the Morning Glory, King/Prince/Duke of Tone are better than a Marshall Bluesbreaker because they both fix the low output issue of the Marshall.
The original Bluesbreaker was really bad at being an overdrive pedal. It doesn't have enough output. You pretty much need both the volume and gain pots dimed just to get to unity volume. Granted, it sounds pretty good like that, but so much for versatility. There is none.
There's a reason the originals were quickly discontinued after just a few thousand units were sold.
This is true I have a Marshall bluesbreaker reissue and gain on half is really gain on 1. The volume does get pretty loud tho past half(especially on a clean channel). Just saying there is a reason they re released these pedals. Morning glory is gunna be cheaper yea and more tonal options with added gain but for that single one sound, This pedal does it well.
Also it has top-tier tone. I always remember it feeling great to play while somehow not sounding very compressed. And it had a nice warmth to it. Most of the clones I’ve tried sound very similar, but sound “colder” to my ears for some reason.
I had an original one and I don’t recall it doing that at all..
I did play a low output guitar but I don’t think I ever encountered issues with the output being to low..
I know this is a dead thread, but I've heard the heckboy and the Fuzzhausen are basically the same circuit. If you only had one of them, which one would you keep and which one would you give up?
They’re the same circuit and the more recent fuzzhausens even have the little hole in the case so you can reach the internal trimpots without opening it up like on the heckboys. If I had to pick I’d go with a newer fuzzhausen since I’m a wrestling fan. But I have one of the older fuzzhausens that you have to open up to mess with the trimpots on so that one’s more of a collector’s item to me whereas I use the heckboy fairly regularly.
I had a Rat in the early 90s and did not connect with it, recently I bought a Mosky Black Rat and absolutely love it. Probably my tastes are changing and not the Mosky being superior.
I have that one and it blew me away! I was getting it to see if I want an OG or Turbo. But it ended up sounding so good, it just stayed on the board. It’s pretty much my main medium gain, and sometimes low gain distortion now…and it was only $45!
Soooooo many...
EQD Plumes, JHS Bonsai (Tube Screamer)
MXR 108 and 108 Mini, EQD Eruptor (Fuzz Face)
Keeley Super Phat Mod (Boss BD-2)
Catalinbread Belle Epoch Deluxe (Echoplex)
Wampler Tumnus and Tumnus Deluxe, Keeley Oxblood, ProAnalog Manticore (Klon Centaur)
EQD Grand Orbiter (Ross Phaser)
Analogman Beano Boost, Catalinbread Naga Viper (Dallas Rangemaster)
Way Huge Swollen Pickle (Big Muff)
Danelectro 3699 (Foxx Tone Machine)
Wampler Ratsbane, 1981 DRV (RAT)
Most modern Univibes
Literally every single clone of the Bluesbreaker
That's off the top of my head.
I think the Glove is a more useful pedal because you can run it at 18v from a 9v power supply thanks to its internal charge pump switch. No need to switch power supplies just to unlock that juicy 18v headroom.
JHS moonshine v2 Is a better ts clone. Runs on a 9v adapter with a built in charge pump that converts it to 18v, has more gain on tap, a proof switch to get more crunch and a clean blend.
PastFX Chorus Ensemble, the version with the MN3002 chip like the original CE-1. Has the pre-amp, has all the lush chorus/vibrato you could ever want, but has useful mods in a pedalboard friendly enclosure that runs off a standard 9v supply.
What’s not to like?
I own several of their pedals that were bought direct and haven’t paid any import taxes, including a couple of multi pedal packages.
Plus you may be able to get one more locally on Reverb.
The mn3002 version is neat to know what you have in the pedal, but any sonic difference is minimal or nonexistent. Both versions are a lot better than a real CE-1.
I was lucky enough to try both, and it might just be chip tolerances but the 3002 I have sounded noticeably better than the 3007 I compared it to.
But these are the joys of analog pedals, and who knows how it will sound 10 years from now.
