A few weeks ago, we ventured into the Land of Bass when we reviewed the Gus-Plus Bass-Friendly Overdrive – today, we’re picking up that low-end instrument once again, this time in the genre of blistering fuzz and distortion. The Wren and Cuff Pickle Pie B Hella Fuzz strives to resolve many of the common quandaries bassists come across in their search for a fuzz that really works for their instrument and their playing...
Read More
Throughout 2022, we had a great time checking out the effects pedal lineup from our friends at Summer School Electronics, which ranged from overdrive to boost to delay to fuzz and more. Today’s pedal takes one of our favorites of theirs, the Gus-Drive Overdrive, and makes to more friendly to bass players and drop tuning guitarists alike. The Gus-Plus Bass Overdrive beefs up your low frequencies, while still maintaining punch and...
Read More
It’s been a while since we saw an effects pedal from Wounded Paw Audio, and it’s also been a while since we had a bass pedal to review and demo. Luckily, both of these are getting fixed today, with the introduction of the Attack Goat OD DI Bass Pre-Amp, a 2-channel fuzz, overdrive, EQ and more. If you’re looking for a tone-shaping, amp-pushing, low-end machine to handle your 4, 5 or 6-string needs, you’re in...
Read More
We’re stepping outside the old comfort zone again today, folks, and diving into another fantastic synthesizer. This one is larger and more complex than the Outer Space Sounds MOSTRO we checked out a couple weeks ago, but we’re once again pairing it up with some of our favorite pedals to create some fantastic sounds. The Novation Bass Station II Analogue Synthesizer is a powerful machine, encapsulating everything you know...
Read More
Effects pedals come in all shapes and sizes, and from all over the world. A company we’ve recently discovered, and have had the opportunity to demo some of their gear, such as the Echidna Overdrive and the FuzZ-2 Bass Fuzz Octave is dpFX Pedals from Preveza, Greece. So far, we’ve been on the Bass Pedals train, and we’ve got another one for you today. The Acheron (Αχέρων) is a Bass Overdrive that aims to make your amp...
Read More
Although we don’t do it as often as we probably should, we love having some bass pedals come into the shop. Recently, our new friends at dpFX Pedals in Greece sent over a trio of effects for us to peruse, starting a month or so ago with the FuzZ-2 Fuzz Octave, and continuing today with the killer Echidna Overdrive. With just a couple of controls, a smaller footprint than it’s older brother and a ton of tone to be found,...
Read More
It’s Bass Time Again! Today, we’ve got a killer bass pedal from an extremely bass-influenced company from Preveza, Greece: dpFX Pedals. The pedal in question is the oddly-named FuzZ-2, which is an explosive fuzz with a bit of octave madness throw in for good measure. Your bass will never sound the same after you play it through this pedal, let’s dig in and see what it’s all about. The FuzZ-2 Bass is a massive...
Read More
Roadie Bass has finally arrived and it will change the way you tune bass guitars. This tuner has all the features of Roadie 2 and a powerful motor which turns even those rusty pegs. Twice as powerful as Roadie 2, Roadie Bass does not require a mobile phone to work, allowing you to tune wherever you are, and lets you tune up to 150 strings on a single charge. Automatically tunes all string instruments including bass, acoustic,...
Read More
Today’s guest review comes to us from Jimi Dymond – you can find him on Instagram and with his band Rotten Foxes on Facebook and Bandcamp. Thanks again, Jimi! What can I say? I’m not a fancy man. Technology eludes me, I’m 28 and write on my smartphone with one index finger like a banged up old mum. But there’s one thing I do know about certain types of technology, bass pedals for example. I’ve gone through a lot of...
Read More
While we don’t often do many bass pedal reviews (sorry, guys), we’ve got a pedal today that guitarists AND fans of the low end will appreciate and marvel in. Based on the famed Akai Deep Impact SB-1 Bass Synth, the Future Impact I is also a bass synthesizer pedal, offering more options and parameter controls than the the Akai, but all the while staying true to the sounds it has become famous for creating. Ready to take a...
