Blocking Distortion Example

[apeontheweb]

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


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?

[AlNewman]

Is it blocking distortion, or are you just pushing your tubes into cut off?

[dogburn]

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.

[pdf64]

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.