Effects Bay

I just came across a nice deal on the MXR MC401 Line Driver at Amazon. This is the Custom Audio Electronics (CAE) version. Quality build on the enclosure and the circuit is tight, as you would expect from CAE! The MXR MC401 Line Driver lists for $169.74, and is usually available for $99, but is currently on sale for $70.11 at Amazon! That’s $30 off regular price! This pedal is also available with FREE super saver shipping. At the time of this post, there were only 5 in stock. Usually when the stock number gets down to 1 or 2, the price will jump back up, so if you’re looking for a line driver.. this is a great opportunity to get one at a great price.

Here is the official description of the MXR MC401 Line Driver:

MXR and Custom Audio Electronics founder Bob Bradshaw – two names that have shaped the tones of the world’s greatest guitarists – join forces to bring you a dynamic new line of pedals. The Boost/Overdrive and Boost pedals are the first offerings in the series produced by MXR, featuring the unique sonic stamp of legendary designer Bob Bradshaw. Since 1980, CAE’s innovative pedal designs were made in limited quantities only for his select clientele. When it was time to bring these pedals to the masses, there was only one name he could trust to deliver the same quality and standards that his customers demand – MXR. Available only from Dunlop Manufacturing, Inc., the world’s leader in analog pedal technology. MC-401 Boost/Line Driver The MC-401 is simple in design but superbly effective in solving a variety of mis-matched line level and signal conditioning problems that can occur when combining effects. The MC-401′s circuit design has been used for years by CAE in the world’s best guitarist’s rigs to remedy these problems and rejuvenate the sparkle, punch and brilliance that can be lost. It can also be used as an ultra-clean boost for solos or to drive effects for more dynamics and sensitivity.

Again, the MXR MC401 (CAE) Line Driver is on sale for only $70.11 at Amazon!

Popularity: 5%

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Today, I found another great deal on a Carl Martin pedal. This time it’s for the Carl Martin Boost Kick pedal. This pedal lists for $231 and is on sale for a scorching low price of $70.09. I’m not sure if this pedal is out of production, I do not see at Musician’s Friend. Either way, $70 for a booster of this caliber is not bad at all. The pedal also ships with FREE super saver shipping. At the time of this posting, there were 4 available. Normally, when the stock gets down to 1 (sometimes 2), the price will jump up, so if this sounds interesting, you best jump on it.

Here is the official description of the Carl Martin Boost Kick:

The Carl Martin Boost Kick is a 9V-battery-powered pedal designed to provide up to 12dB of boost to give that extra “kick” required for a great solo. The level control determines the boost level. The 3 band EQ section is comprised of Punch (bass), Attack (mid) and Edge (treble). This allows a virtually unlimited range of solo sounds without compromising sonic quality. Getting your solos to cut through the cacophony of the band can be a handful. With up to 12dB boost and the 3 band EQ at your feet, hitting the right sound at the right level is a breeze. The Carl Martin Boost Kick is true bypass and features an AC adapter jack.

Again, the Carl Martin Boost Kick is on sale for only $70.09 at Amazon.

Popularity: 3%

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At Winter NAMM 2011, VHT debuted their VHT V-Drive Overdrive pedal. This is a highly customizable overdrive.  The overdrive has a ‘select’ control which allows you to switch between 10 different diode configurations and allows for a 11th option which is a straight OpAmp boost (Clean Boost). Additionally there is Texture, Depth, Tone and Voltage controls.

This pedal will be available for purchase next month (9/7/2011) and might be a great overdrive for your board.

Here is the official description of the VHT V-Drive Overdrive:

From clean boost to creamy-smooth sustain to raging harmonic complexity, the new VHT V-Drive overdrive pedal’s unique controls offer an amazingly wide range of tones and textures at an awesome value. In addition to standard Drive and Volume controls, the VHT V-Drive offers four more unique controls.

Select
The V-Drive’s 11-position Select switch provides ten different clipping diode configurations plus a clean-boost diode-bypass mode. (Clipping diodes are the heart and soul of nearly every classic overdrive pedal design, and the type and configuration of these diodes defines the overdrive texture and dynamic response character.)

The V-Drive’s Select switch replicates the diode type and configuration of the most popular overdrive pedals of the ’80s and ’90s as well as some of today’s most sought-after boutique designs. The V-Drive also offers several new diode types and configurations for some fresh tones for the future, enabling players to make their own unique contributions to the advancement of the art of overdrive.

Texture
The V-Drive’s Texture control adjusts the overdrive texture and harmonic content. Working in conjunction with the Select switch, these two controls provide an unprecedented range of fine-tunable overdrive choices. Warm and smooth or bristling with harmonic activity, the choice—and voice—is yours.

Depth
The V-Drive’s unique 11-position Depth control fine-tunes the low-end response to perfectly voice the overdrive depth to suit a wide range of guitars, pickups, and musical styles.