Read More
Since most of the pedals that come through the shop here are geared towards guitar, today’s pedal was a breath of fresh air, and hopefully an asset to all you bass players out there who think your instrument doesn’t get represented enough (which you’re absolutely right about). The B Station from Hotone Audio is a powerful Preamp + D.I., featuring multiple connections, an FX loop, on-board compressor and more. Since...
Read More
We love it when a pedal works equally for both guitar and bass, and today’s pedal is exactly one of those rare beasts. The El Oso Bass Distortion from Heavy Electronics adds some great dirt and crunch to both instruments, but somehow manages to walk the fine line between the two without overpowering either one. This doesn’t happen very often in the pedal world, and we’re excited to see what it can do for us. Aside...
Read More
Today’s guest review comes to us from Max F. – find him on SoundCloud (@MaxFaith)! Darkglass Electronics’ products are quickly becoming the hottest way to sculpt tone in the bass world. The Finnish company makes some of the most musical bass preamps, distortions, and amps on the market right now. Today’s pedal is the Darkglass Microtubes B3K Bass Overdrive. The B3K Overdrive has simple and intuitive controls for sculpting a wide...
Read More
We review a lot of pedals around here, as you may have noticed, and a lot of them have quite a learning curve to figure out all the ins-and-outs, how they work, what they’re capable of, and how to use them to fit a particular style of music. Today’s pedal is pretty much the EXACT OPPOSITE of that: a one-knob gem that has one function and does it brilliantly, with no fuss, no muss and just some straight-up great tones to...
Read More
Straight outta New Zealand, Red Witch Pedals have been producing some incredible guitar and bass gear since their inception in 2003, and their latest offering is nothing short of a sonic tsunami, raging through your amplifier like a bat out of hell. Marketed as a bass pedal, but fitting in comfortably in the guitar realm as well, the Zeus Bass Fuzz Suboctave is a pedal that’s sure to turn some heads, rattle some eardrums, and...
Read More
Let’s get funky, shall we? Continuing in their line of compact, bass-voiced pedals, Pigtronix has released the Bass Envelope Phaser, a unique take on the classic filter effect. Even more so than their compressor and drive offerings, the controls on this unit are incredibly simple: knobs for Sensitivity and Resonance, and a switch that changes the wave-form. In both modes the Sensitivity controls how responsive the effect is to...
Read More
As a bass player, it’s nice to add some grit and dirt to my sound when the need arises. Unfortunately, there are many pedals out there that may sound good at home, but get lost in the mix. From low-end loss to a barely perceptible effect, it’s hard to find a good drive at a good price. Thankfully, Pigtronix is here to save the day with the Bass FAT Drive. I’ve had their Philosopher Bass Compressor on my board for...
Read More
For many bassists, an essential pedal in their arsenal is going to be a compressor. It keeps your output consistent, helps cut through a mix, and can eliminate any dead spots to allow for a smooth, even attack. There are a wide variety of options to choose from, and Pigtronix offers a compressor specifically tuned to the lower frequencies of a bass that is quiet, easy to use, and affordable. The Philosopher Bass, based on...
Read More
Recently, we had the privilege of review an awesome pre-amp called the Boxidizer from a company called Tronographic. They make another pre-amp as well, this one being geared more towards bass, but still sounding excellent when used with a guitar – Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you the Rusty Box Bass Pre-Amp. The control section of the Rusty Box is pretty straightforward, with no a lot of frills to worry about, just plug in, set...
