Looking for a great analog delay pedal? Check out the Seymour Duncan Vapor Trail. It offers a wide variety of delay options and can even give subtle chorus and rotating speaker tones when tweaked properly. The specs of the pedal are as follows: – Mix knob – Repeat knob – Delay knob (Includes tempo LED) – Rate knob – Depth knob – Status LED – Input and Output jacks – 9V adaptor plug...
Read More
The Harvester is a limited edition mid-range overdrive pedal produced by Walrus Audio of OKC USA The Harvester features bass, treble, level and drive knobs along with both a low gain and a high gain toggle switch. The amount of overdrive is entirely up to you. With the gain option set to low you’ll have extreme clarity, and a nice bit of break up to really help push your chords over the edge. Kick on that high gain though, and...
Read More
Designed by guitarist Paul Crowther of Split Enz back in 1976, the venerable Crowther Hotcake OD/Distortion pedal is all about crunch. Airy, satisfying crunch, like a warm basket of tortilla chips. Hand built in New Zealand, the Hotcake delivers that classic rock rhythm sound in spades, and produces a great old-school lead tone that will make it your first grab. According the builder, the Hotcake is different from most ODs in that it...
Read More
Rarely am I at an immediate loss for words when plugging in a new pedal for a review, but that was absolutely the case with the Grizzly Fuzz from Stonefly Effects. This is one of the fuzziest, quirkiest, glitchiest fuzz pedals I have ever come across, and getting it to play nice was an awesome challenge. First off, there’s no power input: battery only. That should give you a hint as to how this pedal was conceived, and what it...
Read More
How does one begin to review a legend? In part because of the difficulty of getting one, in a larger part due to its unique sound, a legend has certainly grown around the Hermida Audio Zendrive. I’ve just taken delivery of my second one, and can testify that it’s status is well deserved. First, the tone. No overdrive pedal I have owned or played through (and that’s a long list) does quite what a Zendrive does: a smooth, hairless...
Read More
Chances are, you’ve heard of the infamous Whammy WH-1 Pitch Shifter pedal if you play guitar. Made popular by such guitar gurus as Tom Morello, The Edge, Steve Vai and more, it’s a staple of many famous guitar rigs, and capable of creating some of the most unique tones ever played, live or in the studio. The Whammy II was next generation pedal that followed the WH-1, and although it boasts the same internal chip and...
Read More
I have played many, many different types of overdrive pedals in my day, and I still get a little giddy and excited when I find one that really rocks my world right from the get-go. The Warmer Drive from Andy Green Pedals did exactly that as soon as I plugged it in, and after about 15 minutes of jamming, I was hooked. Onboard EQ. That’s the stuff, right there. Especially here, where the Treble, Mids and Bass controls have a HUGE...
Read More
The Blue Moon is actually just the left channel of the classic Hungry Robot Pedals’ Hungry Robot Overdrive, but this is a standalone effect, as opposed to the Hungry Robot, which combines the Blue Moon and the Lou Drive in one giant enclosure. Sporting only ONE control knob, this pedal is easy to coax great tones from, as well as using the 2 toggle switches to express the true overdriven nature this little blue box has to offer....
Read More
Retro Mechanical Labs in Portland, OR, are making some really cool pedals these days, and have been for a while, now. The Clean Overdrivr (that’s NOT a typo, by the way) is a smaller size pedal than they usually build, but it packs a punch and delivers the goods just the same. For those of you who don’t like too much fuss and muss with your effects, the Clean Overdrivr is right up your alley. Two settings: Clean and Drive....
Read More
I have been a fan of Walrus Audio’s gear for a while now, and this one just keeps that wonderful tradition going strong. The Iron Horse is exactly that: a true distortion beast, caged in a metal enclosure, waiting to be unleashed on the Earth in all it’s fiery glory…alright, maybe that’s a bit much, but this pedal is a serious piece of sonically distorted goodness. Dirty, dirty, dirty. This is a distortion not...
Read More
This is the NashPedals Bronco Billy clean/treble boost. I’ve been using this hand painted version for 6 months now, and I am always impressed with how transparent and usable this little guy is. With the toggle in the up position, the Bronco Billy acts as a treble boost. I really love how you can dial it in if you need just a touch to cut through, or really use it to push the amp without getting big, boomy bass. I often use this...
Read More
The Fuzz of Doom! The Sequel 6 from Midnight 30 Music is a faithful recreation of the Lovetone Big Cheese. Lovetone produced many great pedals over the years, and one of the most sought after was the Big Cheese fuzz. From the blistering riff from The Edge on U2’s Discotheque, to the alt. country guitarists looking for that spaghetti western type of tone, this circuit delivered. What M30 has been able to do with this version, is...
