Grilled Cheese Distortion Review

It is important to spend time (quite a lot of time) getting the resonance just right for your guitar.

Ease of Use:	9
Sound:	7.7
Reliability:	8.7
Impression:	8.3
Overall rating:	8.4
Users rating:	6.2
Comments:	10

overall: 7.3

Reviewed by: sb trogdor, on january 05, 2008

Price paid: $ 21.99

Ease of Use: This is a cool pedal. Really cheap. It doesn't take a whole lot to make it sound good, but only if you know what you want. You need to try it out at a store first instead of off the web for this one. If you are looking for just plain distortion or overdrive, go for the Boss DS-1. It didn't come with a manual, but it doesn't really need one. It has one volume knob labeled level, and another labeled resonance for the amount of distortion. It takes one 9v battery, or DC 9v plug. I use the plug. It has one button to turn it on or off. To get to the battery you unscrew the bottom. // 7

Sound: With this pedal I am using a Squier Cyclone guitar or a Stagg rock g. For amps I use a Peavey classic vt 212. Sounds better with bass up about 3/4 of the way and the middle and treble at about 1/2 of the way on the amp. It doesn't have that much hiss, but it gets the most with the resonance all the way up. The effects always sound pretty good, but as I said, only if that's what you were looking for. I don't use this for playing other people's music. It sounds like a long empty tunnel with a guitar in it. I have used this to record a song and brought it to a gig. // 7

Reliability & Durability: This is a really dependable pedal, but sometimes the 9v batteries die. I would bring this to a gig without backup but only if it was plugged in instead of battery powered. I once brought this to a gig but we didn't have enough sockets for it so I didn't use it. My solos kind of sucked that show because of it. // 8

Impression: I play rock music and it is a pretty good match. I can imagine it would sound great with funk. I have been playing for 5 years and own a Dean 3/4 size Playmate, a Stagg Rock G, and a Squier Cyclone for guitars. For amps I have A Peavey Classic VT series 212, and an Ibanez 10g. For pedals I own a Boss Metal Zone, a Boss DS-1, and a Danelectro Grilled Cheese Distortion. If it were stolen or lost, I would probably not buy it again just because now I am starting to play metal, and this pedal isn't meant for that. I love the '50s feel of it and I like the fact it is so simple. I did not compare this to anything because It was my first pedal and I didn't have a lot of money. I wish it had a different color. It may sound funny, but it is yellow and I don't really like the color yellow. Just my opinion. // 7

overall: 10

Reviewed by: TeddyRamone, on november 09, 2006

Purchased from: Yamaha

Ease of Use: Grilled Cheese is totally easy to use. Only 2 knobs, level and renoscance, so yeah it's easy to use. Oh yeah, it's yellow in colour too, my favourite color! There's no big manual, only a small piece of paper showing the preferred distortion. But do you really need a manual for an effect with only 2 knobs? Just turn the knobs and you will get the sound you're looking for, No Doubt about it. // 10

Sound: I'm using a crappy Yamaha Pacifica with a crappy Yamaha GA-10 amplifier. Nothing much to talk about, but when plugged in with the Grilled Cheese, it goes beserk! Turn the renoscance knob all the way down, and you get this crazy sleek treble distortion similar to a Boss Metal Zone. When you turn it all the way up, it gives you this powerful bass distortion, equally crazy and sleek. Amazing what a 2 knobs effect can do. // 10

Reliability & Durability: Reliablity & Durablity? I'm not sure about the durability 'cause I haven't gigged with it, but I'm sure it will go well (maybe gotta get a backup just in case). But I can say that it's totally reliable. It even has this see through hard plastic case covering the area around the knobs, so the knobs don't get stomped on and get spoilt when ever you step on it. It has this large rubber surface at the bottom, so rest assured the little dude won't move an inch. // 10

Impression: I used to play hardcore D-beat punk rock like The Casualties, and other hard rock/metal like Foo Fighters, Children Of Bodom. Kinda the type of distortion I'm looking for, it goes well with my style of music. I got it for a birthday present from my brother, and if it were stolen, I'd track down that guy and beat the living daylights out of him. // 10

Reviewed by: unregistered, on july 21, 2004

Purchased from: SAm Goody's

Ease of Use: This piece of equipment is very easy to use. It's small and compact which makes it easy to set up at shows. Danelectro also has made it where you can set up multiple distortions together, which is really cool and is quite simple to set up. // 10

Sound: This distortion is very noisy. If you don't have the level knob turned p all the way then it isn't as noisy, but sometimes I can't even hear my guitar over the noise! // 6

Reliability & Durability: This pedal is very very dependable. However if you do not have a 9-volt adapter and have to use a battery, it won't last very long at all. The longest mine lasted on a battery was 3 days. I would definitely take it to a gig w/o a backup. // 8

Impression: The type of music I play is blues rock, and this pedal is good for. As long as you dont turn the level all the way up, but if you do turn the level upp then it's very good for rock maybe metal.I would purchase another one if it was stolen and I plan on buyingmore from the Dabelectro line of products. The one thing I wish it had is markings on next to the knobs so I can tell exactly where I want it for certain songs. // 8

Comments

[don't touch me]

i've had the grilled cheese pedal for quite a while now and it sucks the whole range the grilled cheese is taken from is poor if you want a pedal that can give you trebble and bass distortion and can suit any style of music from blues to rock to metal to punk get the digitech hot head distortion pedal it rules!!!

[xX Maverick Xx]

but when plugged in with the Grilled Cheese, it goes beserk!

for some odd reason i laughed really hard when i read that

[Chickenfrmheck]

haha^ im weird too i laughed at ur comment lol

[somethingcool76]

i definately have to recommend the Boss DS-1 over any other starter distortion pedal because of its ease, durability, and range, all while being pretty cheap

[k90728]

xX Maverick Xx wrote:

but when plugged in with the Grilled Cheese, it goes beserk!


for some odd reason i laughed really hard when i read that

HAHAHAHAHA!-The Grilled Cheese should be a "toasty" colour and shaped like a peice of bread. Then when you stuggle and step on it. Cheese comes out!!!... But i think it should be shaped like a peice of bread.

[King ofKumbucha]

I think it should be shaped like a piece of shit cuz thats what it sounds like.

[santhony1987]

King ofKumbucha wrote:

I think it should be shaped like a piece of shit cuz thats what it sounds like.

Word

[Gosman]

As do you my friend.

[SkAsupafly]

haha these comments are hilarious, anyways who's ever heard a good danelectro pedal??

[Dragonstrat]

SkAsupafly wrote:

haha these comments are hilarious, anyways who's ever heard a good danelectro pedal??

You would be surprised. Many hit recordings are done with pedals that many would not consider a good pedal. The Danelectro Daddy-O was used by guitarist Mike Campbell on a Tom Petty album. I have many pedals in the studio and the Daddy-O, Grilled Cheese, Fab Distortion, Black Licorice, Tuna Melt are part of the arsenal. When purchasing the Daddy-O, Grilled Cheese, I a/b'ed them against the other units in the store until I found ones that suited my ears. You just have to have an open mind and the ability to realize how tones can transfer (in a recording) and be manipulated. There is no one best pedal. Van Halen used a cheap tape cartridge Univox delay on some of their albums..