Read More
We’ve got another VIDEO review for you today: The Krampus Bass Drive / Distortion / Fuzz from J. Michael Pedals. Check them out HERE, and don’t forget to subscribe to Kyle’s channel after you watch the video! Click ‘PLAY’ and enjoy the show! Submitted by Kyle (YouTube), Instagram, Twitter
Read More
Before the Moonshine was released, JHS Pedals produced this beauty, and although the Low Drive (V2) is designed for bass, this overdrive conquers on guitar as well. From pure “mojo” tone to a nice Tubecreamer-esque overdrive. Nice and bluesy and totally worth it. The Low Drive pedal has a tone, volume, gain control. A toggle switch for different clippings (middle toggle was da bomb). Also, this pedal can be run at...
Read More
Playing synthesizer sounds through your guitar is always a blast, and the (now discontinued) Boss SYB-3 Bass Synthesizer makes it even more so. 11 different modes allow for literally ENDLESS possibilities; you could play this this every day for a year straight and probably never hear the exact sound twice, it’s that versatile. And if you mix and match it with other fun pedals in your arsenal (delays, reverb, ring mods, etc.),...
Read More
People at shows are always asking me, “Dude, how do you get that tone?!” My reply, which is pretty well-rehearsed by now, is, “I have a bass preamp pedal called a Rusty Box. It’s made by a company in New York City called Tronographic.” The Rusty Box is housed in a sturdy, attractive, white and orange enclosure with controls for Level, High, Low, Mid, and Gain; a mini-toggle switch to select between Hi and Lo gain inputs,...
Read More
The anticipation that comes when a new Boss pedal arrives on the doorstep is always big, period. Whether it’s a Delay, a Distortion, some wild Modulation thing or any of their other excellent creations, there’s a pretty decent chance it’s gonna crush. Today’s pedal does just that, but in a different sort of way – say hello to the IR-2 Amp & Cabinet, which makes dialing in and transporting your...
Read More
Well, it’s Benson Amps time again, folks!! It’s always a pleasure when their effects make it to our office, and this latest gem is sure to get everyone talking. The Germanium Preamp builds on the first pedal that Benson ever released, the aptly-titled Preamp Pedal, but with some tweaks and new circuitry options along the way. The result is a slightly lower gain, but richer sounding and feeling...
Read More
We loved the Germanium Fuzz pedal that Silktone Amps put out a couple years ago, and we’re excited to have their latest effect creation for you today! The overdrive+ is an original circuit with a whole range of both familiar and unique tones – from low gain always-on tonal enhancer to ripping high gain lead machine. Come along as we explore all the ins-and-outs of this beautiful amp-pushing machine, won’t ya? With a...
Read More
We’re switching gears a little bit today, bringing you two devices that aren’t technically pedals, but incredible music makers just the same. The Dubreq Stylophone BEAT Drum Machine and GEN X-1 offer affordable ways to showcase your creativity and bring exciting new sounds to life. Plus, two is always better than one, right…?? Let’s see what these fun little units are all about… The Stylophone BEAT is a...
Read More
A good pedal with distortion mixed into some fuzz is always a welcome treat here at Pedal of the Day, and we’ve got a real wicked scorcher for you all today. The Cosmodio Instruments Pet Yeti Distortion Fuzz has elements of both of these musical genres, but with some additional tweakability and sonic prowess. If you like to turn knobs, flip switches and make a beautiful racket, this pedal is just what you’re after…...
Read More
After we got our hands on a GHOST Stereo Effects Processor from ENDORPHIN.ES last month, we couldn’t wait for their next creation to head our way. Well, we’ve got just that for you today: the GOLDEN MASTER Multiband Mastering Processor. Used at the end of your signal chain, it gives everything in your chain a polish, and edge, a sparkle, and with a ton of options and sounds, it’s a unit you didn’t know you...
Read More
Today’s slice of gear doesn’t really make your signal distort, or repeat, or sound extra modulated or weird, but it is an important piece of your sonic puzzle. The B-8 Professional Wireless System from NUX lets you roam freely around the studio, stage or practice spot without losing any signal strength. It also has a couple additions and tricks up its sleeve that we need to talk about, so let’s get right to it…...
