FullTone O.C.D.

For an overdrive pedal to be considered a classic in today’s immense world of boutique gear is a feat in and of itself.  To be considered a great pedal in a product line as revered as Fulltone is something of an entirely different animal.  Think about the gear that has come from this Michael Fuller:  the Deja Vibe, the Fulldrive (1, 2 n’3) and the even the ’69 and 70’s Fuzzes…and many of them have a highly desirable status among collectors.  So today, we are going to look at yet another design that has become so sought after that Web articles have been dedicated to deciphering its many versions:  The Fulltone O.C.D.. Continue reading “FullTone O.C.D.”

NAMM 2018 Reports: Mad Professor

It looks like the Mad Professor just doesn’t sleep.  Known for building and designing both simple but beautiful sounding amp-simulating (read: distortion) circuits and atmospheric, interactive ambient effects (read: modulated delays and reverbs) this latest release of pedals should keep people of both these camps satisfied.  The Mad Professor Little Tweedy Drive is a pedal designed to emulated the rich edgy tones of a classic tweed style Fender amp from the Fifties in a small package. The Mad Professor Kosmos Reverb is aptly named as it offers more than just a simple spring reverb emulation.  Its hidden features belie its small format.

 

It looks like another couple of modern classics from the Mad Professor!  More on these to come.

 

AnalogMan BC 109 SunFace vs Skreddy Lunar Module

 

 

AnalogMike  (Mike Piera) and Marc Ahlfs are both well know in today’s large circle of fuzz builders but it wasn’t long ago when that circle was a lot smaller, and these two circuit hounds were the go-tos for vintage styled effects.  Little has changed since then in that regard, but the needs and wants of players certainly have.  Or have they?  Do gear hounds still seek out simple two  knob fuzz boxes, or do they prefer the options afforded by more up to date circuits?  Vintage fuzz is being used by many modern players… Can both be valid in today’s market of strong opinions of what a fuzz “should” be?

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MXR CSP026 ’74 Reissue Vs. Vintage MXR Phase 90 Comparison

 

The MXR Phase 90 is a classic.  From Funk to Punk, Country to Psychedelic, Floyd to Zeppelin, this pedal has earned it’s merit on quite a few classic recordings.  But with a standard version already offered by Dunlop for a quite a bit less coin, does the CSP0026  earn it’s merit in the marketplace? Continue reading “MXR CSP026 ’74 Reissue Vs. Vintage MXR Phase 90 Comparison”

Diamond BASS Compressor on Guitar

The original Diamond Compressor is already considered a modern classic.  Both Hi-Fi and full of Character, it can add a bit of that studio sound to your live rig.  It offers this amazing balance in a sturdy build and the bass version follows this tradition.  It is this balance that seems to add a sort of ol’ school vibe when used with Guitar. Warm and clear, like David Gilmour’s use of a modified BASS Preamp into a HiWatt…This gets the coveted “5S” Award.

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How to set up a SoloDallas STORM (Settings)

The SoloDallas Storm seems to be generating a LOT of interest these days.  More and more it seems to find itself on a lot of gear hound’s must try lists.  It can be used as a simple overdrive, output booster or a Character booster.  On top of all of this it can be used as a single knob compressor. Continue reading “How to set up a SoloDallas STORM (Settings)”

Electro-Harmonix Reissues the “Green Russian Big Muff”

It was bound to happen…Mike Matthews doesn’t leave many stones unturned…he just gets around to turnin’ them over exactly when it will maximize profits for EH…and so Electro-Harmonix Officially Announces the Reissue of the Green Russian Big Muff.

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Peter Cornish OC-1 Review

 

Less is more is a tried and true adage that certainly holds merit with just about anything Peter Cornish builds. Simple designs that rely on neither flashy graphics or slick advertising, these pedals are textbook examples of austere product.  They are, however, well known, not only to the basement jammers and boutique connoisseurs alike, but to some BIG names:  his products (and services) can been found in the rigs of none other than David Gilmour, Brian May, Tony Iommi and myself.  Because of this association Cornish pedals are considered extravagant and  pricey, but you get what you pay for: they are quiet, sturdy, and well built designs that all have exceptional tone. Continue reading “Peter Cornish OC-1 Review”