Amp clean channel + distortion pedals vs. multiple different amps

[Greazygeo]

1965 Blackface Fender Princeton Reverb…TS-9 into Boss Blues Driver. Going to try a JHS AT + next time. I still can’t get over how good this sounds. I play rock, fusion, funk etc.

 

[glassjaw7]

Bogner Red into a good clean channel is very good. SLO pedal, Friedman Smallbox, King Of Tone set to distortion mode are a few of my favorites.

 

[7704A]

Me and you are very similar in that we find a problem, no matter how small and look for a solution

Anything to avoid practicing. No way that'll help.

 

[glpg80]

1965 Blackface Fender Princeton Reverb…TS-9 into Boss Blues Driver. Going to try a JHS AT + next time. I still can’t get over how good this sounds. I play rock, fusion, funk etc.

I ran an MT-2 into a 65 fender twin reverb once after a quick recap for a friend that inherited it before he sold it and it sounded amazing.

 

[Greazygeo]

I ran an MT-2 into a 65 fender twin reverb once after a quick recap for a friend that inherited it before he sold it and it sounded amazing.

Interesting, never know what can work till you try it. Had quite a few Twins over the years, all silverface. Never keep them very long, so heavy! This Princeton somehow keeps up with the drummer and has a pretty fat tone. Could be 6v6’s, sounds surprisingly good. We have a 65 Deluxe Reverb I need to try sometime, like the size of the Princeton though.

 

[Dale B]

Do you occasionally/often use distortion pedal + clean channel in the amp, without adding any extra distortion from the amp itself? If you do, what pedals do you use for that and what type of music do you play/write?

I'm asking because I'm wondering how well one might be able to replace the idea of having multiple amps with having an amp with a clean channel + X amount of distortion pedals.

Not really. If I moved toward that type of setup this is what I would use:

A 50 and 100 watt Hiwatt type amp (Hiwatt, Reeves, Hi-Tone).
Way Huge Conspiracy Theory - edge of breakup type stuff
Maxon OD808 or another TS type pedal
Friedman BE pedal for Marshall dirties
EVH 5150 pedal for high gain
And one of the Heavy pedals by Empress for extreme stuff.

 

[CoreyW]

There is no one simple solution to answer the question in analog gear.

Different amps take different pedals differently.

That pedal show, has quiet a few older videos on pairing drives with different amp types that are well worth exploring.

The major problem with great amps, you really need to be able to open them up to really get the great sounds out of them, which creates its own problems for home recording.

I have a couple of good amps and a great pedal collection, and some of the best available load boxes, but I bought an Axe FX3 earlier this year and have been absolutely floored with it, and haven’t felt the need to play through anything else since I bought it. The convince, ease of use, amazing tones, and repeatability of it has turned me into a bit of a fan boy.

 

[7704A]

That pedal show, has quiet a few older videos on pairing drives with different amp types that are well worth exploring.

Their most recent one dealt with this, and was fantastic. Schwang was had, ears were hurt.