Distortion effects

[schmuckface]

Anyone using distortion or overdrive pedals on their rhodes?  Is the rhodes on Bitches Brew overdriven somehow (i like that tone)?  I have a suitcase so I cant use gain on an amp.

[Miguel Tuna]

I think that in bitches brew they don't use distortion at all. On that album they use the earlier fender rhodes.
I tested playing with a crate on my suicase with distortion and I didn't like it, and it's only useable (depends on the taste of course) on melody.

[schmuckface]

Hmm... yea, I heard that the earlier rhodes had a bigger bite and bark to them but some of the stuff on Bitches Brew sounds so harsh.  Spanish key for example has some pretty distorted sounding tones.  If thats just how the earlier rhodes can sound, I'm kicking myself for buying a later mark 1!  Can anyone confirm the rhodes sounds on BB?  O also, distortion pedals? (thx for the reply miguel)

[Rhodes Math'ar]

I have a Pro Co Rat2 distortion pedal and it is perfect for the Rhodes.  I also have a tube amp, so basically I don't really need the pedal, but for gigs where I went to really have the overdrive come in and control it at all volumes, the Rat is highly recommended.  I saw Dave Douglas play and his pianist at the time used one, there's where I got the tip!

-Dan

[Dan Belcher]

I've got a Big Muff that sounds great on my Rhodes.  If I want just a little bit of bite for an edge, but I don't want to get muddy sound when I play more than just power chords, I can set the Sustain knob down really low and get a harsh, aggressive sound.  If I want to get fat, nasty distortion for a solo, I just crank the knob up.  Sounds great with a wah too!

[jim]

I use a Hot Cake overdrive pedal, made in New Zealand, absolutely fantastic!

[astral_travelling]

try a Boss Metal Zone. This makes the Rhodes sound like a most unholy beast. Truly nasty.

[kitchen]

I think that in bitches brew they don't use distortion at all. On that album they use the earlier fender rhodes.

On Bitches Brew you hear 2 Rhodes piano's which if I remember correctly as I read it somewhere on the net were '69 Suitcases with the felt hammers.
Don't know how they generated that overdrive or distortion though.

Kitchen

[Stevil]

i've use pod2.0 on tube emulation typically. vox tonelab has an ok sound, as does the digitech rpx 400 i've used though it's not very subtle. i didnt like the mesa v1 bottlerocket @ all. i have a sansamp bass driver  & a couple random guitar distortions i should try out on the rhodes.

[SWANG]

Are we certain that Chick didn't use a fuzz pedal on Bitches Brew?  I know Herbie used them a bit.  He inspired the inclusion of the fuzz wah pedal in my current effects chain.  

[dietzzd]

I use an Ibanez Tube Screamer, and with a little fidgeting of the knobs, you can get it burnin'!  Plus, they're tiny so they take up hardly any space.

[Spookyman]

I also have a tube amp. So, in combination with the Vintage Vibe preamp, it's not so difficult to obtain a warm overdrive in the sound.

For distorsion effect, i have an old Rat from the seventies.

[thermionicjunky]

I really don't think there were any effect pedals used on Bitches Brew. Those early hammers must have really cooked before they started to get grooved. It's probably a combination of pickup , amp and speaker distortion. The album was in the summer of 1969. By early 1970 Chick is using ring modulation , wah and echo. My preference is to overdrive a tube amplifier. I am awaiting delivery of a Siegmund Double Drive. I will post my reaction on this forum when I get it.

[tjcombs]

If you're just looking for a little bit of "warmth" you should just get your hands on an old Rangemaster.

[whiteboyblues]

I used the EH English Muff'n over the weekend for my 73 Stage and it sounded pretty nice and warm to me. I'd be curious to see how a Fender Blender or Ampeg Scrambler sounds through a Rhodes.