Good Metal Distortion

[theaxeman]

Hi

I was wondering what would be a good metal distortion to build, it needs to be fairly easy and simple as i am a biginner. I'm looking for the old Metallica tone, any ideas?

[cd]

If you've never built anything before, I wouldn't recommend anything more complicated than a Distortion+ type of circuit (single opamp with clipping diodes).  That won't get you anywhere near a Metallica tone though - in that case, you might as well buy a used Boss MT-2 Metal Zone ($50-60), no hassle and you can approximate that old tone perfectly.

[zener]

How do you balance between getting Metallica and you're status as a beginner? Oh, sorry for the question. It's probably that you can do nothing with the latter until you build and learn more effects :? .

Like you, I really like Metallica and from all the distortion I've tried/built so far, the Sansamp GT2 came the closest to those crunchy riffs by James and fast screaming solos of Kirk. Unfortunately, it isn't really a beginner's project. Actually it's for an advanced builder, there's a lot of components, lots ot wiring etc. If you really want it, then just ask someone competent enough to build it for you The project is at  http://www.tonepad.com Just look in the effects project.

Maybe you can settle for easier projects for the moment and use it to advance you skills in DIY. I would recommend Aron's Smash Drive or Rocket. You can check both of it at http://www.generalguitargadgets.com

Good luck and keep on pounding those 'tallica riffs :wink:
Zener

[Torchy]

How about the Vulcan, only 3 transistors, quick easy good build

[theaxeman]

I have nearly finished my 1st build (Ge fuzz face clone), i am just waiting for the transitors to come, but i have checked all the joints with my DMM.

The smash drive looks cool, i may build that.

[RDV]

This may seem like a bit of heresy on an effects site, but if you want the Hetfield chonk you just get yourself a Mesa-Boogie Triple Rectifier and a couple of 412 cabs & dual HB equiped guit & you're there. It's not a 'pedal' sound, except for maybe a graphic in the loop. Lot's of fast palm-muted downstrokes.

RDV

[zener]

This may seem like a bit of heresy on an effects site, but if you want the Hetfield chonk you just get yourself a Mesa-Boogie Triple Rectifier and a couple of 412 cabs & dual HB equiped guit & you're there. It's not a 'pedal' sound, except for maybe a graphic in the loop. Lot's of fast palm-muted downstrokes.

RDV

He he! That's too mean (much), Ricky. :twisted:  :wink:  

Just to add to RDV's "rant" there, Explorer-type axe (ESP, if you can) with EMG active pickups, a long, black wristband, blonde moustache and/or beard and a legs-wide-open stance in front of a mic. There, you're almost James Hetfield. Don't forget to yell, "Oh yeah"  :twisted:  :wink:  

James' voice use to sound like a thunder during the Justice and Black album era, even up to Reload and S&M. Nowadays, his voice sounds like a car engine getting started on a cold, icy winter. Aging is starting to take its toll on his voice. Nonetheless, they still rock, only minus Kirk's mighty fast solos

Oh, what if theaxeman was actually looking for Kirk Hammett sound? :roll: Just go to http://www.encycmet.com and see what makes their sound  :wink:

Back to the topic, there are a handful of beginner-friendly distorions out there, from tonepad to GGG or Tim's circuit snippets. Just build them. They may not be enough to get you close to Metallica but somehow, it will advance your skills and knowledge to build/tweak any effects to get Metallica out of a box.

[Marcos - Munky]

Try Joe Davisson's Obsidian.

[Fret Wire]

I'm with CD, try the Distortion Plus. It's simple, easy to build, no tranny matching or biasing. Both Tonepad and GGG have pcb boards and great layouts for it.

Normally, I build the D+ to original specs, 741 IC, and 1N270 Ge diodes. For you, I'd recommend Si diodes (or combo's of) with the 10pf smoothing cap, NE5534 IC, 100k log pot for the volume, and socket the caps so you can try more bass response. Increasing the bass response a little should get you that heavier palm muting type tone. It's a simple ckt that's very tweakable, you can make it sound heavy and nasty.

[WGTP]

Black Fire