trouble with the MXR Zakk Wylde Overdrive?

[SLicata]

I purchased this pedal a while ago...I never had any trouble with it . It's not an essential part of my rig, but I'll turn it on for a lead boost from time to time, and it makes for a decent transparent overdriven crunch for some lighter passages ... problem is the on/off button. its extremely tempermental. its like a 50/50 shot that when i step on it it will actually work. ive even done live recordings with it and you can hear the click, then silence, and then a few taps on the button later it finally turns on...just terrible . anyone else experience this ? im ready to get rid of it, but anyone know of anything comperable to it without getting into the stratosphere of price ranges? i was looking into Fulltone, and id be willing to spend the cash for the reliability...any help or feedback would be great, thanks

-Steve

 

[Purge]

I was thinking about getting one of the Zakk overdrives. If you're honestly thinking about getting rid of it (and it's cheap enough) let me know. Maybe I can do some tinkering (not that I know a damn thing about tinkering...)

As far as your dilemma goes, how about a re-issued Ibanez tube screamer?

 

[SLicata]

By "getting rid of it" I was actually referring to just taking it out of my pedalboard setup. I generally don't sell my gear, I figure there might always be sometime down the road something can be put to use. However, if I ever need the money, I'd take your offer into consideration.

As far as the Tube Screamers go, I really dont have much experience with them. In my mind its more of a "bluesy" sound, especially when you think of the types of players that use them. I do play a wide range of styles, and blues is one of them, but the stuff I play now is mainly hard rock. From what I've seen in catalogs there must be 3 or 4 different kinds, can you shed any light on their sound, or the differences between them?

-Steve

 

[punkin]

I was thinking about getting one of the Zakk overdrives. If you're honestly thinking about getting rid of it (and it's cheap enough) let me know. Maybe I can do some tinkering (not that I know a damn thing about tinkering...)

As far as your dilemma goes, how about a re-issued Ibanez tube screamer?

I've got the Ibanez reissue tube screamer...I don't really like it. Just makes everything sound brash if I try to set up for distortion sounds. I keep the drive level way down and use the tone control as sort of an EQ control. I've tried several distortion pedals and have never found one I do like...maybe it's me. The best distortion I've been able to muster is purely from the amp.

 

[metalhead28]

I hate to hear that. Here I am going around telling everybody that that pedal kicks ass! I use mine quite often, and no, I've had no trouble with the switch. Maybe you just need a new switch?

 

[ggunn]

I purchased this pedal a while ago...I never had any trouble with it . It's not an essential part of my rig, but I'll turn it on for a lead boost from time to time, and it makes for a decent transparent overdriven crunch for some lighter passages ... problem is the on/off button. its extremely tempermental. its like a 50/50 shot that when i step on it it will actually work. ive even done live recordings with it and you can hear the click, then silence, and then a few taps on the button later it finally turns on...just terrible . anyone else experience this ? im ready to get rid of it, but anyone know of anything comperable to it without getting into the stratosphere of price ranges? i was looking into Fulltone, and id be willing to spend the cash for the reliability...any help or feedback would be great, thanks

-Steve

Spray some contact cleaner into the switch; it's probably got some dust in the contacts.

 

[SLicata]

Spray some contact cleaner into the switch; it's probably got some dust in the contacts.

would compressed air work? or am i way off base...

thanks for the feedback everyone...

-steve

 

[ggunn]

would compressed air work? or am i way off base...

thanks for the feedback everyone...

-steve

It might, but that type of switch doesn't have much of a gap where you can get into the works. I think that a low surface tension liquid like contact cleaner will have more of a chance to get in there.