Getting better distortion

[Stealth Prawn]

I've been trying to get a good distorted sound out of my amp lately but it just wont do it. I have 3 amps-

Fender Bullet 150
Ion iGAO3
MEGA Amp

Not the greatest amps, but bear with me here. The Bullet and the Ion both have gain knobs, as well as a channel selector. I've tried with gain up all the way and the Drive channel on and the only possible way to get any distortion is to have the volume hella loud. I'm using an Epiphone Wilshire guitar, and I've tried with rear, front, and both pickups. Nothing really changes.

Could it be the cable? The guitar? The amps? Would a pedal get better distortion?

[The_Solipsist]

A pedal tends to get better distortion, gain on an amp sounds more natural.

[Stealth Prawn]

The thing is though, no matter what I put the gain to, theres damn near no change whatsoever, besides making it really damn loud. Theres little distortion, natural or otherwise.

[InTransit]

The amp's the problem, because well.. it's shit. You're only going to get distortion out of an amp when it's up loud. Turn your gain down a bit, having it up all the way might give you a tiny bit more distortion but it's going to absolutely rape your tone. Unless you're going to replace the amp with something more decent and powerful, you'll get a better distortion from a pedal. The Boss distortion is pretty good.

[The_Solipsist]

If you're looking for a more metal sounding distortion, go with the TL-2 Metal Disortion by Digitec. No matter what I play with it, it sounds fucking badass.

Good if you want a Randy Rhodes sounding tone, and it's build like a tank.

[Metalhead636]

Is it just flat-out distortion or do you want to get complex with wahs and stuff.

[Pelican Man]

The Boss distortion is pretty good.

Oh come on now. Boss ANYTHING is good.

[Android]

I'm still standing by Z-vex effect's Fuzz Factory or Wooly Mammoth. Those are two of the best distortion pedals ever made.

[Britney Spears]

What kind of distortion are you looking for? If you're looking for an overdrive crunch, then I'd recommend an amp with tubes. You're using an Epiphone with humbuckers, so distortion should come fairly easy on it's own on a bridge pickup.

However, if you're looking for a real ass kicking rock distortion, you might need to look at some pedals. Boss' distortion pedal is pretty good for the price, but it's kind of restricting. Not too many options of what kind of sound comes out of it. Just go to a Guitar Center with your geet and go over to the pedals section. Just try out a million until you get a sound you like. Electro-harmonix makes killer and affordable pedals. If you want to get serious, I'd say a Wooly Mammoth or TC Electronics' distortion. You've got to try a lot of things to get the sound you like.

[Android]

Chords do make a difference. The guitarist in my band was using regular guitar cables when a sound guy friend told us to check out Monster Cables. They are a little more pricey, but they last longer and sound amazing.

[Britney Spears]

Not to mention they replace them for free for a lifetime. You just bring it to a Guitar Center and they hand you a new one.

[TheFerret]

While we're on the subject of distortion, ive got myself a Line 6 Spider III. I like the metal and clean well enough, but if find the crunch is not satisfying. I'd like to know of a cheap solution that will give me some raw rock 'n' roll sound.

[ilovebrownies]

While we're on the subject of distortion, ive got myself a Line 6 Spider III. I like the metal and clean well enough, but if find the crunch is not satisfying. I'd like to know of a cheap solution that will give me some raw rock 'n' roll sound.

Clean channel and one of these (http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Boss-DS1-Distortion-Pedal?sku=151258) on a moderate-low setting. Although Vox and Orange amps will give you a more natural rock 'n' roll sound than the micropocessors in the Spider will.

[InTransit]

I'm still standing by Z-vex effect's Fuzz Factory or Wooly Mammoth. Those are two of the best distortion pedals ever made.

The Fuzz Factory is a noise pedal not a distortion pedal. You'd want a normal distortion pedal aswell if you can't get anything out of your amp/guitar set up. But the Woolly Mammoth would be a very good choice, and cheaper than getting a whole new amp (but your amp sucks get a new one).

If you're looking at new amps, the best I've seen have been Mesa's getting some absoluely brutal distortion. That's going to be my next gear purchase.

[Metalhead636]

A friend of mine hooked up a Jimi Hendrix, EVH, and Zakk Wylde wah together once. Awesomeness ensued.

Try That.