Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum

Amp Stuff => Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs => Topic started by: apeontheweb on February 05, 2026, 11:42:04 am

Title: Blocking Distortion Example
Post by: apeontheweb on February 05, 2026, 11:42:04 am: I've been reading about 'blocking distortion' but I can't find any actual examples of recordings. I created this recording: https://youtu.be/j5MlHjA1I5A?si=_s33URtjAMDBb2kq
(https://youtu.be/j5MlHjA1I5A?si=_s33URtjAMDBb2kq)

I ran a Origin Effects Deluxe 55 into a 5E3 (kit). I think when the guitar drops out (you can hear in the video at timestamps 0:08, 0:15, 0:22 etc) that is an example of blocking distortion? I kind of like of it to be honest. I mean I think it has a place in my guitar sounds toolbox. How can I get this effect without running a pedal into the front of the amp?
Title: Re: Blocking Distortion Example
Post by: AlNewman on February 05, 2026, 10:59:28 pm: Is it blocking distortion, or are you just pushing your tubes into cut off?
Title: Re: Blocking Distortion Example
Post by: dogburn on February 05, 2026, 11:28:50 pm: What you produced sounds more like a spluttering fuzz pedal, the type of sound you get when the battery is dying, and which is replicated in some newer fuzz pedals. From what I gather, blocking distortion is less appealing.

But you are right in that it is hard to find good sound clips out there to know what it's like. But I don't think you've managed that here. As I understand it, it's more inherent in an amp's circuitry rather than something you can provoke by sending in an overdriven signal.
Title: Re: Blocking Distortion Example
Post by: pdf64 on February 06, 2026, 06:53:24 am: That sounds like it’s getting pretty blocky to me.
It's not full on blocking, where the signal completely disappears, due to anode current being pushed into cut off by the bias shift being so extreme.
60s style fuzz circuits can get that same effect, especially if there’s a user adjtable bias control.
Title: Re: Blocking Distortion Example
Post by: tubeswell on February 07, 2026, 08:43:28 pm: yes, blocking distortion
Title: Re: Blocking Distortion Example
Post by: apeontheweb on February 10, 2026, 01:02:12 pm: Cool thank you for the replies.
Title: Re: Blocking Distortion Example
Post by: apeontheweb on February 10, 2026, 10:54:03 pm: Is "blocking distortion" the same as "farting out"? If not what is farting out?
Title: Re: Blocking Distortion Example
Post by: pdf64 on February 21, 2026, 05:05:34 am: Quote from: apeontheweb on February 10, 2026, 10:54:03 pm
Is "blocking distortion" the same as "farting out"? If not what is farting out?
My guess is that generally, those terms are used to refer to the same thing, though blocking distortion is the extreme form, in which the signal completely cuts out momentarily.