Overdrive/Distortion for 1987x

[StanM]

I'm looking for a recomendation for an overdrive/distortion pedal for use with my Marshall 1987x, 50 w., Plexi re-issue head. Cranked it sounds pretty darn good, but I'm trying to get the same tone at less volume. I really don't want to use an attenuator, since I also want to take it to "Gary Moore type" levels of saturation. Having a non-master volume amp is a realtively new experience for me after 25 years of Boogies and Riveras!

 

[Lee_Moore]

I'm looking for a recomendation for an overdrive/distortion pedal for use with my Marshall 1987x, 50 w., Plexi re-issue head. Cranked it sounds pretty darn good, but I'm trying to get the same tone at less volume. I really don't want to use an attenuator, since I also want to take it to "Gary Moore type" levels of saturation. Having a non-master volume amp is a realtively new experience for me after 25 years of Boogies and Riveras!

If you don't need additional gain = XOTIC RC Booster
If you need some additional gain = XOTIC AC Booster

 

[sinner]

I have the 1987XL, same as yours but with the FX Loop (which I don't use) and use the Xotic RC Boost AND a Landgraff overdrive. Using the two give me even more ground and more control (pedals levels, guitar controls). I am happy, but am still interested in perhaps trying the TIM or TIMMY pedal too!

 

[Riffraff]

I have it's big brother, a '93 1959SLP. For O.D. I use an old MIJ SD-1 or a Route 66 with good results. You don't have to spend a lot to get to that amp's sweet spot. Just crank the pedal's volume, add a touch of gain and set the tone to taste.

 

[440gtx6pak]

My favorite distortion pedal with this amp is the Tonebone Classic($190)
>>> in general , it works with just about any amp as its very versatile
and gives great ranges of distortion from mild to extreme.

also note... the Nady TD-1
which is a copy of the ToneBone that altough I have
not heard it personally everyone says its sounds the same as the Tonebone.
its all tube to and even looks the same.
in the latest MusicanFriend mailorder catalog its only $89.
(on thier website its $129). the FLYER SOURCECODE is 6as01997a

 

[bluesbishop]

Please.. no distortion pedals in front of a plexi RI! isd
(that being said..I do on ocassion use a OD in front of a already driven amp to really push it...a modded SD-1, or my Nobels ODR-1 :! :! :! )

I would recommend a THD Hot plate, or do a search here for installing a "Rich Mod" which is a Master Vol added AFTER the phase inventor. (PPIMV) The rich mod does NOT sound like a typical Mstr. Vol..and can really help to get that full marshall sound at more moderate levels

For some great info on plexi's and mods check out

http://www.metroamp.com

George, and everyone over on his forum are a bunch of really nice, knowledgable guys committed to tone! :dude :dude

 

[dtw576]

Welcome to the forum. FWIW, I use several nonmastervolume Marshalls (JTM45, 1959, 1987) and like the SD1 and Fulldrive II for moderate boost, and a Keeley DS1 Ultra for higher gain applications. Sure, I'd rather not use anything but a cord and guitar, but in many instances you need something else. Hard to go wrong with any of the above pedals.

 

[Bluesbubba]

I have to say that I have never used a distortion pedal on my 1987X, just the mass 50 attenuator. To me it's all I need. :worshipI might for fun use a pedal to see the versatility.

 

[bluesbishop]

I I really don't want to use an attenuator, since I also want to take it to "Gary Moore type" levels of saturation.

Stan, after re-reading, what you need IS a attenuator! That's the only way to get true tube saturation. The THD hotplate, Weber Mass, Marshall powerbrake, will all get you there.

I'm cross posting some clips of George from metro...sorry I don't have any Home recording equipment to post my self...listen to the tone of a plexi without a pedal...nothing sweeter!

(Ok these are both Zep songs...but I'm a Zep head :biggrin: :dude :dude ...check aroun georges site for many other killer clips! )

http://www.metroamp.com/forum/download.php?id=1248
http://www.metroamp.com/forum/download.php?id=1262

 

[jwalker]

You should check out my Throbak Overdrive Boost. Some may consider this spam but the Overdrive Boost addresses this same lack of a master volume problem with the 1974x 18 watt Marshall and should do just as well with your 1987x. It lets manage the volume while keeping great overdriven tone without losing the character of the amp. Go to my site if you want to check out some sound clips of the Overdrive Boost. www.throbak.com

You should be able to find a pedal that will give you the tone you want.

