Overdrive pedal options and how I should connect it

[jch39]

I am playing through a Mesa Dual Rectifier with a slant 4x12 rectifier cabinet. I have not acheived the metal tone I am looking for, it's a bit too "crunchy" for me and not as "piercing" as I would like. I was told that I should add an overdrive pedal, and I was wondering if you have any advice or recommendations?

Also, I am not educated on the FX Loop and how/if I should use that for using footpedals I add to my Dual Rectifier. If someone could explain what the FX Loop is and how I connect/use this feature, that would be great.

Thanks!

 

[fatoni]

distortion should be out in front of the amp. if by piercing you mean that midrange that gives a guitar definition then maybe some sort of tube screamer or just an eq. when i think piercing i think rec and v30s so i dont know how much more piercing youre gonna get

 

[mr_fender]

Try an EQ pedal either in the loop or out front. Recto amps have so much gain to begin with. If you add a distortion or overdirve pedal, it may just get more mushy and thin. An EQ will likely add less noise compared to a OD or Distortion pedal too. That said, a tubescreamer could add a bit of mid-range cut to the sound without adding too much extra distortion. Try them both and see which one you like better. Also, Recto's are naturally darker sounding amps. You might try some different speakers too. I find the EVM12L to have fantastic clarity and cut, but it's heavy as hell though.