We’ve all had a pedal, effects or vintage sound-making machine that has peaked our curiosity for years, but have never had the ways or means to acquire said piece of gear. One of the most famous of these is undoubtedly the Echoplex EP-3 from Maestro, a warm echo machine full of tasty modulated delays, and one responsible for many of the classic and iconic recorded tones ever put down on tape. These units, however, are...
Read More
Let’s face it: a true 60’s Shin-Ei Uni-Vibe is NOT a very viable monetary option for most of us guitarists, as they sell regularly for over $1200. Now, those who can afford them apparently love ’em, and we’ve all heard their sound on numerous classic recordings through the years. Names like Hendrix, Gilmour, Trower and Anastasio immediately spring to mind when mentioning this brilliant effect, and for many of...
Read More
I bought this used at very low price… I didn’t expect much on the pedal. I just wanted a decent backup either for my CM plexitone or my amp dirty channel. This provides bluesy 70’s rock tone more than just “ok.” Considering its price, there is some great tones for players to get out of this box. Nice vintage style hard clipping. One thing I don’t like about the box is how the tone stack is shaped....
Read More
In a world filled with boutique builders and Klon copies and Deluxe Memory Man wannabes, MXR has been churning out quality analog greatness for decades and are still sort of flying under the radar. The MXR M78 Custom Badass ’78 Distortion is another example of MXR greatness. While not completely original, the custom badass series wasn’t intended to be. While drawing from a “classic circuits”, the series offers...
Read More
Look on any pro player’s pedalboard and you will find a little orange one-knob wonder. The Phase 90 is a timeless pedal. The swirly goodness has reached to every genre and to probably every electric instrument ever played (not to mention to studio use on drums and vocals!). Now, in researching this pedal you will find there are two versions: the older “script” model, which offers warmer phase shifting, and the...
Read More
The folks at MXR have a rich, storied tradition of making wonderful effects pedals, some straightforward and some really wild and out there. Today’s unit, the Joshua Ambient Echo, mixes those two together, creating an inviting and exploratory sonic stew that you’ll want to consume over and over. And over again. Partnering up with our friends at Sweetwater, we’re gonna deep dive into this amazing machine and see just...
Read More
James Santiago Los Angeles, California Universal Audio https://www.uaudio.com/ How long have you been a musician? How did you get into it in the first place? I started playing guitar around 5 years old, and at around 15, I began working in professional working bands as musicians around town started asking me to play with them. I didn’t have a driver’s license back then, so I had to have my mom or other band members take me to band...
Read More
Flanging. Players love it and players hate it, but it has had an effect (pun intended) on music since its inception decades ago, and we think it’s a great tool to use for musical experimentation. Sometimes, however, flange units can get too crazy, almost to the point of unusability for some genres – that’s why we really dig today’s pedal, the M152 Micro Flanger from MXR and Dunlop Manufacturing. With two simple...
Read More
Hi, I’m Josh Gardziel, I’m from Halifax West Yorkshire (UK) and I play guitar in L.O.E (Last Of Eden) Facebook: https://facebook.com/weareloemusic Instagram: https://instagram.com/weareloemusic Twitter: https://twitter.com/weareloemusic Bandcamp: https://weareloemusic.bandcamp.com How long have you been a musician? How did you get into it in the first place? I have been playing guitar for 21 years. I started when I was 14 which...
Read More
We’ve had an influx of pedals sporting the classic Octave/Fuzz combination recently, such as the Red Witch Seraphina, Danelectro 3699, Sitek Electronics Pandora, Warm Audio Foxy Tone Box and Hochstrasser Hairy Eggplant. While this combination might seem fairly regular and obvious, today we’re going to look at a slight variation that doesn’t appear all that often. The Way Huge Purple Platypus Octidrive MkII combines...
