Video Question: Pedals

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Date: July 17th, 2008 | Length: 5.32 | Instructor: David MacKenzie

Bananachipz asks, "Hi Dave/Brad, I recently picked up a fantastic all-tube amp: a BlackHeart Little Giant 5w. Sounds amazing. It's single channel though, so in order to overdrive the preamp, I gotta crank it. Well 5 tube watts will still shake paint off the walls, and with a newborn baby, it's not a good idea. So I picked up a BOSS DS-1 Distortion pedal.. It sounds great.. But then I borrowed my buddie's Nady TD-1 Distortion pedal. This one uses a 12AX7 tube, and it sounds even better. I'm worried my GAS will kick-in :)... My question is: What distortion/overdrive pedals do you guys use/recommend? Thanks, BananaChipz" Another benefit of being a member of JamPlay is the video response section. Our expert staff fields questions from our members and provides video responses each week.

Other Video Responses:

- July 17th, 2008 (4 minutes, 33 seconds)

Jaron asns, "Hello, I've been playing guitar for about 6 months now. For now, the only amp I have is a cheap 15 watt Peavey Audition amp. I notice that most amps have a gain knob on it. My amp doesn't have one all it has is a volume knob, a treble knob and a bass knob with a clean and distortion switch. Without the gain knob I have alot of trouble figuring out getting certain kinds of distortion sounds. I mainly play classic rock. Can you try to help me get a Guns N Roses or a Van Halen sound with my amp? I would appreciate the help." View Response

Where to go and Genre Picking - December 11th, 2007 (2 minutes, 28 seconds)

Phi716 asks, "I have two questions. Once i have gone over the classes the instructors have, and really picked up on how to play the guitar, other then the obvious anwser of, keep practicing, where do you go from there? Do you just start learning songs, try different things, I don't know. I have learned a lot and I feel right now my guitar learning is at a slow down. I'm just wondering what to really do to get better. Or is the anwser, just keep practicing? My other question, when picking genre's. I am learning a lot from them, but would it be better to learn the finger picking and the speed and accuracy stuff first, then move to genres? Would it make it an easier transition being pretty good at those then learning the actual genres? Sorry for the two questions, love this website, it has helped me a lot. Thanks for all the help." View Response

Guitar Sizes and Shapes - August 29th, 2007 (1 minutes, 00 seconds)

Ashleygrier says " I have large hands. What type or style non electric guitar should i be considering? I need one with a wide neck." View Response

Country and Gospel - March 17th, 2008 (0 minutes, 29 seconds)

Raymond Jorder asked, "Where are the country & gospel songs?" View Response

D Major Chord - February 25th, 2008 (2 minutes, 23 seconds)

Brianm579 asks, "It is easier for me to play the D Major chord with my 1 finger on the first string (second fret), my 2 finger on the third string (second fret), and my 3 finger on the second string (third fret). The instruction and chord charts show it slightly different, with the 1 and 2 fingers switched from how I do it. Is there any problem with playing it the way I do? I have found it makes it easier with some chord changes. I am concerned that down the road it could cause problems as I learn more." View Response