Effects Bay

Today’s pedal line is from A. Bovara. 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 pedallineeffectsbaycom. Every Friday I’ll showcase a pedal line submission. Make sure you include any links to your band or music page.

This is my working board. I used it to record my latest solo album. You can hear it here:
No Place for the Dead

I only route my pedals one way, from beginning to the beginning to the end.

Bass (Shamray Custom or ESP Ltd. F-205) >
ISP Decimator G String >
Behringer BLE100 Bass Limiter Enhancer >
Boss GEB-7 Bass EQ >
EHX Octave Multiplexer >
Delta Fuzz (BYOC Ampeg Scrambler clone) >
EHX Metal Muff w/ Top Boost >
Dunlop Bass CryBaby >
Boss ODB-3 Bass Overdrive >
Morley PBA-2 Dual Bass Wah >
Boss BF-2 Flanger >
Line 6 Echo Park >
Boss LMB-3 Bass Limiter Enhancer >
ISP Decimator G String (again) >
Mark Bass CMD 102-P.

Sitting on an SKB-PS-45

ISP Decimator G String- Bass in. This is my favorite pedal. For all the sounds I get out of everything else, without this pedal all anything would sound like is cosmic microwave background radiation.

Behringer BLE100 Bass Limiter Enhancer- This is the first of my two limiter/enhancer pedals. The enhancer knob might as well be re-titled as, high pitch hiss mix. Other than having flimsy feeling controls it works just as good as the Boss Limiter later on in my line. This Hi-C carton helps keep things even when I switch from deep low end to clangier highs, since both my basses have pretty strong onboard EQ.

Boss GEB-7 Bass EQ- I bought this pedal before I knew what to do with it. I used to hate it. Now that I have learned that sliders, or knobs for that matter, don’t have to maxed out one way or the other, I really like the pedal. EQ is a powerful thing, just a dab’ll do ya.

EHX Octave Multiplexer- I made this as a deaf trade. I never heard it before in my life; I didn’t even check any YouTube demos. I find I am really happy with it. It’s nice for simple harmonies with myself and can thicken up bass very well. It’s part one of a happy accident.

Delta Fuzz (BYOC Ampeg Scrambler clone)- This is part two of the happy accident. I bought this from Build Your Own Clone because it was one of the cheaper kits they had. I wanted it so my wife could do some doodles on it and I would have something from her on my board. She is the one who named it “Delta Fuzz”. I was going to call it, “Octave Up Fuzz Pedal”. It is a fuzz with some subtle octave up change happening. She called it “Delta” because of that subtle change in harmonic pitch. Anyway, I discovered that putting the octave down EHX in front of this octave up fuzz created some of the most terrorizing signal distortion I’ve ever heard. The Multiplexer into the Delta Fuzz is unlike any distortion/pitch switch out there. I contemplated getting a WMD Geiger Counter, then this happened and I’m happy enough.

EHX Metal Muff w/ Top Boost- This is my go to distortion pedal. I usually like to run distortion EQ flat, but since this is high end focused, and I am a bass player, I had to bump up the lows and mids to compensate. When I do want the high end splatter it’s as easy as kicking in the Top Boost.

Dunlop Bass Cry Baby- My first wah pedal. I hate that it is a click to engage pedal, but I do really like its tone. It’s a much…thicker(?)… sound than the Morley. I need to get around to doing the step on to engage mod. It sounds really nice sitting between my two main distortion pedals, the Crybaby acts on the Metal Muff while the ODB-3 acts on the Crybaby. I can make it scream like Dax Riggs in 1994.

Boss ODB-3 Bass Overdrive- This is a love it or hate it bass player standard. It has a smooth overdrive, like a steady static but hearty. It’s nice to be able to blend the distortion with the dry signal here.

Morley PBA-2 Dual Bass Wah- I love that this is an instant engage pedal. It has a much smoother tone sweep than the Crybaby, but isn’t as thick. It does great as an effect filter. When I have the octave and two distortions engaged, my Morley can bring the entire line from dead wood to a raging fire of sonic eruption.

