What is guitar distortion?

Question

What exactly is guitar distortion, and what equipment is needed to make distortion? Thanks!

Answer 1

Distortion is an attempt to replicate the overdriven effect of amplifiers in the sixties where you turned your amp up so loud that the sound distorted.

These days distortion is usually achieved in one of two ways:

1.  The amplifier has an "overdrive" as opposed to a "clean" setting that you can change by hitting a foot pedal

2.  A "distortion box" is used - the guitar is plugged into the distortion box and the box is plugged into the amp.  There are TONS of different kinds of distortion boxes on the market.  If you want to buy one I'd recommend going to a music store and trying some out to see what you like.

Answer 2

Distortion takes the crisp edge off of the sound giving you a more blended fuzzy sound. There are many different types of distortion peddles on the market. Go to any music store and have them play through a couple of them for you and see which one you like. They range in price from 35 to 100 bux.