Can’t tell you how much I was smiling throughout the video listening to this. Made my week. Love, love, loved the detailed talk and hair splitting details between them. Also the riffing was spot on!! Thank you for this video!!
In all the months I took in researching and understanding the Berzerker, almost none had any real info. that I would find useful. You sir just made me, an owner of one (first pedal I've owned lmao), satisfied and relieved to score one when I was starting out. Cool riffs btw.
They are so close that I just went ahead and ordered the SD-1. its what Zakk used before his signature pedals anyway . It's like $48 new on American Musical Supply.
I own all 3 and I prefer the Berserker. The SD-1 is pretty damn good too, the Wylde Overdrive is a little more ratty/sludgy sounding. That’s why the Berserker is my favorite, it sounds the most focused to my ears, although the SD-1 isn’t far behind it.
The Zakk tone I know and love is No Rest, No More Tears, and P&G era. IOWs... SD1. Btw, I just looked up prices for the ZW44. That's a lot of extra money to pay for basically a clone with extra paint! I knew it would cost more than the SD1 but that's over double! (Not in this lifetime)
I use the Wylde OD to boost my Randall RT100, it tightens up the bass well. Like most ODs, it needs a gate if using it as an actual OD and not just a clean boost.
I know this is an older video but thank you for mentioning that the ZW44 doesn't have an output buffer. Ive found OD's that dont have any output buffer stage feed really well into fuzz pedals that have input impedance sensitivities.
Just found and subscribed to your channel. I’m looking for a used Dual rectifier, which model should I look for? I heard the effects loop isn’t any good in some of them. Appreciate your help!
Excellent test, well done! Throughout all the gain levels, I thought the beserker came across less buzzy than the first ZW44. The SD1 sounded somewhere closer to the first ZW44 and is a great value at $50. The differences are subtle though.
I’m pretty sure the Wylde and GT-OD are exactly the same circuit. They have dip switches on the inside to change to either. In my opinion the boss sd -1 doesn’t have the mid hump that the mxr pedals do! Cheers
I can confirm they are the same. the small dipswitch is located in the top left corner of the pedal under the casing, you can use a bent paperclip to flick it, on the left is the ZW 44 and on the right is the GT-OD!
I remember when I was a kid I got an original ZW signature OD when it came out and used to rock it through a Marshall MG halfstack XD. It eventually broke on me, miss that pedal :(
I'm not a fan of Mesa's, but holy crap you make yours sound great! Good job and thanks for the useful review. Kind of makes me sad that I bought a Berzerker, I should of went for the original or an old SD-1 from the 80's...Although, the higher the gain, the less of a difference there is between all 3... Very interesting!
I own all 3 now. I got pissee when I ordered a Wylde Overdrive that was pictured and got a Beserker instead then had to ask folk on Ebay what I waa ordering before I did to get the actual Wylde Overdrive being they're allready hard enough to find. I'm happy though I got all 3 though being I'm collecting all the pedals I can get. Which do you prefer over the Beserker or the Wylde?
What knob settings and pedal chain placement do you recommend for to achieve a boost sound for solos? It used to work well with my old amps (Peavey 5150 and Marshall 100FDX) , but I’ve moved to Japan, and purchased a new amp (Marshall MG50-combo). However, it does not seem to work well with it at all.
My understanding is the knobs were removed simply to keep them from moving while on tour, and the pedal is set somewhere between the two permutations shown in the link below. Though I wouldn't be surprised if the level and gain is turned up past 3 'o clock, as the amount of gain he used live the past three times I've seen him is absolutely absurd. www.google.com/search?q=zakk+wylde+zw44+settings&client=ms-android-att-us&prmd=sivn&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjftIOw5aXfAhVInKwKHXooCmYQ_AUoAnoECA0QAg&cshid=1545012884095&biw=360&bih=560#imgrc=6pq_pVzN0JTYZM
@@PlagueScytheStudios the pics I’ve seen of his SD-1 settings were....tone at noon, level and gain at 2:00.....haven’t seen the newer MXR settings though....I did see pics of that knobless MXR....I assume it’s because they are always at the same settings ? I also never understood why he had the chorus pedals on his boards. Why send 2 cables from the board when you can send one.....have the pedal away from the feet (assuming he’s never turned it off), just split the signal when it’s closer to the heads (behind him)......nomsayin ?
