Recommend an low gain overdrive for a Vox Top-Boost amp (AC10)

Chuffola

I'm having some fun building a small pedalboard at the minute going into my Vox AC10C1

I recently picked up a Blues Driver from here which sounds great apart from the nasty decay on notes (particularly single notes, rather than chords) and a bit of research tells me that it may well be the top boost circuit in the amp. In short, many ODs don't play nicely with a Vox.

I don't want to spend a fortune, since I only really noodle at home and at relatively low volume, so would be grateful if someone could recommend a mid-price low gain overdrive that will work nicely.

If there's a Mooer clone (or similar), even better since I can buy a couple to test out.

The issue, if you're still reading, is that the BD2 leaves a fizzy decay - even with tone fully left and treble toned down on the amp. Anything that might work better?

djspecialist

I don't have a Vox, but my Snouse BB2 has a very natural decay and (while overall pretty flat EQ-wise) is very tweakable via the boost, tone and presence controls.

It's based on a Marshall Bluesbreaker (the pedal not the amp), so maybe a Mooer Blues Crab might be worth a try.

Winny_Pooh

This problem of decay is to do with the pedal rather than your amp. You could try a zendrive clone but the best non fizzy decaying drives (eg blackstone) are out of budget. 

Chuffola

Thanks @djspecialist - under consideration.

@Winny_Pooh - I've no reason to doubt you but I can't hear the same sort of fizz on any demos I've seen, presumed it was the interaction with the eq on the amp rather than the pedal. 

Winny_Pooh

If its into a clean amp then highly unlikely to be the amp. The sudden decay of most classic drives is a known thing at lower gain levels. 

Chuffola

Ah. That could well be it. 

Kebabkid

I just picked up the Fulltone Fulldrive 1 (Fulldrive 2 without the boost section and smaller in size) and it's got a great gain range but really excels in the lower gain part and of course, you have a choice of 3 settings.

I use mine with an EL84 amp and it's a good match 

Edit: for me, what sets this apart from a TS pedal is that it has the mids but they're not annoying mids or hard but that doesn't mean the pedal hasn't a focused sound or will not cut through. I also use an OCD with this amp and it sounds good but can be a little scooped.

susbemol

Any TS type of pedal with a mids control works really well in my opinion.

thermionic

I had a BD-2 and it sounded horrible through my Vox AC15. I think it was too scooped to work with the mid-range of the Vox. I used a Boss OD-1 into an AC30 in the past which sounded great, recently I’ve used an SD-1 and an OD-3 with my AC15 - both are good but the OD-3 is better at low volume. I also have an OCD clone which also works well with the Vox’s natural overdrive.

PeterOne

I have an AC10 and I really like how it sounds with my Saucy Box - much nicer than the SD1 I used to use. I don't tend to have the tone on the overdrive any higher than 10 o'clock. I think it works cause it's a full-range sort of overdrive rather than having a mid-bump or low roll-off, and the clean blend on it helps it not sound too compressed if the amp has a bit of drive already.

smudge_lad

Thorpyfx Peacekeeper which gives you a lot of control over the EQ, and can go from clean boost right up to decent amount of gain if required. I use it a lot with my BadCat Cub and it sounds amazing!

Chuffola

Thanks for all the help. 

I'm pretty sure it's the AC10 eq rather than the pedal. It really is very harsh - much harsher than any drive pedal I've had before, and it shouldn't be really. Tried it into a friend's HRD, set clean, and works really well with no fizz at all. 

@thermionic - interesting your BD2 didn't work well with the AC15 and the AC10 is a similar beast, I think. OD3 sounds like a plan - might give that a try - or even pick up a Mooer Hustle Drive as well which is, I think, an OCD clone.

Winny_Pooh

The OD3 is an updated variant of the BD2, a bit scooped too in the lower mids. Try a nobels odr-1 if you want a flat and smooth top end on a budget. It has a big low end but just might work on your setup. Have you tried your amp into a different cab?

Lebarque

Crowther Hotcake seems to be universally renowned for working brilliantly with Vox-style amps.

JMP220478

try this ... 

Chuffola

Cheers @JMP220478 - not sure how I missed this!  Will give it a watch tonight.

JMP220478

YW .. 

BoopDeWoop

My AC10 usually sounds fizzy at low volumes with drive pedals. This disappears at higher volumes, less useful at home as I find my ac10 way too loud. I just whack a big muff on and go from clean to destroy instead. 

Chuffola

Yes, I suspect that's probably the underlying reason. The BD2 sounds great, just got that unnatural fizzy decay that I'm sure ifI was playing louder, I wouldn't notice. And, actually, I thought a couple of the pedals in the Pedal Show vid above sounded a bit rough - they seemed to love 'em!  Maybe I'm just a sensitive soul. 

Having said that, fancy trying a few other pedals out to see. I have a Joyo Deluxe Crunch (MI Audio Crunch Box clone) for the higher gain distortion stuff and there's no fizz there at all. But it doesn't do the low gain thing at all well. 

Bluesbreaker-type / OD3 / OCD-type on the list!

randerson

Timmy pedal or a Hotcake

Chuffola

Just an update for anyone with the same issue. Got an OD-3 and it works a treat - sounds excellent, no fizz. 

The BD-2 sounds great through other amps, but not through the AC-10.