Looking at the names of Alexander Pedals‘ 9-models-strong line of effects, you’ll be hard-pressed to know what many of them do. With names like “Golden Summer,” “Syntax Error” and “History Lesson,” and abstract artwork adorning their casings, trying to guess their function is a rather futile exercise…
But maybe that’s part of these stompboxes’ charm. Inspiration comes from curiosity, which is often triggered by lack of understanding, and the fogginess of what you don’t fully grasp is more exciting than the nakedness of what’s obvious. Alexander pedals are anything but obvious, check it out for yourself in the video gallery below.
Headed by Matthew Farrow, a pedal building veteran who was the brains behind some of the more inventive pedals made by big, familiar pedal companies that we can’t mention here, Alexander is built on the dedication of providing “Great Tone” and “Doing Good.” So far, it seems that’s exactly what they’re delivering.
The hand-built effects pedals are designed with excellence in mind and offer a wide-range of tonal spectra. Cult favorites include their Radical delay, a glitchy delay pedal that will have you reaching for your nearest 80s soundtrack, and the mind-bending Oblivion, a vintage delay that features four delay engines and hands the user a near infinite amount of sonic power.
The hand-built effects are designed with excellence in mind and offer a wide-range of tonal spectra. Cult favorites include their Radical delay, a glitchy delay pedal that will have you reaching for your nearest ’80s soundtrack, and the mind-bending Oblivion (now out of production), a vintage delay that features four delay engines and hands the user a near infinite amount of sonic power.
Their last creation Syntax Error has gained a lot of buzz since the 2017 edition of Winter NAMM, delivering grainy, lo-bit tones reminiscent of vintage video games, and includes many functions to warp your sounds in creative and unexpected ways.
The company’s pedal building prowess is only matched by the company’s mission. A portion of each sale goes to charity and the company has become an active force in the fight against childhood cancer. With great pedals and an even better cause, Alexander Pedals might be the next thing you need to add to your board. – Olivia Sisinni
Read Gearphoria interview with Alexander Pedals’ brain Matthew Farrow here.
