Grilled Cheese Distortion Review

manufacturer: danelectro date: 11/21/2011 category: guitar effects
Grilled Cheese Distortion
It is important to spend time (quite a lot of time) getting the resonance just right for your guitar.
 Ease of Use: 8.8
 Sound: 7.8
 Reliability: 8.3
 Impression: 8.3
 Overall rating:
 7.2 
 Reviewer rating:
 8.3 
 Users rating:
 6.2 
 Votes:
 13 
reviews (4) pictures (2) 10 comments vote for this effect:
overall: 7.8
Grilled Cheese Distortion Reviewed by: ranbat, on november 21, 2011
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Price paid: $ 14.99

Purchased from: Guitar Center

Ease of Use: On it's own, I wouldn't describe this pedal as sounding good. This is the kind of pedal that will Shine when used on a recording or with the right combination of other instruments. It has two knobs and there is really no need for a manual. Just sit down and tweak the knobs 'til you get the right sound. // 8

Sound: For my test, I used a late 80s Harmony Super Strat style guitar with a 1969 Fender Solid State Pro Reverb. Yeah, I like odd gear. My pedal was pretty quiet. The Level knob only raises the volume, while the Resonance knob is more of a tone knob with a sweep like a Wah pedal. So, if you wanna get that half-way open Wah sound that Micheal Schenker uses, this pedal may come in handy. The Distortion seems set at max, so not alot you can do there. // 8

Reliability & Durability: I think the Danelectro mini pedals are great for studio or home. I've never had one fail me there. While they don't have metal casings, they are pretty durable. Just don't kick the knobs as their prone to snapping off. As for in a live setting, I couldn't say for sure, but they seem like they would hold up. I'd gig with it and not have a backup. // 7

Impression: I play a lot of different styles, so I see this pedal as having many uses. I dig the Dano mini effects line and have something of a collection of them. Most of my effects are Dano minis anymore. Like I've said, I collect them and they're fun to have around. I'd definitely try and replace it if it was lost or stolen. I didn't really do any comparison shopping. Really, I wasn't even looking for a pedal. I just happened to see it in Guitar Center and knew I didn't have one in my collection. // 8

Was this review helpful to you? Yes / No
Post your comment
overall: 7.3
Grilled Cheese Distortion Reviewed by: sb trogdor, on january 05, 2008
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

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

Was this review helpful to you? Yes / No
Post your comment
overall: 10
Grilled Cheese Distortion Reviewed by: TeddyRamone, on november 09, 2006
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

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

Was this review helpful to you? Yes / No
Post your comment
overall: 8
Grilled Cheese Distortion Reviewed by: unregistered, on july 21, 2004
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

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

Was this review helpful to you? Yes / No
Post your comment
subscribe to
More Danelectro reviews: rating category latest review
+ Danelectro Tuna Melt Tremolo 7 guitar effects 12/10/2008
+ Danelectro Free Speech 8.3 guitar effects 08/28/2006
+ Danelectro Fab Overdrive 5.8 guitar effects 04/03/2006
+ Danelectro DJ13 French Toast Octave Distortion 10 guitar effects 03/29/2008
+ Danelectro Dano Pro 8.3 electric guitars 06/26/2008
+ view all
© 2013 Ultimate-Guitar.com or its affiliates. All rights reserved     About | Help | Site Map | Link To Us | TOS | Privacy Policy | Advertise | Contact