Hi Gain Pedal Shootout

Hi Gain Pedal Shootout
Which did you like best? I wanted to shoot out some high gain pedals, if anyone is looking to spend some money on a good distortion, let me recommend these three!
Wampler Dracarys - bit.ly/2vgPpbn
Keeley Electronics Filamets - bit.ly/2f2H6Ke
Strymon Riverside - bit.ly/2uOEAMZ
*Feel Free To Read This Lot*
Hey Guys - I'm Rabea
I'm the lead guitarist in Dorje and Toska, where i write music, make songs and have a great time with my mates.
Toska - bit.ly/2bhVMn5
Dorje - apple.co/2bPvowz
I've created a complete online guitar course - Sign up for FREE here: bit.ly/learnfro...
I also have my own line of guitars with Chapman Guitars, and i've designed numerous products with some really cool companies, such as the Victory Amps VX Kraken.
Anyway, i hope you enjoy my videos, thank you for watching!
Please SUBSCRIBE to my channel: bit.ly/29M2DC6
You can also follow me here:
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Peace & Love

[@Maxillian1000]

"Here we go, here's the dracarys" SWEET MOTHER

[@wesleyaerts4683]

Just dropped a few dimes on a Riverside today, and it's utterly fantastic! I put it up against the Dracarys and a bunch of other high gain pedals like the Wampler Triple Wreck, Mesa pedals/Bogner etc, and there's absolutely nothing like it. It's rich and creamy no matter how you dial it in. It's deceptively high gain-...-heavy AF! (for those judging a book by it's cover- you're in for a proper treat ;) If you can drop the extra cash, it's well worth it! Killer piece of gear.

[@michael_caz_nyc]

Wampler Dracarys for the Win on this one. Just Brutal Distortion. Great playing & comparison.

[@paniccleo]

"I think that's really bad and I don't think that's very nice" - Bea, 2017

[@evilutionltd]

This is an unfair comparison because Bea a can make a tuner pedal sound good.

[@chriskilian2325]

One time he plugged into an onion and got me to tear up

[@jakinstire9008]

He once unpluged the guitar cable and still able to send guitar signal with distortion into a clean amp

[@hugh.munguzs]

Wampler Dracarys - @2:08 Keeley Filaments - @3:26 Strymon Riverside - @4:50 Thinking about picking the Riverside up soon after hearing this. Thanks, Rab.

[@amymikelillyjohnson8255]

Dramatic Chromatics 7

[@ransombaggins9301]

Personally, it's the Riverside for me. Clean and clear without being harsh or brittle; rich and thick without getting muddy. Dracarys next. The Filaments just isn't my jam. Of course, messing about with the knobs, the amps, etc. can change things up.

[@timmccarthy6291]

I liked the Wampler. Just a brutal tone. I would buy it if I could play like that lol. Rabea is unreal. I watch these videos just to see him rip.

[@maxscardanelli6185]

I can't think of a better way to accompany my morning coffee and toast than with some of Bea's exceptional playing.

[@ThatBaritoneGuitarGuy]

The way I see it, the Wampler Dracarys is basically a Randall Satan in a box. Wampler did do a great job on the Catapulp, which is basically an Orange Rockerverb in a box, so I would expect the Dracarys to be the same level of great at what it emulates. Wampler certainly did not disappoint.

[@247Boredable]

I've had the Dracarys for a few months now. Sounds IMMENSE with a strat. Brightens it up just a tad. Great demo and playing as always Bea!

[@GazMoz78]

Riverside does sound the best to my ears. However for my money. Taking all things into account, namely PRICE! The Keeley Filaments takes it :-)

[@DanielFantini]

Riverside sounded amazing. Tightest low end response out of all of them. Rich midrange frequencies and has a shit ton of sustain. Great Video Bea!

[@clayteasouth]

I like the fullness of the Riverside.

[@thisguy2973]

I think these will all come down to taste for the player. If you don’t need the diversity of the Riverside, the Dracarys is a great option that you can get for $169 now. For me, the filaments is clear but a bit mid heavy in this demonstration. One of the plus sides he may not have mentioned here is the Riverside has a built in gate that works really well.

[@NickolaiDuddits]

I keep saying this, but tone is in the ear of the beholder. Having said that I own Strymon pedals, and they rule all.

[@Witticism_TV]

No offense to Rob, (I even bought a Chapman guitar) but I enjoy these reviews so much more. The playing, the tone, the camera work, is so good! You're really coming into your own!

