Yesterday, MMisanthropy let me know about a couple of videos showcasing a pretty insane private effect pedal collection. The person who shot the video is blondegraemey who did a great video on the various Big Muffs in the past and made a post referencing that video.
This pedal collection is pretty amazing.. here are both parts:
And part two:
Popularity: 4%
A few months ago, StageTrix contacted me and asked if I would be interested to do a review of a piece of gear they’re selling. Since it’s guitar related.. I said “hells ya”. A couple of weeks ago I received nice little package in the mail which contained two items. A single Pedal Riser and a Pedal Fastener.
I like simple things and I love simple ideas that can address the complex, and this product definitely does. The concept is extremely easy to grasp. If you have a flat pedal board, with two rows it can be a pain to *work* that back row and it’s often easy to hit the knobs on the front row in the process. With the Pedal Riser, you can address two things. The first is raising the back row up so the pedals are elevated. Secondly, there are cable routing channels below the riser to help tidy things up.
When it comes to pedals or pedal accessories, I always have to look at construction. Since you’re potentially pounding on this, it needs to be strong. The individual Pedal Riser is built using 18 gauge steel, so it’s not going to collapse on you.
Pedals are mounted to the Pedal Riser via velcro. You can purchase the Pedal Fasteners which is a adhesive velcro pad you would affix to the pedal and then the pedal would stick to the riser. As you can see, the riser is sized to fit common sized ’single’ pedals. But if you’re like me, I have a Line 6 DL 4 in the rear, you would add two risers and you’d be good to go.
Here is StageTrix’s official video on the Pedal Riser:
Pedal Risers can be found at a few online stores and at a various locations across the US. Click here to find where you can buy a Pedal Riser near you.
Popularity: 8%
Mark let me know about a fun little shootout he did. Mark has been a friend of EffectsBay.com for a while now, so I was happy to post this for him! In this video, Mark laid out 5 great gain pedals.
EWS Fuzzy Drive
Keeley FuzzHead
Xotic AC Booster
Catalinbread Dirty Little Secret
Rockbox Boiling Point
He’s playing a Gibson CD356 through a Carvin 2×12 tube combo amp. Please check out his new band – Everything’s On Fire (@EOFmusic) and follow Mark at @markgrundhoefer.
Popularity: 5%
Yesterday, @4ntwaan asked what I thought was the best compressor. Since I don’t use compressors very often, I thought this would be a great question to ask the community. I particularly think this question is a tough one. Compression is used in so many different applications for varying expected results. From country twang picking to tightening up mid range on leads to adding additional sustain to notes. One compressor might be better than the other depending on the requirement, so the ‘why’ portion of this question is pretty vital. I hope this helps shed some light on this question. Thanks to all that responded!
christopherJR @effectsbay barber tone press… Why? Cuz it is awesome!
LeeChavez @Effectsbay I’m not real big on compressors. So not sure. I hear the Keely compresser is amazing.
CaptainVictory @effectsbay Best compressor for guitar rigs is MXR Dyna-Comp. Why? Because I say so and because its smooth squish is just unparalleled.
chaddbrooks @effectsbay cloned Ross
crunchyguitar1 @effectsbay The MXR-132 Super Comp,It doesn’t cut out with my active pickups.And the tone is remarkable+MXR is a very reliable product.
seanmbrage @effectsbay Strymon makes a darn good comp…more transparent than anything I’ve ever heard! Barber Tone Press is a sure shot as well!
nogoodguitarpkr @effectsbay Although I haven’t played it yet, just *hearing* the Rothwell Love Squeeze makes me want one! Also good: TonePress and CS3.
Kevin Ian Common i’d really like to know this… because i have yet to play one i actually like 
Lionel Oberto Mxr dyna comp, or dbx (rack)
Jomar Findlay can’t really say with 100% certainty that one is better than the other…
Joe Harley for my own needs it’s the Barber Tone Press. i don’t like alot of “squish”, or want my tone affected at all, and the barber is perfect for that. it gives me control over my volume, keeps my funk and reggae skanks tight, and lets me really cut loose with my hollow body for some big leads…without changing any of the charecter of my sound. that blend knob is the key. and at$150?? it’s a steal 
Justin Vigeant I’ve given up on compressor pedals… 
Kevin Ian Common …i think it’s the squish that i cannot stand. also, i’m a very dynamic player–in regards that i play with dynamics and picking attack often… and the squish tends to kill most of that
Kevin Ian Common i also use a BBE sonic maximizer… and i haven’t found a compressor that plays nice with it (i’m not giving up the bbe 
)
Michael Jason Sammut I use the compressor on my Nova System in the loop and it is magical.
Matt Drozdeck philosophers tone
Mark Grundhoefer I like my Keeley Two Knob Compressor and a little dirt on the channel for slide stuff. Plus it works well during solos to get that epic big sustain.
