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...
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We’re finishing 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 check out the fourth effect they sent over, the Ol’ Ephraim Germanium Sustainer. Mixing fuzz and distortion is new and exciting ways, let’s see what it can do for you… Ol’ Ephraim is a germanium powered fuzz that’s easy to handle but roars...
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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...
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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...
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One of the perks of getting to know so many pedal companies in this business is the ability to have unique, one-of-a-kind pedals built for us, and we’ve got another great one today. Spindrift Audio approached me about doing a special effect just for Pedal of the Day, and we decided that it should probably be something Star Wars-related, ’cause why not? The result is the Mandalore Germanium Drive, a pedal that not only...
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From the first glance at today’s pedal, the Silktone Amps Germanium Fuzz, you can see that it just looks different. And modern. And sophisticated. And exciting. Anytime there’s a meter of any type on any pedal, that’s usually an indicator of something special, and this one is no exception to that rule. Utilizing two germanium transistors at its heart, in the classic FF/TB1.5 topology, this circuit is tweaked to roll...
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When you think of experimental effects pedal companies, Death By Audio immediately jumps right to the top of the list. Dirty, loud and beautiful, their lineup keeps us all on our toes, and opens up a myriad of new musical possibilities. Today, we’re looking at their latest release, the Germanium Filter, which proves that sometimes you only need 2 knobs to make a gigantic wall of sound. The Germanium Filter is DBA’s love...
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The Clubber Lang Harmonic Percolator Fuzz from Malaise Forever was one of our Top Pedals of 2021, and we were stoked to check out more gear from this fine company out of Columbus, OH. Luckily, we didn’t have to wait too long – today, we’re helping with the Brand New Release for their next creation, the Rage Monster Germanium Gain Stage. Packing some classic and modern boost sounds into one pedalboard-friendly...
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Our 15W Monarch from Benson Amps has been a staple in our demo rig rotation for years, and the Preamp and Germanium Fuzz pedals they put out left us floored as well. Today, we bring you their latest effect creation, a seemingly simple but under-the-hood complex piece of gear: the Germanium Boost. Don’t let the lone knob fool you – a LOT of research and time went into this tone-enhancing machine; here’s what Chris and...
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Our Benson Amps Monarch has been a staple of our studio for years now, and one of our favorite amplifiers we’ve ever played. The Benson crew occasionally dives into the effects pedal pool as well, and we’ve got their latest for you today. The Germanium Fuzz is, well, a germanium fuzz, but one like no other you’ve seen. This pedal is set up in the ubiquitous 60’s circular fuzz topology, tuned for good sound, and...
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Vintage Fuzz. Plug in, turn it up and rock. Done and Done. Today’s pedal achieves exactly these checkpoints, bringing a warm and classic sound into the fold. The Bad Penny FX Wireless Germanium Fuzz has a simple control section, but adds in a couple of tasty options to really dial in and solidify your favorite fuzz tones. Let’s see what this one brings to the table, shall we? A classic unit that follows the Tone Bender...
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Our new friends at PedalFarm FX are cranking out some wonderful pedals, and we’ve got another gem for you today. The B-1 is a classic germanium treble booster, but one with some unusual options. Featuring 16 selectable frequency settings, via internal dipswitches, this pedal takes a usually run-of-the-mill effect into an entirely new dimension… Aside from the giant output Volume knob, the B-1 also boasts a single toggle...
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When it comes to the world of fuzz, few have carved out a niche like Spaceman Effects. From their beginnings with the Rumblefuzz, Spacerocket, Mercury III and Gemini III to the more current Titan II, Nebula and Gemini IV, they’re no strangers to absolutely incredible fuzz effects. So today, we’re going to take a look at their newest unveiling in the fuzz realm, one that keeps tradition with, but also builds upon, their...
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Last month, we were privileged to review and demo the B-312 Freakshow Fuzz, a Silicon-based fuzz effect from our friends at Big Joe Stomp Box Company. Today, we’re going to check out its counterpart, the B-313, which is a Germanium version of the pedal. With this one being a bit warmer, without quite as much gain and bite, both pedals offer distinctly fuzzy flavors and sounds for any fuzz enthusiast to enjoy. The B-313 Germanium...