[@germanemigrant5844]

That riverside is SO good. So big and open while still having a strong mid-presence! Will probably buy!

[@michaelstaver8382]

hey Rabea i honestly just wanted to tell you how much i love your playing, you and chapman are both legends in my book.

[@jordanmayer5932]

The wampler Dracarys first, riverside second, filaments 3rd, but there all amazing.

[@vkelly1975]

Riverside sounds great very versatile pedal, a lot of people gave out and put down the riverside pedal when it came out but thanks to That Pedal show and Rabea for showing people it is great pedal 🎸🇨🇮

[@Wargasm644]

Hard to judge. The Riverside obviously sounded best in this test. But what happens if you tweak the pedals and amp? I’m sure you could get fairly close with the cheaper pedals? I understand you’re trying to determine the defining characteristics of each pedal. But that by default doesn’t make it a fair fight (comparison). Nice guitar, and kickass playing 👊🏻

[@jaapmeijaard6106]

That Dracarys sounding thicc af, love it. Nice video overall!

[@shawnreese6538]

Riverside has it. You are most convincing, lol!

[@theminboss]

Normally I'm not keen on the sound of distortion pedals as opposed to valve amp distortion with an OD, but damn that riverside pedal screams.

[@JoeNadir89]

I personally prefer the Dracarys, because it sounds a bit fatter. Even though it might not cut through a band mix so easily, it is the one I would choose. In case I wanted to tighten it up, I would probably put a TS-style overdrive to boost the mids and treble, like I actually do with my Boss SD-1. Great video, as always, Rabea. Cheers!

[@Eventual420]

You use Victory, and I use Victoria. ;) Any diode distortion in front of that amp will yield a similar result. I do similar with preamps, if they hit the same power amp, they sound similar. The power sections and speaks add almost everything. Some preamps have a tube gain stage, and they make for unique tones. The diodes all come close, no matter how the EQ is scooped. That Marshall back there is mid dominant in the power section, so if you were to A/B that against the Victory you would get a wider variety. It has built in diodes, so the pedal can be redundant. Diode+Tone Stack is what a pedal is. The rest is missing. So the power and rectifier sections are often tube in tube amps, imparting unique character. The preamps you end up falling in love with are typically tube gained, and some (not all) prefer the tube compliment in the power section too. I have a video I'm developing that the wife has about two seconds of patience for, so I work on it while she's away. It'll be dry, no effects, amps on 10 chunk kinda thing. Fire up your amps. -Jim

[@monkeyxx]

Wampler's always been a little dark for me, shows it here. Strymon Riverside was the most "amp-like" to use a popular phrase, but I think it fits. Maybe the keeley was the most '80s metal' or something, I liked it fairly well. Anyway really nice shootout, Rabea.

[@CNCTEMATIC]

Here's my favourite "cascading gain" tone at the moment: an OCD into a JHS @ into a Strymon Deco. Not really the indicated use, and I rarely ever use them all at once, but it sounds massive. :-)

[@KompletterGeist]

Riverseide sounds best by far. The other two are too "grainy" for my taste, if you know what i mean

[@alexandre5882]

i prefer a treblely tone ,so...the filaments wins for me,and you can always add more bass to it on the pedal or the amp if you want.

[@angusorvid8840]

Riverside all the way. Love it.

[@tjjackson4599]

I think the Riverside pedal sounds the best too, I agree with Rabea on that.. Definitely has a lot more definition as well as some brightness and fat lows in the distortion, even though they're pretty expensive for what they're selling them for. Definitely a tough choice for me anyways between the Dracarys and the Riverside. But overall, the Riverside sounds fuckin awesome.

[@calebrabion]

Riverside sounds the best to me. I was thinking the same thing you said about the riverside being a blend of the other 2.

[@craigtaylor4398]

The dracarys for home playing and the riverside for live playing think it fits in the mix better and over all the best sounding. \,,/

[@rynoriffs6505]

Great comparison Rabae, love the sound of that Riverside, and the riffs were tough A/F as usual! great playing mate.

[@brianpoole9514]

My #1 filaments - kinda reminds me of my old 6505+. #2 Riverside - good all around tone, clarity, and growl. #3 dracarys - brutal tones, but sounds too compressed for my taste. Would probably pair well with EMG 81/85 or SD black winter set.

[@beckoningoblivion739]

God, that Riverside pedal is nuts.

[@XxDavidxXPantera]

Riverside and Dracarys sound awesome

[@MrWilson-WithaPbass]

1. Dracarys 2.Riverside 3. filaments IMO ...

[@BoyAditya]

Everytime you said Cascade, I want a cold beer ...