Read More
Look what we’ve got for you today! It’s the Sick As Overdrive from our friends at Bondi Effects. The Sick As is a transparent overdrive (supposedly based around the famous Klon), and a really well made and great-sounding one at that. The Level knob does, well, you know what Level knob does, I hope. One feature I love about the Sick As is that it has Treble AND Bass EQ knobs, and on this pedal (as opposed to a number of...
Read More
The legendary Whammy pedal is the premier pitch-shifting pedal for any guitarist’s board, and it only gets better with time. In addition to the classic Whammy sound, we’ve added chordal Whammy pitch-shifting and true bypass. The Whammy can bring new depth to your artistry. Turn your solo into raging, rebellious screams of tone or tame your crowd with highly expressive, ambient chordal bends. Energize your audience with a scratchy note...
Read More
Although we’ve never had the pleasure of playing through an actual amp from Science Amplification, today’s pedal is as close as we can get right now to the real thing. Based on the circuitry from the amplifier of the same name, The Mother Preamp Pedal is a recreation of its dual channel tube-powered namesake, but refined into pedal format. Just like the full-fledged amp, it’s a modern take on the vintage high-wattage...
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
Last month, we had a look at the Konstante Overdrive from Twilight Pulse Audioworks, and we’ve got their next creation for you all today. The Proxima Overdrive Fuzz has simpler controls than its sibling, but features a wide range of dirt tones to explore. Ranging from slightly dirty to a scorching, amp-pushing heater, this seemingly simplistic effect has some surprises in store… The Proxima Overdrive Fuzz is a Mosfet...
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 all get excited when there’s a new release from Walrus Audio, as they’ve been at the forefront of effects pedal innovation for well over a decade now. Today, we’re stoked to bring you their latest creation, the Silt Harmonic Tube Fuzz, a powerful pedal that utilizes a real tube to create some unique and punchy fuzz tones. Let’s see what the Walrus crew has to say about their latest masterpiece… Grab a...
Read More
Last year, we were privileged to help in the fight against breast cancer by debuting the first run of effects (Fuzz, Overdrive & Delay) from Electric Love Pedals, with proceeds helping to fund cancer research. They’re back again today with another charity-driven unit, the Aquatone Overdrive, teaming up with one of the best in the biz, Brian Wampler, on this unique circuit. Let’s hear what Electric Love has to say...
Read More
Earlier this year, we had the pleasure of checking out The Hog Overdrive, the flagship pedal from Tallon Electric, and were excited to see what their next release might be. Well, we’ve got it for you today, in the form of the Dual Drive Overdrive, a two-sided beast that rears its sonic head around every corner. Knobs, switches and tones galore adorn this thing, let’s jump in and see what’s in store for us… The...
Read More
There’s one piece of gear that you and your pedals simply can’t function without: POWER. Without Power, your pedals can’t make any noise, and you can’t dazzle crowds for hours on end. That’s where today’s unit comes in – the MONO Medium 6 Output Low-Noise Isolated Power Supply. The MONO Medium Power Supply is an ultra-slim, expandable pedalboard power supply. It features 6 high current,...
Read More
We’ve tried a couple of pedals from the crew at Surfy Industries, and were wicked impressed to say the least. The SurfyVibe and SurfyBear brought modulation and reverb into focus, respectively, and now Surfy has a new pedal that ties everything together: the SurfyFuzz. With 2 modes and some intriguing parameter controls, this is not an ordinary dirt machine…not in the least. When Surfy Industries decided to develop a FUZZ,...
Read More
We love it when the crew at Beetronics releases a new effects pedal that we can all buzz around about, and are excited to continue that today. May we present to you the Octahive V2 High Octave Buzz, a fuzz and octave hybrid that conjures up vintage sounds from decades gone past. Let’s jump right in and investigate this new and exciting creation, shall we? The Octahive is one of Beetronics’ most legendary bees, one...
Read More
(This article comes from our friends at GuitarTricks.com – check out their site for tons of guitar-related tips and tricks!!) Can You Use Pedals to Help You Learn Guitar? By Mitch Wilson for Guitar Tricks and 30 Day Singer, the original platform for online guitar lessons. Learning to play guitar can be a rewarding experience, but it can also be challenging. While mastering the basics of chords, scales, and technique is...
Read More
Last month, we continued our steak of reviewing excellent pedals from our friends at NUX, with the amazing Duotime Dual Engine Delay. Today, we’ve got another one from their impressive Verdugo Series of Stomboxes: the Queen of Tone Dual Overdrive. Bringing two different but extremely complimentary drive circuits to the table, this 2-for-1 gives you just about all the overdrive options you could need…and maybe a couple...
