For most gigging I use the natural breakup of my DRRI amp for on-the-edge and crunch tones, backing off the guitar's volume to clean up. The amp has power scaling to keep volume reasonable. Then my Ethos Overdrive is used for soloing, etc.
I'm experimenting more with a looper for electric guitar, which I've previously used only with acoustic guitar, so I want to get those on-the-edge and crunch tones into the loops - which means a pedal before the looper and the amp run clean. The Ethos is very versatile but always has at least a hint of that mid-rich Dumblesque sound and will not give me the pre-looper transparent crunch I'm looking for. So I've been looking at what pedal will achieve what I want, including being pick-responsive and cleaning up on the volume control. I use an ES-335, an Esquire and a Tele with humbuckers.
I tried a J Rocket Blue Note Tour Series which was really pretty good. The Tour Series version unfortunately doesn't have the Hot Switch of the discontinued original version but it's OK for my need. I'd like to also try a ThorpyFX Peacekeeper when I've got a chance. Any other suggestions please? The pedal needs to preserve the guitar tone faithfully with no mids emphasis, which rules out many od pedals, and I don't need high gain.
Comments
(Cheap version, Joyo Sweet Baby)
also, Timmy and Barber Burn Unit.
The od-3 is pretty transparent, certainly nothing like a tubescreamer (which most dumble style pedals tend to lean towards).
It's all kinds of awesome and exactly what a low gain OD should be, to my ears.
I need to get myself over to Andertons, where they have a large selection of pedals, armed with your list of suggestions. Perhaps having a look at them on You Tube first, although that can be painful as you know
Thanks again.
My favourite low gainer.
I said maybe.....