Overdriving a Fender?....

[UltraGary]

I recently scored a nice little Fender Blues Jr for a bedroom practice amp. (all tube 15watts through 1x12") As expected, the cleans on this amp are fantastic!
I've tried a few of my Overdrive/Distortion pedals to beef it up with absolutely no luck.
Does anyone have any advice on a Overdrive or Distortion pedal that works well pushing a Fender amp into sounds it isn't designed to get?
Any info is appreciated, Thanx!

 

[iplayloudly]

i have a RAT that i use with an old Bassman. it sounds decent for low gain. not amazing, but decent.

 

[Neuro]

IMO when you're pushing a low-wattage Fender, for best results, you want to push the amp just enough to get a little grit/sustain - just enough so the bass isn't farting out and whatnot. Then add a good overdrive (not distortion - Keeley Tubescreamer/OCD/RC Booster, etc.) and set the gain semi-low. EQ the amp + pedal to match each other, and you should get a great sound.

If you're looking for higher gain or anything, ignore everything I said because you probably won't get the best results w/ that amp...

 

[Neuro]

In my previous post, I didn't mean to rule out ANY "distortion" boxes, just those that really color your tone and sound like poo...

Also, if volume is an issue, try an attenuator - I've had great results w/ the Ultimate Attenuator and I use it live. It is a little on the expensive side though! I get a nice full/sustained tone this way, at any volume (depending on the attenuator), and it still sounds great. With any attenutator though, you'll lose some dynamics. Basically, you get what you pay for in regard to these. I should also add that the UA is known to be "safer" for your amp circuitry/tubes and whatnot.

Hope that helps

 

[stefvorcide]

I have a fender champ 30, and it's almost impossible to get good (metal) overdrive from it. The "overdriven" channel is hillarious, it's almost got less gain than the clean one... With a purple plexi 800 it sounds okay but not particulary convincing, and with an ENGL preamp in front it sounds alright, but forget to play leads

Keep in mind I put tungsol tubes, and I switched speaker (man-o-war) but the sound is still just too round.. I never liked 6L6 with gain tho.

I LOVE the 'verb tho, it's always dimed

 

[70strathead]

It really depends on what type of sound you are going for. I've heard a tube screamer with a Langraff mod sound amazing through a fstock ender, but its not a metal sound if thats what your looking for. Also the older tube/FET type pedals work nice as well...Maxon -880 , Ibanez tube king. The xotic BB preamp may also get u some sizzle as well.

 

[Anonymous]

I had a Keeley 3 way Rat that sounded really good with Fenders. I searched high and low for od's for Fenders and found only a few I really liked.

Here's a clip from SgtThump that I thought had one of the best OD tones with a Fender.

 

[Mokaccino]

I use my OCD (v4) and a Crowther Hotcake with my Hot Rod and I get compliments on my tone every night. It's not a "unique" tone but I cover everything top 40 stuff, classic rock, even some Metallica. My Hot Rod is the Special Edition with the V30 in it. It sounds damn good to me.

 

[Mudder]

I used a Radial Plexitube pedal for distortion with both the pro jr and Ampeg jet 20, both sounded great. To me you may as well set a Fender to clean and run all distortion with a pedal.

 

[degenaro]

In front of a clean amp I had good luck with the MI Audio Crunch Box.

 

[rsm]

I have a Fender Deco Tone, which is a Made in USA, Fender Custom Shop, Blues Jr. I use a TC Electronic Nova Drive with excellent results. I also use an EH Big Muff Pi with Tone Wicker for liquid/glass lead tones. My effects chain I run with my Deco Tone is in my sig.

The Nova Drive clips and vids don't show what this pedal can do. The OD side can be as transparent as you want, as you can blend your dry signal. I have mine set so it sounds like the Fender amp being overdriven naturally - it sounds like my amp. Same for the Dist side, just a bit more hair. It has more gain on tap than I need, though I'm not doing metal these days, and never did nu or modern metal, so I can't comment if it will get this level of gain?

AMS has them, where I got mine, and a good return policy (never used it though know someone who did for a bass amp). Worth a look IMO.