Topic: output level from distortion pedal

I want to use a distortion pedal with my small home-made amp. Will the output from the pedal be similar to the output from the guitar alone, or is it going to be higher? Essentially I want the distortion effect at a relatively low volume but the little amp can only take so much before distorting (but not in a good way).

Re: output level from distortion pedal

Most distortion pedals have a "level" knob to adjust the amount of boost you get. So you could use that to keep the level the same.

Re: output level from distortion pedal

So I should be able to get a very distorted sound while still feeding a relatively low level of signal to the amp?

Re: output level from distortion pedal

Correct. Is there a specific pedal you are looking at? You said you are using a small home-made amp. Are you a tinkerer? Give us the low down on your amp.

Re: output level from distortion pedal

flester is sounds like you want sustain you can do that by cranking the distortion up and the gain down this will give a nice sustain and distortion at a low volume smile

"Growing old is not for sissies"

Re: output level from distortion pedal

Yes, I am a tinkerer. I built my amp around a TDA2003 amp module (http://maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=32209) and built a case roughly to the dimensions of a Pignose. Runs on 6AA's, or one PP3, or a mains power supply. Goes into distortion fairly easily, especially via a preamp which I based around one of these (http://maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?moduleno=37746). Will post photos and sound samples some time. The guitar I mainly use with this is an Applause acoustic with a single-coil magnetic pickup.  Strange, I know but was inspired by John Campbell with his J-45, dearmond pickup and Fender tube amps. Check him out on youtube. There's a very used Boss HM-2 pedal in a local shop which I may check out today.

7 (edited by flester 2010-05-07 09:22:28)

Re: output level from distortion pedal

My 1979 Ovation Pacemaker with undersaddle pickup gives a nice bright jangly 12-string sound through the amp but the single-coil (artec MSP-50) sounds a bit warmer and sort of electric-ish.

Another project is to play harmonica on this amp...