Which OD for Marshall-ish tones?

[jaxonmills]

I'm looking for a Marshall style OD for my Lonestar to be used primarily for rhythm playing. I'm using a 6v6 and el84 power tube setups. Channel one is setup for a fat semi-clean Fender type sound. Ch 2 is dirtier, more like a Vox AC30. Point being, neither channel is completely clean. I want a boost that has an amplike feel and sound and that works well with a slightly dirty amp.

Ive narrowed it down to the following, listed from cheapest to most expensive:

Barber LTD
Barber Direct Drive
Catalinbread Dirty Little Secret
Xotic BB Preamp
Lovepedal COT 50 Gold

I know the Barbers and the BB Preamp are popular amongst Lonestar owners. Anyone have any experience with the others? What do you guys think?

 

[ja22y]

zvex Box of Rock if you're looking for a JTM45 Marshallish.

 

[plan-x]

To continue with the "not listed pedals". The crunch box is a marshall in a box along with a Marshall......Guvnor. And yes the the Zvex Bor. The Barber DD gets into the list also. I never heard of the LTD as a Marshall type pedal. There's so many of them. I've had 2 different one's and they're an animal of their own. I personally didn't like the CB for lack of EQ versatiliy, or cutting the mix. Although it's really fun in the bedroom. It's got gain to boot. The Guvnor is one of those mass produced jobs. But it's better than a Boss and as good as any pedal in that category. I went with the DD, most amp like. Haven't tried the Bor, but hear it's a winner. As for the rest of your list....you'll need more feedback from some more guys, cuz I've never tried em.

 

[jaxonmills]

I'm no Marshall historian or anything so I might be mistaken somehow, but my favorite Marshall sounds come from the 50w SLP over a JTM45 or a JCM800.

Also, yeah I didn't really think of an LTD as a Marshall-in-a-box pedal. It's just that since my amp is already cooking somewhat I was thinking maybe the LTD could get me in that territory.

One more thing, not a fan of the Crunch Box. Sounded too over the top when I heard some dude gigging through one.

Thanks guys for your input. I'd like to hear some more opinions if anyone's got any.

 

[guitarman1956]

LTD is a "low gain" and does it very well. The best Marshall in a box, while in that price range is the Barber Direct Drive. If you can't get what you're after with that OD, look in the mirror my friend. Cause, its not the pedal. Or, Buy a Marshall and be on that never ending journey.

 

[BoogieDown]

EHX English Muff'n?

 

[Telemaster]

Get a Toadworks John Bull Mk2. it nails it. That's what I use with my LSC for Marshall tones.

 

[Leroy the Massochist]

I have the Crunch Box and yes it is really only good for really cranked gain, I run it with volume at about 8 o clock and gain at 8 o clock and it is massive on the clean channel, initially I thought there was something wrong with the pedal it is so over the top.

Xotic BB does not sound like a Marshall to my ears. Are you after Metallica Kill Em All Marshall, Johnny A Marshall, John Abercrombie Marshal, Hendrix or ACDC Marshall? They are all pretty different.

Lovepedal Purple Haze sounds pretty awesome on their website.

Interested to hear anyone that knows a pedal to get that clean ACDC overdrive like on their new album.

Perhaps an eq pedal may be a better option - I was able to emulate Cult Little Deveil sound last night on garage band using my LSS and garage bands eq, flicking between my recording and the Cult the difference is miniaml justs the difference in EL84 fast break on on the high notes where EL34 sounds cleaner - or perhaps you need to plug into a quad box?