• Registered: 2009-01-01
  • Posts: 665

Topic: MI Audio Crunch box

I need a good distortion pedal for my Ceriatone 36 EF86 (a surprisingly clean amp even at high volumes). I'd like to get some Gary Moore tones out of it and none my OD pedals deliver the kind of gain I need for that.
So it's time for my first distortion pedal. I've always shied away from distortion pedals because I've associated them with chainsaw tone and bees-in-a-box. What I do want is the best affordable Marshall-in-a-box pedal with great crunch and control of the gain via the guitar's volume.
I read some good reviews about the MI Audio Crunch box. Anyone who uses that? Other suggestions?

  • Registered: 2009-10-10
  • Posts: 438

Re: MI Audio Crunch box

I had a Crunchbox.  It is a decent pedal but unfortunately it gave a slight solid state feel to my tube amps.  If you are looking for Marshall crunch go with a Fulltone OCD.  Very amp like and thick and crunchy.  The only problem with the OCD is that it is not a very articulate pedal for leads. If you are looking more for a pedal to step on for leads, I would go with a Tubescreamer Reissue, a Barber Small Fry, or a BK Butler Tube Driver.  Better note separation and violin tones You might also want to look at a Barber Direct Drive.  I have never had one but I have heard good things about their "Marshally" tones.  My humble opinion.  The Crunchbox I had also did not clean up very well at all with my guitar's volume knob.

  • alan
  • Silver Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2009-11-26
  • Posts: 69

Re: MI Audio Crunch box

try a fulltone fulldrive mosfet, you won't be dissapointed for you habe both drive and boost , very articulate for leads!

  • Registered: 2009-01-01
  • Posts: 665

Re: MI Audio Crunch box

I've had a Fulldrive-2 for many years (and will continue to use it) but it does not have the kind of gain on tap for the tone I'm looking for. It's a great OD but not a distortion pedal.
I have an Ocean Pearl Drive on order but haven't received it yet. Is that supposed to be close to the Fulltone OCD? I decided to get the Pearl Drive to complement my Dumble tone (with my Ceriatone OTS). Now I need something to get me a Marshall crunch tone (with a Ceriatone 18/36) and to my ears the Crunch box is the winner in this shoot-out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XYi4sEVrD4

  • Registered: 2007-11-04
  • Posts: 404

Re: MI Audio Crunch box

A few thoughts...

The Fulltone OCD is a hard rocking loud thick overdrive pedal.  I will sell you mine if you want it. 100 bucks. If you need more overdrive from a pedal you are heading into a territory most here no little about. That pedal is a powerhouse and it sounds great.

The Pearl is a similar pedal to the OCD but it is different too.  I had one.  Ocean Efx makes a Texas Deuce and that was more to my taste.  The Pearl has more overdrive than the Deuce. 

The good news is there are ten thousand overdrives.  I suggest going to Proguitarshop and listen to all the demos. 

If you want a OCD let me know.

-Jeremy