Visual Sound Route 66

Easy to use. Manual is very basic but helpful as a starting point. Dials are self explanatory. Compressor side requires a little more tweaking.

I play a custon Fender strat with single coils and humbucker combinations. I play into a Mesa/Boogie subway rocket reverb and use the route 66 for a blues overdrive and the amps overdrive for the nasty stuff. The unit is quiet, even the compressor(for a compressor)and both sound great. You can get an SRV overdrive sound with the right tweaking and the compressor is great for a clean boost as well as adding a sparkle to the clean channel of my Boogie( not quite Fender clean). The compressor can also get a good squashed sound if thats what your into. I used to own a Boss blues driver and compressor/sustainer and the route 66 sounds much better to me. Especially the compressor.

I have owned it for about a year and have had no problems. I jam with friends about twice a month so it doesn't get much road abuse.

I e-mailed visual sound once with some questions and my e-mail was replied to promtly. I don't see any problems here.

Excellent pedal for my style and use. I like mostly blues, some classic rock and am getting into jazz. This pedal will suit those styles for me.

Very user friendly, just turn the knobs to dial in a good tone. As was said before, running both effects at the same time can be tricky. The manual says to watch your levels if you're using both compression and overdrive. I tend to use one or the other.

I bought it mainly for the compression, and am very impressed. It has a snappy yet expansive sound, very old-school. I compared it with a Boss CS-3 and the the Route 66 sounded much better - more high end coming through, yet plenty of sustain. A very warm compression sound, and the clean boost (gain knob) was a nice feature as well. You can use this to drive your amp a little harder, or balance out the volume levels. The overdrive side (tubescreamer 808 clone) is also a great sound - round and smooth, rather transparent. I use it as an "extra" overdrive on top of my amps dirty channel for over-the-top distortion, or as a different sound from my amp's distortion.

Seems solid, not quite as tough looking as a Boss pedal, but definitely quality construction.

Excellent customer support. He answers e-mails promptly and is happy to answer your questions. I've never had problems with VS products, but did have some questions before buying.

A great pedal. I use the compression for clean guitar sounds, especially when playing slide guitar. The overdrive side is really just a bonus for me - I'd buy this for the compression alone. The unit has a warm analog sound, and it's hard to get a bad sound out of it. Definitely blows away the Boss compressors, and having two pedals (plus the clean boost) for the price of one, how can you go wrong?

It is somewhat difficult to figure out how to use the two effects together (volume) other than that it is quite basic

This box far exceeds most others I have tried. The Route 66 and a fender tele make a perfect match (esp. with the use of the bass boost). The Edge just ordered 2 of them and Daniel Lanios picked up one himself. You can't go wrong here.

I have personally never experienced problems but I have heard these little boxes can have some problems...

Never had to deal with them.

This is a great general overdrive. Buy one and then buy another for your best friend.

very easy to set up-manual has a few sample settings to get you started.

good compressor-i wonder what(if anything)it's modelled after? the 808 side is cool with the bass boost...both sides together aren't that noisy if reasonably set.

who knows?

heard they were good to deal with-hope i don't have to.

nice concept-an OD with a compressor that can be used like seperate effects or together...i also have their jekyll&hyde OD which gets used quite a bit-this one has it's own set of uses.

Very easy to use, three knobs per side with a bass boost. The bass boost is too boomy for my taste. I got it from a fire sale at a store, it reaally did survive a fire, and it works well. What impresses me the most is that it by-passes beautifully. So many pedals can't by-pass to save their life (ProCo Rat, ElectroHarmonix, Marshall). This does, switching is silent and the tone is very good (especially the compression).

Overdrive is about a 7. It clips in pretty well, but gets woofy, especially with the bass boost. The compression is very good, about a 9. Keeps the sound very tight in my Mesa-Boogie Studio Caliber (I highly reccomend this amp or any Boogie). I use: G&L S500 stock, Fender Squire MIJ 83 with Rio Grande Tallboys (N & M) with a Lindy Fralin Steel Pole in the Bridge, home built swamp ash tele with Bill Lawrence 280 (N) 290 (B). Works well with all of these axes (overdrive is great with the tele).