Boss BF-2 Flanger- I really like this flanger.

Line 6 Echo Park- The Echo Park is pretty versatile, but that’s mostly lost on me as I only use it for two different things. I use the normal delay, quarter note type, with tap delay timing. It’s cool to get a delay/echo just how you like it while playing, instead of tooling around with knobs while you should be plucking strings. This pedal does not work with the G-String on. I guess the G-string picks the echo up as noise and filters it out; so, I have to be careful to have the G-String off when I use this. Except, that is, when I use the “Swell” setting. The swell setting combined with the filtering of the G-string make an interesting volume rise sound, similar to what the Boss Slow Gear did (but better).

Boss LMB-3 Bass Limiter Enhancer- My second limiter in the series. With all my gain stages (EQ, Delta Fuzz, Metal Muff, ODB-3, Morley Wah) this guy helps me even everything out. It is especially important when I use the Delta Fuzz, as it doesn’t have a volume output control and bumps up the volume a little. The Delta Fuzz isn’t too bad when it’s on by itself, but when combined with either other dirt pedal the volume jumps can get pretty bad. This limiter takes care of these problems.

ISP Decimator G String- (again)- effects return.

This smaller board is my DOD board, Screem for Bleed (Feat. Gouge, Twist, Crank, and Harm)
This is my tribute to all the pedals I wanted, but couldn’t afford, when I started playing bass in the mid-90′s. It is my prize collection of the craziest, cult followingist, hard to find, unnecessarily expensive DOD pedals.

The route is:
Bass (Shamray Custom or ESP Ltd. F-205)>
DOD FX32 Meat Box
DOD FX13 Gonkulator Modulator
DOD FX76 Punkifier
DOD FX33 Buzz Box
Mark Bass CMD 102-P.

Tied with some twine to an old board I tore off an abandoned barn.

I also gave each pedal a name, to be in line with the crazy DOD knob names. I think the names are somewhat reflective of what the pedal does, to either your signal or your ears.

DOD FX32 Meat Box, aka Gouge- This pedal digs deep into the low end frequency range, almost sub-sonic, and boosts the 30 Hz and 60 Hz frequencies. The low end you can pump out of this slab will tear your flesh down through your bone.

DOD FX13 Gonkulator Modulator, aka Twist- Right up front, the Gonk is a simple toned ring modulator with a built in distortion circuit. However, if you play it just right, this pedal sounds like it can twist your pitches around. For instance when playing three notes close in pitch, the note that is highest in pitch on your neck will come out as the lowest pitch from the Gonk. Crazy.

DOD FX76 Punkifier, aka Crank- Some good ol’ screamin’ demon distortion. It’s pretty simple, this box can crank up your signal so that it sounds like you’ve been slapped in the ear with a pan of hot oil.

DOD FX33 Buzz Box, aka Harm- This pedal has no consideration for the feelings or emotions of any signal coming into it. It’ll break your sound down to something akin to a jar full of M-80′s and chainsaws. If you’ve ever wanted to turn you ax into a dirt bike simulator, this is your pedal. If you’ve ever wanted the sound of broken speakers without breaking your speakers, this is your box. If you’ve ever wanted to harm the hearing of those around you, this is a good place to start.

I play with this board every once in a while just to tool around. It’s pretty fun, although I sometime worry about my amp, speakers, and windows. Totally brootuhlz.

-
A. Bovara

Popularity: 5%

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Here is a great video by MusicRadar.com featuring Bryan Kehoe talking about some upcoming pedals from Dunlop. A few of them have been talked about for a while (ie: Joe Bonamassa Cry Baby and the re-issue of the Way Huge Red Llama), but one caught my ear.  That was for the Eric Johnson Fuzz Face. I remember hearing various stories (could be legend and/or tales passed down from nerd guitarist to nerd guitarist) where Eric would have people find the classic Red Fuzz Face. He was always in search of a particular sound found in a few batches of germanium transistor fuzz faces.

