Overdrive pedal for a Polytone?

**rmpmcdermott** · 05-03-2019, 09:58 AM

Wondering if any of you Polytone players have recommendations for an overdrive pedal that will pair well with it.

I bought the Polytone to play clean, atmospheric stuff and it works wonderfully for that. But in case I get the itch to add a little grit to my tone, what would you all recommend?

I've owned tons of OD pedals, but mostly played them through tube amps, so I'm not sure what to do with the Polytone, especially considering the distinct tone it has on its own.

**mr. beaumont** · 05-03-2019, 10:22 AM

For a little grit, I really like the Tech 21 Blonde, which is really a preamp with EQ, not just a dirtbox. I use it to make my solid state amps sound more like a Fender tube amp right on "the edge," where my harder hit notes break up and my softer notes stay clean.

Easily the most useful pedal I've ever purchased.

**rmpmcdermott** · 05-03-2019, 10:29 AM

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

For a little grit, I really like the Tech 21 Blonde, which is really a preamp with EQ, not just a dirtbox. I use it to make my solid state amps sound more like a Fender tube amp right on "the edge," where my harder hit notes break up and my softer notes stay clean.

Easily the most useful pedal I've ever purchased.

Nice! This sounds like exactly what I'm looking for.

**John A.** · 05-03-2019, 11:47 AM

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

For a little grit, I really like the Tech 21 Blonde, which is really a preamp with EQ, not just a dirtbox. I use it to make my solid state amps sound more like a Fender tube amp right on "the edge," where my harder hit notes break up and my softer notes stay clean.

Easily the most useful pedal I've ever purchased.

How is the Tech 21 Blonde as a dirt box, though? Does it as much distortion/OD as something like a dedicated overdrive pedal?

John

**mr. beaumont** · 05-03-2019, 11:51 AM

You can push it into that "cranked champ" territory, but I wouldn't call it a "distortion" pedal.

I'll make a video tonight if I can. Sounds like a fun thing to do.

**mad dog** · 05-03-2019, 12:59 PM

My favorite drive with the Polytone MB II is the same one that works so well with almost every other amp I've played: a Tim pedal from Paul Cochrane. Set for mild clean boost, low on the gain knob. The reductive EQ knobs are a big part of why this pedal is so good. You can essentially "voice" the input signal to suit the amp, guitar and p/us. (Paul's Timmy pedal is the same as the Tim clean boost side, but for a different (harder to control IMO) taper on the gain knob.)

The Tim has a built in effects loop. I've been running a TC Electronics MojoMojo in that loop, experimenting with a little extra drive on top of the clean boost. Works well with the Polytone, depending on the guitar. Some pickups - such as the Franz P-90 type in my old Guild X50 - seem better with no extra drive, beyond mild clean boost. With regular P90 and HB hollowbodies, that extra drive from the MojoMojo can be interesting.

**rmpmcdermott** · 05-03-2019, 02:33 PM

Originally Posted by mad dog

My favorite drive with the Polytone MB II is the same one that works so well with almost every other amp I've played: a Tim pedal from Paul Cochrane. Set for mild clean boost, low on the gain knob. The reductive EQ knobs are a big part of why this pedal is so good. You can essentially "voice" the input signal to suit the amp, guitar and p/us. (Paul's Timmy pedal is the same as the Tim clean boost side, but for a different (harder to control IMO) taper on the gain knob.)

The Tim has a built in effects loop. I've been running a TC Electronics MojoMojo in that loop, experimenting with a little extra drive on top of the clean boost. Works well with the Polytone, depending on the guitar. Some pickups - such as the Franz P-90 type in my old Guild X50 - seem better with no extra drive, beyond mild clean boost. With regular P90 and HB hollowbodies, that extra drive from the MojoMojo can be interesting.

Great recommendation! I've used a Timmy, but never the full Tim pedal.

**David B** · 05-03-2019, 04:01 PM

The TC Electronic Mojo Mojo is popular on this forum with players who want a little bit of valve amp grit on their Polytones and Henriksens.

**rmpmcdermott** · 05-03-2019, 04:30 PM

Originally Posted by David B

The TC Electronic Mojo Mojo is popular on this forum with players who want a little bit of valve amp grit on their Polytones and Henriksens.

I'll check this out as well!