Read More
We’ve been working our way through the lineup of effects from Asheville Guitar Pedals recently, and we’re continuing that today with another dirty beast of a pedal. After checking out the 308 Distortion and the Fuzz Driver Distortion, we thought we’d switch it up and look at a distortion pedal 🙂 The Purr Machine is an absolute rocker from the get-go, pushing your amp to the brink with tasty tones, creating wicked rad...
Read More
Throughout the years, I’ve been fortunate to get my hands on nearly every pedal that Chase Bliss has put out, except one…until today. Much like its rare and elusive namesake, the Condor HiFi Analog Tone Bird has eluded our grasp, but the long wait has finally come to and end. Building on the original version released in 2018, this updated unit has some new features, new design aspects and the “must-have” sound...
Read More
We’re back with a bit of a blast-from-the-past today, with an updated version of a classic circuit that’s been around for over 20 years. The Keeley Electronics Katana Clean Boost has one knob, a couple of functions and miles and miles of gorgeous sound. Want a mirror image of your tone, only louder? This is it. Grab a Katana Boost Exclusive from Sweetwater – https://sweetwater.sjv.io/DKg6db In addition to increasing...
Read More
The Ampero line of multi effects processors and modelers has always been a joy to review and demo, and we’re stoked to be back at it again today. The latest creation from our friends at Hotone comes in the form of the Ampero II Stage Amp Modeler / Effects Processor, the newest in this series, and I’m pretty sure the most powerful yet. It’s a true wonder how they pack all of the amps, cabs, effects, routing, parameter...
Read More
We’ve been trying to collaborate with Don Poniz for the last few years, and we’re finally making it a reality today! Presenting the Power Contol Unit, a massive silicon/germanium overdrive with a simple control section and a huge range of sounds on tap. The note that came with the pedal said, “Worth the wait, trust me, Mike!” and after playing this pedal, I believe that to be a very true statement… From...
Read More
The entire lineup of UAFX pedals from Universal Audio is amazing, let’s just be honest. With each new release, there’s another options-filled gem that gets our creativity flowing and takes our musical thinking and approach up a notch. Today’s pedal, the Lion ’68 Super Lead Amp, shifts things from a modulation/delay/reverb vibe to some classic amp-pushing, overdriven sounds from decades past… Grab a Lion...
Read More
We’re continuing our lineup run-through of the first four pedals from Bolt & Forge Analog Audio today. Coming to you from Yakima, Washington, we’re excited to jump back in and check out the third of FOUR effects they sent over, the Sawbones Optical Compressor. Bringing the funk and evening out the most fluctuating of signals, let’s see what it can do for you… The Appaloosa is a noise-free, full-featured...
Read More
Although today’s gear is not a pedal, it is a very useful piece of equipment here at PotD headquarters. The String Swing SW5RL-K Multi-Guitar Wall Rack has been an instant gamechanger, organizing my guitars in a neat, orderly and aesthetically pleasing way. If your collection of instruments is starting to grow and grow, this might be just the thing you’re looking for… The most convenient guitar display package on the...
Read More
We’re stoked to bring you the ENTIRE lineup of pedals from Rockready Mini Pedals over the coming weeks, and we’re continuing with two more excellent mini creations today. The RF-1 Retro Fuzz and DC-1 d Comp Compressor are small, yes, but they pack a big punch with their sonic output. With simple controls and mini enclosures, these pedals fit onto any pedalboard, and into ANY budget… The RF-1 Retro Fuzz has two modes,...
Read More
Today, we’ve got the final pedal (so far) in the Voodoo Lab effects lineup: the Sparkle Drive MOD Overdrive Distortion. Building on the original design, this one features 4 different drive modes and a wide-ranging control section, producing just about any dirt tone you’ve been chasing. Going from punchy and modern to thick singing lead sounds, this green gem has got it all… Grab a Sparkle Drive MOD from Sweetwater:...
