The Life of a Pedal Whore Pt. 2
Hand Made/Boutique FX
As you make the descent into being a full fledged fx whore, you notice something. The general pedal stock at the average guitar store just doesn't cut it. Brands like Digitech, Dunlop, Boss, and Line 6 are solid pedals, but us true pedal whores want more. Something of better build quality, better parts and cap values, true bypass switching, and a bunch of other crap that makes the pedal sound like it could also be a part of a time-traveling Delorean. The worst part is, we dilute ourselves into thinking they sound better. ;) (In all honesty, they really do!)
A brief history on boutique: In the mid 90's, Fx whores Robert Keeley, Analog Mike, and Mike Fuller all began the trend of either hand making fx, or modding pre-existing units with nicer parts. There were 2 main units that inspired the builders to try this: re-making sought after vintage fuzzes (i.e.: Fuzz Face) that were popular in the 60's, and the notorious green machine, the Ibanez TS808 Tubescreamer. The early model (TS808) were so sought after, so these 3 guys each figured out how to modify a later version (TS9) to sound like the original 808.
They spawned a whirlwind of builders who felt they could either improve on someone's ideas, or just clone a seemingly rare pedal. It also opened the doors for designers who have off the wall original ideas, such as Zach Vex with his Fuzz Factory and Probe pedals. Furthermore, shops began specializing in vintage/boutique/rare pieces.
In all actuality, when comparing them to the average Boss/Digitech/Brand X effects unit, you do hear a dramatic difference. The degree's of difference you hear may vary, but anyone who compares a boutique pedal will notice a difference in sound. Take the Tubescreamer for example. It's likely to be the most imitated pedal on the market. I have had 6 different versions including ones made by the 3 previously mentioned builders. Each one had great characteristics that made them unique, but ultimately, I have only kept Fuller's Fulldrive 2.
Next month will have my review of 8 different overdrive pedals, through multiple amps, to give you more of an insight.
For now, here is a small list of builders out there that deserve your attention, as well as their notable pedals. There are a few brands that I feel deserve special attention, so I starred them, and added a brief description.
3ms/4ms - Noise Swash, Triwave Picogenerator, the Atoner, Tremulus Lune, Stereo Tremulus Panneur, Duo Distortor Tue, Phaseur Fleur, Fuzz Jade. http://www.4mspedals.com
*AnalogMan –Beano Boost, Various mods, Clone Chorus, CompROSSors, BiComprossor, Sun Face, Sun Lion, Juicer, KOT.
*Perhaps the largest modder/repair man/original designs out there. AMAZING! http://www.analogman.com/
BJF Pedals - Baby Blue OD, Dyna Red Distortion, Baby Pink Booster, Mint Green Mini Vibe, Little Red Trebler, Pink Purple Fuzz, Candy Apple Fuzz, Saffron Yellow Tremolo, Pale Green Compressor, Blue Berry Bass Overdrive, The Mad Professor Amp. http://www.custom-sounds.com/bjf.htm
Budda - Bud-Wah, Bud-Wah Plus, Phatman, Zenman, Phatbass. http://www.budda.com/
Catalinbread - Super Chile Picoso, Teaser Stallion, Supercharged Overdrive, VarioBoost, Sagrada Poblano Picoso , Semaphore. http://www.catalinbread.com/
*Diamond Guitar Pedals – Compressor, Fireburst, Memory Lane, Drive, J Drive, Drive SE*Recently released the Memory Lane Delay, which is quickly becoming one of the best analog delays on the market. http://www.diamondpedals.com/
Euthymia Electronics - Crucible Fuzz., Crucible Fuzz Ge, ICBM Fuzz. http://www.euthymia.org/Pedals/
Framptone - Talk Box, Amp Switcher. http://www.frampton.com/framptone.html
Frantone Electronics – The Sweet, Cream Puff, Peach Fuzz, Brooklyn Overdrive, Vibutron, LO-Tone, Glacier, Acoust-a-Boost, Thunderhead, The Ingot. http://www.frantone.com/
*Fulltone- Fulldrive, BassDrive, Dejavibe, Choralflange, OCD. *One of the forefathers of the boutique industry. Well made pedals, that are head and shoulders above anything you will find at Guitar Center. At this point, they are easily the most popular, and most recognizable of all the boutique manufacturers. I highly recommend his products. www.fulltone.com