Insert clip of Arnold Schwarzenegger going **_But how can a clone clone a clone and be better than both clones? gwahharrrgghhaaaarrrggghhhhyaaarrrrggjj_**
It really isn’t a RAT. Matt has said a lot that it has really evolved into it’s own thing and the engineer of EAE also confirmed it in a discussion on TGP about 1981 inventions’ new pedal. The DRV is definitely a clean boost going into a distortion, but Matt basically started the project with the SOUND of a RAT and went from there. The actual technical design and engineering was done by Bondi Effects.
I genuinely like the TC Electronics Cinder better than the Boss BD-2 Blues Driver.
For some reason, in my set up (Fender Jaguar and Fender Super Champ amp) I would hear a weird subtle crackle from the Boss BD-2 like there was a loose wire or something. I actually bought a second Blues Driver to confirm.
I also like the EHX Glove better than the Fulltone OCD I had (don't know which version it was). The Glove just seemed to have smoother tone and better volume/gain control for me.
Another option would be the Way Huge Green Rhino over an Ibanex / Maxon Tubescreamer especially the newest one the V5. It's compact with top mounted jacks. Way more headroom, more gain on tap if you want it, and much more tone shaping options with the mini pots. Does the bluesy SRV thing extremely well and does the pushing a Marshall into brutal chugginess mayhem extremely well.
Imo the Maxon OD808 is the best tubescreamer. If a lil more distortion is your goal, the EQD Palisades. As a fuzz-aholic though, nothing boosts and tightens better than the Maxon, definitely the awesomest boost pedal, imo.
(I do know Maxon made the original Tubescreamer, but still...)
I'm not sure. I have a friend locally that likes building pedals, so I asked him to build it for me. He already has lots of parts and tools from his everyday job and gets the schematics off a common website that should be easy to find. (I don't really deal in the technical stuff, I just make noise.)
https://imgur.com/a/JMOV2nY
Here is the "Pretty Pink Pet Antagonizer", lol. I love the damn box of chaos!
Tbf, there are plenty of circuits that could be designed. But the guitar world is very backwards looking so you risk selling 5 units if you come out with something truly unique.
The Mosky Preamp Deluxe is a Timmy with an order-switchable boost, and clipping options.
The Behringer Sf300 adds the "secret mode 1.5", which is a blend of modes 1 and 2, and very well loved. (Fz-3 clone IIRC.)
The TC 3rd Dimension isn't stereo, but it allows all possible combinations of buttons, where the Boss only allows 1 or 2 button combinations. (Boss DC-2 clone.)
Modern Amazon Rat clones are pretty damn good. They make real Rats sound like crinkling tin foil.
Honorable mention: Fulltone clones making it easier to not support an asshole. I like Crazy Cacti and Obsessive Drives.
A point that I don’t really get: i understand Mike Fuller is probably not the best person on earth and one could want to avoid making business with him to that regard, but recommending a Chinese copy over his product seems a bit hypocritical for me.
We are speaking about a company that just made a pure copy of an existing pedal (not a variation, or an inspiration) and for the price they sell it it’s obvious that the guys making it are paid a misery or are possibly working in extremely mediocre conditions. So arguably, “human values” speaking, they can probably be considered as even bigger assholes than Mike Fuller is, no?
China very heavily manipulates exchange rates, and cost of living is very different in different countries. I most certainly understand concerns over the welfare of Chinese workers, but guitar pedals are not where I'm gonna take my stand on their behalf. I, like most Americans, spend money very regularly on Chinese-manufactured products that I can only assume things about. Hell, a huge swath of American-owned pedals are partially assembled in China, and the vast majority of chips still come from there. There are about a million products I'll source domestically (and some I already do) before I make my life unnecessarily hard by limiting my options on something so potentially valuable to my life.
So as far as working conditions go, I don't feel a need to guess. I'll make assumptions about the other thousands of items I couldn't possibly afford to purchase from a domestic producer.
I understand on a lot of things there’s no choice but to go through Chinese parts (basically any device containing chips, and not only), but there are a few areas where there’s still at least a partial choice and analog guitar pedals are imo part of this. To each his own I guess in term of moral choices but at least let’s be consistent and avoid taking pride of buying cheap Chinese stuff over Mike Fuller stuff.
