Whether you should use overdrive or a Tube Screamer first depends on the sound you are going for. There is no right or wrong answer, and it all comes down to personal preference.
However, there are some general guidelines that you can follow. If you are looking for a more subtle boost to your tone, then using overdrive first is a good option. If you are looking for a more saturated, distorted sound, then using a Tube Screamer first is a good option.
Here are some of the benefits of using overdrive first:
- More subtle boost: Overdrive pedals typically add less gain than Tube Screamer pedals. This means that using overdrive first will give you a more subtle boost to your tone.
- More natural sound: Overdrive pedals tend to preserve the natural sound of your guitar and amp more than Tube Screamer pedals. This means that using overdrive first will give you a more natural sound.
- More control over your tone: Overdrive pedals typically have more EQ controls than Tube Screamer pedals. This means that using overdrive first will give you more control over your tone.
Here are some of the benefits of using a Tube Screamer first:
- More saturated sound: Tube Screamer pedals add more gain than overdrive pedals. This means that using a Tube Screamer first will give you a more saturated, distorted sound.
- More sustain: Tube Screamer pedals also add more sustain than overdrive pedals. This means that using a Tube Screamer first will give your notes more sustain.
- More unique tones: Tube Screamer pedals can be used to create a wider range of tones than overdrive pedals. This is because Tube Screamer pedals have a unique midrange boost.
Ultimately, the best way to decide whether to use overdrive or a Tube Screamer first is to experiment and try different things. There are no rules, so have fun and find the sound that you like best.
Here are some tips for experimenting with different pedal orders:
- Start with one pedal at a time. Once you have a basic sound dialed in, you can start to add other pedals.
- Try different pedal orders. There is no right or wrong order, so experiment and see what sounds best to you.
- Tweak the settings on your pedals. Once you have found a pedal order that you like, you can start to tweak the settings on your pedals to get the exact sound you want.
Here are some examples of popular pedal orders:
- Overdrive -> Tube Screamer: This is a classic pedal order that is used by many guitarists. It gives you a warm, overdriven sound with plenty of sustain.
- Tube Screamer -> Overdrive: This pedal order can give you a more saturated, distorted sound. It is often used by metal guitarists.
- Overdrive -> Tube Screamer -> Overdrive: This pedal order can give you a very heavy, distorted sound. It is often used by guitarists who play extreme metal music.
Again, there are no rules when it comes to pedal order. The best way to find the sound you like is to experiment and try different things.
