gear giveaway

Author Archive

Polarbear Effects Raposa Psych Delay

The PT2399 is source of never ending inspiration for creative boutique pedal companies interested in delay circuit, and the Polarbear Effects Raposa is a noteworthy tape echo-style addition to the family of pedals employing this chip. The Raposa delivers repeats as an old tape echo machine would, letting you…Click on the title for more

Polarbear Effects Raposa Psych Delay

Decibelics Golden Horse Klon-Style Drive

Among the hundreds of Klon clones, the Decibelics Golden Horse stands out as both the most expensive one in mini format (at around $270 + shipping from Barcelona) and the most hyped of the bunch, which is why - unless you find it used on Reverb or eBay - the…Click on the title for more

Decibelics Golden Horse Klon-Style Drive

Strymon Ultraviolet Vintage Vibe

After the Cloudburst and the Brig, the Strymon Ultraviolet is the third "almost compact" release by the Californian builder, and its first take on the Uni-Vibe effect. Like the two previous pedals in this unnamed, smaller line of devices, the Ultraviolet is a rather streamlined device, but sports an entirely…Click on the title for more

Strymon Ultraviolet Vintage Vibe

GFI System Enieqma Equalizer

Designed and built by an (unexpectedly) Indonesian wonder of a company, the GFI System Enieqma is a stereo / dual channel device that takes on equalizing and boost duties and does it both uniquely and impressively. With its large LCD screen displaying the EQ curve you are working with, this…Click on the title for more

GFI System Enieqma Equalizer

BOSS BP-1W Booster/Preamp

Many relevant electric guitarists from the "analog" years of rock and pop music used some early effect units not (or not exclusively) for their effects but also for the pleasing color and character of their preamps. The BOSS BP-1W Booster/Preamp encapsulates in a compact pedal the preamp qualities of two…Click on the title for more

BOSS BP-1W Booster/Preamp

2024 UPDATE: Best Ring Modulator Pedals – Compare Prices + Features

Last Updated: June 14, 2022 Of all the effects for guitar out there, the ring modulator might as well rank among the least popular. Why on earth would you want your guitar to sound like this? The answer, in most cases, is: "because I'm an experimental kind of guy." A…Click on the title for more

2024 UPDATE: Best Ring Modulator Pedals – Compare Prices + Features

Empress ParaEQ mkII (+ Deluxe Version)

When we put together this article about the best EQ pedal earlier in 2022, we couldn't believe how much interest there was in a discontinued pedal by Empress Effects, the ParaEQ, and wondered why it was out of production... enter the new Empress ParaEQ mkII and mkII Deluxe, two compact…Click on the title for more

Empress ParaEQ mkII (+ Deluxe Version)

Universal Audio UAFX DelVerb Ambience Companion

The Universal Audio UAFX DelVerb Ambience Companion is one of the three pedals released at NAMM 2023 by the pro audio company turned stompbox builder. It's a dual delay + reverb pedal with a separate footswitch and three modes for each effect. The delay, which has a separate control for…Click on the title for more

Universal Audio UAFX DelVerb Ambience Companion

New Pedal: Free The Tone Overdriveland

There's a new kid in the block where the Dumbe-style amp-in-a-box pedals live, and you should take it seriously because it's coming from a Japanese builder that has proven its worth over and over: enter the Free The Tone Overdriveland. Designed by veteran engineer Yuki Hayashi, one of the most…Click on the title for more

New Pedal: Free The Tone Overdriveland

New Pedal: CGI Brutalist Distortion

God City Instruments is the brainchild of Kurt Ballou, guitarist of yesteryear's metalcore band Converge and producer and owner of a studio in Massachusetts under the same GCI namesake. While the GCI Brutalist is not his debut pedal, it proudly stands as the first creation that has undergone over a decade…Click on the title for more

New Pedal: CGI Brutalist Distortion

Weehbo Genks Modulated Time Device

A modulated delay built by a company best known for their Plexi-style overdrive, the Weehbo Genks Modulated Time Device is a modern, analolg-voiced digital delay with tap tempo, modulation and several other desirable features. Utilizing the ubiquitous PT2399 chip, the Genks can deliver repeats as long as 600 ms, whose…Click on the title for more

Weehbo Genks Modulated Time Device

Buzzing Bugs Audio Devices BB03 Lo-Fi Chorus

Although it's presented as a Lo-Fi Chorus, the Buzzing Bugs Audio Devices BB03 has what it takes to be called a small multi-effect pedal. Hand-built in Cornwall, UK, this simple, compact device offers not only the classic vintage modulation effect through its Depth and Time knob (the latter controlling the modulation…Click on the title for more

Buzzing Bugs Audio Devices BB03 Lo-Fi Chorus