At first glance, you’ll notice a familiar layout, shape and even font on the Aluminum Falcon overdrive pedal from PCE-FX, perhaps conjuring up visions of a certain $2,000 drive that you’ll never be able to afford, but have always admired from afar (as many of us have). Awesome name notwithstanding, this pedal features some tones that really mimic the pedal I can only assume it’s loosely based on, with amazing boost capabilities and an overdrive tone that you’ll want to make a permanent fixture on any pedalboard.

This version is the 2nd Aluminum Falcon that Piedmont Custom Electronics has created, with lots of upgrades internally AND externally from Version One. The enclosure, for one, is made from a heavy-duty steel, for more durability, as opposed to the first ones, which featured die-cast aluminum enclosures. Each one is now powder-coasted and silk screened as well, before adding the guts and getting all wired up. V2 also uses newly professionally fabricated circuitboards, but still showcase populating, wiring and soldering all done by hand.

Now for the sound of this beast. Gain, Treble and Output are the only three controls you’ll find on this beauty, and that’s all you need, for sure. Dial back the Gain and crank the Treble, and you’ve got one of the best boosts I’ve come across, and, to my ear at least, comes very close to “the sound” that this pedal is striving for. Basically, it puts your tone on steroids, while retaining all the clarity and presence of both your pickups and your amp settings, for a smooth, creamy tone that sparkles and shines for days. Crank up the Gain past noon, and you wander into an mossy green overdrive field, complete with butterflies, rainbows and some incredible drive tones. Again, this thing is a fantastic amp pusher, getting it to just crackle and crunch, without overloading anyone’s eardrums or headphones.

An excellent choice for boost or overdrive (or both, if you’re good with your live footwork), the Aluminum Falcon is right up the alley of any player who has always wanted to experience the holy grail of boost tones, but doesn’t want to take on a second mortgage on their house just yet. Thanks do much to Dave and PCE-FX for sending us this awesome pedal to test out, we can’t wait to see what killer pedals they come out with in the near future!

Submitted by Mike B, Website

Demo Rock pedalboard by West Coast Pedalboard