Read More
We love the weird and quirky when it comes to effects pedals around here, and we’ve got a wild one for you today (Happy Valentine’s Day, too, kids). The Way Huge Atreides Analog Weirding Module sounds about as eclectic as its name, making noises and tones that will shock and awe you instantly. Aimed directly at the heart of the sun, for all the experimenters out there, this is one you’ll want to keep playing again...
Read More
We’re always excited to have gear from Dunlop and Way Huge come through our door, and today’s featured effect is a really special treat. Limited to only 40 pieces worldwide, the one-run-and-done was conceived during the first part of the Covid pandemic, housed in a beautiful enclosure adorned with colorful artwork, along with Japanese writing from the early prototype stage. Ladies and gentleman, may we present the Way Huge...
Read More
Hey everyone! I’m Evan Miller, the guitar player from the band Funk You. www.funkyoumusic.com www.facebook.com/funkyoumusic www.youtube.com/funkyouaugusta Instagram – @funkyoumusic How long have you been a musician? How did you get into it in the first place? Ive been playing in bands for the past 15 years but I started on the piano around the age of 10 years old. My grandma played the piano for our church, so I was drawn...
Read More
There’s something about a really good phaser that makes your entire rig seem to just com alive. Alright, phaser-haters, just move right along to the next review. For the rest of us sane-folk, we’re here today to discuss the classic Phase 45 Vintage Script Phaser – the one from the 1970’s, mind you, not the Dunlop reissue, in case you were wondering. This true piece of phaser history only features one knob,...
Read More
Hello all! My name is Sam Ralbovsky and I play guitar in the Adirondack jam band The Hasbens (The band that has Bens. We have two) Instagram: @thehasbensband Facebook: The Hasbens How long have you been a musician? How did you get into it in the first place? I first picked up the guitar when I was in the fifth grade. The guitar, at that time, was an escape from the monotony of trudging through each Suzuki piano book I was assigned...
Read More
The effects pedals created by Jeorge Tripps and Way Huge have been thrilling players and audiences alike for decades, and we’re always excited when a new one is delivered to our doorstep. Their new lineup of Smalls pedals have especially grabbed our attention lately, as we’ve had the Conspiracy Theory as part of the rotation for our Klone Wars series on YouTube, and it sounds fantastic. Today, we’ve got another...
Read More
Peter Anspach Connecticut Goose goosetheband.com How long have you been a musician? How did you get into it in the first place? My mom would say I’ve always been a musician. She’s a music teacher, so before I could walk, I was being taught to play rhythms on drums and dance. I started playing cello when I was 9, then graduated to the electric guitar when I was 12, which I have been playing seriously ever since. I picked up keyboards...
Read More
If you haven’t heard, played or owned the Carbon Copy Analog Delay from Jim Dunlop and MXR, you’re one of few. This thing burst onto the effects pedal scene almost a decade ago, and has continued to top the lists of modern analog delays around the world. Simple to use, with great tones and warm modulation, it embodies everything we love about old echo units. But, as perfect as this delay is, there’s always room for...
Read More
A good looper pedal can be the missing piece to a musical puzzle you’ve been building for years, but just didn’t know how to complete. There are a lot of choices out there, some of which can be extremely daunting, especially if you’re new to the looper scene. Thankfully, we’ve got the MXR Clone Looper Pedal to check out today, and folks, this one is easy to use, has some cool features and, most of all, sounds...
Read More
Ori Naftaly Southern Avenue www.southernavenuemusic.com https://facebook.com/SouthernAvenueMusic/ https://www.instagram.com/southernavenuemusic/ How long have you been a musician? How did you get into it in the first place? I started playing guitar when I was 5 years old. I remember listening to my dads record collection that was full of Jazz, Blues, Funk and British rock from the 60s and 70s. I had an amazing mentor called Tony...
Read More
In The Whale Denver, CO Eric Riley – drums/vocals Nate Valdez – guitar/lead vocals inthewhale.com instagram.com/in_the_whale twitter.com/inthewhale facebook.com/inthewhale How long have you been musicians? How did you get into it in the first place? ERIC: I started playing percussion in the school band in junior high. I got a drum kit for Christmas when I was 13 and never looked back. I continued to play in school band throughout high...