Seems pretty solid. I'd preffer a sealed chassis to prevent dust build up. Quiet switching (SwitchCraft) and good point to point soldering. Yeah, you could go without a backup. Just keep plenty of batteries (Radio Shack house brand rocks. Dollar for dollar, better value than anyone). If the chassis were a unit of one (sealed welds at the folds and points, it'll get a ten).

Haven't had to deal with them.

I'm a rock/blues player, some metal. This is basically a really good pedal. I'm still tweaking between everything (Rocktron Rampage Distortion, Morely Pro Wha) and this is a good value of a pedal. Very brown sound for you EVH fans. Created some great classic sounds in the Rhythm Section of my amp (AC/DC, Led Zep) The compression works really well for clean or overdrive/distortion sections. Clean, makes great Metallica (Enter Sandman opening section) sound. Clipped overdrive gets some pretty rootsy Texas blues. Pushed out gets a bit too muddy for me. Like I said, I'm still working with it and don't plan to get rid of it. I like it, and for $70-$100+, you are getting two very functional pedals for the dime. Does the Overdrive work as well as a TS-9? Well, the by-pass works better and the tone is pretty damn good. Easy to match amp level to pedal level. I've been as honest as possible about this and the only thing that I can say is drive the guys at your local music store nuts by trying everything. Get on an amp that is much like yours and an axe. Plug in, play open chords and check the by-pass, levels on and off. Plug in direct to the amp, then back through the pedal. When it's off (the pedal), does it screw with the sound? Bad pedal to have. Seek out Rocktron Pedals as well, they are amazing.

3 knobs on each channel. That's it. It took me about 5 minutes to get a killer sound

I'm using a PRS McCarty thru a mesa boogie Nomad. I also run a TS-9 into the Route 66 to a crybaby wah into a boss delay. First off, the overdrive was pretty nice. I prefer the TS-9 sound (a little darker) but I use it as a bit of a boost. The compressor is what blew me away. The compressed clean tone is perfect. I love that squashed sound it adds. Overdriven is just as good. I don't use tons of gain for the most part, but every note sings w/ this thing on. Lead tones are perfect, especially with the neck pickup. I am a big fan of Phish, and right when I plugged this pedal in, I got that smooth, squishy Trey Anastasio tone. I recommend this pedal to anyone who wants a fat huge blues sound.

I haven't had a problem yet, and it seems very solid

I have been playing for about 8 years now, and I play classic rock, jam stuff (Phish, Dead) and originals. This pedal is a true step up for me in tone. Good overdrive and fabulous compression(beats the hell out of the Dynacomp). Turn this thing on and immediately notice a kick ass difference in tone.

No manual needed. If you can make a cup of coffee, you can operate this...

My main guitar is a Gretsch Electromatic. The Rt.66 is the only stomp-box in my signal-path. I push the signal into a Torque R50 (a solid-state Brit-make amp). Man, does it sound like a valve amp! Especially with the compressor added to the mix. When I switch from treble to rhythm (on the guitar), my leads really cuts through the symbals. Great dynamics.

The gain and volume on the pedal is more than enough (lots of headroom). There's no hum on the OD. The comp (like any other, I suppose) has a bit of a hum.

I pretty much go for a seventies-rock sound. I find that the Rt.66 has a mix of clean sound with the OD, which I love.

If you don't want a sterile stereotyped sound, buy this baby...

I've been using it for almost 1 year now, and no problems (yet)...

No support needed. It looks good from the other reviews.

I've been playing for 4 1/2 years. Our band is grungy, with a 70's rock influence.

Other gear includes: Marshall TSL100 amp, BOSS Wah (total piece of shit, I've tried the Morley. Much better!), Zoom 505 (restricted piece of crap), Marshall Vibratrem (good piece of equipment).

I would defintely replace it if it gets stolen, or such.

I had a Marshall Guv'nor in mind, but the salesperson convinced me to get the Rt.66. I prefer the Rt.66... (anyhow, it's 2 in 1). And it's ALL I need.

Both the compressor and the orverdrive are very easy to use, manual tells you what you need to know!