**medblues** · 05-03-2019, 04:46 PM

Others for comparison are Wampler Black 65 (no longer made) or Wampler Euphoria, Barb EQ (no longer made). Hotone Grass is tiny and cheap also.

**John A.** · 05-03-2019, 04:52 PM

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

You can push it into that "cranked champ" territory, but I wouldn't call it a "distortion" pedal.

I'll make a video tonight if I can. Sounds like a fun thing to do.

Looking forward to it.

To the OP, I'm always on the prowl for a different OD and have several, but I keep coming back to the same thing -- Fulltone OCD. I don't think I've tried it in front of a Polytone/Henriksen type of amp, but it has sounded good with everything else I've tried.

Johhn

**medblues** · 05-03-2019, 05:08 PM

Originally Posted by John A.

Looking forward to it.

To the OP, I'm always on the prowl for a different OD and have several, but I keep coming back to the same thing -- Fulltone OCD. I don't think I've tried it in front of a Polytone/Henriksen type of amp, but it has sounded good with everything else I've tried.

Johhn

Someone did:

**John A.** · 05-03-2019, 05:40 PM

Originally Posted by medblues

Someone did:

That sounds really good.

John

**pingu** · 05-03-2019, 07:49 PM

Wow .....

What are the two fridges doing on stage ?

**mr. beaumont** · 05-03-2019, 08:07 PM

Originally Posted by John A.

Looking forward to it.

To the OP, I'm always on the prowl for a different OD and have several, but I keep coming back to the same thing -- Fulltone OCD. I don't think I've tried it in front of a Polytone/Henriksen type of amp, but it has sounded good with everything else I've tried.

Johhn

I'll try and knock it out tomorrow. Came home late from work and we had company. And wine.

**jorgemg1984** · 05-03-2019, 08:12 PM

The Barb EQ is as clean as it gets, not recommended for that. Kurt Rosenwinkel's iconic tone was, for a long time, a RAT into a Polytone.

**Greentone** · 05-03-2019, 08:21 PM

I was going to recommend Rosenwinkel's rig.

**rmpmcdermott** · 05-03-2019, 09:35 PM

Oh, really? Rosenwinkel played that Rat into a Polytone? Didn't realize that!

**Stringswinger** · 05-04-2019, 12:29 AM

Originally Posted by rmpmcdermott

Oh, really? Rosenwinkel played that Rat into a Polytone? Didn't realize that!

Kurt uses a vintage Rat with the desired chip.

**rmpmcdermott** · 05-04-2019, 12:34 AM

Originally Posted by Stringswinger

Kurt uses a vintage Rat with the desired chip.

Yeah, the LM308 chip. In another life I had one. They're pretty awesome. I wasn't playing jazz, though!

**Jehu** · 05-04-2019, 02:48 AM

The Mooer Black Secret is practically identical to a vintage RAT... I think it even has the fabled LM308.

I don't have a Polytone, but I've been enjoying Mike Moreno's signature overdrive, the Codtone Bunyip. The maker describes it as "Timmy-ish, with a whiff of Klon", which is probably fairly accurate. It is also the coolest-looking pedal in pedaldom. This is actually an etching, not a paint job.

Overdrive pedal for a Polytone?-19985235_577335382655432_1903396262816776192_n-jpg

Overdrive pedal for a Polytone?-19985235_577335382655432_1903396262816776192_n-jpg

**medblues** · 05-04-2019, 05:19 AM

Originally Posted by Jehu

The Mooer Black Secret is practically identical to a vintage RAT... I think it even has the fabled LM308.

I don't have a Polytone, but I've been enjoying Mike Moreno's signature overdrive, the Codtone Bunyip. The maker describes it as "Timmy-ish, with a whiff of Klon", which is probably fairly accurate. It is also the coolest-looking pedal in pedaldom.

Custom made in Australia ?

**Jehu** · 05-04-2019, 06:46 AM

Originally Posted by medblues

Custom made in Australia ?

Yeah... I picked mine up in a trade. I'm sure he's up for orders, though.

**Jehu** · 05-04-2019, 08:13 AM

Incidentally (and no affiliation), Codtone has a Rat clone called the Rakali that includes a clean blend. I feel like that would definitely be of interest to Rosenwinklers.

This isn't just some dude in his mom''s basement. Well, it might be. But it's really high quality stuff.