joeymetro Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 Can some explain the difference between distortion and overdrive, isn't it the same? But I noticed pedal manufacturers will make a distortion pedal and a separate overdrive pedal? I play my Epiphone Ultra into a Fender blues junior I added an overdrive pedal. I wanted to hear distortion at a very low volume. Everyone in the family complaining about the volume. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricochet Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 I wouldn't call'm the same alltho they're definately related. Think of them as gain-stages. So you go from clean<cleanboost<crunch<overdrive<distortion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 I wouldn't call'm the same alltho they're definately related. Think of them as gain-stages. So you go from clean<cleanboost<crunch<overdrive<distortion. Agreed...the rub comes in, where different companies, have different ideas/descriptions, as to what is overdrive, distortion, and "Fuzz." Overdrive used to be used (probbbly still is, for the most part) to describe the tone you get, when overdriving a "tube" amp, to it's "Sweet spot," where it naturally breaks up, in a kind of creamy sustained, and pleasingly slightly distorted tone. Anything beyond that, could be called "distortion," and/or "Fuzz." But, even then, there's straight crunch distortion, "harmonic" distortion, and old '60's style "Fuzz," too. It really can be quite confusing, on terms... but, once you know what you like/want...it's pretty easy to find a pedal that will work. There are SO many, now...that's the hardest part...going through all of them, to find your preferred one. LOL! CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curtoons Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 Distortion clips the signal, overdrive BOOSTS the signal. Overdrives are best used in front of the amp (or preamp) and distortion pedals actually work quite nicely POST-amp in the effects loop where you can maintain the dialed in level of sustain and smoothness even when backing off on your guitar volume. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joeymetro Posted November 22, 2008 Author Share Posted November 22, 2008 Thank you; This forum is the best! Happy Thanksgiving! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ef_in_fla Posted November 22, 2008 Share Posted November 22, 2008 I wanted to hear distortion at a very low volume. If the overdrive isn't giving you what you need, try a Boss MT-2 or a Digitech Distortion Factory. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.