Read More
Brandon “Taz” Niederauer tazguitar.com @brandonniederauer @NiederauerMusic How long have you been a musician? How did you get into it in the first place? I have been playing guitar since I was eight years old. I became fascinated with my father’s album and video collection and was listening to The Allman Brothers and other guitar and jazz music. When I went to my first concert at eight, I knew I wanted to play. Who...
Read More
Greg Bortnichak Olympia WA Teach Me Equals (currently) & Sparta Philharmonic (formerly). I’ve also done session work pretty consistently over the last two decades, lending string arrangements to all sorts of projects. Some you might recognize would be Circa Survive, Jonathan Badger, Dream Tiger, Eating Club, The Metal Hearts, RedRumsey, Br’er, and HeadShy. www.teachmeequals.com spartaphilharmonic.bandcamp.com How long have you...
Read More
The Carbon Copy from MXR and Jim Dunlop has become a real leader in the way of modern analog delay pedals over the last decade, so it was a welcome sight to see that they decided to release another version of this gem. The Carbon Copy Bright gives you everything that you’ve come to know and love about the original, with a bit of a twist. Let’s see what this lime green gem has in store for us today…. As with the...
Read More
Hi, my name is Brian Moss. I play guitar and sing in Spafford. We are based out of Phoenix, Az and our website is www.spafford.net. Follow us on all social media platforms as well! How long have you been a musician? How did you get into it in the first place? I have been a musician as long as I can remember. I grew up in northern New Jersey. My older brother and I, naturally, grew up competitive. He was bigger, faster and stronger at...
Read More
Nick Johns & J.B. Brisendine Atlanta, GA Brother Hawk brotherhawkatl.com facebook.com/BrotherHawkATL twitter.com/brotherhawkatl youtube.com/brotherhawkatl instagram.com/brotherhawkatl How long have you guys been musicians? How did you get into it in the first place? Nick: I had always been surrounded by a family of musicians my whole life and started picking songs out on the piano by ear when I was 4 years old. I started piano...
Read More
Woodroe “Woody” Weatherman Corrosion of Conformity COC How long have you been a musician? How did you get into it in the first place? We started the band in 1982 while still kicking around in High School, we just wanted to make our own sounds. Had no intention of it lasting this long at the beginning. Who have been some of your major musical influences, past or present? I’m a huge Billy Gibbons fan, really dig the solos...
Read More
Karina Rykman NYC Marco Benevento Homepage Follow the Arrow How long have you been a musician? How did you get into it in the first place? I started playing guitar when I was 13. A friend at school put a guitar in my hands and showed me how to play Seven Nation Army by The White Stripes. I started playing bass shortly thereafter. The last ten years of my life (I’m 23 now) have been consumed by all things music. Who have been some of...
Read More
John Mark McMillan Nashville, TN www.johnmarkmcmillan.com How long have you been a musician? How did you get into it in the first place? I’ve been trying to play music since I was in my late teens. One afternoon a good buddy of mine brought his guitar over to the house and could play all these REM, Weezer, Pearl Jam, and Nirvana songs form the radio. I wasn’t good at sports so I figured guitar would be a better way to impress girls....
Read More
Another fuzz pedal, you say? Sure, why not? Fuzz is the best, right? Today’s fuzzy wonder comes to us from a big Pedal of the Day supporter, Way Huge, and their continually evolving lineup of pedals. This newly-named effect is called the Fuzzstortion, a mash-up of two effect genres combined into one gritty box. More fuzzy than distorted, this guy features some intriguing settings to explore, and a whole lot of fun to be...
Read More
Michael Parker Seattle, WA – The People’s Republic of the USA I play guitar & keys in the band Pickwick www.pickwickmusic.com How long have you been a musician? How did you get into it in the first place? I started playing guitar when I was in the 8th grade on a whim. I had a friend who was a drummer and needed some people to jam with. He recruited me basically because I was in the room and had nothing better to do. He...