 

[tubaman5150]

An Ibanez Turbo Tubescreamer works pretty well.

 

[bluesbishop]

Jwalker...that is one nice OD indeed :salude

I checked out your website, but I'm confused...it says I can crank my amp on "10" and use the pedals Mstr Vol. control?
Am I not just then sending a low signal with diode clipping, and wouldn't that get nosiy as all hell? :wha

Sound bytes posted here and at your site sound killer though...was that with the amp cranked?

 

[jwalker]

Jwalker...that is one nice OD indeed :salude

I checked out your website, but I'm confused...it says I can crank my amp on "10" and use the pedals Mstr Vol. control?
Am I not just then sending a low signal with diode clipping, and wouldn't that get nosiy as all hell? :wha

Sound bytes posted here and at your site sound killer though...was that with the amp cranked?

No actually it is very, very quiet when used to control the volume with your amp turned up. It is actually the lowest noise of all my pedals. Cranking the amp up keeps the bass response from getting too thin. The clipping diodes are a germanium diode and a germanium transistor acting as a diode. When you add the germanium pair to the circuit it gives a very open distortion with a big low end that still keeps the feel of the cranked amp. I tested many different combinations of diodes and transistors until I came upon this combination. It requires a very specific germanium diode and a very specific germanium transistor gain range for it to work. But it works wonderfully and with very low noise.

Turning up the volume to preserve the low end will work to some extent with other pedals that have a master volume control but the pedal often destroys the depth and character of the original amp making the sound of the pedal too dominant and one dimensional. The Overdrive Boost sounds very natural and complex when used to regulate the volume of a non master volume amp.

 

[StanM]

Thanks to everyone for all the help and suggestions. I'll post results when I make a decision on what outboard gear to add to my signal chain.

 

[UfoPilot]

I'm looking for a recomendation for an overdrive/distortion pedal for use with my Marshall 1987x, 50 w., Plexi re-issue head. Cranked it sounds pretty darn good, but I'm trying to get the same tone at less volume. I really don't want to use an attenuator, since I also want to take it to "Gary Moore type" levels of saturation. Having a non-master volume amp is a realtively new experience for me after 25 years of Boogies and Riveras!

send it here http://www.davidbrayamps.com/

 

[Vaughn72]

No actually it is very, very quiet when used to control the volume with your amp turned up. It is actually the lowest noise of all my pedals. Cranking the amp up keeps the bass response from getting too thin. The clipping diodes are a germanium diode and a germanium transistor acting as a diode. When you add the germanium pair to the circuit it gives a very open distortion with a big low end that still keeps the feel of the cranked amp. I tested many different combinations of diodes and transistors until I came upon this combination. It requires a very specific germanium diode and a very specific germanium transistor gain range for it to work. But it works wonderfully and with very low noise.

Turning up the volume to preserve the low end will work to some extent with other pedals that have a master volume control but the pedal often destroys the depth and character of the original amp making the sound of the pedal too dominant and one dimensional. The Overdrive Boost sounds very natural and complex when used to regulate the volume of a non master volume amp.

Does it have to go in a loop?

 

[Buc McMaster]

Cranked it sounds pretty darn good, but I'm trying to get the same tone at less volume.

Not to rain on your parade but cranked tone is just that: output tubes doing their thing, and there's not a pedal made that will faithfully duplicate that particular tone. Oh yes, you can get overdrive and/or distortion via a pedal but it's not the same tone.........to my ears not even close as pedals are either generating their own grit or pushing the amp's front end to distort.......different animal than the compression and drive produced by output tubes pushed to madness. Such is playing mid to high powered tube amplifiers.......they deliver the goods but only when breathing hard.

I'm certain you can find a pedal-driven tone you just love but it won't be that sweet, saturated tone you're hearing with that 1987X on 10, wailing to the heavens.

 

[Anthonyl]

I have the same amp. Xotic BB is what you want…

 

[garagemonkey]

The only distortion pedal I've ever put in front of my JCM800 (or house plexis I've plugged into) is my old late '80s Marshall Guv'Nor.

By most accounts the new ones are as good as the original made-in-UK ones.

 

[SFW]

When I had my 1987X, I used to hit it with a Carl Martin Plixi Drive. The new version that is smaller. Sounded like a cranked plexi.