For those of you not too familiar with germanium transistors, transistor were used to replace tubes back in the day. Now germanium is less efficient and consistent than silicon transistors made in the late 60s/70s. So one pair of germanium transistors can sound very different than another pair with the same value.  So a run of Fuzz Faces can have slightly different tonal characteristics.

I’m sure Eric Johnson has a mean collection of Fuzz Faces by now, so having him working with Dunlop for 6 years to develop his signature Fuzz Face is pretty cool. After doing some more research, I was surprised that they’re using BC183 silicon transistors in there. I know NOS germaniums are hard to come by, and I’m wondering for ‘production’ that was the deciding factor? Or it could be that silicon offers a more stable transistor for consistency.. but they definitely sound different. Curious what you think!

Popularity: 3%

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Before I changed professions and ended up talking to computers all day, I use to be a line cook at a very popular Italian restaurant in my home town. I really did like cooking, I wasn’t so much into creating recipes, etc, but I really dug working on the line. There was a great satisfaction being in the TALL weeds of a busy night and me and the A-Team crew would crush the tickets and dominate the night. There was something special working like a team in a stressful busy restaurant.

I remember one night, a fellow cook brought in Fu Manchu‘s “In Search Of…” album and I was blown away. A short time later, I picked up “The Action is Go” and “Eatin’ Dust” albums. I officially became a fan of the band.

In the kitchen there was my friend Jimmy (who is the same Jimmy that does the demos here) as well as another cook that played drums. We started joking around that we should form a Fu Manchu tribute band and play a show or two. The stupid band name ‘!Tra-Bang!’ popped out in the middle of one of our shifts and we started practicing for a gig to lay down some Fu and melt some faces. The gig was awesome and we even laid down a few tracks to document our efforts.

A few years later, Fu Manchu actually played Missoula, which was great to finally see the band up close and personal. I remember being right in front soaking in the fuzz and kick drum.

Fast forward a few more years to today, and I sit here now reading answers to gear questions I sent to Bob Balch about effects. I think that is pretty cool indeed.

Bob Balch is not only in Fu Manchu but also runs PlayThisRiff.com which is a site to learn how to play riffs by heavier bands, and are usually taught by those guitarists themselves. Bob also does lesson videos on the site breaking down scales and techniques. If you’re interested in learning some riffage or working on some heavier solos, etc. that place is a great resource! Additionally, he teaches guitar at North County Guitar Lessons in the San Diego area and offers in house and/or private skype lessons!

So I sent Bob a few questions asking about his latest pedal board below:

Creepy Fingers Creepyface Fuzz
Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor
Dunlop GCB-95 Wah
Boss TU-2 Tuner
BBE Soul Vibe Phaser
Electro-Harmonix Memory Man Deluxe w/Hazarai

- Over the years, when I think of Fu Manchu, I think fuzz. What fuzz pedals have been on your board or used in the studio throughout the years?
I started with a regular Fuzz Face. I used that for years. Then I tried a Vintage Tone Project Fuzz. I had one custom made and the dude put my pic on it. Funny. Now I play a Creepy Fingers Creepy Face. I’ve used tons of different ones in the studio, but those are/were my main live ones.

- Currently, I see that you’re using the Creepy Fingers Fuzz. What did Brad Davis do right to the fuzz that makes this *the* fuzz on your board?
It has tons of gain but doesn’t get muddy. And it doesn’t feedback much either. I always wanted to most amount of fuzz with the most clarity.

- Is that Creepy Fingers Fuzz a prototype, or standard issue. Can anyone get that same exact fuzz?
You can get the same, but I have #1!!!!!!!

- Have you always been a germanium type of fuzz dude, or did you dabble in some silicon based transistors in the past?
Rarely. If it sounds good though I’ll play it.

- In my experience, you can get some pretty crazy reaction with a buffer in front of the fuzz. Have you ever explored that?
No I haven’t.

