Sweet low gain drive suggestions

jim_cross

I’m looking for an always on drive pedal to add a touch of grit to my 64 Deluxe Reverb for Americana/modern country. Looking for something very open that doesn’t cut much bass, doesn’t have too much of a mid hump and stays sweet rather than getting too crunchy when digging in.
My MXR Timmy is the closest I’ve got so far. Duke of Tone is close but cuts too much bass for this use

munckee

Thorpy peacekeeper, best OD pedal ever with my princeton, only thing that sounds better is no OD pedal with an attenuator.

TimmyO

ThorpyFX Peacekeeper
Mad Professor Royal Blue Overdrive
Barber Gain Changer 
Greer Lightspeed 

topdog91

These threads always turn into recommending what we own, so you'll finish up with recommendations for everything. Mine: Wampler Tumnus Deluxe.

thomasw88

Mine Wampler paisley (which i am selling but it totally does that sound beautifully..)

thecolourbox

I always liked the Joyo Sweet Baby into Fender style amps, it's based on the Mad Professor Sweet Honey I believe so I'll suggest that

monquixote

Good recommendations already but I'd also suggest a Liquid Sunshine MKII although they are hard to find.

Laney TI Boost is good as well

joetele

Lunastone Smooth Drive is wonderful. 

StefB

DOD Looking Glass
Wampler Belle

Shipwreck

I never turn my Fairfield Circuitry Barbershop off. Also one of those pedals where I keep almost everything at 'noon' which is a good sign. It feels different to most ODs I've used - something in the "texture" - but it certainly fulfills what you've described. Makes everything sound a bit more exciting but isn't particualrly gainy. No idea how it plays with different rigs but worth checking out 

LionAquaLooper

Can't really go wrong with any of the Boss OD triumvirate.  OD3, SD1 or BD2.  But your Timmy should be more than good enough.

timbuk02

1. My standard answer - 4 knob TC Spark Booster - great EQ options and everything just sounds better.

2. EQD Special Cranker is also great for light grit with no loss of bass (does lots of grit too if you wan it)

UnclePsychosis

Princeton Reverb owner here and you basically just described the tones I like. My favourites are:

ODR-1
EQD Special Cranker
Way Huge Red Llama

Lebarque

topdog91 said:

These threads always turn into recommending what we own, so you'll finish up with recommendations for everything. Mine: Wampler Tumnus Deluxe.

Mid hump alert

Lebarque

Kingsley Page

WeZ84

The low gain side on the Hudson Broadcast.
The low cut knob lets you dial in how much bass gets cut. 

merlin

Origin Effects Revival Drive Compact. Versatile as anything and has loads of uses. However if you need something with fewer applications, best options are listed already. 

Matt_McG

I can second a few of the recommendations above:

DOD Looking Glass
Mad Professor Royal Blue

and any Nobels ODR-1 variant with bass cut or a bass control, is also a good choice. For me, personally, the Thorpy Peacekeeper didn't really do it for me (although I have and like several of his other pedals very much).

Or, you might want to try a compressor that can boost a little bit and/or add grit, which might also do what you want in terms of sustain, and a bit of "driven amp" feel under the fingers.

vasselmeyer

If you're looking for something which is amazing value for money, look at the full size TC Spark Booster. You can get grit through to dirt at unity up to VERY loud in either "mid", "fat" or "clean" (transparent) EQs. They're been seen new for £30 occasionally.

The other option I've had, but moved on, though MUCH rarer is the Barber Gain Changer.

JezWynd

MUCH rarer is the Barber Gain Changer.

You can order direct from David Barber in US, delivery is speedy. http://www.barberelectronics.com/gainchanger.html

The Boss SD-2 using the low gain Crunch channel does a glorious, sparkly, edge of break up sound.

Fiddlesticks_

jim_cross said:

My MXR Timmy is the closest I’ve got so far.

What is it about the Timmy that doesn’t quite do it for you? Just curious as it’s often recommended for this application too.