52 pedals, week 15—F-Pedals EK-Edstortion

I may have mentioned last week that I am writing a lot about distortion pedals this year. I can’t help it. They’re awesome. One thing I haven’t done a lot of this year though—and to be honest this is appalling—is write about some of the cool things I came across at the 2015 Winter NAMM. I saw so much amazing gear. Pedals? I saw plenty. Distortion pedals in particular? Plenty. Distortion pedals that didn’t require standard power to function? Just one—the F-Pedals Edstortion. It’s a tiny little power house that brings its own power. Nifty right?! … 52 pedals, week 15—F-Pedals EK-Edstortion

Guitar

52 pedals, week 14—Vox V8 Distortion

I’m only 14 weeks into my current 52 Pedals series and already I have a predictable theme going on—Distortion. Maybe that’s because I like heavy metal. Maybe it’s because distortion is my favourite kind of guitar noise. Whatever the case, I simply don’t care. It’s a theme I have going these days. If I like something, I like it unapologetically. It’s probably a bit like people who say “To Hell with fuel prices! To Hell with the economy! I want a V8 engine!”

For those people and me, it’s likely that the Vox V8 Distortion is a perfect fit. I wonder if it’s an automatic or a manual? … 52 pedals, week 14—Vox V8 Distortion

Guitar

52 pedals, week 13—Eventide Space

Back when I first heard the word reverb, I assumed it was in reference to a guitarist’s continual use of the same verb when practicing guitar. “Strum, strum, strum! Pick, pick, pick! Bend, bend, bend!”

Imagine my surprise when I discovered the true meaning of the word reverb—it refers to the reverberation of sound by the way. Fast forward several years to the time I discovered the Eventide Space pedal. Then conceptualise* my excitement towards the enhanced reverb options this pedal provides.

* I didn’t want to use the word imagine a second time. That would be re-verbing. … 52 pedals, week 13—Eventide Space

Guitar

52 pedals, week 12—Pigtronix Gatekeeper

I’ve been writing a lot lately about fuzz, distortion and overdrive pedals. That’s a lot of noise. As much as I love noise, you sometimes need the quiet. Especially when coupled with the noise. That’s a major component of good heavy metal music in my opinion. Brutal metal … Deafening silence … Brutal metal.

Often to get that absolute silence you need a good noise gate pedal. That’s actually a pedal I’m yet to purchase. I should resolve that. Maybe I’ll resolve that with the Pigtronix Gatekeeper. It sounds awesome.

And by sounds awesome, I mean it makes no sounds. Awesome. … 52 pedals, week 12—Pigtronix Gatekeeper

Guitar

52 pedals, week 11—BIG EAR n.y.c. CHAKA

This week I thought I’d revisit my 2015 Winter NAMM experiences. Mostly because I don’t see myself actually revisiting the NAMM event anytime soon. Granted nobody else has heard this story before, so the revisiting is only for me. For all other readers, this is a fresh and exciting new story. I’ve probably oversold that.

Hopefully the BIG EAR n.y.c. CHAKA octave fuzz isn’t oversold though. People need to be able to buy this pedal. It’s awesome. … 52 pedals, week 11—BIG EAR n.y.c. CHAKA

Guitar

52 pedals, week 10—ThroBak Stone Bender

I’ve been trying really hard to get these articles out on a Wednesday, but I keep failing. This week I wanted to apply an element of emergency to the article’s importance when it was placed in my real world priority list. Unfortunately Wednesday passed and the article didn’t happen. I’ve failed once again. Why is this weekly article process so difficult? I’ve had kidney stones that have passed with greater ease than these blog posts.

Actually, that’s an exaggeration. I’ll tell you one thing though, I wouldn’t pass an offer to play through the ThroBak Stone Bender. That would be cooler than writing about it. Still, I’ll do that now. … 52 pedals, week 10—ThroBak Stone Bender

Guitar

52 pedals, week 9—JHS Pedals Mini Bomb Boost

Have you ever had one of those weeks when nothing seems to go right? I know I have. And as I select the pedals I’m drawn to, I’d like to think the pedals I’m interested in share some of my own traits. Why would they also not feel the need to get a bit of help from time to time? Everyone needs a boost right? Yes. Yes they do. That’s why I’ve selected the JHS Pedals Mini Bomb Boost this week. It’s the little helper pedal we all need.

Thank you considerate pedal. … 52 pedals, week 9—JHS Pedals Mini Bomb Boost

Guitar

52 pedals, week 4—Main.Ace.FX One Shot

This week I get to do something that I imagine I’ll do rarely during this series of 52 Pedals. I’ll get to write about a pedal I have actually played through. A pedal I have tried and obviously liked. If I didn’t like it, why would I write about it? I wouldn’t obviously. So hopefully that gives the One Shot by Main.Ace.FX a little bit more street cred. Because it is tried and tested—by me.

Conveniently, it’s also now available for purchase. Timing is everything. … 52 pedals, week 4—Main.Ace.FX One Shot

Guitar

BOSS RC-1 Loop Station

I currently have the BOSS RC-2 Loop Station. It’s an awesome pedal. But it looks like it’s been replaced by the all-new BOSS RC-1 Loop Station. One knob by the looks of things. I’m sure that’s not how the names are worked out, but this pedal looks seriously easy to use on account of that one little knob. You’ve gotta love that.

Of course the basic way this pedal is used is the same as all the other workhorse pedals BOSS makes. Stomp on that sturdy little box and go! The pedal unit has been iconic in design and sturdiness for well over 20 years. When it ain’t broke … … BOSS RC-1 Loop Station

Guitar

EHX Nano Looper 360

Electro-Harmonix (or EHX) has announced the Nano Looper 360. It looks dead-easy to use with two simple knobs and an on-off foot-switch. I’m dead-easy. This therefore appeals to me. The recommended retail price of $135 USD also appeals to me. Well, as much as any American currency can appeal to an Australian. I know affordable when I see it. This is affordable. … EHX Nano Looper 360