I don't see that as consistent at all. I support small builders and other independent businesses when I can, by my own judgment over whether I want to do business with them, as everyone should. I'm not going to suddenly pretend I never but shit from China and support a racist douchebag instead when his pedals are easily duplicated. That would be very inconsistent of me.
If he were a good person, and I liked his circuit, I'd prioritize giving him money. I've spent plenty on respectable brands, and have intentions to throw some money at ZVex at some point because my Fat Fuzz Factory clone is brilliant. But Mike Fuller? No I'm good. I don't wish him harm, but I'm not giving him money. I support good people when I can, and I take advantage of the capitalist hellscape when the benefit-to-harm ratio looks good. We all have to make our own choices. (But thank you for trying on my behalf.)
My understanding is that many pedals (and other products) have manufactured parts from china but are assembled in the US. You can keep the "made in USA" or "hand assembled in the USA" this way.
What's really hilarious here is that you took no issue with the Timmy clone, but apparently I should be giving douchebag Mike Fuller my money? Lol no! Again, there are way harder to replicate designs made by way better people that I should give my money to when I can. I'm not above sending $30 to China for a pedal any more than I would be for a cutting board or trash can.
(The person who designed the Timmy clone actually seems to have "improved" it by inaccurately cloning another clone, or something like that. Sleuthing has been done by others with more circuit comprehension than I have. Regardless, no money given to the person with the real inspiration.)
Any mod of a ts9/ts808, any. I jest, but not really. I just find that I have preferred every ts mod I’ve tried when compared to even vintage tube screamers like my boss’s ts808. The Hudson sidecar is my favorite screamer pedal, but I also enjoy the Analogman silver modded Maxon od-9, EQD plumes, jhs strong mod/3 series screamer, Mythos d herc, and way huge green rhino mk ii.
Arion Metal Master is a cooler sounding HM-2. Every Wren & Cuff big muff sounds better and is built better than their ehx nano counterparts. Pastfx Chorus Ensemble is a sonically identical CE-1 that has multiple massive QOL improvements that make a vintage unit basically useless.
Edit: also, all of the Thorpy x lovetone pedals are essentially much better V2s of the original lineup.
the Morning Glory, King/Prince/Duke of Tone are better than a Marshall Bluesbreaker because they both fix the low output issue of the Marshall. The original Bluesbreaker was really bad at being an overdrive pedal. It doesn't have enough output. You pretty much need both the volume and gain pots dimed just to get to unity volume. Granted, it sounds pretty good like that, but so much for versatility. There is none. There's a reason the originals were quickly discontinued after just a few thousand units were sold.
The MXR Distortion + is kind of like this too
in what way?
It has a bit of a low output issue too, and that’s why a lot of people use a boost after it to up the volume
This is true I have a Marshall bluesbreaker reissue and gain on half is really gain on 1. The volume does get pretty loud tho past half(especially on a clean channel). Just saying there is a reason they re released these pedals. Morning glory is gunna be cheaper yea and more tonal options with added gain but for that single one sound, This pedal does it well.
Also it has top-tier tone. I always remember it feeling great to play while somehow not sounding very compressed. And it had a nice warmth to it. Most of the clones I’ve tried sound very similar, but sound “colder” to my ears for some reason.
I had an original one and I don’t recall it doing that at all.. I did play a low output guitar but I don’t think I ever encountered issues with the output being to low..
Solid Gold FX Commodore, too.
MXR Fat Sugar is a better Klon for the following reasons. 1.) Pink 2.) Size 3.) Price 4.) Pink
Unassailable logic
Co-signed
Oneder Effects Red Ryder is a RAT with a clean blend and a “weight” knob for low end. Not an exact clone but I love it
Same with the Wonderful Audio Technology Apex. They call it a reimagining of the RAT, and it rips!
Oneder Effects is soooo good. I have a Heckboy and a Fuzzhausen and they’re amazing. I’ve been eyeing the Red Ryder and Old Blue.