*Keeley Electronics - Java Boost, Compressor, Time Machine Boost, Fuzz head, Katana, Nova Wah TS mods, Phat BD2, DS1 Seeing Eye mod, RAT 3 Way, Wah TB, SD1 mods, CE2 mods.*Known for the best customer service in the world. I can personally say that all his products sound like god has touched them. I would absolutely recommend checking them out. http://www.robertkeeley.com/
Looopers - True Bypass looopers, AB, ABY, Stutter switch, all sorts of neat options. www.loooper.com
Love Pedal - Eternity, Love, Clean Boost, Bass Love, Green Ringer, COT, Fab 50. http://www.lovepedal.com/
MJM Guitar FX - Brit Bender, Blues Devil, London Fuzz, London Fuzz 2, Foxey Fuzz, Roctavios, RM Booster, Sixties Vibe. http://www.mjmguitarfx.com/index.html
*Moog Music - Lowpass Filter, Ring Modulator, Phaser.*Thick analog filters, phase, and delay. AWESOME. http://www.moogmusic.com/
*Skreddypedals – Big Muff Clones. Perhaps the best Big Muff clones on the market. If you want that vintage sound, without that damned price tag, check it out. http://skreddypedals.com
Sweet Sound Electronics - Ultra Vibe, Mojo Vibe, Booster. http://www.sweetsound.com/
*Tone Czar - Echoczar, Powerglide, VFM* Simply the highest quality effects out there. Want to see what a $800 delay looks like, click here. When I win the lotto, this man will be my new best friend. http://www.toneczareffects.com/lg-home.htm
*Z Vex - Octane 3, Super Duper 2-in-1, Lo-Fi Loop Junky, Fuzz Factory, Machine, Ooh Wah, Seek Wah, Super Hard On, Mammoth, Tremolo Probe, Fuzz Probe, Wah Probe, Seek Trem, Johnny Octave, Nano Head.
* A genius. His designs have forever changed the world of FX. He is a mad scientist, and his idea’s are things you must see. GO TO HIS SITE and WATCH HIS VIDEOS. http://www.zvex.com/
Good Stores
Make’n Music- Chicago. Only Boutique store in Chicago.
http://www.makenmusic.com/
Pedal Geek
http://www.pedalgeek.com/
ToneFactor
http://www.tonefactor.com/index.php
Music Toyz
http://www.musictoyz.com/
As you make the descent into being a full fledged fx whore, you notice something. The general pedal stock at the average guitar store just doesn't cut it. Brands like Digitech, Dunlop, Boss, and Line 6 are solid pedals, but us true pedal whores want more. Something of better build quality, better parts and cap values, true bypass switching, and a bunch of other crap that makes the pedal sound like it could also be a part of a time-traveling Delorean. The worst part is, we dilute ourselves into thinking they sound better. ;) (In all honesty, they really do!)
A brief history on boutique: In the mid 90's, Fx whores Robert Keeley, Analog Mike, and Mike Fuller all began the trend of either hand making fx, or modding pre-existing units with nicer parts. There were 2 main units that inspired the builders to try this: re-making sought after vintage fuzzes (i.e.: Fuzz Face) that were popular in the 60's, and the notorious green machine, the Ibanez TS808 Tubescreamer. The early model (TS808) were so sought after, so these 3 guys each figured out how to modify a later version (TS9) to sound like the original 808.
They spawned a whirlwind of builders who felt they could either improve on someone's ideas, or just clone a seemingly rare pedal. It also opened the doors for designers who have off the wall original ideas, such as Zach Vex with his Fuzz Factory and Probe pedals. Furthermore, shops began specializing in vintage/boutique/rare pieces.
In all actuality, when comparing them to the average Boss/Digitech/Brand X effects unit, you do hear a dramatic difference. The degree's of difference you hear may vary, but anyone who compares a boutique pedal will notice a difference in sound. Take the Tubescreamer for example. It's likely to be the most imitated pedal on the market. I have had 6 different versions including ones made by the 3 previously mentioned builders. Each one had great characteristics that made them unique, but ultimately, I have only kept Fuller's Fulldrive 2.
Next month will have my review of 8 different overdrive pedals, through multiple amps, to give you more of an insight.
For now, here is a small list of builders out there that deserve your attention, as well as their notable pedals. There are a few brands that I feel deserve special attention, so I starred them, and added a brief description.
