Best OD for the blue channel on a 5153?

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MetalThrasher

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What do you think is the best overall OD to be used as a boost for the blue channel on 5153? I've tried a few and it seems to me that 808 types seem to work better than the TS9 types. Curious to see what others recommend / used. To be specific, I'm using a 7-string tuned to wither B flat or A standard. Going for a good metal tone of course!
 
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MetalThrasher said:
Glad you posted this! I actually have one of your 808 Imperial's. That's actually the best sounding pedal that I've used so far with the 5153. How this this Scythe pedal compare to your 808 Imperial?
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totally different kind of beast ...... the Scythe is a VFE Focus clone .... youtube that .... it would be a lot easier than me trying to explain what it does ...

it's really really good ... it lets you sculpt a high gain tone quite effectively ....... the way the mix knob works is the key ... IMO anyway
 
Not trying to be a dick but sell it and buy an EL34 Iconic. I fought the 5153 forever and finally gave up. Just something about it that I hated. Tbs. I have also heard that they are biased cold from the factory. Try adjusting the bias. I wish I would have.
 
headlessdeadguy said:
Not trying to be a dick but sell it and buy an EL34 Iconic. I fought the 5153 forever and finally gave up. Just something about it that I hated. Tbs. I have also heard that they are biased cold from the factory. Try adjusting the bias. I wish I would have.
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I have a 5153 stealth and a 5153 EL34. Both are 50 watts, and they seem ok to me. I'll check the bias this week! What would be the recommended bias for both the 5153 stealth and EL34?
 
griff10672 said:
totally different kind of beast ...... the Scythe is a VFE Focus clone .... youtube that .... it would be a lot easier than me trying to explain what it does ...

it's really really good ... it lets you sculpt a high gain tone quite effectively ....... the way the mix knob works is the key ... IMO anyway
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Is this a more aggressive OD then the 808 Imperial? Not looking for a more aggressive OD (aka Precision Drive type OD).
 
In my experience, TS types work better for 5150's and SD1 types work better for Marshall's. That is my personal preference, but not the be all end all. Different flavors for different applications is the way I roll.

Also from my experience, expensive and fancy OD's are just flavors. Not better or worse than the standard SD1, 808, or TS9 for example. Have owned many, and after years of rabbit holing, pretty much only use a basic SD1 or original Koko to boost these days.
 
the Chiron is about the only boost i use these days, perfect to give the blue channel just that "little more" to make it perfect
 
MetalThrasher said:
Is this a more aggressive OD then the 808 Imperial? Not looking for a more aggressive OD (aka Precision Drive type OD).
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it's not really a OD ..... it's a really clean boost with high and low pass filters .... and a mix knob that acts like a crossfader ...
 
RaceU4her said:
the Chiron is about the only boost i use these days, perfect to give the blue channel just that "little more" to make it perfect
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that's exactly how I think about it when I use the Chiron ..... gives you just a little more of what you already have ....
 
So hard to say because it depends on my mood and the guitar I am playing. SD-1, 808, Green Rhino, TC Spark, Bad Monkey, etc...
 
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MetalThrasher said:
I have a 5153 stealth and a 5153 EL34. Both are 50 watts, and they seem ok to me. I'll check the bias this week! What would be the recommended bias for both the 5153 stealth and EL34?
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I never changed the bias on my 5153. Wish I had. If so I may still have it.
 
MetalThrasher said:
I just found my old SD 805 I'm going to try it tomorrow! Forgot about that pedal. Maybe that will work? I'll find out tomorrow.
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Run it at 18v. I didn’t like mine until I did. I know it sounds great with the Iconic. Haven’t tried it with the 6505+ yet. The Griffen Super Drive sounds great with every amp I’ve tried it with. May be worth a try.
 
My favorite boost for a 5150 is an EQ. Either a Boss GE-7 or the TC side of a Peppers Dirty Tree (Basically a TC Integrated Preamp).

My favorite OD for a 5150 is a RAT.
 
Mine sounds great with a Maxon OD808. My favorite overdrive. Sounds great with everything.
 
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