Read More
It’s Klone Time Again, Kiddos!! We love a good mythical circuit around here, especially when it looks and sounds *really close* to an original…well, at least what we’ve heard an original sounds like, having never been knighted into the club. This particular clone comes to us from Warm Audio as the Centavo Overdrive, an accurate recreation of one of the most unattainable overdrive pedals in guitar history. Let’s...
Read More
The recent revival of the Maestro brand has brought a couple of great pedals our way. We recently had the chance to check out the FIVE newest pedals in their Original Collection, and today we’re heading back a bit to check out one of their earlier releases. The Fuzz-Tone FZ-M features three knobs, one switch and a ton of tone to shape and sculpt your favorite vintage and modern fuzz tones to perfection…sounds pretty fun, right??...
Read More
A couple years back, we had the privilege to demo and review a couple of differently-flavored dirt pedals from the folks at Revv Amplification: the G2 Overdrive, G3 Overdrive Distortion and G4 High Gain Distortion. Taking their expertise in amplifiers and condensing it down into some effects pedals couldn’t have worked out better, and we were excited for what was coming next. Fast forward a year and a half, and today we’re...
Read More
We’ve had a blast checking out the lineup of pedals from the newly-revamped Maestro brand, and have a BIG surprise for you all today. They’ve just released FIVE new units, and we have got them all in one place for you. Today, we’re looking at the Orbit Phaser, Mariner Tremolo, Titan Boost, Arcas Compressor Sustainer and Agena Envelope Filter – 5 effects building on the first 5 pedals they initially released...
Read More
It’s been a little while since we had a pedal from EarthQuaker Devices come through here, but apparently it was worth the wait. The Hizumitas Fuzz Sustainar is based on a rare fuzzy distortion from Japan, and was designed for the one and only guitar sorceress Wata from the band Boris. This effect is full of dirt, warmth and character, and is an instant eye-opener as you as it is engaged… The ELK Sustainar is a Japanese...
Read More
Well, it’s time once again for everyone’s favorite game, Try to Describe the Pedal. While there are many versions of the classic Harmonic Percolator circuit, it has always been an effect that hasn’t been the easiest to classify, as it contains elements of fuzz, filter, distortion and more, all produced in a very eclectic and specific way. Today’s pedal, the Emerald Ox FX Chimeric Percolator, asks the question...
Read More
The first round of Dept. 10 pedals released by Blackstar Amplification (Boost, Dual Drive, Dual Distortion) were full of options, HUGE tones and exquisite build quality. Those effects focused on boost, overdrive and distortion elements, showing how you could really push your amp and shape your tone with ease. The latest release from Blackstar sees them switching focus now to the actual AMP aspect of the chain, bringing you the...
Read More
After recently jumping back into the marvelous world of pedals from Cusack Music with the brilliant Meta Plexi Distortion Boost, we were stoked to have another piece of their gear on our demo table. The Screamer Fuzz V3 Fuzzdrive combines elements of overdrive and fuzz in one pedal, allowing you to blend and mix as you see fit. Along with a great control section and several clipping options, this was a fun one right out of the...
Read More
(This article comes from our friends at GuitarTricks.com – check out their site for tons of guitar-related tips and tricks!!) The History of the Space Echo Echo Echo… By Shawn Leonhardt for Guitar Tricks and 30 Day Singer, the original platform for online guitar lessons. History of the Space Echo Echo Echo… Before the electric guitar was invented, guitarists were limited on using reverb and delay in their music. The...
Read More
The effects pedals coming from Dophix have never been overly complicated, but always provide just the right amount of control over whatever device of theirs you’re currently using. Today’s pedal is no exception to that, trimming off all the fat to leave a real set-it-and-forget-it effect. Say hello to the Da Vinci-inspired Leonardo Compressor, a 2-knob gem that gets right down to business and brings your tone right to...
Read More
Sometimes, it’s nice to just get downright HEAVY with your effects, and today’s pedal and company both have the answers for all your sonic queries. This Heavy Earth makes heavy effects. PERIOD. Today, we’re taking a look at their Widower High-Gain Distortion, a blistering yet sophisticated unit that will literally take your head off with its high-gain, high-sustain, amp-like distortion. Sporting an active boost/cut 2...
Read More
We’re always on the lookout for new pedal companies to discover, and today we’ve done EXACTLY that, with our first pedal from That New Pedal Company. Coming all the way from Galacia, Spain, the Raio Tones & Circuits 70s Overdrive uses a simple 2-knob layout to reproduce classic tones from a classic decade. Perfectly recreating the original sound of the first overdrive models, this one has a vintage sound that never...