3ms/4ms - Noise Swash, Triwave Picogenerator, the Atoner, Tremulus Lune, Stereo Tremulus Panneur, Duo Distortor Tue, Phaseur Fleur, Fuzz Jade. http://www.4mspedals.com
*AnalogMan –Beano Boost, Various mods, Clone Chorus, CompROSSors, BiComprossor, Sun Face, Sun Lion, Juicer, KOT.
*Perhaps the largest modder/repair man/original designs out there. AMAZING! http://www.analogman.com/
BJF Pedals - Baby Blue OD, Dyna Red Distortion, Baby Pink Booster, Mint Green Mini Vibe, Little Red Trebler, Pink Purple Fuzz, Candy Apple Fuzz, Saffron Yellow Tremolo, Pale Green Compressor, Blue Berry Bass Overdrive, The Mad Professor Amp. http://www.custom-sounds.com/bjf.htm
Budda - Bud-Wah, Bud-Wah Plus, Phatman, Zenman, Phatbass. http://www.budda.com/
Catalinbread - Super Chile Picoso, Teaser Stallion, Supercharged Overdrive, VarioBoost, Sagrada Poblano Picoso , Semaphore. http://www.catalinbread.com/
*Diamond Guitar Pedals – Compressor, Fireburst, Memory Lane, Drive, J Drive, Drive SE*Recently released the Memory Lane Delay, which is quickly becoming one of the best analog delays on the market. http://www.diamondpedals.com/
Euthymia Electronics - Crucible Fuzz., Crucible Fuzz Ge, ICBM Fuzz. http://www.euthymia.org/Pedals/
Framptone - Talk Box, Amp Switcher. http://www.frampton.com/framptone.html
Frantone Electronics – The Sweet, Cream Puff, Peach Fuzz, Brooklyn Overdrive, Vibutron, LO-Tone, Glacier, Acoust-a-Boost, Thunderhead, The Ingot. http://www.frantone.com/
*Fulltone- Fulldrive, BassDrive, Dejavibe, Choralflange, OCD. *One of the forefathers of the boutique industry. Well made pedals, that are head and shoulders above anything you will find at Guitar Center. At this point, they are easily the most popular, and most recognizable of all the boutique manufacturers. I highly recommend his products. www.fulltone.com
*Keeley Electronics - Java Boost, Compressor, Time Machine Boost, Fuzz head, Katana, Nova Wah TS mods, Phat BD2, DS1 Seeing Eye mod, RAT 3 Way, Wah TB, SD1 mods, CE2 mods.*Known for the best customer service in the world. I can personally say that all his products sound like god has touched them. I would absolutely recommend checking them out. http://www.robertkeeley.com/
Looopers - True Bypass looopers, AB, ABY, Stutter switch, all sorts of neat options. www.loooper.com
Love Pedal - Eternity, Love, Clean Boost, Bass Love, Green Ringer, COT, Fab 50. http://www.lovepedal.com/
MJM Guitar FX - Brit Bender, Blues Devil, London Fuzz, London Fuzz 2, Foxey Fuzz, Roctavios, RM Booster, Sixties Vibe. http://www.mjmguitarfx.com/index.html
*Moog Music - Lowpass Filter, Ring Modulator, Phaser.*Thick analog filters, phase, and delay. AWESOME. http://www.moogmusic.com/
*Skreddypedals – Big Muff Clones. Perhaps the best Big Muff clones on the market. If you want that vintage sound, without that damned price tag, check it out. http://skreddypedals.com
Sweet Sound Electronics - Ultra Vibe, Mojo Vibe, Booster. http://www.sweetsound.com/
*Tone Czar - Echoczar, Powerglide, VFM* Simply the highest quality effects out there. Want to see what a $800 delay looks like, click here. When I win the lotto, this man will be my new best friend. http://www.toneczareffects.com/lg-home.htm
*Z Vex - Octane 3, Super Duper 2-in-1, Lo-Fi Loop Junky, Fuzz Factory, Machine, Ooh Wah, Seek Wah, Super Hard On, Mammoth, Tremolo Probe, Fuzz Probe, Wah Probe, Seek Trem, Johnny Octave, Nano Head.
* A genius. His designs have forever changed the world of FX. He is a mad scientist, and his idea’s are things you must see. GO TO HIS SITE and WATCH HIS VIDEOS. http://www.zvex.com/
Good Stores
Make’n Music- Chicago. Only Boutique store in Chicago.
http://www.makenmusic.com/
Pedal Geek
http://www.pedalgeek.com/
ToneFactor
http://www.tonefactor.com/index.php
Music Toyz
http://www.musictoyz.com/