Tone
The V-Drive’s Tone knob is voiced higher than is commonly expected. Unlike most overdrive pedals, it adjusts the treble content without altering the midrange. The V-Drive’s Tone control works in conjunction with the Depth control to provide a wider and more useful EQ-shaping range than conventional overdrive tone controls.

Voltage
The unique Voltage control uses a special voltage multiplying integrated circuit to increase the pedal’s operating voltage for a tighter, punchier, crisper, quicker-responding and more authoritative tone—ordinary 9-volt pedals can’t match this new level of dynamic response. The Voltage control can also reduce the V-Drive’s operating voltage to as low as 5 volts for a softer and spongier attack.

Like a box full of pedals in one, the innovative, revolutionary—and surprisingly affordable—VHT V-Drive introduces the next chapter in the quest for the ultimate overdrive.
Features

* Wide range of tones and textures
* Volume, Tone, Drive, Depth, Texture, Select controls
* Select control offers 11 settings that replicate the most popular overdrives of the ’80s, ’90s, and beyond
* Voltage control adjusts the operating voltage for tighter sound

Here is a video by premierguitar at NAMM where VHT talks about VHT Amps Special 6 Ultra Head and the VHT V-Drive Overdrive. I skipped the amp part. His guitar is out of tune, but you’ll get a good sense of what this pedal is all about.

As I mentioned above, the VHT V-Drive Overdrive  is available 9/7/2011. You can pre-order this pedal via Amazon.com for $99.00

Popularity: 6%

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I’m currently running a give away to win this particular pedal – T-Rex Tonebug Booster. For those of you that are interested in the T-Rex Tonebug Booster, we put a quick demo of what this guy does. I like clean boosts. They’re simple and designed pretty much to do one thing – increase your guitar input signal to the pre-amp or to pedals. This can be especially great if you’re playing through a tube amp to get some nice natural amp break up. Normally clean boosts have just a single knob to manage the input gain, but the T-Rex Tonebug Booster also has a mid-scoop control to help contour the mid-range, which can be useful.

Here is what T-Rex has to say about their T-Rex Tonebug Booster:

You know the problem… When it’s time for you launch into another brilliant solo, how do you make yourself heard above the rest of the band?

Basically, you’ve got to turn up the volume, but that’s easier said than done. You can keep the volume knob on your guitar down when you’re playing rhythm and turn it up for leads – but that takes half the tone and all the shine out of your rhythm sound.

Or you can turn around and crank up your amp in the middle of the song – missing bars, losing your audience and – let’s face it – usually forgetting to turn it down again when your solo is over.

Introducing T-Rex Booster
Booster is the perfect solution when you want to turn your volume up or down on the fly – without losing your tone. The way it works couldn’t be simpler: You set the right volume for your solos compared to rhythm parts, and then you stomp on the box when you take a solo.

Added SCOOP control
Sometimes, tweaking your equalization can also help you rise above the rest of the band. That’s why Booster comes with a cool SCOOP knob, which lets you fine-tune your solo tone in addition to boosting your volume.

Part of the T-Rex Tonebug series
Booster is part of the T-Rex Tonebug series, a growing line of pedals that combines the classic T-Rex tone found in our high-end pedals with intuitive, uncomplicated controls – all at a price that any guitarist can afford.

Once you’ve give Booster a try, you’ll wonder why you waited so long to add one to your pedal board.

For this demo, I again asked Jimmy Rolle to help out. He’s playing his Les Paul Custom Shop Elegant into a Rivera Knucklehead 100w head through a Marshall 4×12 cabinet. The audio was recorded with a Shure SM57 and Fathead Ribbon Mic. There is nothing between the guitar and the amp besides this pedal.

You can listen to the high quality MP3 clip via SoundCloud

Now, if you’re liking what you’re hearing, and as I mentioned, I’m giving this pedal away! I’ll be accepting entries for a few more days, so be sure to get your entry in before it’s too late! You can find full details about the T-Rex Tonebug Booster Give Away here.

Popularity: 4%

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I saw someone a few days ago mention the Carl Martin Hot Drive ‘N Boost on Twitter (sorry don’t remember who.. or exactly what it was all about). I wasn’t familiar with that pedal, so today I thought I’d take a closer look. Based on the description it sounds like clean boost offering 20dB of signal boost.

Here is the official description of the Carl Martin Hot Drive ‘N Boost mk 3:

The anniversary Hot Drive’n Boost mk 3 has a completely new overdrive design that delivers even more authentic tube simulating overdrive than the revered original HDB. It gives you the sound of a tweaked boutique tube amp without affecting your fundamental tone. There’s no midrange emphasis or high- or low-end cut. Equipped with Boost, Level, Wave, and Gain rotary knobs plus Boost and Drive switches to fine-tune and activate your sound. Up to a 20dB boost gives your solos the presence and punch you lust after. A built-in power supply keeps your signal clean. Hand-built in Denmark.

