Overdriven/Distortion sound for Church?

revmcintyre · Newbie Alert Joined: 21 Apr 2003 Posts: 3

Hi guys, I'm new to the forum. Sorry if this is long.

Genres of interest and influence: alternative, blues, country, country rock, folk, classic rock, indie.

Equipment: Mainly using a recent American Deluxe Power Telecaster. I own a couple Mesa boogie caliber series amps (.50+ and a .22). Get some decent clean tones from the little boogies.

We have a couple different worship teams at our little (upstart) church that will rotate weekends. One team is lead by a talented keyboardist that grew up in the Baptist church and does a lot of the old hymns that everyone is very familiar and comfortable with.

On our other team we like to keep an eye on some of the newer worship music that is emerging, and introduce the things we like to our church. Vineyard has a lot of good music lately. The Vineyard UK's Hungry CD is one example of a disk we liked a lot. Vineyard USA has a disk called Holy that we will be doing some songs from. We actually do a wide variety of music.

Most of the music I do in church requires clean tones, but for some of the fast songs I need to throw some dirt on there. I am stretching our dear pastor (musically) just a little when I do this, bless her heart. My problem is that I need to switch between a clean sound and an overdriven/distorted sound that isn't too raw for them (pastor/congregation) to digest. The lead channel of the Boogie is right on the edge, even with the lead master turned down.

I'm thinking about getting a pedal to use. I have heard good things about the Voodoo Labs Sparkle Drive pedal. Robert Keeley says their compressor is quiet enough to put after the overdrive pedal. I'm thinking this might make for a smoother distorted sound. A Tube Screamer seems to be very smooth sound although it is quite mid-rangy and the boogies are already mid-rangy. Boss Blues driver may be a little more transparent but have a bit grittier sound. I love Larry Carlton's sound on his lead in Reelin' in the years.

Any one else have a similar challenge? Is anyone else experienced with a bunch of overdrive pedals? Any other suggestions I haven't thought of? I live north of Milwaukee, Wis., and don't have a place where I can personally try and compare a bunch of effects.

The other thing is at times I get together with some guys from work. We will do rock for charity events or small parties for friends. Some of the bands we cover are U2, Foo Fighters, Tonic, Lenny Kravitz, Toad the wet sprocket, Creed, STP, 3 Doors Down, 7Mary3, and Pearl Jam. Is this too much versatility to ask for? Might need to pruchase a couple pedals eventually?

If my priority was a smooth overdriven/distorted tone for praise and worship at church, what might be my best first purchase?

Regards

Bates15 · Moderator Joined: 19 Feb 2002 Posts: 1084

Wow. I had that problem to, years ago. I kicked in my Boss turbo distortion with the gain all the way up and the level to the max. Much to my surprise (it was WAY to loud hehehe) they loved it. It was a solo in a song we wrote years ago. I geuss you want some chrunch instead of fullblown overdrive/distortion.

The Ibanez ts9 is a great amp booster. if set to a low level the Ts9 will boost your peramp just a bit and give you some lovely overdrive/chrunch. Other pedals are out there. What is the budget? you might even want to try a valve preamp pedal, like the Hughes & Ketner, the Koch or the V-twin pedal (mesa). Proco Rat is also very good.

Do you have a gitar store arround were you could try some pedals?

Let me know what you choose.

Bates15 · Moderator Joined: 19 Feb 2002 Posts: 1084

Bluburst 135 · Not So Newbie Joined: 11 Jun 2003 Posts: 9

I can't believe that you need MORE gain than you already have!! Mesa Boogies are heavy with gain, especially the 50 Cal. My friend owns a "souped-up" 22Cal+, and it'll rip yer head clean off. His Dad plays 50cal w/Ibanez ts9,perfect combo for pure tone.

malevolentsparkle · Posted: Tue Nov 30, 2004 4:18 pm Post subject:

if its transparent you want, see if you can get hold of a hotcake- incredibly transparent tubeish destortion. made by crowthier audio in New Zealand. they are availible in the USA in some stores i believe, otherwise you'll have to mail order it.

fret · Posted: Sun Dec 19, 2004 12:40 am Post subject:

I really like to use guitars with 2 humbuckers and I use the middle switch position. This gives a nice smooth and warm distortion without too much bite. Then I use as little gain as I can.