Author Archive
Mesa/Boogie just announced a new line of overdrive pedals called "Four on the Floor" and consisting of the Tone-Burst, Grid Slammer, Flux-Drive, and Throttle Box, created using the same craftsmanship and quality components from their custom amplifiers. Here's a quick look at them:
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Mooer’s Hustle Drive distortion pedal ($88), packs a surprising amount of versatility into a very small package. Though the Hustle Drive’s footprint is not much bigger than a couple of packs of chewing gum, you’ll find mini-knobs for volume and tone, plus a two-way switch for choosing high-peak or low-peak distortion characteristics, basically the difference between louder mids and highs or a more neutral attack.... Click on the title for more
The Uni-Vibe was introduced in the 1960s by Shin-ei, and was intended to emulate the "Doppler sound" of a Leslie speaker. It is a footpedal-operated phaser or phase shifter for creating chorus and vibrato simulations for electric organ or guitar. Despite not being used to recreate the Leslie, it has still found its way into the rigs of Hendrix and Floyd. The chorus-like effect is in fact created through a staggered series of phasing filters. Unlike most other phaser pedals, this is achieved without the use of op-amps.
The "Uni-Vibe" is now a registered trademark of Dunlop Manufacturing, Inc..
I find this effect to be great for use in Pyschedelic guitar styles. It has goey modulation that is extremely dynamic when paired with the Wah-like foot controller. I definitely don't see this one on enough pedal boards.-Gus Green
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For irredeemable tone tweakers, this “low-gain” distortion pedal (it actually has plenty on tap) VFE’s Blues King (street $144) is a Pandora’s box of grind. Built by hand by a small family business out of Pennsylvania, the Blues King has “Buy American” credibility right off the bat. Couple that with top-flight components, an unusual flexibility of tone and a competitive price and the Blues King seems a natural choice.... Click on the title for more
Unless you've been living under a rock you have most likely heard the sitar, an Indian instrument which creates a very complex and distinct sound derived by the use of sympathetic strings, a long neck, and gourd chamber.... Click on the title for more
The Wah pedal has long been a staple in rock, funk, r & b and many other styles of music. The concept of the Wah was created by accident by an electrical engineer in the mid 60's who was commissioned to redesign a tube amp as a solid state for mass production. The original bread-boarded circuit was installed in a volume pedal's casing. That's why I always welcome "happy accidents" when they occur in the world of music or recording. You never know when you are going to accidentally create something that lives on for decades. Electro-Harmonix is a company that has been pioneering guitar pedals for years, and they have recently decided to put a modern swing on the wah pedal with the Crying Tone, a member of their new Next Step line.
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