Distortion and preamp pedals for a solid state amp?

[Upgrayedd]

Hello! I got a great deal on a Roland Blues Cube Artist. I really like it for low gain practice but obviously it isn't made for metal. Does anyone have any advice for a decent distortion or preamp pedal and tips (front of amp/ into loop, etc). Are there major drawbacks besides the difference in dynamics compared to tubes? I have guitars with both passive and actives if that helps. I'm thinking about the Diesel VH4 or Herbert pedal but am wondering if it would be overkill on cost if a solid state power amp section would affect it negatively (maybe get a Mooer micro/gas station instead) I appreciate your input and time, thanks!

 

[stevexc]

Can't give you much more than my personal experience, but currently I run an OD, distortion pedal, and preamp into the front of a clean SS combo for at-home practicing. It's not perfect but sounds good enough for jamming around at home.

Specifically I'm running a Maxon OD9 into a DIY Friedman BE-OD clone into a DIY Sunn Model T preamp.

Can highly recommend the BE-OD.

 

[Upgrayedd]

Can't give you much more than my personal experience, but currently I run an OD, distortion pedal, and preamp into the front of a clean SS combo for at-home practicing. It's not perfect but sounds good enough for jamming around at home.

Specifically I'm running a Maxon OD9 into a DIY Friedman BE-OD clone into a DIY Sunn Model T preamp.

Can highly recommend the BE-OD.

Thanks! I'm a huge Alice in Chains fan, so the Friedman could be an option....I've heard it has more than enough gain on tap, to where it may need the pot adjusted (which is no problem).

 

[Karmaic]

Pick up a Metal Muff for distortion.

 

[Jacksonluvr636]

In the loop ive tried a few and the best one for me was the Tight Metal Pro. That pedal is pretty killer.

 

[akinari]

Check out some Youtube videos of the Metal Zone used as a preamp in the loop of an amp if you want an affordable option. There's also the AMT preamps like the P1 (5150 flavor) and R1 (Dual Rec flavor).

 

[budda]

Try all the affordable options before diving off the boutique deep end

Try a DS-1, try a fulltone OCD, try an EHX dirt box, etc.

Edit: if it has a california/metal/2000s setting (and it probably does, being a cube) then it can probably do high gain just fine.