Effects Bay

On Friday I had to talk about Black Friday deals at Guitar Center and Musician’s Friend, so it’s only fitting to talk about Cyber Monday deals. How did these shopping days even get invented anyway? Regardless, it a great opportunity to pick up some good gear at discounts for yourself or friends.

Guitar Center’s Cyber Monday Deal:
$50 Off purchases of $349+ (coupon: Holiday, 11/30-12/6)

Musician’s Friend Cyber Monday Deal:
Save Up to $500 Instantly at MusiciansFriend.com (coupon: CYBER, exp:11/30)

Not bad.. not bad at all!

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So yesterday I had a chance to view @josephdickens‘ pedal board (he should submit it for Pedal Line Friday) and I noticed the Visual Sound Route 66 Distortion/Compressor on there. Today, I thought I’d take a closer look at it.

I’ve been a fan of Visual Sound and talked about a few of their pedals in the past on this site. They make quality pedals and good prices, with excellent components.  The Route 66 is basically two separate pedals in one enclosure. On the left you have the distortion, and on the right you have the compressor.

Here is the official product description:

The Visual Sound Route 66 multi effects pedal gives you the great tone guitarists have come to love, plus an added noise reduction system that gives you that quiet ride you’ve always wanted. Classic compression combined with classic overdrive-these two effects sound great on their own, but combine them, as the Route 66 pedal has, and get the ultimate combination in a single pedal pedal.

The V2 Route 66 pedal features redesigned noise reduction on the compressor channel, and additional low-drive range on the overdrive channel. The great-sounding overdrive channel is modeled after the sound of the original Tube Screamer, but it also has a bass boost switch. The compressor can be set for classic squash or clean boost with the unique preamp stage and gain knob. This allows for a truckload of clean gain. The compressor even has its own tone control. The 2 effects can be used independently or combined to complement one another.

In 1999, Visual Sound made the statement “Our Route 66 is sure to become as legendary as its namesake.” With countless great guitarists using it ever since, the Route 66 pedal from Visual Sound has become just that, a legend!

The V2RT66 Overdrive and Compression Guitar Multi Effects Pedal features a diecast aluminum housing, ultra-reliable 10 million cycle switching, easy battery access and circuit protection from AC adapters. Wide and sturdy stomp switches designed by Bob Weil himself. And a redesigned, noise-free experience. This version of the Route 66 pedal has raised the bar for years to come.

Here is Visual Sound’s official video of the pedal by VisualSoundUSA

You can pick up the Visual Sound V2 Series V2RT66 Route 66 Overdrive / Compressor for $149.95 at Musician’s Friend

Remember, if you like reading about pedals and seeing videos reviews from others, please subscribe to the RSS feed and get notified via email when there are new postings!

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I was visiting some guitar forums earlier this morning. Not sure if I was coping a little attitude from my illness or I’m experiencing a mild Turkey withdrawal or what, but I saw an ad for Shred Necks. I’ve never heard of such a thing, so I was obviously curious and wanted to investigate further.

Long story short, or short story long, it’s a tool to help guitarists warm up. It’s a miniature neck where you can practice scales or ’strumming’ if you’re guitar is unavailable for some reason. I usually like guitar aides, but this just seemed weird to me. Am I missing something? Does this seem practical to everyone else? Do any of you use this tool?

I don’t know, for me, if I wanted to practice guitar, I would grab… my guitar. I play dry all the time. I work in my office and have it next to my desk at all times. If I get burnt out or frustrated.. it’s time for a rock break. I don’t get it, please enlighten me if I’m missing the point.

Here is a video I found which still makes it confusing to me.

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Today I got an email from Matt at CheeseBlock Effects (@CheeseBlocks) and he let me know of a great deal going on at Amazon for the Electro Harmonix Deluxe Memory Man. Please, if any of you run across any great gear deals, let me know and I’ll be happy to spread the word out there.

Normally, the EHX Deluxe Memory Man lists for $418.00.  Musician’s Friend currently has it in stock for $313.50, but Amazon has a killer price of $249.00! That’s 40% off of list price. Awesome deal! Apparently, at the time of this post, there were only 3 units left in stock so you’ll need to jump on it.

Here is the official product description:

The most in-demand analog delay ever built. Musicians love it and collectors cherish it. Experience the analog edge. Nothing can compare to the organic sound of analog delay, and no one does analog like the Deluxe Memory Man! Up to 550 mS of vibrant echo that rivals tape delay; lush, spatial chorus and haunting vibrato are just a few of the treats in the Memory Man’s sonic smorgasbord!

Again, the Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Memory Man Pedal XO is on sale at Amazon for $249.00!

Remember, if you like reading about pedals and seeing videos reviews from others, please subscribe to the RSS feed and get notified via email when there are new postings!

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So I’m kinda writing this for my friends and family that frequent this blog, and just don’t know what to buy a nerdy guitar guy for Christmas. I always hear the classic “I don’t know what to get you since you already have so much guitar stuff” or the other stand by “I’m afraid to buy you something that you have or something you don’t need”. Well, to that I say, hook me up with a gift card! That way, I’ll just get what I want and need!

