So, I'm picking up my Peavey Triple XXX today, and I'm planning on picking up at least a noise gate, if not more. I'm looking for some insight from other tube head users as to what you'd recommend for stomp boxes.

Here's the list of things that I'm considering at the moment:
Ibanez TS-9 or TS-9DX (the TS-808 is a little more then I want to spend at the moment)
Boss NS-2 Noise Gate (because I don't feel like having to order and wait for the ISP Decimator)
Boss RV-5 Digital Reverb
Boss AC-3 Acoustic Simulator (Shroud has tons of acoustic parts, and this effect could prove beneficial)

I'm not sure which of these I'll end up picking up, or what-not, but I'd like some insight from other players, as to what you'd recommend.

Thanks in advance!

i'm not too keen on the subescreamers, except for the fact that i now they're only worthwhile when using a tube amp...i'd say your average ibanez tubescreamer is your best bet.

the NS-2 is reliable, you might lose some tone since it's a lower end pedal but it'll do the job you want

i haven't tried the RV-5 but i'd say that if you've heard one reverb you've heard em all, and i'm sure this pedal has different types(hall, etc.) that you can tweak

the only acoustic simulator i ever tried was in a DOD multi-effects pedal, and it didn't sound any different than a chorus on a clean setting to me. it'd definitely sound good for clean parts, but i don't see the difference from a chorus pedal

GC probably has them all available to try in the store

TWO spelling errors in one post? i must be losin it

I don't like to RV-5 too much, I think it was the RV-2 or RV-3 (i'm not sure which) that was pretty great, but I don't think you can find them new anymore. I'd personally go with a Holy Grail or Verbzilla, though I think the Verbzilla might be expensive.

I know I'm only echoing what at least three other people here say every day on this board, but if the tubescreamers are being used as boosts, try the digitech bad monkey, it's way cheaper and works great.

after doing a bit of quick reading on the AC-3, I found out that it has built-in reverb. I think I may try one of these, if it's worth while, maybe I'll pick one up, otherwise, I'll probably just pick up a decent reverb pedal.

What does a noise gate do?

a noise gate makes your amp become louder or quieter based on preference.

Hey, the other guitarist in my band plays through a XXX and uses an NS-2. The NS-2 is a shaky pedal, works fine on some amps but does next to nothing on others.

The pedal is known to be very quirky with XXX's and Cav can tell you that he's had a very hard time. (i.e. some shows he has more noise with the pedal than he does with it out of the loop).

I would recommend the Rocktron Hush Super C if you can do rackmount. If you're going for just stompboxes, I'd say that the Decimator will be worth whatever wait you get stuck with.

If you use Behringer amps, you will have no problems. Trust me, been doin this for a while and I'd like to think my opinion counts. Trust me on this one guys. Behringer

brian_dc nli said:

I actually own a brand new Hush Super C, which I was going to be using as trade in, I have no issue using a rackmount piece (I can just plop it between the head & cabnet) I've been debating on keeping it, but if you think it'll be worth while to keep (I use tons of both clean & distorted tone) I just may bite the bullet and keep it...

it's been >6 years since I've had an actual tube head, so I'm kind of a born-again n00b with all this stuff. I should just run it mono through the effects loop, correct?

and another thing, would it be worth while to keeep my sonic maximizer (it's the 482i) or should I trade that in?

passerby‘er said:

this kid makes me giggle

and, no, your opinion doesn't count. there are very few who's opinions DO count, and you're definately not one of them. not until you show some worth while intelligence (which we've yet to see)

i thoroughly enjoy my new Digitech RP-350. Has everything you could possibly want and a user friendly interface.

FuckIsMySignature said:

eh, I'm trying to get away from the digital stuff, raw tube gain has always been a favorite of mine. digital works for some people, and I won't knock it (I've been digital for a looong time) but I much prefer the life sound and feel of tube

DreamingInExile said:

Yeah i hear ya man, I tried tubes but just couldnt get the sound i wanted out of em... too high maintanence for me too.

Seriously, tone is so individual. If you can afford it, keep everything and try it out before you unload and start buying new stuff for the rig.

That's my suggestion.

eh, if I could afford it, I'd be looking into Engls, Bogners or other expensive 'botique' amps.

I'm doing the "tube amp on a budget" thing, hence why I'm trading gear in (and getting a Peavey). I may keep the hush, but I'm not 100% positive on that yet... I guess I'll have all day to consider it.

yea fuck multi effects....im sure you know that. and yea with my XXX sometimes certain lighting and electric situations can cause an amazing amount of noise that the ns2 doesnt really do anything for...ive heard that the ISP decimatior is pretty much made for that kind of noise. so id get that. the rest of those pedals are solid though. you might not need the tubescreamer either, i tried one and didnt like it. the XXX has plenty of power and clarity on its own. i would also reccomend using the 2nd channel instead of the 3rd. i used it for a couple of years then one day went over to the 2nd channel and thought "wow this is so much better"

the XXX is a solid amp...dont let blue tell you any different LOL

yeah, I like the 'crunch channel' (as they've dubbed it) channel more then the 'ultra' I've always been more of a midrange gritty (read: Heartwork Era Carcass) tone kind of guy, I just like crunchy distortion, the Ultra is a hair on the bassy side, and alot smoother and round sounding, so that'll end up being used for the majority of my lead work.

my biggest concern at this point isn't getting ballsy gain, it's more of getting a fuller clean tone, I don't want a flat sounding clean, hence why I've been tooling around with the AC-3 option.

...this post is directed to anyone that owns a Triple XXX...

ok, got my Triple XXX, now it's just a matter of tweaking my sound. I find that the 'ultra' channel is incredibly muddy, so I'm using the 'crunch' channel for my rhythm work, I'd like to set up the 'ultra' channel for a lead tone, so I'm looking for suggestions on settings to alleviate the muddyness and possibly smooth out the tone for a warmer 'floaty' feeling lead tone.

keep in mind that I use both my neck and bridge pickups for lead work, depending on what I'm doing (fast picked runs are bridge, and floaty melodies and sweeping I use almost exclusively the neck)

Hey Die, I have a NS-2 I can sell ya cheap.
With ac adapter

DreamingInExile said:


I make pedals. I can make you a reverb if you would like. I also make custom ts808's built to your specs. They run the same price as a factory ts808. I may be able to give you a decent deal if you want more than one pedal.

powerkok said:

Thanks for the offer, kok, I decided to keep my Hush Super C though. I'm still tweaking things, now it's just the matter of getting the 3rd channel to sound the way I want it to

DreamingInExile said:

theres your problem. the ultra channel on the xxx is near useless. use the crunch channel.