Can someone tell me, in detail the difference between the three? And also, what is boosting in detail? Thanks.

By the 50s, rock 'n' roll guitarists discovered that, by pushing the amp to its max (Read : Turn the volume knob to 11), the amplified sound would sort of clip. However this clipping was much favoured by guitarists as the valve/tube tends to produce a sweet sound even after clipping. As amplifier technology continues to improve, guitarists started getting amp distortion that has more gain.

The problem is, to get that natural distortion, you have turn your amp up to 11, which is extremely loud if you have a 100-watt plexi into 2 4x12 cabs! So stompbox manufacturer starts inventing pedals that emulates this natural distortion/overdrive sound at a much human level. However when the first pedals were made in the 60s, it didn't nail the sound of an overdriven amp completely. It wasn't a failure though, as it became what is known as fuzz pedals today. Fuzz pedals does what the name says... fuzz! The sound's very fuzzy, highly distorted and sometimes muddy. Hendrix was one of the famous fuzz users, check out his live gigs or Purple Haze for that famous fuzz face sound. Today, there're various fuzz pedals around, from the classic germanium fuzz to the modern fuzz that are used by various metal bands.

Now for overdrive. eventually the manufacturers nailed (Or almost) the overdriven amp sounds. This is where overdrive/OD pedals come in. Generally when plugged into a clean amp, OD pedals don't bring much gain/clipping to the sound. So, guitarists prefer to use them with an already overdriven amp, either to provide more gain or as a solo booster, or both.

Distortion pedals are only a bit different from OD pedals as they provide more gain and less transparent. They're sound best when plugged into a clean amp. You can hear the classic Boss DS-1 on nirvana's Smells Like Teen Spirit.

Hope that detailed enough for you.

u can check out some website ... such as the behringer, boss ... got to their effects pedal / stompbox...listen to them

Led_Zep pretty much nailed it....... we should have this as a sticky or something...... too many people asking the same questions.... maybe we should elaborate in what brand offers what..... I'll make a short list of MXR/Jim Dunlop products...... feel free to add

MXR/Jim Dunlop
(http://www.jimdunlop.com/index.php?page=products)

Fuzz:
JD-42 Original Fuzz face

Overdrive:
ZW-44 (Zakk Wylde Signature Overdrive)
MXR GT-OD (Custom Shop)
MC-402 Boost/Overdrive

Distortion:
DD-11 (Dime Distortion)
M-104 Distortion+

i have a little doubt here...can i pair an OD pedal with a standard distortion pedal to act as a booster? or will it destroy the sound completely?

Wouldn't destroy....... but you might get a gain that's too heavy for anyones taste.......But again, the first rule in pedal planning, is there ARE NO RULES. If it works for you.. great.

so are there any other pedals that can act as a booster for my solo? i wanna have different sound when playing riffs and solos...so that my riffs and solo won't sound the same..

you're asking the wrong person.
for sure hes gonna recommend the ZW-44 or Boss SD-2 for booster
its all in what you want.
some ppl just use a simple volume pedal or set a pedal on bypass with higher vol for a booster.
some have a pre-amp switch on their guitar for a mid range-boost.

This post has been edited by Everdying: Sep 11 2006, 12:36 AM

ok, i guess it's time for me to go pedal hunting...thanks for the help guys..

No..... An SD-1....
That's what Zakk uses......

guess a sticky on effects would cover most areas, not just distortion.

Well, many Noobs are always asking about Distortion in particular (Anyone want to relive the whole JesusFreak incident????)....

I say we dedicate this thread to JUST distortion, overdrive and fuzz.... There's ALOT to cover..... And don't forget..... we haven't even mention about "natural gain" from Amplifiers......

i notice that u cannot ask any question regarding gears from blacktrix.he will just tell u to get zakk wylde's stuff.everytime its like that!

Well..... you can also grab Dimebag's Krankenstein amplifier.... Dime's Distortion..... Dime's Crybaby from hell.....
and of course..... Dime's Razorback guitar.... if you don't have the cash for the USA ones.... the China made ones are ABSOLUTELY spectacular as well....

Upgrading pickups? Try out the dimebuckers!!!!
DIME! DIME! DIME!!!!!!!

You're slow... we ALL knew that ages ago.

oya and i saw a video tat steve bailey actuali cum to tink of tat y guitarist use distortion...u can easily hide tiny mistakes wit distiortion

LOL
his second trademark: "I will be getting the (fill in this space with whatever gears) by end of next year... If all goes well"

cabut....

Correction.

he tries to change his remarks already lol
lol i forgot about that one !

Ha Ha..... it is to laugh.....

Fine.... WHEN I bring back my Dime guitar...... NO ONE GETS TO TOUCH IT!