This is false equivalence . Distortion compresses but it is not compression at all . It doesn ' t do what a compressor does . And the only reason compression could possibly make that much of a difference is it the level is increased substantially past the original signal . If anyone believes a distortion pedal will make a 50 w solid state head as loud as a 50 w tube head , then you have no clue what you are talking about . You guys can disagree all you want . It ' s just not true . <| sep |> ALL HAIL LADY ESTELLA ! <| sep |> Beautiful ! And here I thought I was the only one using that monstrous rear rack . BTW , you can mount the mud guard under the rack for better protection . The one in the picture is a modified mountain bike mud guard but I have since replaced it with the Mud Shovel and it fits perfectly .