Read More
We can’t get enough of the effects coming out of the Mozztronics camp, and we’re so honored to bring another brilliant creation to you all today. Using a real 12AX7 tube internally, the TD-2 HV Tube Driver provides authentic, crunchy tube amp tone, with an easy control section for instant overdriven glory. Three knobs doesn’t give you the whole story, so let’s go for a ride and see what this orange beauty is...
Read More
With each new creation we see from Andrew and Mozztronics, we get a different lesson in circuitry, wiring, engineering and how to put squish amplifier tone into a pedal enclosure. Today is more of the same, as we’re investigating the MD-1 Mew Drive, which contains a circuit that uses cascaded JFET Mu amps to give a totally different sound to the screamer pedals, and all the variants (there are many). Lots of controls, lots of...
Read More
The sound of a vintage tape delay is one that has been heard on countless recordings over the last 5+ decades, and is sought-after by musicians the world over. Today’s pedal, the NUX Tape Core Deluxe Tape Echo Delay, brings us this particular delay sound, in compact form, with a slew of sonic options to choose from. Boasting 7 repro tape head combinations, plus a Sound-on-Sound feature, there’s plenty to explore with this...
Read More
The gear coming from the NativeAudio camp has always intrigued us, especially ever since we got our mitts on their Wilderness Delay a while back. Their latest release has had a ton of coverage, and we’re gonna join in the fun today as well. The Kiaayo Overdrive is a streamlined drive pedal that focuses on a less-is-more kind of philosophy – not to worry, there’s plenty to explore with this one… With just a...
Read More
There’s no denying the effect (see what we did there) that Boss Pedals have had on the music industry over the last 4+ decades, and today we’re going to acknowledge two of their most coveted stompboxes. The MT-2 Metal Zone and SD-1 SUPER OverDrive have been staples on pedalboards across the world, since their releases in 1991 and 1981, respectively. Wanting to celebrate 40 and 30 years of continuous production of these two...
Read More
Coming out of the gates with the exquisite Type One Chorus Ensemble, we had the feeling that the crew at Horrothia FX were going to bring the heat for their next pedal release. They did, in the form of the Teeth Discrete Low-Gain Overdrive. This subtle but powerful machine gives you gorgeous boost, tasty crunch and delicious tonal enhancement around every corner, to be certain… Wanting to add a little flavor to the old...
Read More
In keeping with their unique brand of effects pedals that we’ve loved here for years, KMA Machines has come out with another innovative, intriguing gem of a pedal. The Moai Maea Analog Subsonic Octaver is an octave pedal, to be sure, but one like no other we’ve encountered. Spewing forth a plethora of both low and high-octave choices, you’re able to mix and match tones to produce some special sounds with the greatest...
Read More
Enrico Preuß KMA Audio Machines Berlin, Germany www.kma-machines.com How long have you been a musician? How did you get into it in the first place? Well, I started playing guitar with the age of 18. A friend from school was playing a red Squier Strat and a Peavey Valveking 100W 2×12 combo and he showed me some Green Day, Ulver and Anathema riffs…oh, and he was using a Marshall jackhammer pedal (the first pedal I ever heard...
Read More
Tape echo delay units have been heard on classic recordings for decades, on albums from artists like Pink Floyd, Miles Davis, Led Zeppelin, Neil Young, Hawkwind, Chet Atkins, Eric Johnson, the late great Eddie Van Halen and many, many more. The old units, while possessing some secret ingredients and mojo, lend themselves to malfunctions, upkeep, unavailable replacement parts and general unreliability…but no more. Today...
Read More
A good overdrive can put an instant smile on your face, as soon as you click that bypass switch. Your amp comes alive, you’re most definitely a better player all of a sudden and the teenage goal of becoming a full-fledged rock star doesn’t seem so far off. We got those kinds of feelings plugging into today’s pedal, the TEFI Vintage Lab Maccheroni Bros MKII Overdrive. A dual channel dirt pedal, this one will cover a...
Read More
My name is Luis Aznarez, I am from Barcelona, Spain and I have a pedal company called Lefa Pedals located in Seattle, Washington www.lefapedals.com How long have you been a musician? How did you get into it in the first place? I started playing bass more than 25 years ago. A friend from school told me to join his band. My musical knowledge at that time was practically non-existent, I thought that a bass was a 4-string guitar that did...
Read More
Like all Eventide pedals, Blackhole allows players to fine-tune every aspect of the effect. With its new user-friendly, intuitive interface, just about anyone can shoot for the moon and land beyond the known universe. A historic element of Eventide’s sound, the Blackhole algorithm was introduced in Eventide’s DSP4000 Ultra-Harmonizer® hardware processor and now opens a host of possibilities on a pedalboard. With Blackhole, the...
Read More