Alexandre Stortregn For my bass I use the one on the ashdown amps(mag evo II 600), quite amazing. And for guitar any expensive tube compressor from EHX is great.
Ben Howard I use a Pigtronix Philosopher’s Tone. It has it all for me, plenty of control to go from subtle compression that just stops heavy strumming sections from jumping out and also the ability to crank it and get a Chili Peppers vibe going with a strat. The grit knob is a great little extra that let’s you blend in a touch of distortion so it sounds like … See Moreyou have two amps running. ProGuitarShop has a great demo of it on their Website. It’s also really small, so great for crammed pedal boards. Runs on 9-18v (no battery) so there’s also plenty of headroom.
Dominic Rippel Hartman … 2 knobs, Ross circuit, school desk blue.. Clean as a whistle!
Please feel to continue the discussion by commenting below!
Popularity: 5%
Dunlop just announced that they are re-releasing two classic 80’s pedals – the MXR Micro Flanger and the MXR Micro Chorus!
Here is partial quote from their announcement:
Since the 1970’s MXR has produced the best effects available with their tradition of tough, rugged and tonally tasty stomp boxes. We’re bringing back some of the classics with the re-release of the MXR Micro Chorus and Micro Flanger.
MXR Micro Flanger $89.99
Based on the benchmark sounds of the MXR M117 Flanger, the MXR Micro Flanger guitar pedal features many of the same flanging effects of its big brother, but in a smaller and more convenient size. Originally released in the ’80s, this faithful recreation features the same 2 critical controls—a Speed knob to control the rate of cycling, and a Regeneration knob to manage the overall intensity—and stays true to its 100% analog bucket brigade technology for the ultimate in warm and organic tone. The MXR Micro Flanger pedal has been updated with a true bypass switch so you don’t lose any tone during bypass. Go from jet plane like sweeps to cool outer space type effects with the MXR Micro Flanger guitar effect pedal.
The MXR Micro Flanger pedal can be powered by one 9V battery (accessed by removing the effect pedal’s bottom plate), a Dunlop DC810DC brick, or MC403 Power system (sold separately).
MXR Micro Chorus $79.99
With its simple operation and stellar analog tone, the MXR Micro Chorus guitar pedal joins the ranks of MXR Classics such as the Phase 90, Dyna Comp and Micro Amp. This ’80s reissue delivers a stunning range of rich chorus textures, from sparkly watery shimmers to intense rotating speaker simulation with a twist of the Rate control. The MXR Micro Chorus pedal is designed with old-school bucket brigade technology for warm analog tone and features true bypass for pure guitar tone when the guitar effects pedal is off. Its roadworthy hardware and components are housed in a space saving Phase 90-sized box.
The MXR Micro Chorus pedal can be powered by one 9V battery (accessed by removing the effect pedal’s bottom plate), a Dunlop DC810DC brick, or MC403 Power system (sold separately).
Popularity: 7%
Everyone is looking to add a pedal to change or improve their tone. Usually people have a wish list of things to add, but often people are settling with a certain pedal/tone but hope top ‘upgrade’ or change it in the future. So I wanted to ask what pedal people wanted to replace in their current pedal line up on Twitter and Facebook. Here were the responses. Please feel free to continue the discussion by commenting below.
sean_pierceCEO @effectsbay i’ve been asked this a lot. i change my pedals so often i tell everyone i hate all of them.
underwoodblog @effectsbay I want to replace my Whammy 4 with an Eventide Pitchfactor, because it has more funktions and better sound.
rs663 @effectsbay DOD supra distortion, sounds nasty in my chain.
worshipinrocker @effectsbay I want to replace my keeley super overdrive. Because it’s pretty good but could be much better. Maybe eternity burst?
fuzmeister @effectsbay Digitech Bad Monkey – it’s been good to me, but I need a better overdrive like the Barber LTD.
CottonCorey @effectsbay my chorus pedal. Its a dod and I’ve never dug it…
sixstringsensei @effectsbay I just did. I replaced my Hardwire RV-7 Reverb. I bought an amp with reverb & I want the space for an MXR Carbon Copy.
peaceandnirvana @effectsbay i would like to replace my delay pedal because it is the worst pedal in my line up
AndrewElmore @effectsbay my digitech hot head. Ugh.
inmemoryofthom @effectsbay Behringer Pan Tremolo for the price it gets the job done, but i’d like something constructed alittle bit better.
Kenben @effectsbay my EHX Small Clone, fantastic pedal but it’s not built to withstand the beating on a ‘live’ board set-up. I need a new one.
300guitars @effectsbay I also have an ME-50 and would like something similar but with better sound….ME-70 perhaps?
trichobezoar metal muff! Treble boost is a waste of time RT @effectsbay What pedal do you want to replace in your line… and why?
