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Posted by: RIP Dime Apr 7 2008, 10:21 PM

Hey guys, I have a ValveKing 212, and it's great, I just wanted to get a bit more gain & compression on the lead channel. I don't know much about effects so I thought I'd ask you guys.

I do have a distortion pedal, and when I run it through my clean channel it adds lots of gain and punch, that's what I'm looking for something to add gain and punch, but to my lead channel. My distortion pedal sounds grainy, and cheesey so I don't like using it, but I was surprised how well it drove my tube amp.

I'm not looking for a total distortion unit, just something to add some more gain & punch to the lead channel on my amp, but I don't want it to suck any of my nice tube tone, or add some cheesey voicing. I would like true bypass aswell.

Any suggestions? Personal experiences with driving your dirty channel?

Much thanks!

Posted by: ZakkWylde Apr 7 2008, 10:27 PM

I prefer the Boss sd-1 Super Overdrive, it's very affordable and has a nice warm tone when boosting my Marshall with it. I can either get a creamy lead tone or and aggressive overdriven rythm sound with it + you can use it on your clean channel to get a bluesy tone from it. I took this one over the classic Ibanez tubescreamer because the tube screamer could only do lead tones but not spice up my rythm work. If you only want a lead tone then consider the tubescreamer too, because it is more neutral than the Boss in ways of boosting the tone...

Posted by: RIP Dime Apr 7 2008, 10:38 PM

Thanks man, my friend recommended me the SD-1 modded by Robert Keeley, it's more expensive, but he said it's worth it, I'll definately consider it. Here's the link to the Keeley modded one http://www.robertkeeley.com/product.php?id=13

Posted by: Trond Vold Apr 7 2008, 10:44 PM

The Tubescreamer might do wonders on the lead channel. It's great for spicing things up a bit without altering your tone much.

A compressor might do the trick aswell. The BOSS CS-3 is a good compressor.

Posted by: Milenkovic Ivan Apr 7 2008, 11:44 PM

I too use the SD1 Super Overdrive, mainly for warming up the drive channel further. It has a smooth drive whn used this way but it eats some of the dynamics. Try Tubescreamer and this, these are the best options.

Posted by: RIP Dime Apr 8 2008, 07:41 AM

Thanks guys, I appreciate it, I'm heading to the guitar store on Friday, and I'll try those out and give this thread an update.

Posted by: PanicProne Apr 8 2008, 04:58 PM

I know you said that you didn't want a big distortion unit. But if it's possible, you should try out the Line 6 DM4.
A brand new one is pretty expensive. But you can find a used one from some 90 dollars or so. It's got every distoriton and overdrive you'll ever need. well, almost. And it has true bypass. Otherwise. Try every boss you can find and give the tubescreamer a go too.

Posted by: Bogdan Apr 10 2008, 01:14 AM

SD-1 is a good choice

Posted by: bsamn Apr 11 2008, 10:20 AM

Check out Yngwie's DOD-308 overdrive pedal aswell, as cheap as a SD-1

Posted by: PanicProne May 2 2008, 12:50 PM

Oh, I forgot. People are talking a lot about using distortion pedals to "boost" their lead channel. How does this work?
Is it just twice the amount of footwork (step on both your footswitch and dist pedal) or is there another trick?

Posted by: JVM May 2 2008, 06:19 PM

Thats another good choice actually. It may not look like much but its pretty good and cheap. Otherwise I suggest tube screamer.

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic May 2 2008, 08:43 PM

Well you have to press all the pedals together, that's how you boost it. Press the footswitch to turn on the drive channel and then press the drive pedal. I keep them side by side and press them in the same time if I need to go from clean to hi gain.

Posted by: Hisham Al-Sanea May 2 2008, 09:47 PM

you can see the Digital Metalizer in my post for boss effects its a good one and it has a pre delay and chorus
you can visit my profile to see it