Read More
Lots of new visitors to Pedal of the Day over the last few weeks, and we’re keeping it going today with our first effect from Lounsberry Pedals. The Organ Grinder Overdrive was designed for, you guessed it, organ and keys, but we’re testing it out with guitar and bass today, and it rips. Sometimes two knobs, a great circuit and perfect gain staging is all you need to push your amp and tone right into that sweeeeet...
Read More
We’re continuing New Pedal Company Weekend here with another up-and-coming pedal manufacturer, Bolt & Forge Analog Audio. Coming to you from Yakima, Washington, we’re excited to jump in and check out the first of FOUR effects they sent over, the Appaloosa Germanium Overdrive. It was basically love from the first moment we plugged it in, let’s see what it can do for you… The Appaloosa is a true workhorse...
Read More
Well, it’s New Release Day once again, and we’re happy to help introduce a new pedal from our friends at Summer School Electronics today! The Half Day! Compressor is a take on a classic compression circuit, giving you vintage tone alongside some modern updates and options. It doesn’t matter if you play guitar, bass, keys or any other musical gear – this compressor fits any and every style out there… The...
Read More
If you’ve never had the pleasure of playing a DRV Overdrive Distortion, you should make it a priority to do so. While that pedal has a lot of meat and potatoes to it, today’s pedal from 1981 Inventions is a bit calmer, but still brings beautiful tone to any rig. The LVL Full-Range Overdrive Preamp Boost has just 2 knobs, but inside this circuit there’s a huge range of sounds waiting to be discovered… LVL is a...
Read More
We’re switching things up a little bit today, bring you some amplifier flavor from an excellent local North Carolina company. Come along as we take a look at not one but TWO amazing amps from Port City Amplification: the 30W Grandville Rhett Shull Signature and the 20W Merino Combo. Our pal Carl Perkins was kind enough to lend both of these amps and a killer cabinet to us to check out, and we fell in love instantly with these...
Read More
One of the latest offerings from Universal Audio we’re looking at today is the UAFX Evermore Studio Reverb, which follows in the massive footsteps of their Golden Reverb release from a couple years back. This smaller but extremely powerful ambient machine has a similar control layout structure to the Orion Tape Echo we saw a few weeks ago, for easily dialing in beautiful tones in seconds. This pedal offers authentic emulation of...
Read More
We really dug the Psychosis Tremolo Overdrive from Humanoid Pedals that they sent us a couple months ago, and we’re proud to bring you all another creation of theirs today! Hand built with two high gain silicon transistors, The Goblin Tone Distorter has intense yet smooth and full-bodied fuzz tone, combining elements of Preamp, Overdrive, Fuzz and Distortion into one versatile effect. Just a couple of controls, but a ton of...
Read More
We’ve been powering effects pedals in our shop with help from Voodoo Lab for many, many years, as they’ve become a go-to staple in the power game. But what about the actual pedals themselves? Thankfully, they make those, too, and the first one we’re looking at today is the awesome, vintage-tinged Superfuzz. The rare Jordan Electronics Bosstone (circa 1968) is considered by many to be the ultimate vintage fuzz. The...
Read More
A couple of years ago, I was fortunate enough to get to review and demo the EF-X2 Tape Echo from Echo Fix, and was instantly thrown back into a vintage delay era. Today, let’s take a look at Echo Fix’ latest release, which also sends you back in time: the EF-P2 Spring Reverb. Cramming delicious, classic reverb tones into a modern-looking enclosure with some throwback visuals, this unit takes your reverb game to the next...
Read More
(This article comes from our friends at GuitarTricks.com – check out their site for tons of guitar-related tips and tricks!!) Guitar Tricks presents Delay Pedals Do’s and Don’ts By Shawn Leonhardt for Guitar Tricks and 30 Day Singer, the original platform for online guitar lessons. One of the best ways to add depth and space to your guitar signal is by using delay effects pedals. In fact they work great for any...
Read More