300guitars @effectsbay I for one am very happy and don’t feel the need to change any pedals…….kina weird!!!
longhair43228 @effectsbay I would say my Digi Death Metal pedal.It just doesn’t have the sound I’m looking for anymore.
aS_hayashi @effectsbay Right now using a MFX unit so all of them? Don’t know if there is another MFX unit of higher quality that meets my reqs though.
markgrundhoefer @effectsbay Dunlop Wah 95Q. It’s great beacause it’s switchless but it’s too mellow. I want a bigger sweep.
PeterBerki @effectsbay if I were to replace any, it would probably be my #1 echo. I’d probably go with a boss dd3 or dd7 for the variety factor
mcnasty99 @effectsbay my phaser pedal, due to its current lack of existence
jz20051 @effectsbay my Boss DD20 for an analog delay, perhaps an MXR Cabron or EH Memory Man?
landosaurusrex Id like to replace my Cry Baby with something useful…rarely used RT @effectsbay: What pedal do you want to replace in your line…and why?
nogoodguitarpkr @effectsbay I’m thinking I want to replace my Boss TU2 with one of them new TC Electronics PolyTuners.
pelossus @effectsbay dyna comp….i like it, but not as flexible as a few other compressors out there… maybe for the @jhspedals pulp n peel?
TeeAreBee @effectsbay BOSS DS-1: I like the pedal, but i have the MD-2 (as reviewed), and that takes care of ds. i want an OD so it’s a boost/crunch
SDMF_Dusty @effectsbay Um…. Id say, Metal Zone With A ZW overdrive. Tone on MZ is terrible. and the Boss Wah With ZW’s (better range)
Iblame Summers i would maybe like to REPLACE my DOD FX52 Classic Fuzz w/ either a Turbo Rat or a EHX Big Muff w/ Tone Wicker. but maybe…(& i would like to replace my TAPCO 6100R w/ an EHX Cathedral reverb…).
K George Wyland I just replaced my Keeley boss metal zone (twilight mod) with a metal muff and I love it!
Austin Remington I’d like to replace my Danalectro PB&J delay with an electro harmonix memory boy. Mainly just cause i want an analog delay for my slapback delay.
Carlos Delgado I’ll most likely never get rid of my Metal Zone MT-2 Pedal, but any additions that sound good with it, i’m all ears
Jimmy Cass My line 6 dl-4 delay… Has a mind of it’s own at times, but still can’t live without it! My tuner sucks at times too :[>
Dave Novak My Ibanez CS9 chorus. Sounds way too 80s for me. Looking to get the new MXR Black Label Chorus to replace it.
Ross Hooper I bought an EHX Nano Clone chorus recently. Sounds great with a clean sound, but it sounds like a flanger with distortion. So I just got a Line6 MM4 on ebay. Which is going to give me a space problem, but what the hell?
Matt Drozdeck Contemplating selling my old ass mxr filter for a vox wah. Love the thing but doesnt get the full range of sounds I want.
Kevin Ian Common i’m content with what i have… especially since i’m getting a couple new ones soon… but i’d like to add a wmd geiger counter someday, and echolution
Dean Tompkins ya Maybe swap out the TU2..I would love the new tc tuner..but only cuz it’s shiny and has bells and whistles
Heth Weinstein I WISH ELECTRO HARMONIX MADE PEDALS THAT WORK ON BATTERIES.
Joe Harley JH-1 Wah to Teese Wizrd Wah–> The JH1’s got a lower voiced sweep, which I like. Most wah’s hurt my ears in the upper ranges of the sweep. But, it doesn’t have the range of sweep that I want. Teese RMC5 has both, and is built to last a lifetime. Boss PS-3 Pitch Shifter Delay to Strymon Brigadier Delay–> i actually really like the sound of …
Andrew Green my boss tu-2 tuner. i would love the new tc electronic tuner. i’m considering replacing my fulltone fulldrive 2 mosfet with something with a little lighter gain.
Kelly Beavers im happy with my pedals, but i would like to add a fuzz and a xotic bb someday
Thanks everyone!!
Popularity: 5%
Today I had a few minutes to check out some videos, and I came across an interesting one by PigTronix. This particular video is old (NAMM 2008) where Phil Lesh of the Grateful Dead checks out the Pigtronix Echolution Delay. This video mentioned the ‘Golden Ratio’ effect which I thought was pretty cool.
Here is the official information about the PHI switch:
Engaging the (PHI) switch realigns all of these fractions to values based on the Golden Ratio. The Golden Ratio creates a spiral rhythm that is found throughout the universe. It is observed in the shapes of galaxies, sea shells, DNA, the Egyptian Pyramids as well as in the work of many great visual artists and musicians.
