5 Posts	Re: Pedals to make Tone, not Sounds. just my 3 channel crate glx 212s on board fx and a '94 green big muff pi version 7 thru fx loop for extended tone shaping with an extra gain stage and vol between preamp and poweramp stages the pi isnt used as an effect perse more a 4th channel heres my post from another thread on fx hope its helpful i also have a washburn blues overdrive for tone definition in the loop

07-09-2010, 10:21 AM	#15 (permalink)
DoctorSkullington Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 783 Thanks: 5 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Pedals to make Tone, not Sounds. I'm looking for a: Drive (Versatile, good for blues and can do heavy) EQ Compressor (one that's good for humbuckers) Noise Suppressor Any other reccomendations really welcome __________________ A Mistake Made, is a Lesson Learnt...

07-09-2010, 11:06 AM	#18 (permalink)
DoctorSkullington Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 783 Thanks: 5 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Pedals to make Tone, not Sounds. Drive - Fulltone OCD (Or anything else that does that vintage rock swagger). EQ - MXR 6 Band or Boss Eq. Compressor - Something that works with humbuckers, and not much noise. Boost - Not sure, I'm a rythm player that will do a solo if nessacery. Tremolo - I like it when a tremolo is used like a delay. Like the tide gradually coming in, then going off. It doesn't completely cut out, just drops a touch. Radiohead - Creep is a good example on the clean rythm. __________________ A Mistake Made, is a Lesson Learnt... Last edited by DoctorSkullington; 07-09-2010 at 12:38 PM.

07-09-2010, 12:36 PM	#19 (permalink)
eddie_bowers Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Dallas Posts: 651 Thanks: 0 Thanked 8 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Pedals to make Tone, not Sounds. I'm still not super happy with the compressors I have tried with humbuckers. What tends to work great for my strat, doesn't for my LP. I'm currently using the Aphex Punch Factory. It's very good, but not perfect. The MXR EQ pedals are really good IMHO. They do exactly what you would expect (which can't always be said for pedals) As for noise suppressors, all I have to say is stay away from the Hum Debugger. I hated it. It got rid of the hum, but your tone was changed drastically. This is probably a "No No" to plug your own stuff, but I really think my overdrive is great for blues and what I would call Heavy Blues (think Bonamassa). Check out www.tonebrick.com if your interested (special MyLesPaul prices)

07-09-2010, 12:40 PM	#20 (permalink)
DoctorSkullington Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 783 Thanks: 5 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Pedals to make Tone, not Sounds. Mr Bowers, thankyou for the great advice. It looks like I could going for the MXR then if the Boss doesn't get a good comment. I'll look into your Heavy Blues. What sort of price is this MLP discount then?? __________________ A Mistake Made, is a Lesson Learnt...

07-09-2010, 01:34 PM	#21 (permalink)
eddie_bowers Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Dallas Posts: 651 Thanks: 0 Thanked 8 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Pedals to make Tone, not Sounds. Shoot me some email offline. I don't want non-members asking why they don't get that price eddie@tonebrick.com

07-09-2010, 01:38 PM	#22 (permalink)
JMV Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 13,783 Thanks: 238 Thanked 162 Times in 33 Posts	Re: Pedals to make Tone, not Sounds. Take a look at the Keeley modded Boss Tremolo. It sounds incredible and can be used as a clean boost if you need it for an application. Seems like it could kill two birds with one stone for you. __________________ Guitars Gibson SG Standard \| Gibson Les Paul Classic \| Tele Partscaster \| Strat Partscaster \| Squier Jaguar \| Taylor 714ce \| G&L L-2000 Amps Cygnus-7 \| Cygnus-30 \| Armstrong P51 \| Weber 5e3 Clone \| Fender Greta

07-09-2010, 02:36 PM	#23 (permalink)
DoctorSkullington Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 783 Thanks: 5 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Pedals to make Tone, not Sounds. I have just found a discovery. On one of the Total Guitar Magazine CD there was a nice backing track to the Beatles of Let it Be. Vocal free, just the backing music. It's in the key of A Minor, so with a new set up I made in 5 minutes I've been practicing to show my old man! Guitar > Boss CS3 Compressor > Dunlop Crybaby > Boss BF3 Flanger > Boss DS1 (Modded) > Amp. It sounds really nice. I start with a fingerpicked thing, then when the acoustic joins in I turn on the flanger and compressor. The compressor strangely brings things to life, really picking the guitar up and making it sound beautiful. Then when the drums come in I start doing some nice bluesy improv, with my compressor helping things cut through for my leads. Maybe I should just find another compressor that could do what my CS3 does but better, then get a better drive and invest in a tremolo? Most compressors aren't used this way, but it's my own feet y'know! __________________ A Mistake Made, is a Lesson Learnt...