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We have always had a bit of an affinity for the exquisite pedals produced by our friends at Spaceman Effects, and are always excited to check out their creations. One of our favorites was the Saturn V Harmonic Boost, a pedal that just adds that extra little bit of POW! and WOW! that your tone sometimes is lacking. Today’s pedal, the Mercury IV, is also rooted firmly in the Boost department, but with a couple more options and a...
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It’s been a minute since we had something from SviSound come through the shop, but their designs and enclosures are so unique, it’s always worth the wait. This go round they sent us the Germanium Fuzz Mini, a small, simple but boisterous effect that begs you not to judge by size, but by stature. Able to squeeze onto any pedalboard, as well as deliver blistering fuzz tones, this is a powerful little monster that is just...
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It’s honestly hard to believe there are still guitarists who don’t like fuzz effects – they’re loud, sometimes unpredictable, and add a certain pizazz to your tone that you just can’t get anywhere else. Who wouldn’t like that? To those folks, we say “More For Us!” and quickly find a fuzz to rock out with. Like today’s featured pedal, for example: the Fuzz-Arka from Veri-Tone is...
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A lot of times, when a Boost pedals comes to us, it’s intended to just boost your signal, and why shouldn’t it? However, we love it when a Boost comes in that isn’t JUST for boosting, but enhancing your tone, and maybe even getting a little bit dirty. The Germanium Boost from Expresso FX does both of these things, adding a shimmer and sparkle to your tone, giving you a number of options to use AND driving your...
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After being able to check out the revered White Pedal from Jext Telez, we were excited to see what dirty effect they had for us this go-round – color us impressed again. The Buzz Tone is a germanium fuzz that also has trace elements of overdrive packed right in, for an all-encompassing tonal spectrum of sounds. The easy controls hide a wide dimension of tones, and the secret weapon here really pushes the envelope on what a...
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What can we say about the pedals that Spaceman Effects puts out? They’re pricy, they’re hard to find and they all sound incredible. Well, that’s a start, anyway. Their latest masterpiece, the Sputnik II Deluxe Germanium Fuzz, takes the already brilliant circuit from the original Sputnik Fuzz, and beefs it up even more, if you can believe it. With a new second mode and a couple more tasty additions, this is a fuzz...
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The folks at Keeley Electronics just keep pumping out awesome new pedal after awesome new pedal, and we are privileged today to check out not only one of their newest creations, but a Special Edition as well. The Monterey Special Custom Germanium is a fuzz, octave, vibrato, rotary and harmonic wah all in one, producing an exciting blend of some classic tones, while opening the gateway to much sonic exploration. The Fuzz channel...
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We can get behind any good fuzz pedal around here, so we were pretty stoked when the cats over at Way Huge Electronics sent over their Havalina™ Germanium Fuzz for us to check out. Featuring a basic three-knob control configuration, this fuzz does what a good fuzz pedal should do: produce copious amounts of fuzz. With a hint of old-school Tone Bender fuzz sound found within it, this is a fun fuzz that will get you groovin’ with...
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Today’s featured pedal is a modern take on a classic distortion effect. Based on the famous Interfax Harmonic Percolator, the Harmonik Germanium Fuzz from Dubrek Audio Boutique boasts the same type of fuzzy distorted sounds as the vintage unit, but with a couple of modern upgrades. Level and Gain are the only two control knobs present on the Harmonik, alongside a lone toggle switch. Both knobs feature a broad range, with plenty...
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Eric Clapton. Ritchie Blackmore. Brian May. Tony Iommi. What do these fine gentleman have in common, besides being incredible guitar players? They achieved tones that are still being sought out today, by way of using a Dallas Rangemaster Treble Booster. These pedals were made to push an amplifier into a gorgeous overdriven tone, and were featured on some real breakthrough albums back in the day. Our friends at Tribute Audio Designs...