I think buying music gear for someone is hard, unless you’re either married to them.. or play in a band with them (which is basically the same thing right?). So it’s hard to go wrong with a gift card.

Looks like Guitar Center is offering ‘Gear Cards‘ which is like a credit card that can be used online, via phone or in the store. You can get cards from $5 to $500 (I recommend the $500.. heh).

So no more excuses, let this be a gear-filled Christmas!

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I have to say the worst part of this blog for me, is looking at all of these pedals that are available, listening to different sound clips and talking to all of you about gear. It’s like a crackhead, sampling and talking about crack. Not a good situation. Well, I probably shouldn’t compare it like that, but you know what the hell I’m talking about.

I like to play guitar, I like to fiddle with the knobs on my amp, throw different pedals in line to see what comes of it just like the next guy. As you’ve been probably figuring out, I’ve been interested in a few fuzz pedals.. keeping a eye on a few analog delays, but the item that blew my mind currently was the Analog Man Sun Lion pedal that I say on J. Mascis’ board. That led me to the Analog Man Sun Face, and finally to the Analog Man Beano Boost. The Sun Lion was a combination the Beano Boost and Sun Face and is no longer in production.

Here is the official pedal description:

The Analog Man Beano Boost Pedal is a boost pedal based on the 1960s British Dallas Rangemaster, which was needed at the time to give a treble boost to the dark British amps. This allowed them to get a sound more in tune with the time, as guitars were starting to become a loud, bold, lead instrument. This effect pedal is a type of BOOSTER, not really a distortion pedal nor a clean boost- it does modify your sound quite a bit. It excites certain frequencies and pushes your amp to allow it to create rich tube distortion. The pedal colors your tone, with a crunchy overdrive, boosting certain frequencies, and warming the tone with NOS germanium transistors. It does not have a lot of compression and sustain like most OD pedals, but a more raw, open sound. This pedal has three tone settings from the tone switch- Center is a treble boost, the same as the original Dallas Rangemaster. UP is a fuller-frequency mid range boost (MID setting). Down is a LOW range, also quite a full frequency sound. The Beano Boost is spectacular into an amp that is already cranked up pretty well. It will also work well into a clean amp, but you probably need to turn the volume on the pedal up, to make the tone thicker by hitting the amp harder and making it work more.

Of course, I had to look to my favorite demo channel which of course is gearmandude. I really feel like we’re into the same style of tone, so when I found the Beano Boost vs. Sun Lion Beano Boost I was all over it. I absolutely love the ‘low’ switch clicked and vol dimed. Love it.

Anyway, after the drool ceased, I reached into my wallet, pulled out a credit card, and headed over to Fat Tone Guitars where you can pick up the Analog Man Beano Boost for $175.00. I’ll be sure to get a review of this pedal after I run it threw the circuit a bit.

Remember, if you like reading about pedals and seeing videos reviews from others, please subscribe to the RSS feed and get notified via email when there are new postings!

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Okay metalheads, it’s time for the MXR Fullbore Metal Distortion pedal. This highly anticipated pedal came out a couple of months ago, and I wanted to write a post about it. I’m not too much into metal these days, but I’d love to give this pedal a ride. This pedal has some nice features built in to maintain high level of metal-ness, mainly a 3 band EQ (with sweepbable mids) and noise gate built in. It definitely has classic metal tone right out of the box.

Here is the official product description:

This compact but powerful MXR guitar pedal is all you need to unleash the most devastating contemporary metal guitar tones ever heard. The FullBore distortion pedal turbo-charges your guitar signal with lethal amounts of ultra high gain. This is combined with a built-in Noise Gate to knock out the noise associated with extreme gain levels while also adding definition and tightness to syncopated metal riffs.

The effect pedal’s extensive EQ controls, with Bass, Mid, sweepable Mid-Freq and Treble knobs let you sculpt your tone with fiendish precision. The additional Scoop switch provides an instant high and low frequency boost that’ll rumble the room while also adding clarity. Available from MXR, the world leader in analog pedal technology.

MXR M116 Fullbore Metal Distortion Guitar Effects Pedal Features:

• Super high-gain distortion
• Three band EQ with sweepable mid frequencies
• Tight, fast, switchable Noise Gate for syncopated metal riffage
• Internal Gate Trigger control lets you set the Noise Gate’s sensitivity
• Scoop Switch boost the highs and lows while the EQ stays active
• True Bypass with LED
• All analog circuit path

Here is a great video that shows all the features of this pedal by ProGuitarShopDemos.

I also wanted to show a video from gearmandude on this pedal. Even though he claims to be lacking in the metal licks, I thought this video showed some important info (ie: noise gate handling).

You can pick up the MXR M116 Fullbore Metal Distortion for $99.99 at Musician’s Friend.

Remember, if you like reading about pedals and seeing videos reviews from others, please subscribe to the RSS feed and get notified via email when there are new postings!

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So with the official shopping season in full effect, this is a good time to snatch a few deals for ourselves, so when I find some decent deals, I’ll be sure to post them here.