I own a GT-OD. It has an internal switch, which allows you to switch between GT-OD and ZW44 settings. Made an external switch for it as well. Easy mod, to turn it into 2 pedals for the price of one. It is my only overdrive pedal. My post about the mod on the My Les paul forums (as stated, didn't make this up, someone else pointed this to me) www.mylespaul.com/threads/the-mxr-classic-overdrive-is-back-at-guitar-center-and-theyre-giving-them-away.225808/post-4453406
Thanks! For general purpose use, I still like the original ZW44 since it behaves closest to an SD-1, and I think I sound better through it when using passive pickups.
@@PlagueScytheStudios I see! I just bought the Boss SD-1, give me exactly the extra i need to get the sound i like. I was thinking on buying the Metal Core ML-2 from Boss, have you ever tried it? Would love a video like this, just with Metal Zone and Metal Core for example. Keep it going dude!
What a great review, you nsiled it bro, Zak was just an marketing guy for mxr, all cool and why not slap his name-logo, im suprised boss did not sue mxr for cloning
No I don't, which is precisely why you're hearing clipping. I tried crossfades, but it took close to 500 ms to eliminate the pops, and that was far too long for my tastes in this sort of back to back comparison.
I play an original JTM45, and use the Wylde over a crunch tube sound. It smokes. Tried the Berzerker and it is quite diff and very muddy shitty sounding. Dumped it right away. The original ZW44 is quite awesome as an OD in front of a single channel loud tube amp.
From what ive heard those dip switches are what's turning a mxr GT-overdrive into a ZW44. Its the same pedal, same circuitboard. Produced as the same board for costs reasons, and they just add in a dip switch to swap out a few resistors or capacitors.
Hi thank you for this video it was very informative because I have been wanting to get a Berzerker but they are massuvely expensive, I am trying to get a Slayer Jeff Hanneman sound but because he has been passed away now for a long time his tone is missing and will never be captured. On a gear review Kerry King uses a Berzerker that is all I know.
Key to Slayer’s tone was old Boss micro rack 10-band equalizer, Japanese made. Model RGE-10. Kerry’s signature amp has the sound of this EQ curve built in
Just curious, but what channel and settings would you dial in to use the ZW-44 if you had the EVH 5150 III stealth 100 watt top. Trying to dial in his tone but hitting a road block.
And I just realized you answered my question for the most part towards the end of your video...either way which channel would you use? Blue (crunch) or red (ultra high gain)?
I've always preferred the sound of the blue channel, but the gain of the red (which is why I love the 50 watt blue sound, it's essentially twice the gain). I would try the blue first personally.
Can you comment or do a video on using different Ohm pairings on amps and cabs? My RT100 and Mesa cab can both do 4 or 8 Ohms. A few months ago I hooked up my setup after a tear down and it wasn't sounding the same, there seemed to be less oomph and the speakers were breaking up early. A few weeks ago I realized I had hooked it up on 8 Ohm instead of 4. Now it's back to where it should be. This definitely has to affect the push/pull between the power tubes, transformer, and speakers, but I'm not what sorcery is going on there. Forums are no help and give typical answers ranging from it makes a world of difference to I'm crazy.
When you match a cabinets impedance with a tube amplifiers output (8 ohms into 8, 16 ohms into 16, etc), there is no difference because the output transformer takes care of the volume and load differences. The same cannot be said for mismatched though. If you have a single output like on a solid state amp, a 16 ohm cabinet will be harder to drive than a 4 ohm, and will therefore be quieter at the same master volume level. The tone differences are hard to nail down in a broad statement since speakers of different impedance are built differently, but they will be audible on a case by case basis. Long story short, make sure you match your cab's rating to the correct output on your amp and you have nothing to worry about.
@@PlagueScytheStudios I was of the same thought of "there is no difference because the output transformer takes care of the volume and load differences" until I accidentally tried it IRL. Maybe I'm experiencing a placebo effect, but try it yourself. Really crank one of your amps that has multiple load outputs and hook up 4 into 4 and then 8 into 8 with unchanged settings. I was hearing the biggest difference when heavy palm muting...or I'm just crazy.
Which model Mesa cabinet is it? Because 4x12 recto cabinets are stereo, meaning the 4 ohm inputs are only operating one column of speakers. That would make an obvious difference
It's the standard Oversized Recto Slant. It didn't even occur to me that it was wired that way, now I'm curious and will investigate further. I don't put my ear holes anywhere near the cab, so it's not immediately obvious if two or four speakers are moving. No doubt you're right though, FML. Four vs two speakers makes total sense for my scenario.
Lol I owned my Rectifier cabinet for almost a year before I remembered it was stereo, it happens. Turn down the master volume and listen up close, it will become immediately apparent.
Can’t tell you how much I was smiling throughout the video listening to this. Made my week. Love, love, loved the detailed talk and hair splitting details between them. Also the riffing was spot on!! Thank you for this video!!