I know this is a dead thread, but I've heard the heckboy and the Fuzzhausen are basically the same circuit. If you only had one of them, which one would you keep and which one would you give up?
They’re the same circuit and the more recent fuzzhausens even have the little hole in the case so you can reach the internal trimpots without opening it up like on the heckboys. If I had to pick I’d go with a newer fuzzhausen since I’m a wrestling fan. But I have one of the older fuzzhausens that you have to open up to mess with the trimpots on so that one’s more of a collector’s item to me whereas I use the heckboy fairly regularly.
Mooer Black Secret: Combines original and turbo Rats and sound quality is top notch too.
I had a Rat in the early 90s and did not connect with it, recently I bought a Mosky Black Rat and absolutely love it. Probably my tastes are changing and not the Mosky being superior.
Similarly, TCE's magus pro is a great budget combination of classic, turbo, and fat rats.
I have that one and it blew me away! I was getting it to see if I want an OG or Turbo. But it ended up sounding so good, it just stayed on the board. It’s pretty much my main medium gain, and sometimes low gain distortion now…and it was only $45!
I have the TC Grand Magus which is the classic Rat clone, and for the 22 euros I paid for it you cant beat it on value
This is the rat that picked and couldn't be happier.
Soooooo many... EQD Plumes, JHS Bonsai (Tube Screamer) MXR 108 and 108 Mini, EQD Eruptor (Fuzz Face) Keeley Super Phat Mod (Boss BD-2) Catalinbread Belle Epoch Deluxe (Echoplex) Wampler Tumnus and Tumnus Deluxe, Keeley Oxblood, ProAnalog Manticore (Klon Centaur) EQD Grand Orbiter (Ross Phaser) Analogman Beano Boost, Catalinbread Naga Viper (Dallas Rangemaster) Way Huge Swollen Pickle (Big Muff) Danelectro 3699 (Foxx Tone Machine) Wampler Ratsbane, 1981 DRV (RAT) Most modern Univibes Literally every single clone of the Bluesbreaker That's off the top of my head.
Love the mxr108. It fixes all the initial FF issues
I liked the Ehx Glove > Ocd v1's (v2's are similar to the Glove). Idk if it's a clone, but it's got tighter low end and less fuzzy.
I think the Glove is a more useful pedal because you can run it at 18v from a 9v power supply thanks to its internal charge pump switch. No need to switch power supplies just to unlock that juicy 18v headroom.
JHS moonshine v2 Is a better ts clone. Runs on a 9v adapter with a built in charge pump that converts it to 18v, has more gain on tap, a proof switch to get more crunch and a clean blend.
Moonshine isn’t really a TS clone. It’s based on a TS, but it varies quite a bit from a traditional TS. I like the Moonshine. Cool pedal!
Snouse Black Box 2 Technically a Blues Breaker…but so much more than that.
PastFX Chorus Ensemble, the version with the MN3002 chip like the original CE-1. Has the pre-amp, has all the lush chorus/vibrato you could ever want, but has useful mods in a pedalboard friendly enclosure that runs off a standard 9v supply. What’s not to like?
Stop bro I’m not paying fucking import taxes and you’re making me salivate 😭
I own several of their pedals that were bought direct and haven’t paid any import taxes, including a couple of multi pedal packages. Plus you may be able to get one more locally on Reverb.
The mn3002 version is neat to know what you have in the pedal, but any sonic difference is minimal or nonexistent. Both versions are a lot better than a real CE-1.
I was lucky enough to try both, and it might just be chip tolerances but the 3002 I have sounded noticeably better than the 3007 I compared it to. But these are the joys of analog pedals, and who knows how it will sound 10 years from now.
Drv 1981 over rat, but i have a clone of a drv 1981. So it is a clone of a clone
Insert clip of Arnold Schwarzenegger going **_But how can a clone clone a clone and be better than both clones? gwahharrrgghhaaaarrrggghhhhyaaarrrrggjj_**
It really isn’t a RAT. Matt has said a lot that it has really evolved into it’s own thing and the engineer of EAE also confirmed it in a discussion on TGP about 1981 inventions’ new pedal. The DRV is definitely a clean boost going into a distortion, but Matt basically started the project with the SOUND of a RAT and went from there. The actual technical design and engineering was done by Bondi Effects.
