Using a distortion/high gain OD properly! with a PRRI

builttospill

So I’ve been messing a lot with the PRRI amp levels at home, I’m really not experienced enough to explain this to you properly so apologies if it comes across as vague or naive. 
I’m basically aiming for a medium/high gain lead tone, think Motorcycle Emptiness (Manics)
I’ve been experimenting a lot with my drives and distortions, I have the PRRI volume set between 8-10, I use the lead (red) channel of my Boss SD-2 Dual Drive, the drive is set to max, tone just before 12, but I use the pedal level to control overall amp volume. By doing this I think I’m getting some fairly thick decent lead tones and it’s not too far off. So by utilising the level on the SD-2 is this is good way of getting a decent lead tone? Is this good practice?
From memory for rehearsals and a handful of small gigs I’d have the Princeton volume on 5, the SD-2 level about 11-12 o’clock and drive set at 9 o’clock, I think the lead tone sounded choked and failed to cut through at all. Any tips or advice? am I doing this correctly? please go easy on me! 

monquixote

There are no hard and fast rules.

The Princeton is a smallish Fender amp and it's never going to sound like a Marshall stack.

A couple of tips I could suggest are that the louder you get generally the less gain you need so wind that back as much as you can. Also pull the bass back a bit so the sound cuts a bit more and the cab doesn't fart out. What sounds good at gig level often sounds thin at home.

What guitar are you using?

I'm sure you can get the sound without fiddling with gear but the Crunch Box is very reminiscent of that sound and the Mooer cruncher is a good inexpensive clone.

octatonic

I use a Thorpy Gunshot with a Princeton style amp and it sounds great.
As said dial the bass right back and it will cut through.

builttospill

monquixote said:

There are no hard and fast rules.

The Princeton is a smallish Fender amp and it's never going to sound like a Marshall stack.

A couple of tips I could suggest are that the louder you get generally the less gain you need so wind that back as much as you can. Also pull the bass back a bit so the sound cuts a bit more and the cab doesn't fart out. What sounds good at gig level often sounds thin at home.

What guitar are you using?

I'm sure you can get the sound without fiddling with gear but the Crunch Box is very reminiscent of that sound and the Mooer cruncher is a good inexpensive clone.

Thanks @monquixote will look into those

builttospill

I’m using p-90 equipped K-line San B (jazzmaster without tremolo or bigsby) and a K-line Springfield (Strat)

tone1

Telecaster Thinline and a Marshall Shredder pedal.....

https://youtu.be/5gslKjS155Q

I use a clean amp with my Palmer distortion pedal to get pretty close....

builttospill

octatonic said:

I use a Thorpy Gunshot with a Princeton style amp and it sounds great.
As said dial the bass right back and it will cut through.

Cheers @octatonic Bass back on amp?

builttospill

builttospill said:

octatonic said:

I use a Thorpy Gunshot with a Princeton style amp and it sounds great.
As said dial the bass right back and it will cut through.

Cheers @octatonic Bass back on amp?

Oh no! Although I’ve been strictly Boss the last year or so... I’ve been secretly gassing for a Thorpy Gunshot and the Lightspeed. This is not helping

monquixote

If you want to stay boss get an angry driver.

The angry Charlie is a Crunchbox rip off.

builttospill

tone1 said:

Telecaster Thinline and a Marshall Shredder pedal.....

https://youtu.be/5gslKjS155Q

I use a clean amp with my Palmer distortion pedal to get pretty close....

Lost count of how many times I’ve watched that video, really nice to see the stripped back riffs... and that tele thinline... should never have sold mine

munckee

I have the 68. I use compressor into tubescreamer type pedal for a lead tone. Have the volume at 3 for strat and 2 for humbuckers

Mark1960

Generally when using overdrive / distortion pedals, I have found that by boosting the treble (on the pedal) helps it cut through. I use a Thorpy Gunshot on a Blues Delux, and it works superbly for me.