- Have you considered having multiple fuzzes on the board for different tone options?
Yes, but I haven’t yet. I just recently got a pedal board with power. I was going old school with 9volts for years. More pedals in that respect = more crap to worry about in my opinion.

- Why do you prefer the fuzz to be the first pedal in the line?
For a bigger sounding Wah.

- When I look at your board, I like the simplicity. Fuzz, Wah, Delay, Phase. I can see how this is perfect for Fu Manchu. Do you have other projects (or even with PlayThisRiff.com) that you need a board with more variety?
I have been working with tap tempo pedals a lot more with my own stuff. PlayThisRiff.com is mostly other bands showing what they play, so anything goes there.

- After your fuzz, you have the Boss NS-2 noise suppressor. Is there a particular reason why you have that in that location?
If it is on the other side of the wah it takes away a ton of sweep. I learned that the hard way after buying a new wah. Damn!

- In the past you use to ride the MXR Phase 100, but now you’re using the BBE Soul Vibe. What caused you to change? And why did you pick the BBE Soul Vibe?
BBE gave me that, and it sounds killer. I originally used a MXR that I bought off of J from WHITE ZOMBIE. After touring with WHITE ZOMBIE and FU MANCHU that Phaser got phased out. Our singer still plays his MXR though.

- If memory serves me correct, you use to run the phaser through the effects loop. What were the pros/cons of going through the effects loop with the modulation?
It just sounded more intense with the Marshall 2000. I used to play an 800 and it didn’t need the loop.

- Have you ever placed the delay in the effects loop?
Yes. I like it both ways for different reasons.

- You’re currently running the Electro-Harmonix Memory Man w/Hazarai.. a great sounding and feature rich pedal for sure. What other delays were in the line up in the past, and how is this Memory Man superior to those other delays?
I had a MXR carbon copy, and a Boss Digital Delay. I used to have a Washburn Analog too. The Memory Man is by far my favorite. I still discover new sounds on that thing after 1 year of touring with it.

- What amp(s) are you using right now?
Marshall 2000.

- For someone interested in playing heavier music, and wanting to pick up some effects, what would you recommend as a good introduction?
Creepy Fingers!

- Here are some EffectsBay staple questions that I like to ask…If you could only keep one pedal on your board, what pedal would that be? and why? The deserted island question.
Probably the Fuzz in FU MANCHU. Delay otherwise.

- What pedal are you most interested in adding.. something that’s been in the back of the mind, and just waiting for the right reason to pull the trigger on it
I want to get any delay from this link http://bit.ly/y3CHwa

- What pedal on your board do you not like, yet it consistently remains.. and you have no idea why? If any?
None really. They all serve a purpose.

- What pedal on your board, if any, would you like to upgrade or try something different?
Wah for sure. I’ve had it modded before, but I never tried any other ones. Oh wait, Lightning Bolt wah I think it was called. That thing is rare and badass. I used it on the intro to the FU song “Webfoot Witchhat.” Check it out!

Thanks Bob! Make sure you follow PlayThisRiff on Twitter and ‘like’ them on Facebook for daily lessons and news!

Popularity: 4%

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I came across a cool pic posted by Darkglass Electronics showing Troy Sanders (bass player of Mastodon) pedal board. I really wanted to showcase more bass players on EffectsBay, and this is a great looking pedal board from a great band… Mastodon! Those of you that aren’t familiar with Mastodon, it’s a band worth checking out.

Below is the break down of pedals. Please let me know if anything is incorrect or missing by commenting below!

Boss TU-2 Tuner
Wren and Cuff Tall Font Russian
TC Electronic Corona Chorus
Microtubes B3K Bass Overdrive/Distortion pedal
TC-Helicon VoiceTone Synth Vocal Effect
Dunlop 105Q Bass Wah Pedal
MXR Kerry King 10 Band EQ
Axess Electronics Buffer/Splitter (no longer available)
Radial Engineering JDI MK3 Passive Direct Box
Voodoo Lab Pedal Power ISO5

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So there has definitely been a lot of talk about Van Halen these days. New album. New tour. Back in the day (we’re talking 8th grade or so) I was a HUGE Van Halen fan (probably like a few of you). I remember making calls about picking up a Kramer guitar. This was WAY before I even held a guitar in my hands for the first time. So I guess, the reason I play guitar today is because of Eddie? Maybe.

