Chabenda
Even the Tube Screamers have different characteristics. I had a '90's Classic that was (IMO) fantastic with regards to the amount of drive that it gave. Someone relieved me of it one night and I had to replace it with an early '80's unit. The My older unit doesn't have the same amount of overdrive that the Classic had. I'd love another one!!
Greg
I'm actually delving into this drive thing at the moment.
I originally bought a Jeckyl and Hyde TS9 + Distortion Combo which I used for a long time but have since really fallen out of love with.
I now use an EHX English Muffin valve distortion. It sounds great on british amps but harsh on american ones. Incredibly touch sensitive and amp-like but it uses its own PSU and it's HUGE!
I just ordered a JHS Morning Glory and a JHS Superbolt which I expect to arrive early but my main idea is to have two "unique" sounding pedals that I'll blend with my slightly unusual preference of guitars and sounds.
I don't use Tube Screamers and at this particular point, I don't really want one. They're very versatile but the sound is just too recognizable for me. One thing they are VERY good at is helping you cut through the mix.
Distortion might give you the TONE you are looking for but the TubeScreamer will help you cut through the mix.
Often metal guitarists slap the Metal Zone on and pay no attention to the mids required to be heard.
Maybe the HM before the TS? get the majority of your tone from the HM and then use the TS to EQ, it was suggested previously and I think it's the best option.
THe HM has been made famous by Swedish metal bands. Can't recall the name but I remember one band building their entire sound on vintage HMs.
Bottom line is, how BRUTAL are you wanting to go?
My 2 cents.
Hammeron
Ok.
Define BRUTAL and I mean BRUTAL not just BRUTAL like.
And throw in some non Youtube examples.
Ta.
Eldred
That's exactly what I said previously. Don't get stuck with a Metal or Heavy Dist pedal and you disappear in the mix. You need something to cut through the mix ESPECIALLY when you are cranking the gain up all the way. That's why I got the TS. It's able to boost different frequencies of any preceding pedal...
Airguitar
I'd say if you're looking for a lot of tonal versatility and very controllable gain the Metal Zone is absolutely unbeatable. I'm not a Metal player and am no fan of the typical "scooped " sound. I played thru the MT2 and was knocked out by how many different tones the pedal was capable of producing.
