The Steel Guitar Forum

I have recently used a Boss Blues Driver, with my lap steel for a few songs that needed that edge. It was just okay...

I also use a danelectro "Pastrami Overdrive" that I have in a little pedal board at church. It's pretty good and so cute!

On my main pedal board that I take on solo gigs, I have the Route 808 pedal that is my favorite overdrive so far. Lots of tone options.

And I just recently won an ebay auction for a boss super overdrive 1. I can't wait to check it out.

I play a lot of different styles, Country, Hawaiian, Jazz, Blues, Gospel. An it is nice to have the option to change the sound of my steel to fit the style. Especially when I play solo gigs and I am the only guy taking the leads...
Dom

I'm keen to hear what people use, too. I use a danelectro overdrive, purely because someone gave it to me. It's ok, but I'm sure there's something better out there. I've been thinking of getting a new overdrive or fuzz box, but the choice out there is completely overwhelming, and considering I use fuzz so sparingly, I don't have the inclination to lug my steel to a guitar store and try out different pedals. So, any recommendations? I'd give my left arm to get Sneaky Pete's fuzz tone, though I know he used a circuit of his own desgin.

I switch between a Nobels ODR-1 overdrive pedal and a Boss SD-1 Super Overdrive pedal. I like the Nobels quite a bit when played through my Fender Pro Junior. I switch depending on which amp I'm using.

I think the gold standard in overdrive pedals seems to be the Ibanez Tube Screamer. The Boss SD-1 is their version of it, from what I understand.

For lap steel I usually use the Cmatmods Super SignaDrive, it's the most dynamic and touch sensitive overdrive I've ever used. For the more heavy stuff I use their Black Plague pedal (basically built over a ProCo Rat distortion, but with more options).

The Zendrive is my current fave. I also like the Marshall Bluesbreaker and the Box of Rock. Amplike overdrives.

I second the motion on the Zendrive.

I've got a small collection of OD pedals, many of them self-built, I use them mostly with my Telecaster, but here are some I like with lap steel:

Barber LTD - the BEST low-gain overdrive pedal EVER - nothing, and I mean NOTHING comes close when trying to simulate an amp on the edge of break-up, particularly with single coil pickups on your guitar; great for adding just a little bit of dirt to you lap steel tone, as if you were playing one of those tiny old tube amps.

Subdecay Liquid Sunshine - very juicy, full (but not muddy), slightly compressed mid-gain OD sounds, great for "singing" solo sounds.

Nobels ODR1 (I actually use a self-built clone) - best for twangy low/mid-gain OD sounds, with lots of bite, very "in-your-face" without being buzzy/harsh.

On the bandstand - Semour Duncan Twin Tube Classic, I use it with my 6-string lap steels: a Supro and a no-name (with Jason Lollar Chicago PU). Been very happy with it.

Sometimes I use an old Boss OD-1 Overdrive. Most of the time, if I'm using one at all, it's the original Sansamp. It's very flexible and sounds better at stage levels than bedroom levels.

I personally like to use my homebrew overdrive that I call "the back seat driver" I'm usually frustrated with the lack of transparency in most of the overdrives I've played.

I second the Barber LTD very transparent and Blackstone Mosfet Overdrive 2 separate channels of very smooth distortion/overdrive.Kelvin

Hello,

Don't forget "TheTube Screamer" Ibanez, (one of the best pedal) !

I use an old one since many years...

Eddie "PYS".

My friend has a Fulltone OCD overdrive, probably the most responsive and natural sounding solid state OD pedal I've played thru.

In my normal rig, I run thru a Hughes & Kettner Tube Factor OD/dist pedal (tube overdrive, plus a distortion channel). I'd recommend it, but I believe it is no longer available. If I were to purchase a new OD pedal, I'd definitely go with the OCD.

Timmy for me -- sounds like an amp, great tone controls. I was using a MI Audio Blue Boy Deluxe, but I found that the TS-9 type sound doesn't work for the sound I want (although the BBD is an incredibly versatile TS-9).

I've two pedals on my board for overdrive/distortion, an old MXR and an OCD. I only use the MXR Distortion + for steel, set on full volume/no drive for just a bit of fuzz. The Fulltone OCD is just as good IMO, but I use it for drive/boost for guitar solo mostly.

Clete

I really like the Fulltone Distortion Pro. The Resonance and Voice knobs make it very flexible.

I feel kinda awkward saying it... but I have an effect processor board by VOX. It uses a tube and digital modeling. It sounds very, very good, warm (when you need it to) and has numerous overdrive/amp modeling options. VOX still makes these and they get good reviews. I have no complaints. It gets the job done as well as any boutique pedal I've ever used.

BYOC Overdrive 2. Great, variable overdrive pedal with a MOSFET boost button too.

I use a Visual Sound Route 66. It's the one with 2 effects in one: an excellent TS-8 style distortion plus a pretty useful compressor. The nice thing is there's a switch for both effects so you can choose either or both with a single foot stomp.

I run my Ricki 6-string through a Boss 59 Bassman pedal into an Epiphone Valve Senior head,plugged into two Epi 12 cabs. Creamy blues tone,plenty of volume for Bar-gigs.

I use either a Boss DS-1 or a Boss SD-1. Both are modded by Analogman. The DS-1 is more versatile for my uses but I like both.

Hello Dom,

At the risk of sounding a bit silly, I like the Pignose direct out to P.A. since it responds well to picking dynamics and cleans up by turning down.

That sounds like a great idea, Alexa!

My uncle Tim Brown makes them,(all by hand ) order through my website .