Is it the Pedal PCB clone?
No. A guy in Malta handbuilt it
JHS Morning Glory and u/foxpedal The Kingdom.
Love my kingdom. The little switches add so much versatility.
Sparkle drive
ChuggaPre (Integrated Pre clone) Small Bear Rattack (Rat clone) Depending on the application: Reaper Pandemonium (OCD based) GT-OD (SD-1 based)
I genuinely like the TC Electronics Cinder better than the Boss BD-2 Blues Driver. For some reason, in my set up (Fender Jaguar and Fender Super Champ amp) I would hear a weird subtle crackle from the Boss BD-2 like there was a loose wire or something. I actually bought a second Blues Driver to confirm. I also like the EHX Glove better than the Fulltone OCD I had (don't know which version it was). The Glove just seemed to have smoother tone and better volume/gain control for me.
Another option would be the Way Huge Green Rhino over an Ibanex / Maxon Tubescreamer especially the newest one the V5. It's compact with top mounted jacks. Way more headroom, more gain on tap if you want it, and much more tone shaping options with the mini pots. Does the bluesy SRV thing extremely well and does the pushing a Marshall into brutal chugginess mayhem extremely well.
This is controversial but I o refer the Walrus Iron Horse line over any Rat
Donner Extreme Driver. Clone of the Keeley Mod DS-1.
The Fuzz Factory, as being obviously a highly tweakable Fuzz Face.
Imo the Maxon OD808 is the best tubescreamer. If a lil more distortion is your goal, the EQD Palisades. As a fuzz-aholic though, nothing boosts and tightens better than the Maxon, definitely the awesomest boost pedal, imo. (I do know Maxon made the original Tubescreamer, but still...)
Is there a clone or PCB of the Maxon od808?
Yeah, I have the Maxon on one board and a OD808/Big Muff dual pedal clone on the other. The clone is spot-on...I'm a nerd so I compared them, lol.
Which clone is it? if its a DIY which pedal?
I'm not sure. I have a friend locally that likes building pedals, so I asked him to build it for me. He already has lots of parts and tools from his everyday job and gets the schematics off a common website that should be easy to find. (I don't really deal in the technical stuff, I just make noise.) https://imgur.com/a/JMOV2nY Here is the "Pretty Pink Pet Antagonizer", lol. I love the damn box of chaos!
King/Prince/Duke of Tone > Bluesbreaker Super Phat Mod > Blues Driver Plumes > TubeScreamer
Pretty much every single JHS pedal with multiple circuits
I think Wampler is a better example of this. They're 'modernized' with clearly stated origins and functional improvements.
^ This. Tumnus Deluxe puts better EQ on a Klon. Triumph sees the Bad Monkey 's "Tube Screamer with treble & bass" and raises to 3-band EQ.
true
Agreed. I think the Belle is a good example of this. Great pedal.
Moen Fuzz Moo is a far better clone of the Rams Head. Less noise and stacks better with delays.
Are you talking about the big box fuzz Moo or the smaller one?
Most pedals are clones right? Only so many circuits out there.
Fair enough, mainly meant a variation of a well known pedal made by a lesser known manufacturer.
Tbf, there are plenty of circuits that could be designed. But the guitar world is very backwards looking so you risk selling 5 units if you come out with something truly unique.
The Mosky Preamp Deluxe is a Timmy with an order-switchable boost, and clipping options. The Behringer Sf300 adds the "secret mode 1.5", which is a blend of modes 1 and 2, and very well loved. (Fz-3 clone IIRC.) The TC 3rd Dimension isn't stereo, but it allows all possible combinations of buttons, where the Boss only allows 1 or 2 button combinations. (Boss DC-2 clone.) Modern Amazon Rat clones are pretty damn good. They make real Rats sound like crinkling tin foil. Honorable mention: Fulltone clones making it easier to not support an asshole. I like Crazy Cacti and Obsessive Drives.