In all the months I took in researching and understanding the Berzerker, almost none had any real info. that I would find useful. You sir just made me, an owner of one (first pedal I've owned lmao), satisfied and relieved to score one when I was starting out. Cool riffs btw.
SOMEBODY get this dude a Yamaha SPX90 STAT!! NO Wylde fan should be left without one!
Great video man!
They are so close that I just went ahead and ordered the SD-1. its what Zakk used before his signature pedals anyway . It's like $48 new on American Musical Supply.
8:15 SD-1
9:24 Berzerker
10:33 Wylde
12 years since I started playing guitar, and I still use that ZW-44 :D
I own all 3 and I prefer the Berserker. The SD-1 is pretty damn good too, the Wylde Overdrive is a little more ratty/sludgy sounding. That’s why the Berserker is my favorite, it sounds the most focused to my ears, although the SD-1 isn’t far behind it.
Agreed
I play bass in a power violence inspired hardcore punk band and I use the wylde overdrive pretty exclusively. Works well with what we're going for.
stop the cap bro bro
i agree the bezerker sounds a little more transparent, can be used as a base od into a clean amp for that bluesy rock sound
The Zakk tone I know and love is No Rest, No More Tears, and P&G era. IOWs... SD1.
Btw, I just looked up prices for the ZW44. That's a lot of extra money to pay for basically a clone with extra paint! I knew it would cost more than the SD1 but that's over double! (Not in this lifetime)
I use the Wylde OD to boost my Randall RT100, it tightens up the bass well. Like most ODs, it needs a gate if using it as an actual OD and not just a clean boost.
This was a great demo video!
Guys and their guitar tones 🤘
SD1 sounds the best to me. Great video thanks
I know this is an older video but thank you for mentioning that the ZW44 doesn't have an output buffer. Ive found OD's that dont have any output buffer stage feed really well into fuzz pedals that have input impedance sensitivities.
Fascinatingly Awesome Info-thank you!
Just found and subscribed to your channel. I’m looking for a used Dual rectifier, which model should I look for? I heard the effects loop isn’t any good in some of them. Appreciate your help!
Excellent test, well done! Throughout all the gain levels, I thought the beserker came across less buzzy than the first ZW44. The SD1 sounded somewhere closer to the first ZW44 and is a great value at $50. The differences are subtle though.
I’m pretty sure the Wylde and GT-OD are exactly the same circuit. They have dip switches on the inside to change to either. In my opinion the boss sd -1 doesn’t have the mid hump that the mxr pedals do! Cheers
I can confirm they are the same. the small dipswitch is located in the top left corner of the pedal under the casing, you can use a bent paperclip to flick it, on the left is the ZW 44 and on the right is the GT-OD!
Well done! Much appreciated.
13 Years of Grief 🤘🏻
I use the ZW44 berzerker to kick my Marshall Jubilee in the ass. I feel that it fits well with the voice of the jubilee.
Holy reflective room batman
Are we listening with your lav mic? how can you monitor with such reverb? great content BTW
I remember when I was a kid I got an original ZW signature OD when it came out and used to rock it through a Marshall MG halfstack XD. It eventually broke on me, miss that pedal :(
I'm not a fan of Mesa's, but holy crap you make yours sound great! Good job and thanks for the useful review. Kind of makes me sad that I bought a Berzerker, I should of went for the original or an old SD-1 from the 80's...Although, the higher the gain, the less of a difference there is between all 3... Very interesting!
I don't think you could have went wrong......you can always tweek that amp then run your insane tone boost....carry on mate.....
Awesome!!!! Just bought the berserker today, have the wylde od 2!
MXR-66s classic OD same as both Zakk pedals they all have the switch under the hood . I paid $27 @ Sweetwater for the classic OD
That was a great comparison bro
I own all 3 now. I got pissee when I ordered a Wylde Overdrive that was pictured and got a Beserker instead then had to ask folk on Ebay what I waa ordering before I did to get the actual Wylde Overdrive being they're allready hard enough to find. I'm happy though I got all 3 though being I'm collecting all the pedals I can get. Which do you prefer over the Beserker or the Wylde?
9:00 is heavy haha, epic solo/ riff
You have a great tone man! ROCK ON :D
It’s interesting to know exactly the answer: is there a switch on the mxr zakk wylde on the mxr gt od?
Absolutely excellent video.
What knob settings and pedal chain placement do you recommend for to achieve a boost sound for solos? It used to work well with my old amps (Peavey 5150 and Marshall 100FDX) , but I’ve moved to Japan, and purchased a new amp (Marshall MG50-combo). However, it does not seem to work well with it at all.