[@nickrichard3643]

I've found some of the riffs and licks you played were a bit glam metal... unusual for The Fro... Love it though!! 🎸

[@amallettjr]

Totally distracted by the amazing owl shirt. Need.

[@Vypyr00]

Adam Mallett, Jr. I know right?

[@MrZombs123]

haha, same here!

[@rogerdamen2511]

is it a Kvelertak shirt?

[@alexvedom]

meh

[@chrisdiana3525]

I'm a fan of the Strymon. Also that PRS is gorgeous! Thanks Bea.

[@fullmetalsal]

Strymon sounded the best, rest of them sound like pedals.

[@ETILHK54]

I could never get along with a single high gain pedal, something was always wrong with them, and then i discovered stacking, particularly Zvex Distortron, acting as a clean platform, and a push for a Catalinbread Manx Loaghtan, which is essentially a big muff (although i think they don't make them anymore unfortunately), and it sounds incredible. Also you don't have to max out a gain, but rather keep both of them at a relatively gentle level, so that you get less noise, more clarity, and you're still able to make it as brutal as you like. And this is how it should be done, i think, and it is very much the same scenario as boosting a high gain channel of you'r amp with an overdrive pedal, which is what you would do back in the day to get that tone.

[@furofeju]

Dracarys sounds great!

[@Steve-nq8jc]

Great playing and gorgeous PRS. Nice comparisons with the pedals.

[@Killian_Courtney]

I'm looking for my 200th pedal.

[@adrianamorphous]

DOD Grunge, Hardwire TL-2, Rocktron Metal Planet, Mooer Phoenix etc

[@Maddawg5706]

Dracarys!

After Rabea's videos, I'm pretty sure that, Two Notes Torpedo Studio is the biggest invention of our times.

[@DamianS1893]

The filaments pedal for the win

[@guitarfrozenintime]

I thought the Dracarys sounded amazing until I heard that Riverside. Blimey!

[@Th13GhOsTs]

I guess all of them are equally great for what they do and depending on the sound your after :) but side by side the riverside wins

[@ChristianIce]

Guess the riverside was the winner here. On a side note, please, don't give me prices like "199,999999", I feel like an old lady at the grocery store which you give the illusion of saving money :)

[@leifwavetv5285]

Riverside !!!

[@chimphead7267]

Camera quality is perfection :)

[@ZblockWoW]

RS, Filament, Dracarus. In order of best to not best.

[@jgmopar]

I think the Wampler for my ears

[@treyowens4944]

Who disliked this? Btw love you man your a huge inspiration to me and a lot of other people!

[@kevinbrooks6265]

the revv g3 kicks ass all over these three !

[@ironicpunishmentdivision4226]

I own that Dracarys and I’ll never give it up. By far the best sounding of the three in my opinion. Thank you for validating my purchase!

[@jandesteen9736]

The PRS sounded the best!!!

[@voodoochilezee]

Riverside for me

[@lmcf_gtr]

Is it just me or is a bit of Guthrie Govan showing through Beas lead playing in this? Great video Bea, love the tones!

[@ayeapprove]

The Dracarys sounds alot like my MXR EVH 5150 Distortion

[@rwcasto]

Subbed - really like your style of playing and reviewing pedals

[@thelegendoftdis]

riverside also has an excellent noise gate that you could control the threshold level as well. it's a really awesome pedal. put a nice treble booster or OB.1 comp from strymon in front of riverside and you could get awesome lead tones that cut through the mix

[@ozuidema]

Riverside clear winner, no question!

[@SnuggleBear1970]

Hello from California Rabea!

[@deadinside0586]

Dracarys all the way!

[@TheMisanthropist432]

Riverside, despite its cost

[@xJaGG3d]

Are you and the rest of either the Chapman folks or Dorje/Toska planning on coming to California any time soon? Great video as always.

[@reaperxi-0382]

hey bea, hope all is well. ive been wanting a Friedman BE-OD for awhile now, as im after the slash tone (early gnr era)for that aggressive, high gain sound but also not too saturated (hope you know what I mean) and basically wanted to know your thoughts on the pedal and if it can achieve that sound. keep up the sick videos, hope you can help me with this!! cheers.

[@akshitjha6251]

The Riverside knocked them all out imo.

[@Doseland]

I can’t decide on any of these!!