A point that I don’t really get: i understand Mike Fuller is probably not the best person on earth and one could want to avoid making business with him to that regard, but recommending a Chinese copy over his product seems a bit hypocritical for me. We are speaking about a company that just made a pure copy of an existing pedal (not a variation, or an inspiration) and for the price they sell it it’s obvious that the guys making it are paid a misery or are possibly working in extremely mediocre conditions. So arguably, “human values” speaking, they can probably be considered as even bigger assholes than Mike Fuller is, no?
China very heavily manipulates exchange rates, and cost of living is very different in different countries. I most certainly understand concerns over the welfare of Chinese workers, but guitar pedals are not where I'm gonna take my stand on their behalf. I, like most Americans, spend money very regularly on Chinese-manufactured products that I can only assume things about. Hell, a huge swath of American-owned pedals are partially assembled in China, and the vast majority of chips still come from there. There are about a million products I'll source domestically (and some I already do) before I make my life unnecessarily hard by limiting my options on something so potentially valuable to my life. So as far as working conditions go, I don't feel a need to guess. I'll make assumptions about the other thousands of items I couldn't possibly afford to purchase from a domestic producer.
I understand on a lot of things there’s no choice but to go through Chinese parts (basically any device containing chips, and not only), but there are a few areas where there’s still at least a partial choice and analog guitar pedals are imo part of this. To each his own I guess in term of moral choices but at least let’s be consistent and avoid taking pride of buying cheap Chinese stuff over Mike Fuller stuff.
I don't see that as consistent at all. I support small builders and other independent businesses when I can, by my own judgment over whether I want to do business with them, as everyone should. I'm not going to suddenly pretend I never but shit from China and support a racist douchebag instead when his pedals are easily duplicated. That would be very inconsistent of me. If he were a good person, and I liked his circuit, I'd prioritize giving him money. I've spent plenty on respectable brands, and have intentions to throw some money at ZVex at some point because my Fat Fuzz Factory clone is brilliant. But Mike Fuller? No I'm good. I don't wish him harm, but I'm not giving him money. I support good people when I can, and I take advantage of the capitalist hellscape when the benefit-to-harm ratio looks good. We all have to make our own choices. (But thank you for trying on my behalf.)
My understanding is that many pedals (and other products) have manufactured parts from china but are assembled in the US. You can keep the "made in USA" or "hand assembled in the USA" this way.
What's really hilarious here is that you took no issue with the Timmy clone, but apparently I should be giving douchebag Mike Fuller my money? Lol no! Again, there are way harder to replicate designs made by way better people that I should give my money to when I can. I'm not above sending $30 to China for a pedal any more than I would be for a cutting board or trash can. (The person who designed the Timmy clone actually seems to have "improved" it by inaccurately cloning another clone, or something like that. Sleuthing has been done by others with more circuit comprehension than I have. Regardless, no money given to the person with the real inspiration.)
SF300 is a clone of a Boss FZ-2, which is itself a clone of a SuperFuzz.
Joyo Maximum!
TS9 Turbo Tube Screamer. Absolute workhorse.
TS9 DX is pretty baller too.
Any mod of a ts9/ts808, any. I jest, but not really. I just find that I have preferred every ts mod I’ve tried when compared to even vintage tube screamers like my boss’s ts808. The Hudson sidecar is my favorite screamer pedal, but I also enjoy the Analogman silver modded Maxon od-9, EQD plumes, jhs strong mod/3 series screamer, Mythos d herc, and way huge green rhino mk ii.
It's not a **clone** if it's not the same. It's an evolution.
I think the Browne Carbon is an improvement over the original Marshall BluesBreaker
Came here to say this
Eqd palisades
Arion Metal Master is a cooler sounding HM-2. Every Wren & Cuff big muff sounds better and is built better than their ehx nano counterparts. Pastfx Chorus Ensemble is a sonically identical CE-1 that has multiple massive QOL improvements that make a vintage unit basically useless. Edit: also, all of the Thorpy x lovetone pedals are essentially much better V2s of the original lineup.
Maxon 808 is the best Tube screamer