I was bummed reading about Eddie’s behavior from Sammy on the last tour (I can’t remember if it was the last tour or not) and seeing some of the few clips where Eddie definitely wasn’t Eddie of old. I really hope for 2012 things are better for him. Yesterday, I saw that Lava Cables posted a photo of Eddie Van Halen’s pedal board from the recent gig at Cafe Wah (which I believe is the first show of their tour on Jan 5th).

Here is the photo that was posted and the breakdown of Eddie Van Halen’s pedals:

Here is the breakdown of pedals

MXR M234 Analog Chorus
Custom Mute Box
Dunlop EVH EVH95 Wah
Boss OC-3 Super Octave
MXR EVH117 EVH Flanger
MXR EVH Phase 90
G-LAB PB-1 Power Supply
6 loop bypass switch
4 loop bypass switch

Popularity: 8%

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The following is a guest post by Steven Williams. If you are interested in guest posting, please contact me!

My name is Steve I work for a music shop and am a massive guitar enthusiast. I enjoy writing about guitars and accessories. I enjoy learning new things about instruments and pedals and sharing information to anyone that wants to hear it.

Are you a Cry Baby? But just need a little advice, well I will be reviewing the different types of Jim Dunlop Cry Baby pedals to give you a bit more information about them and help you choose the correct one for you’re style of playing. The Cry Baby pedal is already an iconic figure in the guitar world thanks to users such as Slash, Eddie Van Halen and most famously Jimi Hendrix. The pedals are capable of performing a wide variety of various effects from the ‘wokka-chokka’ sounds to a cutting lead tone. From then Jim Dunlop has gone on to make a large variety of different models but are they really different?

But before we start comparing the different models we must clarify exactly what they are and how they work. Basically the Cry Baby takes the middle and upper frequencies and then filters and emphasizes them. The pedal then controls the frequency at which it is operating and allows the guitarist to play through the frequencies giving the famous ‘wah’ sound from which the Cry Baby gets its name. Then from here a few elements can be altered to change the characteristic of the sound, the amount of emphasis (or the Q) can be changed as well as the range of frequencies being let through. In addition to these the analogue circuit within the pedals can be altered to have different characteristics and effects and we will look at the 3 most popular varieties.

The Jim Dunlop Cry Baby Classic: This model is identical to the original one used way back at the birth of Rock and Roll with. However the components used haven’t been used in decades thanks to unavailability. So for the older generation of players looking for the warm vintage sound then the Cry Baby classic is ideal. In fact the only differing factor from the pedals used by Hendrix is a hard-wired bypass and a Fasel inductor, which means its even better.

The Jim Dunlop Cry Baby Original: This model is based on the original design but with a few minor enhancements to boost performance and reliability. Infamous due to its fixed Q tone and frequency range, which means the classic ‘wah’ tone in abundance.

The Jim Dunlop Cry Baby Q: Pretty self-explanatory what this is going to offer you, of course a ‘Q’ control. This means the emphasis on the effect can be increased or decreased along with a volume boost. You also receive an ‘auto-engage’ feature which conveniently activates the pedal when you place you’re foot on it.

These are just the 3 of the main models of Cry Baby’s, there are many more models each offering you different features and characteristics. The best way to find out which is the right one for you is to do you’re research and simply hear them for yourself.

Popularity: 3%

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Today’s pedal line is from Jon and Paul from Mod Gun. 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 pedallineeffectsbaycom. Every Friday I’ll showcase a pedal line submission. Make sure you include any links to your band or music page.

Love your site and would love to be featured on Pedal Line Friday!