Carl Martin Hot Drive ‘N Boost mk 3 Pedal Features:

* Completely new overdrive design
* Gives you the sound of a tweaked boutique tube amp without affecting your fundamental tone
* No midrange emphasis or high- or low-end cut
* Boost, Level, Wave, Gain rotary knobs
* Boost and Drive
* Up to a 20dB boost
* Built-in power supply
* Hand-built in Denmark

I found this video by GLASSTONES08:

You can pick up the Carl Martin Hot Drive ‘N Boost mk 3 for $215.60 at Musician’s Friend.

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

Popularity: 2%

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Today I wanted to talk about the Way Huge Angry Troll linear boost pedal. The folks at Dunlop were kind enough to send me this pedal to demo… so we did. Again, for this demo, I enlisted the help of my good friend Jimmy Rolle. He used his Les Paul Custom Shop Elegant, plugged into a Rivera Knucklehead 100 through a Marshall 4×12 cab (2 V30s, 1 G12H30, 1 Greenback). We mic’d it with a AKG Solidtube microphone direct to a laptop.

The Angry Troll boost pedal can give you a maximum of +50db of gain! There are 2 knobs – Volume and Anger. The anger knob which is a rotary switch with fists (I have to admit, I think that’s pretty cool) adjusts the level of gain through the op-amp. The volume knob regulates the overall pedal output. I have to note, that this is not a ‘clean boost’ since it does alter the sound with some compression for “bite and punch” as their description states.

I also have a high quality MP3 download available via SoundCloud:

You can pick up the Way Huge Electronics WHE101 Angry Troll for $119.99 at Musician’s Friend. But wait, you have a chance to get the exact pedal we demo’d! If you’re not aware, this month’s give away is this pedal. Click here to learn more about the Way Huge Electronics Angry Troll give away!

Popularity: 6%

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Today I wanted to talk about the ZVex Super Hard On boost pedal. I just recently picked up the Analog Man Beano Boost, and I’ve been really digging the clean boost action, so I wanted to take a closer look at the ZVex Super Hard On (SHO). It’s very similar in the sense that it pushs your input signal to the ceiling which gives you a great natural break up (assuming you’re pushing a tube amp). This pedal is extremely simple with only one knob.

Here is the official pedal description:

The ZVex Super Hard On w/LED Boost Pedal is a boost pedal and more. Ignite your rig to get the best tone it’s capable of. The boost pedal is so transparent no one will be able to tell you’re using a pedal. Perfect for making the most of a classic amp and guitar, because it simply makes your guitar bigger and pushes the amp harder, causing natural overload. This sound can be the solution to the ‘disappearing guitar’ effect you get sometimes on stage when you stomp on your distortion and sound weaker. When cranked, it sounds much louder than a fuzz or distortion under stage conditions.

I found another great video by gearmandude showing what it can do:

You can pick up the ZVex Super Hard On for $239.00 at Fat Tone Guitars.

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

Popularity: 8%

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Here’s the next crazy BBE deal at Amazon. This is the BBE Frequency Boost, which is a vintage treble boost pedal. If you want to get that retro 70′s distortion, this is pretty sweet. It gives a mid-high boost, which can help you cut through the mix for leads or rhythm parts. I’m not seeing this pedal listed at the BBE web site or at Musician’s Friend, so this could be a discontinued line. So if you want one, this could be your only opportunity to get a new one.

Here is the official description:

The Freq Boost is patterned after a rare Treble Booster of the mid-’60s that gave many famous players the ability to add sustain, fatten and overdrive their favorite guitar amplifier. Robust build quality and rugged engineering ensure that the Freq Boost will stand up to the abuse of life on the road. Other features include hardwire bypass, LED operation indicator, non-slip rubber bottom, easy-access 9v battery compartment and included external power supply.

This pedal normally lists for $149.00, but is currently on sale at Amazon for $55.54 and includes FREE super saver shipping. So that’s basically $100 off, not too shabby.

I found this video from BBE that goes through various BBE pedals, but the Freq Boost is demo’d at 3:53 of the clip.

Popularity: 6%

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Today we have another BBE pedal screaming deal at Amazon. This time it’s the BBE Boosta Grande, which can give you a 20db clean boost. By boosting your clean signal, you begin to naturally overrdrive things behind the pedal.  The BBE Boosta Grande comes with a single knob that adjusts the gain level and a single on/off footswitch to activate the pedal. I can personally see how this could work great in a loop chain in conjunction with a few other pedals, or how it can be used simply to overdrive your amps input.

The pedal can give you 20db of clean boost, it has hardwire bypass switching and can be powered by 9V battery or external power supply.

Normally, the BBE Boosta Grande lists for $129.00. It can be picked up at Musician’s Friend for $79.99, but you can get it for a great price of $53.02 at Amazon and that does come with FREE super saver shipping.

Below is a small demo of the pedal:

Popularity: 3%

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