Okay, I need to stop messing around. I have tried alot of things, and I can't seem to get heavy enough. If I'm using Gibson ceramics (498/500 ?) in my Les Paul, what pedal can get me that sickly heavy distortion from hell? If it exists, that is. I may have to resort to EMG's or a solid-state amp... Thanks for your help!

I was on a similar quest for 2-3 years. PLEASE don't go solid state. When you crank them up they sound horrible with a lotta gain. They'r better fo lower volumes IMO. I had the same PU's in my Gibson too. I used a Mesa head and no distortion pedal. I would recommend that route personally; either a good Mesa or Marshall head. BUT, if you want a pedal, the Mesa V-Twin ain't bad. I personally don't think anything compares to amp distortion for a good metal sound, but that's me. Depending on your budget, the Sansamp PSA-1 has some good settings, but it's a rack mount. I think you can get a footswitch for it. If you can, save your $$ and get a good amp. You won't regret it.

the v-twin lead channel is too compressed and the bass too round...I use it for fuzzy stoner metal stuff. But I haven't found any pedals that really give you a good tight, crunchy palm-muted sound like a tube amp.

Find a player that have the sort of sound your after, find out what he uses and just get that. It is likely to be as Gibsonchild mentioned either a Mesa Rectifier og a Marshall or maybe a 5150.

Hmm.. So not much luck getting a heavy distorted sound out of my Twin Reverb copy then? Even when cranked? Seems to me that Mesa-Boogies are based on Fender Blackface designs, but with a cascading gain. Shouldn't that mean that I can stick something in front of it to get that post apocalyptic radioactive flamethrower sound? Thanks for your help.

Maybe try cascading booster pedals until you like the tone, or your gear blows up.

Why don't you give us some examples of some sounds you like. You know, your favorite players or cd's or something to help narrow it down.

Man, I feel like a dork, but I don't even listen to heavy music anymore. I used to, and my favorite bands were Faith No More, White Zombie, Obituary, Pantera, and a few others I can't remember. There's some wicked Dimebag work, and I like the guitar tones on alot of White Zombie tracks. I guess that's what I'm going for, more or less. I would like something original, but can't afford a Zvex Machine. I have heard the V-Twin and liked it alot, but it was mucho dinero too. (I'm on a tight budget, but will spend more if it means I'll be happy.) I'm jamming with a hardcore band these days, even though I don't listen to that style, and my overdrives (Klon, Tubeworks 901, amp gain, Fuzz Probe) don't cut it for that heavy a sound. Turbo Rat? Boss DS-1? Metal Zone? DOD Death Metal? Thanks for your help, guys!