I use both humbuckers and single coil guitars, Fender Princeton Chorus combo (for practice), and strait to the "board" at Church (where I play)I'm not sure you can get a BAD sound out of this unit, both sides have worked well together for me so far! The compressor can be a little noisy but not bad at all. Sounds great, I've heard lots of coments ,,,,, and all have been good!!!!!!!!

This thing is built very , very solid,,,,,, Yes I'll go without a back up!

I emailed them, and Bob Weil himself got back to me the very next day,,,,, he was extremely helpful and a very nice guy to boot.

I play Cristian contemporary , Praise&Worship, with heavey rock/blues flavor. I've been playing over 20 years.If it was lost/stolen I'd try to find another used one and IF I had the money would buy a new one the next day.I have had/have these overdrives,,, Arion, Boss SD-1,and Multi FX units with OD and I have these other compressor pedals, Pearl , Boss CS-3. This is a very musical unit, YES it helps me make music!

2 sections - 3 knobs each - 1 footswitch for each section. Ok it's not an MXR single knob phaser but it still ain't rocket science.

I use this device with a Tele Plus thru either a Peavey delta Blues (great amp) or Fender Blues Junior (so I've got an EL-84 fixation). Very low noise even on high gain settings with a battery but if using an adapter (wall wart) you MUST use one of the suggested models otherwise there is a loud hum from the compressor side. This is NOT the fault of the unit al all; it's just letting you know it wants REGULATED juice. The compressor, at low settings adds a lot of sparkle and presence to the Telecaster. I don't use high comp settings much but they are very musical and make the not sing a long time. The overdrive section is unreal. Move over TS-808! The bass boost switch puts SERIOUS bottom on the sound but it NEVER sounds muddy. I have been all over the lot on the dials on both sides - there is not a bad sound there. VS has done their homework (unlike a lot of my students!).

Check out the metal case - can you say indestructible? I knew you could. OK I wouldn't let my pet elephant stand on it but it sould withstand serious abuse (but then I don't abuse any of my gear either so it should last forever). Backups? We don't need no stinking backups!

I e-mailed VS about the aforementioned hum with my adapter and they got back to me with info within 2 days - I got an e-mail from the boss while he was in Asia and was informed the day I e-mailed him that there might be a delay due to his trip - fantastic support as far as I'm concerned. VS is a great comapny to do business with.

I originally got this after reading a guitar player review and being ticked at the long wait for a Voodoo Sparkle Drive. Am I glad I switched my order - this thing is a two for one pedal that blows any TS-808 or clone away. As far as I'm concerned the Route 66 should be THE choice for a blues/rock OD.

This pedal is very easy to use, as long as you view it as 2 seperate pedals. Features have already been covered.

I am using this with an american Tele and an SRV strat. Also have used it with a Washburn 335 style guitar. For amps I'm using a Twin and a Laney VC-30 (vox rip off). The sound is good, but not very inspiring. It is your basic overdrive, but that is what it is meant to be. I use the pedal with the tone about halfway up, the volume set to half, and the drive completely off. My amp is turn up to the brink of distortion. I am trying to get a sound that remniscent of a cranked amp(isn't everyone?)and while I can get a passable sound, the clarity that I am searching for is not there. The compression is nothing spectacular. While I can use it to add sustain, I find it different to get a very squishy sound.

This pedal is extremely dependable. I've been gigging with it for almost 2 years and have had no problems. The paint, however, is not so reliable. It has been severly scuffed. The Route 66 logo is almost gone. But this, for me, is really not an issue.

never dealt with them

I play music that is best described as Zep meats Phish with plenty of funk thrown in. Also, I aspire to play jazz. This pedal, dispite it's lack of overall clarity, is well suited for these styles of music(except the jazz). I've been playing for about 4 years. I own a bunch of other pedals, but this is my only overdrive. It gets the job done. I like the idea of putting two effects together, but, while I do like it, I don't love the actual sound of these effects either seperate or used together. If it had a better a compression and a more natural overdrive sound I would never get rid of it. It can help me make music I suppose, but then again the music I make is not that good. If your looking for a good sounding workhorse OD pedal this would be a good choice.