Read More
Unleashing a fury of new and much-anticipated effects over the course of the last couple of years, the crew at Way Huge continues to excite and defy convention with their effects. Today we’re going to take a gander at one of the newest, the Russian-Pickle Fuzz, a dirt pedal that harkens back to the sweet distorted sounds of the mid-nineties’ BC183C Russian Big Muff, for all the grunge and angst you can handle. Easy to use...
Read More
Mihali Savoulidis Vermont Twiddle twiddlemusic.com How long have you been a musician? How did you get into it in the first place? I’ve been playing guitar since I was 14, but I really had just been playing in my bedroom and writing songs and working on my lead playing. I went to college to form a band and play all these songs I had written during high school, and the end result is Twiddle. I started really gigging out when I was 18,...
Read More
Over the last few years, Jeorge Tripps and Way Huge Electronics® have been re-releasing some of their classic pedals, most with some sort of update, to the delight of many who enjoyed the originals. Those had become incredibly rare and expensive, but the new reissues are well-priced and easy to obtain, thus rejuvenating the brand once again. Today’ we’re going to check out the newer version of one of the rarest originals...
Read More
Ben Bloom Seattle, WA Polyrhythmics www.polyrhythmics.com We had the honor of chatting with Ben in person when the Polyrythmics played here in Boise during Treefort Music Fest last month – here’s our conversation: [Pedal of the Day] Where are you guys from? [Ben Bloom] Seattle. I grew up in New York, but we all met and live in Seattle. I’ve been there since 2001. [POTD] What got you into music in the first place?...
Read More
My name is Trevor Shelley de Brauw. I’m from Chicago, IL and I perform in: Pelican: http://pelicansong.com/ RLYR: https://www.facebook.com/RLYRband/ Chord: https://chordgroup.bandcamp.com/ And solo: https://trevordebrauw.bandcamp.com/ How long have you been a musician? How did you get into it in the first place? I’ve been playing guitar since junior high school. At some point around age twelve or thirteen or so music became a complete...
Read More
DEVON ALLMAN The Devon Allman Band: ST.LOUIS, MISSOURI, USA, EARTH THE SLAYS: MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE, USA, EARTH devonallmanband.com theslays.com (coming soon) How long have you been a musician? How did you get into it in the first place? At 5, the vinyl bug bit me and it was love at first spin. At 9, the live music bug bit me when Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick pulled out the 5-neck guitar at my first concert. But as for me playing…I...
Read More
Matt Jalbert New York TAUK http://taukband.com/ How long have you been a musician? How did you get into it in the first place? I’ve been a musician pretty much all of my life. My mom had me and my brothers learning how to read music and play from a young age. I started out on the violin and it lasted maybe a couple of weeks before I decided it wasn’t for me and asked if I could try guitar. Right away there was a connection...
Read More
Chris Houser Dayton, Ohio The Werks thewerksmusic.com We’re trying something new today – our first face-to-face Interview! We were lucky enough to sit down and chat with Chris when he was in Boise for Treefort a couple weeks ago, here’s what we talked about: [Pedal of the Day] Where are you guys from? [Chris Houser] I’m from Dayton, Ohio. Overall, we’re just from Ohio – half the band lives in Columbus,...
Read More
Johnny Hiland Nashville, TN http://www.johnnyhiland.net/ It is a sincere pleasure, and honor, to be doing this interview. I am a huge fan of Pedal of the Day, on Twitter, as I am truly a pedal nut. I just want everybody to know that you can find out anything you may want to know about me on my website, www.johnnyhiland.net. How long have you been a musician? How did you get into it in the first place? I have been a musician now for...
Read More
We dig a good reverb pedal, and we figured this new line of MXR pedals would have a pretty good one when they finally released it. In short, we were right. The M300 Reverb features SIX selectable reverb types, along with 3 basic control knobs, to give you more reverberated sounds than you’ll know how to use, but will have a blast figuring out just how to do so. For the control section, Decay, Tone and Mix are all you need to...