I think I like the Wylde Overdrive more. I can hear the difference believe it or not.
I think Zakk had a custom pedal made where the pedal had no knobs, because they were all set to max. Research it, definitely more modern Zakk
My understanding is the knobs were removed simply to keep them from moving while on tour, and the pedal is set somewhere between the two permutations shown in the link below. Though I wouldn't be surprised if the level and gain is turned up past 3 'o clock, as the amount of gain he used live the past three times I've seen him is absolutely absurd.
www.google.com/search?q=zakk+wylde+zw44+settings&client=ms-android-att-us&prmd=sivn&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjftIOw5aXfAhVInKwKHXooCmYQ_AUoAnoECA0QAg&cshid=1545012884095&biw=360&bih=560#imgrc=6pq_pVzN0JTYZM
@@PlagueScytheStudios the pics I’ve seen of his SD-1 settings were....tone at noon, level and gain at 2:00.....haven’t seen the newer MXR settings though....I did see pics of that knobless MXR....I assume it’s because they are always at the same settings ? I also never understood why he had the chorus pedals on his boards. Why send 2 cables from the board when you can send one.....have the pedal away from the feet (assuming he’s never turned it off), just split the signal when it’s closer to the heads (behind him)......nomsayin ?
Ya know there’s a switch inside the ZW44 pedal? It’s on the other side of the board
Great review! Thanks!
Very well done my friend....thank you
SD-1 rules them all🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻
I was waiting this
An this is awesome
I own a GT-OD. It has an internal switch, which allows you to switch between GT-OD and ZW44 settings.
Made an external switch for it as well. Easy mod, to turn it into 2 pedals for the price of one.
It is my only overdrive pedal.
My post about the mod on the My Les paul forums (as stated, didn't make this up, someone else pointed this to me)
www.mylespaul.com/threads/the-mxr-classic-overdrive-is-back-at-guitar-center-and-theyre-giving-them-away.225808/post-4453406
FUCK YEA!!! Mirracle man is MY JAM!!!
What song is being played at 21:13 please
This is how you complete a good comparison! Well done dude. Which do you prefer?
Thanks! For general purpose use, I still like the original ZW44 since it behaves closest to an SD-1, and I think I sound better through it when using passive pickups.
@@PlagueScytheStudios I see! I just bought the Boss SD-1, give me exactly the extra i need to get the sound i like. I was thinking on buying the Metal Core ML-2 from Boss, have you ever tried it? Would love a video like this, just with Metal Zone and Metal Core for example. Keep it going dude!
useful comparison! now I'll go berzerk!!!!!! (and I'll get a SD1 a.s.a.p!)
PSS > TPS
lmfaooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
But you didn't mention the cleanness of the switches...I love those damn MXR button switches, the best there is.
What a great review, you nsiled it bro, Zak was just an marketing guy for mxr, all cool and why not slap his name-logo, im suprised boss did not sue mxr for cloning
Very good video. Thank you
Cool Man thanks For Review.. 😄
What is better for you guys? Yellow or grey?
I would think yellow would be easier to see on a dark stage.....
Parabéns cara . Ótima explicação
Do you put crossfades between the different audio clips when doing those kinds of shootouts? I'm hearing clicks and pops and it's triggering me xD
No I don't, which is precisely why you're hearing clipping. I tried crossfades, but it took close to 500 ms to eliminate the pops, and that was far too long for my tastes in this sort of back to back comparison.
Compromises eh? Oh well :D (Freaking solid riffing as always by the way!)
I play an original JTM45, and use the Wylde over a crunch tube sound. It smokes. Tried the Berzerker and it is quite diff and very muddy shitty sounding. Dumped it right away. The original ZW44 is quite awesome as an OD in front of a single channel loud tube amp.
I have a gt-od and modded it to have the toggle to switch between two modes.
Berzerk is a little brighter on the mids but lack of bites. Wylde has more bites but is a little more flat. Anyone could make them a combination ?
HEY!! i think one of the wylde overdrives has dip switches INSIDE!!!
From what ive heard those dip switches are what's turning a mxr GT-overdrive into a ZW44. Its the same pedal, same circuitboard. Produced as the same board for costs reasons, and they just add in a dip switch to swap out a few resistors or capacitors.
I have the black label chorus and the Zakk Wylde wah pedal along with berserker overdrive. What order should I lay them out in?
Wah 1st, OD 2nd, Chorus last
Just try stuff.