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The pedals that are being created by Hartman are really tantalizing to the eyes (and, as it turns out, the ears as well). Today’s reviewed pedal is no exception to that rule: the Vintage Germanium Fuzz looks as old school and classic as they come, and the sounds are just the same, only using modern, reliable and excellent-quality parts to re-create the sounds of the past. Three knobs make for easy controlling of this fuzztastic...
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Just opening the box containing the Sputnik Germanium Fuzz pedal from Spaceman Effects was quite a thrill. I love how they make everything so shiny and sparkly, making you feel just a wee bit better about how much you just spent on an effects pedal. The silver bag makes it seem like you’re opening a window into space, about to be launched into the sonic atmosphere at breakneck speeds, and leaving all other guitarists’...
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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...
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Last month, we were able to check out the amazing Utopia Deluxe Echo Delay from Anasounds, and were floored by the amount of sonic options packed into such a compact enclosure. Today, we’re looking at another pedal with similar attributes, but switching gears as far as effect genre is concerned. The Sandman Double Overdrive combines two of Anasounds’ previous pedals into one unit, gives them some upgrades and crushes any...
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The folks at Line 6 are no strangers to crafting gorgeous effects, especially when it comes to multi-effects units. Today, we’re going to find out what’s going on with their latest release, the HX ONE, a compact but extremely powerful stereo effect processor that fits right in with any setup or rig. Grab your headphones and put on those reading glasses – we’ve got a lot to get into with this wonderful...
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There are a lot of effects pedals out there shrouded in mystery – vintage units that have little public info about them, pedals only made for a short time, or reclusive builders who keep their secrets, well, secret. The HP-1 Harmonic Percolator is most definitely one of these pedals, a weird fuzzy distortion creation that creates an extremely unique sound. The effect we’re looking at today is a Harmonic Percolator Clone,...
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Today, we’re heading back into the wonderful world of Keeley Electronics, with one new-ish pedal and one brand new creation, both coming out of the Overdrive camp. The Muse Driver sees Keeley collaborating with guitarist Andy Timmons once again, while the Noble Screamer harkens back to classic, battle-tested drive tones. Each of these pedals have modern options, a wide spectrum of sounds and that superb Keeley build we all know...
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Pedal with lots of knobs and switches are fun, plain and simple. Today’s effect has that in droves, bringing usually hidden or unaccessible features right to your fingertips. The CFH Pedals Sculptor+ Fuzz is no ordinary dirt machine, and once we run through what it can do, and you hear how it sounds, you’ll understand just what we mean… The CFH Pedals Sculptor+ Fuzz combines elements of the Fuzz Face and the Muff...
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Ever since we got our Monarch 15W amplifier from Benson Amps back in 2017, we’ve loved everything they’ve put out, especially when the effects pedals made their debut. Having already checked out the Preamp, Germanium Fuzz, Germanium Boost and Stonk Box units, we couldn’t wait to get our hands on their first foray into out favorite all-time effect: Delay. The Delay Benson has created brings vintage and modern...
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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...
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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...
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After the wild success of their Germanium Fuzz pedal a few years ago, Chris and the crew at Benson Amps decided to take the genre one more step further. Building off of the classic Tone Bender MkI circuit, the Stonk Box attempts to take a classic 1960’s fuzz design, and bring the sound into the modern world, without bringing any along the flaws and inconsistencies of the original. This one’s a beast, let’s get right to it!...
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Fuzz pedals can sometimes be finicky, sputtery and strange, and that’s not always what you need…but when it’s EXACTLY what you want, look no further than the ZVEX Effects Fuzz Factory Vexter. One of their most beloved pedals, this classically un-classic fuzz takes you to the breaking point of musical sanity, and then shoves you right over. We’re excited to check this one out, as I’m sure you are,...
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The pedals we’ve had the pleasure to peruse from the folks at All-Pedal have ranged in genre quite a bit, but today we’re going with a tried-and-true classic: Overdrive. The Alcmene® Overdrive has one of the most popular and mythical circuits ever created down in its belly, and with a simple control system, it’s a cinch to conjure gorgeous breakup and boost in an instant. Small but mighty, let’s see what this...