Read More
Kyle Sipress Niles, Michigan The Devil Wears Prada God Alone tdwpband.com godaloneband.com How long have you been a musician? How did you get into it in the first place? I was in choir when I was super young, then played saxophone briefly in 5th grade band. I’ve been playing guitar since I was about 12 or 13, so for about 15 years or so. My dad got me a cheap Cort acoustic for Christmas one year and i’ve been playing ever since. When...
Read More
Mike Hranica Chicago, IL The Devil Wears Prada God Alone www.tdwpband.com www.godaloneband.com How long have you been a musician? How did you get into it in the first place? I’ve been playing guitar for about twelve years now – whether that comes with the “musician” label, I’m not sure. Who have been some of your major musical influences, past or present? Rowland S. Howard, Duane Denison, Steve Albini What drew you to using...
Read More
Jeremy DePoyster Chicago, IL The Devil Wears Prada www.tdwpband.com How long have you been a musician? How did you get into it in the first place? I got my first acoustic at 10, and have played ever since. I took a quick interest in keyboards, synths, and sequencers and have been making music with them since around the same time. I started with a KORG Polysix running a curly cable into a Fender Champ Amp. Who have been some of your...
Read More
Chris Michetti Raq www.facebook.com/raqmusic/ Conspirator www.conspiratorband.com/ Michetti michetti.bandcamp.com/ How long have you been a musician? How did you get into it in the first place? Around thirty years. Was obsessed with drums as a youngster, progressed from there. Who have been some of your major musical influences, past or present? Anyone who plays the guitar incredibly… SRV, Van Halen, Jeff Beck, Trey Anastasio, Chet...
Read More
Brent Rademaker aka B_RAD GospelbeacH https://www.facebook.com/GospelbeacHband/ GospelbeacH The Tyde https://www.facebook.com/The-Tyde-119382698079518/?fref=ts Beachwood Sparks www.subpop.com/artists/beachwood_sparks How long have you been a musician? How did you get into it in the first place? I’ve been playing music since the 4th grade…My Dad is a musician (one of the best on the planet) There was always instruments and music in the...
Read More
Luke Miller Denver, CO Lotus www.lotusvibes.com Luke The Knife (DJ/Produce/Remix) soundcloud.com/luketheknife How long have you been a musician? How did you get into it in the first place? I’ve been a professional musician for 12 years. I’ve been a musician for about 20 years. I took piano lessons as a kid, but I consider my true origin as a musician when I started teaching myself guitar freshman year of high school. That’s when my...
Read More
Jesse Aycock (Tulsa, OK) www.jesseaycock.com / www.facebook.com/jesseaycockband Hard Working Americans (everywhere USA) www.thehardworkingamericans.com Paul Benjaman Band (Tulsa, OK) www.paulbenjamanband.com / www.facebook.com/paulbenjamanband Lauren Barth (Tulsa, OK) www.laurenbarth.com / www.facebook.com/laurenbarthmusic How long have you been a musician? How did you get into it in the first place? I guess I’ve been a...
Read More
Rafferty Swink Evolfo: www.evolfo.com Low Noon: lownoon.bandcamp.com Oyinda: oyinda.com How long have you been a musician? How did you get into it in the first place? I started taking piano lessons when I was about seven years old and never stopped. In middle school, I started playing in garage bands with my friends, as well as taking jazz piano lessons with a private teacher. I think having the balance of a serious music education...
Read More
What can you say about a boost pedal? If it’s made correctly, it boosts your instrument’s signal, driving your amp and letting everyone in the crowd know you f’n rock. The good folks at Way Huge Electronics / Jim Dunlop have created a boost pedal that not only pummels your amp, but adds in a special little lite and punch to your tone as well. The Angry Troll is a boost capable of pumping up to +50dB of gain into your...
Read More
