Nemphasis Dark Lady RedKnobs Distortion
Guitar

52 pedals, week 44—Nemphasis Dark Lady ‘Red Knobs’ Distortion

The year is coming to an end and so to is my 52 pedals series. I’ve been slack with my post regularity, but the pedals that would appear in the list have been planned—for the most part—since the beginning of the year. How can I prove this? By writing about a pedal I actually tried at the 2015 Winter NAMM Show. Damn, Winter NAMM 2015 was a highlight for me this year. I have to do that again before I die. Well, maybe a different NAMM unless I figure out time travel.

Oh, the pedal I am writing about is the Nemphasis Dark Lady ‘Red Knobs’ Distortion. I actually have first hand experience with this one! … 52 pedals, week 44—Nemphasis Dark Lady ‘Red Knobs’ Distortion

Morley Mark Tremonti Wah
Guitar

52 pedals, week 43—Morley Mark Tremonti Wah

Wah pedals. There’s a pedal type I have not written a lot about in this series of 52 pedals. The main reason for that is that I don’t have a great deal of experience with wah pedals. Nor do I expect a lot from them. I want a wah pedal to enhance the guitar sound. I want it to be on when I want to use it and off when I don’t want to use it. If it can help a lead guitarist boost his or her solo work at appropriate times—and only at appropriate times—then all the better. The Morley Mark Tremonti Wah pedal seems to do all of that while delivering a purely metal appearance at the same time. Bonus points for \m/ … 52 pedals, week 43—Morley Mark Tremonti Wah

Mr Black Ambience
Guitar

52 pedals, week 42—Mr. Black Ambience

Forty-two entries into the series—obviously behind schedule—and I feel the need to reflect. There have been many pedal types that I’ve looked into and added to this list. Most of them have been distortion or overdrive pedals because that’s how I roll—and rock. But for those reflective moments when I consider all things large and small, I need a pedal that can deliver those soothing sounds that best determine a moment of solitude. I need some Ambience. Good thing Mr. Black has such a pedal—in name and pedal type. … 52 pedals, week 42—Mr. Black Ambience

Truetone Son of Hyde
Guitar

52 pedals, week 41—Truetone V2 Son of Hyde

It’s been an interesting past few entries in the 52 pedals series. I’ve stayed away from the overdrive and distortion pedals just to show I’m not as predictable as some people think I am. I mean, there are other things that interest me. I’m not one dimensional.

Arrrggghh! Who am I kidding? I love distortion! It’s my favourite effect. Sure, there’s a part of me that loves all-things pedals. I love them all, just not equally. My true love is that broken up and dirty sound that can only be delivered through an overdriven or fully distorted sound.

I am one dimensional after all. I’m not some kind of split personality character like you’d find in a Robert Louis Stevenson novella. That reminds me, this entry in the series is about the Truetone V2 Son of Hyde. See where I went there? … 52 pedals, week 41—Truetone V2 Son of Hyde

McCaffrey Audio Reactor Boost Compressor
Guitar

52 pedals, week 40—McCaffrey Audio Reactor Boost Compressor

I’ve decided to stick with my recent theme of pedals that do one thing—improve tone. What’s the point of building a perfect overdriven sound—which is my goal—if that sound isn’t tonally perfect. For the uninitiated, not all distorted tones are equal.

So if a boost compressor like the McCaffrey Audio Reactor Boost Compressor can help improve my amplifier’s overdriven or distorted tones, then I’m all for it. … 52 pedals, week 40—McCaffrey Audio Reactor Boost Compressor

AmpliTube Acoustic Header
Guitar

AmpliTube Acoustic—it rocks (in a cool unplugged kind of way)

It’s been a while since I got stuck into the awesomeness that is iOS guitar playing and recording. Truth be told, it’s been a while since I did anything decent that was guitar related. I perhaps needed something to rekindle my interest. Luckily and coincidentally, IK Multimedia recently released AmpliTube Acoustic and a new interface called iRig Acoustic. The interface I can’t write about—on account of me not having one of them—but AmpliTube Acoustic I can write about—because I do have the free version of that.

So write about it I shall! … AmpliTube Acoustic—it rocks (in a cool unplugged kind of way)

Epigaze Audio Effigy
Guitar

52 pedals, week 39—Epigaze Audio Effigy

Sometimes simple is better. Well, for a simple guitar player like myself that can be true. Today, it is true. Today I’m adding the Epigaze Audio Effigy pedal to my 52 Pedals list. It’s a simple sounding, but awesome looking delay pedal. Delay pedals can often be rather complex beasts. If you’re simple—reiterating I’m talking about me here—then this complexity can sometimes be overwhelming. I just want some simple delays effects that are simple to apply. Effigy delivers. … 52 pedals, week 39—Epigaze Audio Effigy

Penny Pedals Cherry Blossom
Guitar

52 pedals, week 38—Penny Pedals Cherry Blossom Presence Boost

I thought I’d take a quick detour from my regular overdrive and distortion fascination—it probably won’t last long—and add another kind of pedal to my dream list. So if I’m adding a pedal that isn’t overdrive or distortion—clearly my favourite effect types—then the pedal needs to do something amazing. I think adding to your existing setup’s tone through presence and boost together is pretty damn amazing. The Penny Pedals Cherry Blossom Presence Boost seems to do just that. Therefore, winning. … 52 pedals, week 38—Penny Pedals Cherry Blossom Presence Boost

Walrus Audio Janus Tremolo Fuzz
Guitar

52 pedals, week 37—Walrus Audio Janus Tremolo Fuzz

After a while these pedal articles become all-too familiar to me. The pedal has an effect. Perhaps it has two. You plug your guitar in, stomp the pedal on and set your effect using knobs and/or switches. Well not today folks. Today, we’re stepping up our game. And the best way to get your game on is to use joysticks. Luckily the Walrus Audio Janus Tremolo Fuzz has it all.

Who knew a guitar pedal could also be fun?! Well, I did. You probably did too. Sorry for doubting you. … 52 pedals, week 37—Walrus Audio Janus Tremolo Fuzz