07-09-2010, 02:58 PM	#25 (permalink)
DoctorSkullington Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 783 Thanks: 5 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Pedals to make Tone, not Sounds. I use flanger pedal that gives a sound really similiar to this, which isn't standard rock flange, but that lesie chorus vibe! Just realised, without trying to I've made my guitar sound like Harrisons. I kind of grew up on this 60's & 70's music since I was 4 really. __________________ A Mistake Made, is a Lesson Learnt...

07-09-2010, 02:58 PM	#26 (permalink)
DoctorSkullington Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 783 Thanks: 5 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Pedals to make Tone, not Sounds. Yeah I prefer overdrive that thick and versatile without being ridiculously buzzy like I find Distortion pedals. __________________ A Mistake Made, is a Lesson Learnt...

07-09-2010, 03:08 PM	#28 (permalink)
soberdave09 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: philly Posts: 1,136 Thanks: 83 Thanked 75 Times in 53 Posts	Re: Pedals to make Tone, not Sounds. what i find great for my tone is my fulltone deluxe wah.it really gives you nice tone.

07-09-2010, 03:20 PM	#29 (permalink)
DoctorSkullington Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 783 Thanks: 5 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Pedals to make Tone, not Sounds. Can you get that Fulltone OCD sound in a cheaper pedal? It would be nice to have it cheap, but If push comes to shove I'll go for the real deal. __________________ A Mistake Made, is a Lesson Learnt...

07-09-2010, 03:33 PM	#30 (permalink)
Rich Non sequitur Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: New Jersey Posts: 16,698 Thanks: 675 Thanked 963 Times in 257 Posts	Re: Pedals to make Tone, not Sounds. Here is what I use with my band rig and why. First off, for rehearsal, I bring just one guitar because it's a pain in the ass involving moving my stuff to and from the car 8 times. I know this is a Les Paul forum, but I bring a Strat; it covers a wide range of tones (more than a Les Paul) and, with pedals, I can even reasonably cover tones where I would prefer to use a Les Paul. Seymour Duncan Pickup Booster: This is the coolest pedal I've bought in a long time. I keep the output set all the way down (it still boosts even when all the way down) and the "tone switch" set to neutral. I bought it with the hope that I could get more of a humbucker tone out of the Strat's single coil bridge, but it wasn't as good as what I was already using (see next pedal) but it is AWESOME at really bringing the guitar alive. I have no idea what it does but, whatever it is, it makes the guitar feel more tactile (if that makes any sense to you). I also use it at home with a Blues Jr and it does the same thing with that amp. Best eighty bucks I've ever spent. Analogman Beano Boost: This is a Dallas Rangemaster clone but I don't use it in the default tone setting. This pedal is great with the Strat when used in the Low tone setting for getting a big, thick chunka-chunka hard rock/heavy metal sound where a guitar with a humbucker would normally be much better suited. Used with a guitar with humbuckers, I use the normal Rangemaster setting for getting some cool, snarky tones. In any setting, it works great for playing our version of The Beatle's "Taxman." Analogman King of Tone: I use this as a "mostly clean" boost and it's at the end of my signal chain (Pickup Booster first, Bean Boost second, swirly effects in between). I have the first channel set up to be very neutral sounding and use it in combination with both the Pickup Booster and the Beano Boost so I can control the overall amount of signal hitting the amp. The second channel is set up to knock some of the brightness down and boost the mids a bit when used with the bridge pup of the Strat and I combine it with the Pickup Booster. I am always running either the Pickup Booster or the Beano Boost but never both at the same time because neither pedal works as well with another pedal active in front of it. Basically, I use those to shape the sound of the pickup and then use the King of Tone to do the serious level boosting, especially with the Beano Boost because the amount of dirt I like from that pedal doesn't provide enough output signal for the amp I'm using. It sounds like a real balancing act (and it is) but I have it down so it's very easy for me to switch to whatever sound I want... all with one Strat. My advice to you is to experiment. For me, the trick is to find the sound I want by balancing pedal overdrive with preamp overdrive with poweramp overdrive. I could spend an hour going over the ridiculous minutiae of how I have my rig set up but it would be pointless because it's not what you use; listen to what is going on with your rig, learn to figure out where stuff is happening and trust your ears. __________________ Vote for our own LesPauI+SG=Win - Taylor, The Kentuckian!

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