tone & TONE

David, I just got back from competing in the IBC in Memphis and doing a showcase for Blind Racoon. What struck me more than anything else was the extreme differences in tone achieved by both the first timers and those that have been winners there before. I played with Grady Champion and noted that his tone was actually pretty clean, then listened to a young player from Wyoming who was about as "overdriven" as you can get. I asked the Wyoming player what he was playing through (Rum Boogie Cafe) and he told me just the Fender amp (looked like Hot Rod Deluxe) that was there. Is it possible that a tweaked mic can produce a HUGE overdriven sound - I didn't see any outboard device, but perhaps it was concealed.
By the way - I kept your advice about it not being a schematic in my mind at all times - it let me have a great time.