[@thelonghaul5214]

now i want all three of them damn you, lol! have you had a chance to try the wampler bravado pedal platform amp? i would love to hear a review of that

[@rafph339]

Awesome stuff man, if you're able you should do a shootout of the overdrive's Walrus Audio has. I really enjoy your playing style and I can't seem to find videos in the same style using those pedals like a rock/metal player would.

[@mrmike320]

id be happy with any one of these 3 they sound dirty and crunchy

[@martinclayton7260]

The Strymann seems to have a focused note definition, and I like it the most out of the three! The other two are very good, but there seems to be a lot less clearity?

[@ReddenDoom]

Dracarys wins for me, big plus would be if the treble could catch up to the others or if it could be modified to add a bright switch of some kind. I wonder if its a surfact mount pcb or not. It would be neat to see the Ibanez sonic distortion next to these too.

[@ryanwilson5936]

ReddenDoom Just put an eq pedal after it.

[@roryallden70]

this isn't really my style of music at all (Johnny Marr is God) but you are an insanely good player

[@sawdust6968]

strymon.

[@jackangell6424]

Doing something like this for overdrive pedals would be cool...

[@MarcioBaron]

hi mr. Massaad. Try this pedal in the mix of a band. Filaments sound really treble and icedpick, but in the mix it could not appear , so, that treble can cut the mix and make the guitar appear a bit more.

[@Jericho1938]

Rabea thanks for all your videos! You got me hooked in KZbin!

[@snooze0023]

I use a MXR superbadass Distortion which really is a midcentric distortion. Im on the hunt for a good balanced distortion more in the 100.0 to 150.00 USD range, these ones are a little pricey. But my pick would be the strymon on the demo you presented due to its balance. Not to thick not to thin always good to be sitting in the Just right zone.

[@Gunnersgun]

Riversideeee

[@Samana009]

Riverside is a nice balance between the other two. like It better

[@Xyrium]

Ugh, that Drac is just mud, totally lost all of the tone. The Keeley is interesting, but the Strymon is indeed, as you mentioned, a perfect middle ground. I'd probably get the Keeley for recording in a mix and the Strymon for home practice/individual play. As always, great stuff from you Rabea, thank you.

[@SteveStoneMetal]

Dracarys on order!!

[@Hairyloft]

Great tones and playing, actually loved all the high gain pedals, any chance of a future fuzz shoot out?

[@jbattaglia7131]

dracarys just has that classic fat scooped sound which is cool if your just jamming to your fav metal tracks.but the riverside would be the 1st choice for me.i feel it would sit better in the mix.where the dracarys would get washed out.

[@ChrisPBacon-fu4dw]

That guitar is fucking sick.

[@tel5690]

Nice Rebea.....I am digging these choices...

[@MathRTD]

Whats the point of buying a high gain pedal when you already have a tube amp? Im not trying to be sarcastc, that's a serious question. And another question: these high end pedals can compete with a good tube amp? (por example: dual rectifier, 5150 and the kraken)

[@RabeaMassaad]

+mathrotondano I was trying to demonstrate a great quality drive pedal into a clean amp so it didn't necessarily matter if you have a tube amp or not. Some people just have clean amps or amps with crappy drive channels, so I figured this is another option that may be cheaper than a Tube Amp

[@CwGuitar01]

mathrotondano I don't think they can compete with a true valve distortion imo but usually it's just for convenience that you can go between a clean sound and a distorted sound easily or it fits there budget more than getting a whole new amp

[@andymckenzieglasgow]

Surprised at the amount of gain from the riverside. Need to see a shootout between that and the sunset.

[@AZFunk]

That Pedal Show channel has just such a thing, but they're really two different beasts that can do some similar things (disclosure: I run both, together)

[@stupidjubei]

Currently looking for a high gain pedal. I wish the Bogner Uberschall and Mesa Throttle Box was in this round up.... because they're also in my consideration. Out of these three, Keeley takes it, for me.

[@ItsCriti]

This was after that show had showed him those oedals

[@FretFriendGWaL]

Rabea is a huge inspiration so this is not against him but; I can get any of those sounds in any amp with an MXR Fullbore or an EHX Metal Muff. Just saying... [Edit] All of these pedals sound brutal btw...

[@rvWORM]

Not convinced by the MXR Fullbore, I think it sounds "thin" not "PHAT" :)

[@jackfryer3617]

NG One Seven even a fender princeton?

[@FretFriendGWaL]

Depends on how you set the EQ / Frequency! I run a Fullbore on less than half distortion with a Maxon OD-808 clean-boosting in front. Sounds amazing to me...