Boss Super Overdrive, pedals

[Bizarro]

Hi,

I'd like to get some input for playing in a live situation. My effects chain is current like this:
Guitar(strat)->Boss TU-2 ->Crybaby Wah->Chorus->Amp (Fender HRD 4x10)

I was using a boss hm-2 distortion pedal as a line boost (first in the chain), but I really didn't like the tone of that thing.

How does the Boss SD-1 stack up for just using it as a line boost to drive the preamp a little harder? It's very affordable, which is a key consideration for me!

We play 60-80's rock covers so I use some clean and some crunch. I just want a bit more punch to get my solos to come through, plus add a little sustain. IMHO, my setup is a tone-monster;) but it's nice to have the ability to press a button and get an extra 10dB!

Lastly, what's the upper limit on the number of pedals that I can use? If I added a delay and a SD-1, it seems like way too much stuff! I was thinking about an A/B switch or maybe using the effects loop for some of the effects. Adding a delay would allow me to do some neat things (harmonies, play Andy Summers type rhythms, etc).

Okay, this is really the last question. Has anyone tried out the Fender CyberDeluxe? I've played it in the store and it rocks, but how well does it cut through with a whole band? Plus, are the effects useable?

Any comments are very welcome! Thanks!

[EricV]

Hi there,

about the amount of pedals, I´d recommend to use the delay in the loop of your amp. IMHO, a delay sounds best and should be used in a loop.
If you use it with distorted sound, it´ll sound better cuz the distoretd signal from the preamp is fed to the delay and is being "echoed". This makes for a better sound.
If you use it in front of the amp, the delay will repeat the clean signal, and those echoes will be distorted by the amp, which sometimes can result in a mush-y sound.
So, basically, I think it sounds better when the delay gets the "actual" signal ( the preamp output ).

About the SD-1. I use it myself, and I think it works great as a booster. Some people at HC gave it a bad review, I guess they wanted to use it like a distortion pedal to overdrive a clean amp.
But this thing IMHO is meant to be used as a booster.
That´s what I am doing, to kick the Chrome-O-Zone a bit more.
Level is up to 10, Tone at maybe 2 or so, Drive at about 3....
You should check it into a store, compare it maybe to a Tube Screamer or Boss DS-1. Maybe one of those might be cool for you too.
I however am quite satisfied with the SD1.

By the way, one more thing about the amount of pedals...
I would wire your pedals this way ( adding an AB Box and the DS 1 and the Delay):

Guitar -> A/B Box ----> A: Wah-Chorus-DS1-Amp ( Delay in Loop )
----> B: Tuner

That way, you don´t have to much stuff in your signal chain, and I prefer to use a tuner ( most tuners alter the sound even when in standby / bypass ) in a separate path.
I use a stereo chorus. One output goes to the DS 1 and then into the amp, the other goes to my stage tuner.
Just my opinion, hope this helps
Warm regards
Eric