Here are the pedal boards we use in the band Mod Gun. We are from the Boston area and gig regularly. Our music is available for free download at modgun.bandcamp.com. Please take it!

The first board is home made from ply wood and carpet. The red boss master switch toggles all of the modulations and time based effects on the second row on and off. I run into a dynacomp before my gain stages on the first row, and there is a second dynacomp outside of the switch’s loop at the end of my signal chain. I run my board through a 77 bassman 100 head with a 2×12 avatar cab loaded with eminence swamp thangs. For guitars I use a Gibson Les Paul 40th Anniversary model and a De Armond Starfire.

The signal chain goes like this
MXR Dynacomp
Guyatone SV-2 Slow Volume
MXR M-109 6 Band Graphic EQ
MXR M-104 Distortion +
MXR M-103 Blue Box
EHX Big Muff
Fulltone Octafuzz
Dunlop Fuzz Face
Boss PSM-5 Power Supply & Master Switch

Out from the switch into:
EHX Deluxe Electric Mistress
EHX Small Clone
MXR M-101 Phase 90
Guyatone MD-3 Micro Digital Delay
Boss DD-6 Digital Delay
Boss DD-3 Digital Delay
Boss TR-2 Tremolo
Boss TU-3 Chromatic Tuner

Back into the switch:
MXR Dynacomp

The second board is our lead guitarist’s Pedal Train Pro. That’s his Fender Custom Shop 1960 Stratocaster. He also uses various other Strats. He runs his board through an Orange Rockerverb 100 into a 4×12. The following pedals run through the front of his amp:

Vox V847 Wah
Xotic EP Booster
Catalinbread Ottava Magus
EHX Pog 2

The rest run through his effects loop:
EHX Little Big Muff
Zvex Fuzz Probe
EHX LPB1
Fulltone Mini Deja Vibe
Boss PH-3 Phase Shifter
Boss TR-2 Tremolo
EHX Memory Toy
EHX Freeze
Boss TU-2 Chromatic Tuner

Popularity: 5%

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A while back I put together a poll about the best delay under $200, and I wanted to do another one for today. This poll is for the best wah on the market today. The wah pedal is a very personal tool, and people are very particular of the wah sounds they’re going for. Some like the funk snap, others like a very dark sweep, while others like a very bright wah sweep. Going beyond the tone, everyone has a preference of how it feels below them. What the sweep range is, how to activate the effect and how the foot feels on the pedal itself. Lots of factors.. and lots of wahs out there. So let’s start the poll. If you know of a wah that is available today, but is not on the list, please contact me or comment below. Also, love to hear your own personal feelings about the wah you chose below in the comments as well.

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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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A while back.. , maybe two years ago? I was in a little Judas Priest tribute project. A friend of mine grew up with Judas Priest’s British Steel album, and he wanted to put a project together where the band played that entire album front to back. As for me, I wasn’t the greatest JP fan, but definitely had a phase in high school. I definitely appreciate the concept of ‘project’ vs. ‘tribute band’. The difference is that it’s a limited run. Minimal shows (less than 5) and that’s it.. you move on. You don’t end up as a perpetual tribute band. I definitely could relate since I did a Joy Division one years ago where we played only one show.. and that was it. These projects are an absolute blast and really enjoy it when an opportunity presents itself.

Today I came across a rig rundown of Richie Faulkner of Judas Priest. Richie, in 2011 took over for KK Downing after he announced his retirement. If anyone knows the reason for the retirement.. let me know. Quite curious.

The following video is by EMGBackstage where Richie’s guitar tech breaks down the goods. I set the starting point to be at the pedals, but there are some sweet guitars at the beginning that are worth a watch:

Here is the breakdown of pedals:

Boss CH-1 Super Chorus
MXR Carbon Copy Analog Delay
Boss OD-3 Overdrive
Electro-Harmonix Micro POG
Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor

Voodoo Lab Ground Control
Crybaby GCB-95 Wah
Dunlop Rotovibe

Popularity: 4%

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