Most unique Distortion pedal

[Kadenray]

what in your opinion is the most original or at least a very unique distortion box? Vintage, Cheap, Boutique, whatever, as long as it is actually a distortion pedal, no Fuzz and no overdrive. so far a few I'm interested in, are the DOD Supra distortion, Boss HM2, Earthquaker devices Acapulco gold, DOD Boneshaker. I like altrock, "grunge" stoner, doom tones if that matters.

[marqueemoon]

Sonically it might not be what you're looking for, but Harmonic Percolator gets my vote.

[Kadenray]

well that's a fuzz. I'm talking strictly distortion pedals.

[marqueemoon]

Yep. Technically a fuzz.

For distortion I like the classic Rat sound best. I'm intrigued by the DOD Gunslinger but have not had a chance to try one. I like the glassy thing, but without silly amounts of gain.

There are many great sounding distortion circuits out there. Personally I just like a drive sound that works with my playing. It doesn't need to be a unique sound pe se. It's all been done before.

[rumfoord]

I love my Dr Scientist The Elements.

I've never played one, but the Malekko Sloika has always sounded interesting to me.
https://youtu.be/ov3xz20inlM?t=1m8s

Oh, they even say it's unique! (however,I'm sure it's not unique to claim that)

Sloika is a unique distortion pedal utilizing multiple bands of distortion to simulate multiple amplifiers set at different gain levels. Capable of very heavy distortion, the Sloika (like all Wolftone pedals) is extremely musical and very responsive to a player's dynamics.

Sloika is designed to create a transparent distortion allowing you to retain the sound of your guitar and amp. This pedal will not mask your equipment's tone. Single or humbucking pickups are still clearly heard and articulated and you can easily modulate between light or heavy distortion using picking dynamics. Very sensitive to input levels, Sloika allows you to control the amount of distortion from your guitar.

Want a clean sound? Just back off the guitar's volume. Searing distortion is just a matter of playing harder or cranking the guitar volume. And Sloika enables a seamless transition from distortion into clean when you play a full chord and let it sustain.

The Sloika is a combination of 8 parallel distortion bands. The interaction between the Drive and Saturate settings determines how these bands effect your sound. To really hear the strengths of this pedal, use a loud, clean amp.

I've never played this either, but the TightRock seems unique (effects loop and "tight' knob):
http://www.amptweaker.com/page/TightRoc ... er-50.aspx

[sessylU]

Grumbly Wolf?

[Shadoweclipse13]

https://youtu.be/5OFnDnHLrbk

This, just for the sake of what went into designing it. Sounds good, but nothing earth shattering.

[daemon]

Boss MZ-2. You can hook it up to two amps and it has a slight delay mode that makes it sound more expansive.

[Jaguar018]

What about the WMD Geiger Counter?

[jorri]

https://youtu.be/5OFnDnHLrbk

This, just for the sake of what went into designing it. Sounds good, but nothing earth shattering.

Yeh, i wonder if all that technology just simply creates a diode that is just a bit different than silicon or germanium ones.

Another use of alternative tech (in this case not new) is the Bogner Burnley. I like the idea but again surprisingly normal sounding... If i'm cooking transformers i'd want to sound like i'm overloading a desk I guess.

When I think of uniwue distortion I immediately think 'fuzz'...as kind of the definition of a unique distortion. Otherwise i think more unique sounds can be gotten by stacking and playing with things like EQs before with relatively cheap pedals that gets you much further than novel gimmick tech....Stoners/doomers use fuzz, if they have distortion its stacked with other pedals or pushing an amp to basically create fuzz-like amp overdrive...imo get a fuzz!

[Shadoweclipse13]

https://youtu.be/5OFnDnHLrbk

This, just for the sake of what went into designing it. Sounds good, but nothing earth shattering.

Yeh, i wonder if all that technology just simply creates a diode that is just a bit different than silicon or germanium ones.

I kinda wonder the same. The technology is really cool, but I didn't think it sounded all that different from a lot of other boxes either...

[somanytoys]

That Dr. Scientist seems pretty cool, I'd like to check it out, but I probably won't be buying it.

I have a VFE Triiumvirate that also uses a different type of clipping for each band (mosfet=low, led=mids, silicon=high), with each band separately controllable by gain & volume. It also has a few trimpots inside for more control, if you're a tweaker or just want to change the sound for your specific gear. I don't know how it compares to the Dr. Scientist, but I think it's my most unique overdrive so far. VFE made some really nice pedals, I have quite a few of them and I'm happy with all of them.

*edit: for those that like to (and can) build their own, I noticed that VFE has the schematics for their discontinued pedals available on their website, in case anyone is interested: http://vfepedals.com/discontinued.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Kadenray]

Some good replies in here, keep em coming. I dont need a fuzz pedal, I have a fuzz pedal. I don't NEED a distortion pedal really, but this is more about fun and finding new tones. keep em coming Y'all.

[Kadenray]

hasn't it been confirmed that the RAT is actually a fuzz circuit?

[Kadenray]

Remember guys, distortion pedals only, no overdrives. Overdrives are awesome, but i already have an awesome overdrive.