Overdrive: Channel or Pedal?

[leehwd]

Dear All,

I want to know what you choice is. I have a Blue Velvet 25w 1*12 combo, which has both a clean and a overdrive channel. When moving back and forth between clean and overdrive channels during a song, it produces a 'pop-up' sound, which is not good. For that reason, I have used an overdrive/distortion pedal for crunch sound, and I am curious if this is what others are doing too. Any thoughts?

Thank you,

Howard

[stephen]

Hey there leehwd!

I have a single channel amp, and I use an overdrive pedal for my gain/overdrive.

I like to set the amp up with as much clean headroom as possible, then I set up my overdrive pedal's level to balance the two out when switching.

I like it because it is very seamless, and there is no "pop" when I switch.

What you are experiencing with your amp might be indicative of its design, or it may have an issue with the switch. An amp-guru would be able to tell you which one it is.

Just to let you know, its reported that a few big name players utilize the clean channel with an overdrive slammed in front. Joe Perry is one, and I believe Stevie Ray Vaughn did this as well.

Now if you have some extra coin layig around, I hear that the new Fender Manufactured EVH 5150 III amp has seamless switching, with no hesitation, and no snap~crackel~pop!. But of course its about 2-3 grand just for the head............

:yikes:

At least you'd save the money on a new OD pedal (I'm being sarcastic).

Tell me about your Blue Velvet amp. What kinda power tubes have you got in there?

[Brian]

...I have a Blue Velvet 25w 1*12 combo, which has both a clean and a overdrive channel. When moving back and forth between clean and overdrive channels during a song, it produces a 'pop-up' sound, which is not good. For that reason, I have used an overdrive/distortion pedal for crunch sound, and I am curious if this is what others are doing too. Any thoughts? Thank you, HowardWelcome Howard. I'm in the lonely minority here on this (think leper) but I really like the OD sound I get from my amps. I do not use an OD pedal with either my dual channel Rivera that has no pop when switching channels, or an old Boogie MK IIB that does pop when switching from clean to OD gain stages when there is signal from the guitar. I simply take a 1 beat rest when I switch back/forth from clean to OD with the Boogie. No big deal. The Blue Velvet sounds like an awesome amp; they're not cheap. If you like the OD sound of the amp, I say use it! and forget the pedal.

[leehwd]

Dear Stephen and Brian,

Thank you for your prompt and kind replies, not to mention the useful recommendations. I am an intermediate acoustic guitar player, but sort of new to the electric one. I have not struggled to get a nice clean or warm tuby overdrive tone through the Zinky Blue Velve combo (1*12 @ 25 watt) when sticked to one channel plus OD/boost pedals. I did some internet search, and it looked many out there were crazy about OD pedals with some minority not to bother. As I explained, my challenge is to switch from chorus (crunch/overdrive sound) to verse, which gave me an unpleasant pop sound for 80% of time. I don't know if this is due to my Zinky or my playing technique, but I think I can apply what Brian has recommended. Yes, the Zinky is a great amp and I love the sound of it.

Thank you again for your welcome and care.

Howard

[WideAwake]

I've got a Fender Blues Deluxe, and I find the OD channel to be a little underwhelming, and I don't care for the sound much. I run through the clean channel and use pedals for all my OD and distortion. It really depends on your amp, and if you dig the drive channel, really. Nothing wrong with just using pedals either.

[stephen]

Hey Wide Awake, welcome to the GPAWF!!!

Glad you found our little cyber-fellowship.

[refin]

I don't think there is a set formula.I've had good success with and without pedals for overdrive.To me,a good "clean" sound has a little haze or sting on the notes (think Brad Paisley/Brent Mason,that country type sound).Then goose it with an overdrive,and ride the volume knob.

[WideAwake]

Thanks, I followed the link under your name at the tele forum...nice site!

[stephen]

Hee-hee!

The TDPRI is a cool site. We just have a little more freedom to express our faith here.

Thank you for the compliment on the forum.