Popularity: 5%
While I was eavesdropping on the Twitter conversation between @CheeseBlocks and @PeterBerki, I read the following “.. the cool cat overdrive is 95% the same circuit as the OCD..” What??? I had to explore further. Googling, I did see a few sites discussing this and how both the OCD and Cool Cat were clones of VoodooLab or Timmy OD. Very interesting indeed. One thing to way in is the quality of build construction of a Dano pedal will be less, but I was surprised how close they sounded.
I found a great GearMannDude video (does this guy ever let me down?) where he plays a Danelectro Cool Cat against a Version 4 Fulltone OCD.
What I say in that video, the tone is very similar. There is some subtle differences in the low end in my opinion and there is definitely more options with the OCD, but the pedal sounds pretty damn close. The difference really comes to price, but more importantly (in my opinion) build quality. I definitely want a stomp pedal that’s not going to break during live applications.
Currently you can pick up the Danelectro Cool Cat CO-2 Overdrive V2 Guitar Effects Pedal for $49.00, and the Fulltone OCD Obsessive Compulsive Drive Overdrive Guitar Effects Pedal costs $159.00 at Musician’s Friend.
Popularity: 7%
Yesterday I was curious to find what others were wanting for pedals, so I had to ask.. and here was the response. Thanks everyone!
WillFugate RT @effectsbay Community Question: What’s in position #1 for your pedal wish list?.. Line 6 DL4 Delay Modeler
AndrewElmore @effectsbay verbzilla! I’ll probly just buy it’s clone: Behringer RV600. I just love that shimmery Octo setting
PeterBerki @effectsbay completely honest, @cheeseblocks sCream Cheese
Fretrunner @effectsbay RE: Pedal #1 Lovepedal Les Lius Overdrive
pelossus @effectsbay probably the mxr carbon copy or the boss giga delay..gotta love the delays.
ctbalcerak @effectsbay digitech Timebender/moog phaser
markgrundhoefer @effectsbay the next pedal I want to pick up is the Subdecay Prometheus. So cool!
aloomens @effectsbay #1 on wish list would be an analog Delay w/tap tempo
AustinRemington @effectsbay an ernie ball volume.
Xquadra @effectsbay Fender Sub-Lime Bass Fuzz
RivetheadRasta @effectsbay The Boss RE-20 space echo pedal, I’ve always wanted a tape echo. This is as close as it gets.
JohnHaselden @effectsbay it’s got to the Pigtronix Echolution
SvNDeaTh @effectsbay a Dunlop Cry Baby
4ntwaan RT EHX Hog http://tinyurl.com/yf3g6e2 that’s for sure! @effectsbay: Community Question: What’s in position #1 for your pedal wish list?
Jomar Findlay Electro-Harmonix Enigma.
Diego ? Ferri Univox Super-Fuzz
Kevin Kelsey MI Audio Crunch Box
Jeremy Hainline tie – Catalinbread Heliotrope or Catalinbread SFT. Was the WIIO, but mine’s on it’s way
T.J. Harris Custom Audio Electronics MC-404 wah pedal.
Kevin Ian Common four-way-tie: WMD Geiger Counter, EQD Ghost Echo, Devi Ever LP, or Moody Mushroom Echo… Either one of those would be fantastic right about now 
Marijn Westerlaken Malekko B:assmaster is going to be the first new thing on my board
Andrew Elmore Verbzilla. But I’ll probly just buy it’s clone the Behringer RV600. After that it’s a three way tie between: Ernie Ball VPJR EHX Knockout EHX Big Muff (standard NY)
Mick Blowe Just had Paul Trombetta do some nifty mods on my Rat pedal, Checkitt! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oSDfhzAis0
Alexandre M. Störtregn EHX Cathedral
Andre Sachs a Mutron!
I have to say there are some sweet pedals in the line up above. As for me… I would love a T.Rex Replicator, but unfortunately, I think next line will be switches… b-o-r-i-n-g….
Popularity: 6%
Last week I posted some info on the Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail Reverb pedal, and noticed that some places carry the big version and other places only carry the nano. I’m assuming that EHX is probably going to be phasing out of the larger pedals since the nanos seem to be quite popular these days. So my question is… do they sound the same?
Well, with questions like this, it seems like Gearmanndude usually has the answer. I took a quick trip to YouTube, and I found a great Gearmanndude video comparing the nano and mr. big. Seems like Gearmanndude isn’t too into reverb. I can relate. I think it’s been about 20 years since I played with reverb, but not because I hate it.. it just isn’t required in the stuff I play.
You can pick up the Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail Nano Reverb for $118.50 at Musician’s Friend
I’m unable to find the ‘classic’ EHX Holy Grail anywhere now, so it looks like your best option is to pick it up on eBay. Here are some Holy Grail pedals found using PedalNerd.com
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.
Popularity: 9%
