Which is better, built in distortion in an amp. or using a distortion pedal?

Question

I'm still a beginner and i want to get an electric guitar for my birthday. i'm getting a Dean Vendetta XM, and i'm not sure if i should buy a distortion pedal separately or be okay with the built in distortion. i want to play rock, hard rock, and metal.

ps. can you explain the difference to me? sorry i really dont know much.

Answer 1

3 things----

1. Preference

2. Preference

3. Preference

Normally if you have a tube combo or Half-stack, then it will sound better because of warmth.  If you have a little practice amp it can be a doubled edge sword.  Just listen, if you arent getting the sound you want.. go to your local shop and test some out.  I suggest bringing your amp.

If the store actual cares, they will help set up a nice petal for you and your amp!

Answer 2

almost all solid state and tube amps today have a gain k**b, but id rather use a separate pedal for distortion. because the amp's main focus is the volume and amplification of the sound, and the equalization of the high, mid and low frequencies, not the distortion itself, thus the limited tonal plane. a distortion pedal obviously focuses on the distortion and it always has the useful extra eq (tone k**b or high, mid low k***s) to shape the sound into something more specific and powerful. though there are different types of distortion pedals for different styles and genres, the pedal is the way to go. i personally recommend the boss ds1 and the metal muff. ive owned the ts9, ts8, rat, big muff, but those two are the most powerful. i also recommend changing the pickups of that vendetta. the stock ones suck.

Answer 3

You want you amp to be as clean as possible.

By having your distortion in a pedal, you can tune for different styles.

distortion in the amp was purely accidental when the heavy metal sound was akin to "ART".

The greatest of Heavy Metal uses some clean sounds (bass) to use as contrast so that the metal sounds heavy.

For young and up-start bands, go cheap.  Nothing says keeping it real like real distortion.