Tonight, I came across the MXR EVH-117 Eddie Van Halen Flanger. Looks like EVH and MXR teamed up to work on a signature flange. This pedal normally lists at $318.24. Musician’s Friend has it available for $189.99 but Amazon has it for a bit less at $169.95. If you’re looking for that Van Halen-esque distortion.. then this would be a must in your line.

Here is the official product description:

Dunlop and Edward Van Halen have collaborated to bring back the classic tone of the MXR Flanger that powered timeless Van Halen tunes like “Unchained” and “And the Cradle Will Rock.” The result of their effort is the MXR EVH 117 Flanger, a stompbox with the same bucket-brigade technology that provided the sweeping, whooshing magic of the original. This updated model comes with the EVH Switch, which instantly calls up Eddie’s “Unchained” sound with the exact settings used to get the original guitar tone. On top of that, it comes painted with the cool striped graphics Eddie used to customize his guitars.

MXR EVH-117 Eddie Van Halen Flanger Features:

• Manual, Speed, Width, and Regeneration controls
• EVH Switch activates preset Manual, Speed, Width, and Regeneration settings for instant “Unchained” tone
• Original bucket-brigade circuit
• Die-cast housing
• EVH striped graphics

I found a video by meckintosh74 which shows what this pedal can do.

You can pick up the MXR EVH 117 Flanger for $169.95 at Amazon.

Remember, if you like reading about pedals and seeing videos reviews from others, please subscribe to the RSS feed and get notified via email when there are new postings!

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Today’s pedal line is from Steve Thompson. If you have a pedal line (doesn’t have to be in a board) for your rig, please email me a photo, bio, description of pedals and routing to . Every Friday I’ll showcase a pedal line submission. Make sure you include any links to your band or music page.

I think this is a great idea for a new feature! Below I listed the pedals on my “board” and a bit about how I use each. I don’t really discuss the order of the line, but I think the order makes logical sense.

- BOSS TU-2 Chromatic Tuner – I’m using the output which mutes the signal when the pedal is switch on.
- Behringer EQ700 Graphic Equalizer – The first pedal in the line that messes with the signal. I was looking for a cheap EQ to use on really only one song. As you can see from the picture, I use a dramatic “inverted scoop” sort of setting. It yields a fairly strange, almost synthesizer-esque sound. I’ll probably end up replacing this with an EHX Micro Synth in the not too distant future.
- Crybaby 535Q Chrome – Nothing too special; the classic crybaby wah with “Q” depth control.
- BOSS BD-2 Blues Driver – I guess this pedal is classified as distortion, but it’s kind of a weird mixture of overdrive and distortion (with a bit of fuzziness thrown in). I can get a pretty decent vintage sort of crunch out of it.
- DigiTech Bad Monkey Tube Overdrive – I’ve actually used this pedal a lot more than I ever thought I was. I have the gain and low knobs set fairly high to get a muddy low-end-driven overdrive.
- Danelectro DD-1 Fab Tone Distortion – Old 90’s make of this pedal. I can’t say I ever paid much attention to Danelectro products, but my bassist had this and didn’t really use it, so I incorporated it into my pedal board. This thing is definitely built like a tank and while it’s nothing special, I use it to get some out of control heavier tones.
- Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail Digital Reverb – Out of the three settings on this reverb (spring, hall, and “flerb”), I use hall most of the time and love it.
- MXR Carbon Copy Delay – Everywhere I turn today, people seem to love this pedal. I’m no different. Most often, I have all three knobs (Regen, Mix, and Delay) set at 12 o’ clock with the modulation switch turned on. On a few studio tracks and pretty frequently live, I’ll run feedback into the pedal and tweak the regen and delay in real-time to create a controlled sort-of white noise.

In the past I used a BOSS DS-1 and an Electro-Harmonix Nano-Clone. They fell out of favor just based on lack of use and eventually got booted from the board.

My site is http://www.stevethompson.net/. I’ve been finishing up a new album that should be available before the end of the year and had an electronica-tinged album called Score come out this past May. I live south of Pittsburgh, PA with my wife and our micro-zoo of animals. I play shows locally with a fantastic backing band consisting of Stephen Peck (Ex-ZAO) on drums, Dave Trinh (Ex-States of Melba) on saxophone, and Tony Regola on bass.

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I’m proud to announce the winner of the very first EffectsBay.com pedal give-away! Congratulations goes out to T.J. Harris (@thomas4th) for winning the SubDecay F-Bomb Fuzz Prototype Pedal (serial 001)!

The contest was a great success with many entries. I’d also like to welcome all the new visitors to the site that entered the contest! EffectsBay.com has been a real pleasure for me to work on, and I love that there is a community of visitors that frequent this site, as well as Twitter and Facebook pages. There is nothing like nerding out and talking guitar pedals. I absolutely enjoy reading your opinions on tone and pedal suggestions. Please keep it up!

I want to also directly thank Phil at Fat Tone Guitars for providing the great pedal for our first give-away. If you get a chance, please take a look at Fat Tone Guitars. They have great gear and Phil is a top notch guy.

I also want to say that there will be more give-aways in the future! How many more? Not sure, but for now, I’m hoping to have a few give-aways for the next few months.

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