Overdrive vs. Distortion

Cube 30? So that's pretty loud isn't it? I would look at the Radial Tonebone Plexitube, TriMode or Hot British. These pedals are a little more expensive than your average overdrive/distortion pedals but I think the features justify the price.

http://www.tonebone.com/

Wow, thanks for the great link...but I think I may not have much more then $120 because I think I may get some EMG's, which will set me back a bit, lol....

And a bit off topic, but should I even try instalilng them myself? lol.

You can buy EMGs as a harnessed set. Which would leave you little to do other than a few screws. Mind you it would also cost a bit more. If you're good at soldering and TAKE YOUR TIME it shouldn't be such a big ordeal. EMG's have a mated plug system which makes it a lot easier to solder together. Just unplug the wiring from the pickup and plug it back in once you're done soldering.

At any rate I'm a soldering hack and I managed to slap some new pickups and a coil tap into my guitar.

I haven't really soldered before, but my brother is really good at it....I guess I could get him to try it out, but at the place where i take my guitar lessons they could do it for a discount...I think it would be around $60 or less. I just don't wan't to screw them up!

tbh i dont know enough about effects to help you out in choosing od or distortion, but once you've decided go to the link below and consider either a modded ts7 (overdrive) or ds-1 (distortion)...i've heard amazing things about both and they're not that expensive

http://www.bodenhamer-electronics.com/

Well, if you want a Tubescreamer, but can't afford the outrageous price (TS9- $99, TS808-$170), try the Behringer TO800 Vintage Overdrive. This is a great pedal that sounds just as good (go to Harmony Central and read the reviews). It is not as durable being plastic, but if taken reasonably care of will last. I own one and it is one of the best pedals I've ever heard.

Behringer TO800

Here are some demos on YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UteVdAOsquU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vos1K8P_NE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joa9a7D8ZBw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G62WWki3gIE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZnUtmfw5Ys

You can spend lots more for a "name", but it won't sound any better than this pedal.

This is an overdrive pedal (not distotion) primarily designed to push the preamp section of a tube amp. I cannot guarantee it will sound as good through a solid state amp. Most of your pros like Metallica use tube amps, so you are not gonna nail their tone with a solid state no matter what you do. They use tube amps for a reason, tube amps have a soft clipping that is pleasing to the ear versus the more brittle, edgier clipping of a solid state amp. Even still, many Metal bands use solid state amps because they like this edgier sound.

Hmmm, thanks. I think I'll really decide on this after I think about if I'll buy myself a tube for christmas...Overdrive if thats my decision...otherwise, just a ds-1 or something.

Thanks

Hmmm, thanks. I think I'll really decide on this after I think about if I'll buy myself a tube for christmas...Overdrive if thats my decision...otherwise, just a ds-1 or something.

Thanks
Good idea on waiting till after you buy the tube. I want to do the same thing.

And the DS-1...that might be a good choice for a distortion but dude, look more into them. Dig deep on MF.com and Harmony Central. There are a lot more better pedals, I'll get a list together for you tomorrow. I have to go now.

Wow, thanks a bunch!

I'm willing to stick my neck out and say most metal acts go the digital route: their heavy, dynamicless tones are just perfect for modeling. Having said that you really dont need a pedal for metallica sounds on your cube, just set it up properly.