What are the differences between Gain, Overdrive and Distortion?

Using Gain, Overdrive, and Distortion can either add or detract from your overall guitar tone, so it's a good idea to know the differences between them. Technically speaking, There are several definitions to these terms, but we are only going to deal with the audio Aspects, or how it sounds to your ears.

Gain is usually defined as an overall boost in your signal without any added tonal coloration. It is usually expressed in decibels such as "Gimme a 3dB boost on that kick drum." Adding more gain is basically just amplifying the signal so it cut through the mix or can be heard over a loud drummer.

Overdrive, as it has come to be known as, is a smooth, warm, slightly distorted sound, generally associated with the sound made by cranking up a tube amp. It is fat and dynamic, allowing you to vary your tone just by the way you play. Overdrive pedals can come close to giving you that tube overdrive sound, probably the most popular being the Tube Screamer.

Distortion can be defined as anything from a fuzz tone to a full-on, notched-out midrange, death metal wall of noise. It is a hard-edged sound with as many variations as there are players. Digital distortion has a more metallic, raspy sound which works well for heavy metal, grunge, or reliving your 80's hair band days. Analog tube distortion gives a good, all-around rock tone, such as the sound of a Marshall stack cranked to 10.

The key to all this is to listen and experiment and let your ears be the final judge. Knowing the differences and how to use them will go a long way to helping you define your own signature tone.

hey guys ... noob guitar player here ...
i own a BCRich Virgin axe & was just wondering if i should change the pickups of my guitar ?
i primarily play punk & alternative-emo stuff as rhythm guitar ...
i know i know the virgin is more of a metal guitar but i'm not that into that kinda music ...
got this guitar cause my bro once went for lessons at the BCRich distributor Ironwood & got persuaded to get this axe ...
that was way before any of us knew anything about guitars & thought all guitars were the same =P

anyway back to the topic ... i prefer tones like billie joe of green day & deryck whibley of sum41, johnny ramone, & the 2 dudes from mcr ...
more bright & clear sounding yet distorted stuff ... haha dont really know how to explain !
anyone can give me any tips on how to get that kinda sound with my guitar ? pickups & pedals wise ...
i don't play much lead so i basically want a fat warm crunchy rhythm tone that won't get drowned out ...
much appreciated ... thanks ! =)

agreed ... die chuggers ! lol ... yay for sex pistols ! steve jones forever rawr !
like i've said earlier ... i'm only using a roland microcube as practice amp ...
& most of the time when i have gigs or performances the equipment's mostly rented from wherever's cheapest so i don't have much say in the matter =(
that's why i wanna get a pedal that can bring my sound as close to ideal as possible, so using random amps won't fck my sound up !
punk rock still needs pedals la ... at least 1 overdrive or distortion don't u think ?

so it's agreed ... the jazz/jb combo is the best ? will start doing my homework on it ... 1 humbucker is around 3++ ? or 4++ ?
then both'll be almost 8 or 900 ? omfg have to stop eating for 2 months ... maybe 3 ...

@liew90kw
i'd sell it to u but i don't think u'd want it ... too many scratches & dings ...
it once got hit by a ceiling fan when i was lifting it over my head o.O

Overdrive's gain isn't as high as a Distortion..... generally that's the case.
For example....... the Boss SD-1 (Super Overdrive) and Boss DS-1 (Super Distortion). The Boss-SD-1 can be used on the clean channel for a light crunch sound, maybe something like for blues or whatnot. The DS-1 on the clean channel is powerful enough to play hard rock songs already.

HOWEVER..... the SD-1 when used on the Dirty-Channel, can push the amplifier to near explosion! (For evidence of this, listen to Zakk Wylde's Black Label Society.... he pushed the already powerful JCM800 to the max with the SD-1 and then later, the MXR ZW-44, which is a suped-up version of the SD-1). The DS-1 however, when used on the dirty channel, is waaaaaaay to grainy to play anything and not used on that way.

In other words, an Overdrive is more likely to enhance your own amp's distortion, and the DS-1 is used on it's own (ie: Clean Channel) for it's own tone....

micro cube is sooo popular here
us think roland cube is crap lols

@liew90kw
i'd sell it to u but i don't think u'd want it ... too many scratches & dings ...
it once got hit by a ceiling fan when i was lifting it over my head o.O