Japanese pedal manufacturer One Control has built a solid reputation with its mini-pedal series designed by Björn Juhl, in particular with regard to amp-in-a-box devices like the Strawberry Red Overdrive or the (non-mini) Honey Bee OD.
The latest Overdrive in this series is called Jubilee Red AIAB (as in “Amp in a Box”), and it’s inspired by the Silver Jubilee series of British amplifiers from the late ’80s.
If you are wondering if this is a lo or high gain device, look no further:
These were the highest gain amplifiers ever created on UK shores, with switchable 25/50/100 watt output sections, switchable gain channels, and an enhanced midrange control and presence. Numerous modern amplifiers have been directly inspired by the original models, and many metal guitarists still love and use these Jubilee amps today; original units continue to rise in value, and reissues have also recently be released.
Here’s how Björn describes the Red Jubilee’s sound:
“Though it was primarily designed for metal style music, the playability of the Jubilee Red that makes each note on the fretboard about equal can absolutely be used for other styles – certainly for heavier lead playing in any genre.” […] It allows for very fluid note playing along the entire fretboard at any gain setting”
Mike Hermans shot this demo of it:
The Jubilee Red is a modern high-gain distortion pedal with tonal roots descending from the legendary Silver Jubilee series of British amplifiers that were created in the late 80s. These were the highest gain amplifiers ever created on UK shores, with switchable 25/50/100 watt output sections, switchable gain channels, and an enhanced midrange control and presence. Numerous modern amplifiers have been directly inspired by the original models, and many metal guitarists still love and use these Jubilee amps today; original units continue to rise in value, and reissues have also recently be released.
The signature Jubilee sound is an extension from the Plexi/JMP series of amps. While these have an earlier, less-gainy type of rock sound (one which is represented in the One Control lineup by the Purple Plexifier), the Jubilee series amps had a much higher-gain sound, with a more focused midrange presence that was favored by many rock guitarists, including Slash, John Frusciante, and Joe Bonamassa.
With the new Jubilee Red AIAB, guitarists have access to one of the highest gain distortions that One Control has ever released, with enhanced midrange control as well as low noise performance. The pedal pairs perfectly with either humbucker or single coil pickups, including more modern high-gain and active designs. It is also very well suited to handle the additional low end of 7 and 8-string guitars.
“Though it was primarily designed for metal style music, the playability of the Jubilee Red that makes each note on the fretboard about equal can absolutely be used for other styles – certainly for heavier lead playing in any genre,” says Juhl of his most recent BJF design. “It allows for very fluid note playing along the entire fretboard at any gain setting, whereas the Purple Plexifier, a similar British amp-inspired One Control pedal, needs to have the gain control maxed out to approach this sound. At lower gain settings, the sounds of the Jubilee Red are more modern than those of the Purple Plexifier.”
