Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I just aquired an Electro Harmonix Small Clone from my band mate (who sold it to me because he bought a SECOND Poly Chourus)and it rules. Been thinking about a Big Muff for distortion. I am new at pedals so I'm still looking around for ideas. I'm thinking about a boost too. What do you guys plug yr ricks into?

When I feel like it: Aphex Punch Factory, Voodoo Lab Tremolo, SansampGT2, EB VP Jr.

#1 would suggest a compressor unit...for chorus..Visual Sound H20 combines a very good chorus and a delay in one unit...for distortion and or overdrive..big field..if you have a lot to spend the Klon Centur is a great clean boost...the Visual Sound Jekyll and Hide is very nice with two overdrive units in one pedal..one is like a rube screamer the other is more like your big muff and the effects are interactive. Different strokes for different folks but I like non digital effects with true bypass..but my buddy Paul W likes his VOX Tonelab which has all sorts of bells and whistles and about any effect you could want including amp modeling and can be found used for about $300.

A Big Muff is not your typical distortion. What kind of sound are you looking for?

Roughly, two kinds of distortion/Overdrive...clean boost.. your pups/guitar still sounds more or less the same but when used with a tube amp can push the front end of the amp harder so can get into that sweet/harmonic overdrive...the other side of the coin is your big muff, tube screamer, fuzztones and many others that alter your tone drastically..not to say that's a bad thing..depends what your after...with a Rick you can stop at a good compressor that depending on how you set it up will give a nice squash to your tone and a nice sustain..you'll find compressors a vital part of the sound of David Gilmore, Tre Anistacio and also many country pickers. I use a modified tube screamer that's very nice for blues and rock but alters the tone a lot. Best if you can take your axe and audition some before ya buy...another variable is what type of amp you have and how it's set.

Alex, I recently purchased a BBE Boosta Grande. It gives me 20db clean boost -and I love it! Banging Ric lead tone without distortion.

As for overdrive, I've been using a Voodoo Labs Sparkle Drive.

cool guys thanks for the tips. I vary on the types of distortion I want. For some songs I want a crunchy high end and for some I like the thick Muff-esque sound. I've been using a cheap Danelectro overdrive and it's good for what it is but I'm looking to branch out.

I'm using an Analogman-modded Ibanez TS-9 "Classic Mod" for crunch, and a Yardbox for lead.

How do you like the Yardbox John? Haven't tried that one....Thanks

Previously, I was using a Big Muff Pi for fuzzed overdrive. The Yardbox is a big step up - far cleaner and less noisy then the Muff, but great smooth overdrive. A great late 60's type sound, though i'm not sure that i'd compare it exactly to early Zeppelin or Beck.

Cool...Beck in particular favored a fuzz during his stint with the Yardbirds

The one drawback is that, being a germanium fuzz, it sounds best BY FAR with a 9v, rather than using a wall wart or a Dunlop DC Brick, which can get to be a pain.

The Voodlab Pedal Power block might do the trick? You can set it for battery sag...

I like the Fulltone Fulldrive 2.
You can seriously boost/overdrive with or without a big change in sound.

I'm an EH pedal dealer, so if anyone wants EH pedals at a decent price, then email and I can give you a quote.