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Combining Preamp, Overdrive and Boost into one pedal might seem like a lot, but with the Westerlund Audio ONE, everything melds together in sonic perfection. This options-laden mammoth can give your signal a pop, shape your tone, add in some breakup or get downright crunchy – whatever you need, it can handle with ease. So many knobs and swithces, and we’re totally here for it – let’s check it out! The...
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We recently had the chance to check out one of the latest offerings from Sentimental Bob Electronics, the Tephra Distortion, and it was gloriously dirty and loud. Today, we take things down just a little bit and move into overdrive and boost territory, via the Albert Overdrive. If you’re in the hunt for an OCD-style drive with a TON of sonic options, this might be exactly what you need… The Overdrive section of Albert is...
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As evidenced by our Klone Wars demo series on YouTube, we love a good replica of that infamously mythical circuit that only a few can now afford. The J. Rockett Audio Designs Archer, in all its iterations, has steadily been one of the go-to clone units since its release. Today, we’re proud to help bring the latest version, the Archer Select, to you and the rest of the world… The Archer Select is a uniquely functioning...
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We’re getting back to basics today as we continue our look at some incredible pedals from TC Electronic. The Zeus Drive Overdrive is a legendary dynamic overdrive/boost pedal with 2 clipping modes and optional buffered bypass. With its highly sought-after overdrive boost circuit, this golden chalice among overdrive pedals has a luxurious warm tone and quite an astonishing dynamic response, injecting the nectar of the Gods...
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We’re taking a look at the second pedal in a series of overdrive that come from my beautiful home state of Wisconsin today! The Winter is the 2nd of four pedal in the aptly-names Seasonal Drive Series from Fox River Devices, and it warms your amplifier and your soul at the same time. Coming on the heels of the impressive Autumn Drive from a couple months back, this one keeps this impressive series moving right along… As...
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When a huge company like StewMac contacts you and asks if you’d like to demo some gear from them, there’s only one answer: an emphatic YES, PLEASE. Today, we’re going to check out a pedal, yes, but some other guitar-related gear as well, all of which is available on the StewMac website, and all of which can help you greatly improve your tone and unleash your creativity. Lots to get into, let’s do it!! First up,...
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We love the way the folks at VVco Pedals incorporate great effects with nostalgic merch from past movies, TV shows and more, and we’re especially stoked about today’s featured pedal. The Dark Father Preamp is clearly representative of a certain Jedi-turned-Sith, and it sounds just as evil. Melding elements of overdrive, fuzz, distortion, EQ, boost and preamp, this multi-faceted effect is not only fun to look at, it sounds...
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(This article comes from our friends at GuitarTricks.com – check out their site for tons of guitar-related tips and tricks!!) Effects Pedals for the Guitarist Who Has It All By Shawn Leonhardt for Guitar Tricks and 30 Day Singer, the original platform for online guitar lessons. If you’re a guitarist who has moved beyond beginner guitar lessons, you might have all the standard guitar effects pedals you’d need. Now you may be...
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We love exploring new pedal companies, and we also love a good Klon-inspired piece of gear. Luckily, today’s pedal checks off both boxes, putting a delicious spin on a classic circuit and sound. The Harby Pedals Centauri Clean Boost/Overdrive brings a wide range of sounds to the table, ranging from simple volume boost to amp breakup to glorious tube-amp overdriven tone for days…let’s jump in and see what makes this...
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We’ve always been impressed with the modulation and delay effects that Pigtronix has put out into the world, but today we’re looking at a pedal that heads into a different sort of direction. The Star Eater Analog Jumbo Fuzz blends legendary old-school fuzz sounds with modern tone-shaping versatility, for an interesting and intriguing take on the genre. With simple controls and a wide range of tones, this one was fun to...
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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...
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Amp emulator pedals are always a delicate topic of conversation amongst guitar players, and while some of these pedals can be hit or miss, the three we’re checking out today from Universal Audio are completely legit, and more. Drawing inspiration from three classic amps first released many decades ago, the Dream ’65, Ruby ’63 and Woodrow ’55 allow you to easily lose yourself in vintage tone, and save your back...
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