Hi thank you for this video it was very informative because I have been wanting to get a Berzerker but they are massuvely expensive, I am trying to get a Slayer Jeff Hanneman sound but because he has been passed away now for a long time his tone is missing and will never be captured. On a gear review Kerry King uses a Berzerker that is all I know.
Key to Slayer’s tone was old Boss micro rack 10-band equalizer, Japanese made. Model RGE-10. Kerry’s signature amp has the sound of this EQ curve built in
SD1 always bleeds into the next pedal even if it is off.
Just curious, but what channel and settings would you dial in to use the ZW-44 if you had the EVH 5150 III stealth 100 watt top. Trying to dial in his tone but hitting a road block.
And I just realized you answered my question for the most part towards the end of your video...either way which channel would you use? Blue (crunch) or red (ultra high gain)?
I've always preferred the sound of the blue channel, but the gain of the red (which is why I love the 50 watt blue sound, it's essentially twice the gain). I would try the blue first personally.
In your video did you have the gain pegged on the amp?
Not even close, maybe 1-2 o'clock.
You should do a shootout between the mar stereo chorus, black label chorus, and the boss chorus he used next.
Zakk said in a video that he just maxes out the knobs
@plaguescythestudios What is that riff that comes in at 25:37 from?
I really like the Bezerker on Bleed For Me!
I think it's one of his. If it's a Zakk song I don't recognize it at all.
Imperium by machine head
I want one of those Zakk Wylde guitars in the worst way.
Verry good job
Please if anyone know please tell me what song the riff at 8:55 and at 10:05 is from please thank u once again
It’s similar to pride and glory loosing your mind but no it’s something else need some help here guys
thumbs up fornImperium riff at 24:30
SD-1 & SD-1w rock
Anyone ever tell You kinda look like Dario lorina
Berkerker sounded a little hotter at the beginning then the other 2 to me
I like the SD-1 by far the best... The Wylde pedals just seem thinner/duller
Can you comment or do a video on using different Ohm pairings on amps and cabs? My RT100 and Mesa cab can both do 4 or 8 Ohms. A few months ago I hooked up my setup after a tear down and it wasn't sounding the same, there seemed to be less oomph and the speakers were breaking up early. A few weeks ago I realized I had hooked it up on 8 Ohm instead of 4. Now it's back to where it should be. This definitely has to affect the push/pull between the power tubes, transformer, and speakers, but I'm not what sorcery is going on there. Forums are no help and give typical answers ranging from it makes a world of difference to I'm crazy.
When you match a cabinets impedance with a tube amplifiers output (8 ohms into 8, 16 ohms into 16, etc), there is no difference because the output transformer takes care of the volume and load differences. The same cannot be said for mismatched though. If you have a single output like on a solid state amp, a 16 ohm cabinet will be harder to drive than a 4 ohm, and will therefore be quieter at the same master volume level. The tone differences are hard to nail down in a broad statement since speakers of different impedance are built differently, but they will be audible on a case by case basis.
Long story short, make sure you match your cab's rating to the correct output on your amp and you have nothing to worry about.
@@PlagueScytheStudios I was of the same thought of "there is no difference because the output transformer takes care of the volume and load differences" until I accidentally tried it IRL. Maybe I'm experiencing a placebo effect, but try it yourself. Really crank one of your amps that has multiple load outputs and hook up 4 into 4 and then 8 into 8 with unchanged settings. I was hearing the biggest difference when heavy palm muting...or I'm just crazy.
Which model Mesa cabinet is it? Because 4x12 recto cabinets are stereo, meaning the 4 ohm inputs are only operating one column of speakers. That would make an obvious difference
It's the standard Oversized Recto Slant. It didn't even occur to me that it was wired that way, now I'm curious and will investigate further. I don't put my ear holes anywhere near the cab, so it's not immediately obvious if two or four speakers are moving. No doubt you're right though, FML. Four vs two speakers makes total sense for my scenario.
Lol I owned my Rectifier cabinet for almost a year before I remembered it was stereo, it happens. Turn down the master volume and listen up close, it will become immediately apparent.
GT-OD is the modified ZW44. ZW was first. Not the other way round
The mxr sounds a lot fuller than the berzerker, which sounds just like the SD-1
Boss Waza rides again
Please of some one knows tell me what song is the lick at 10:05 is from plllleeeeeeasee
MXR GT-OD th-cam.com/video/rJic940nAJk/w-d-xo.html
boogie' s have terrible internal designs. sound good just not well designed
these overdrive pedals are so useless..Zakk Wylde=EMGS+ Marshall+Tube Screamer+Wah pedal.Its not hard to get his tone.
Probably for his old amps.