UberMetalDood
New member
I bought this refreshing new overdrive pedal to add to my collection. Lately I've bought a few overdrives and distortion pedals for use with my new Port City Pearl which is a totally clean amp. This pedal seems to have gone under the radar. In fact, I bought this $250 pedal brand new on a clearance sale for $125 at Guitar Center. This was definitely a steal because I have used many of the high dollar overdrives and this one is a real contender. I'll compare it to two well known pedals: Maxon OD808 and Ibanez TS808. Hopefully that will give you a familiar reference point for this review.
First thing I noticed about the Stinkbug is that it's very open and clear. Initially, I thought it was a bit on the bright side, but after going back and forth between it and my other overdrives, I realized that it's just less compressed and clear. There are a few nice features of this pedal. It has bass and treble controls, a strong level control, and a nice gain taper.
The level control is pretty powerful so the pedal can be used as an effective clean boost. In comparison, the TS808 level control only raises the input level a little so it's a marginal boost. When set to zero, the Stinkbug does little to alter the bypass signal except add a bit of overall midrange and presence (which can be dialed back), or increase the signal output if you want. I think there is a slight coloration of tone, but because it's less compressed than the 808's, it seems more transparent.
The Maxon OD808 has the most natural feel while the TS808 is a bit loose. The Stinkbug is more like the Maxon, but probably sits somewhere in between. It has a little bit more gain than the 808's but not that much. The gain taper is most effective between 4:00 and 12:00. When the level and gain are both maxed out, it holds together. The TS808 farts a little in the low end when it's maxed, and the OD808 gets a little bit fuzzy when it's maxed out, so in comparison, the Stinkbug is useable throughout the entire range of the controls.
Overall, this is seriously good pedal and way overlooked. Emma is known for making really good pedals like the Reezafratzitz, but perhaps it's the unusual names of their pedals that makes them get overlooked. They SHOULD be a common name among the forums.
I should mention that although I'm not a fan of stacking overdrive pedals, I have tried this through an Ecstasy 101B, SL5 and Port City Pearl. The 101B and SL5 both have EL34 power sections but the Pearl has a 6L6 power section. The Stinkbug morphs perfectly with the amp and doesn't seem to have a preference for either type of power section. I put the Stinkbug in front of the 808's and behind them. Both ways actually yielded some pretty good overdrive. It seemed have the basic effect of opening up the TS808 and making more level input available. From what I have tried, it does seem to be a very stackable pedal.
First thing I noticed about the Stinkbug is that it's very open and clear. Initially, I thought it was a bit on the bright side, but after going back and forth between it and my other overdrives, I realized that it's just less compressed and clear. There are a few nice features of this pedal. It has bass and treble controls, a strong level control, and a nice gain taper.
The level control is pretty powerful so the pedal can be used as an effective clean boost. In comparison, the TS808 level control only raises the input level a little so it's a marginal boost. When set to zero, the Stinkbug does little to alter the bypass signal except add a bit of overall midrange and presence (which can be dialed back), or increase the signal output if you want. I think there is a slight coloration of tone, but because it's less compressed than the 808's, it seems more transparent.
The Maxon OD808 has the most natural feel while the TS808 is a bit loose. The Stinkbug is more like the Maxon, but probably sits somewhere in between. It has a little bit more gain than the 808's but not that much. The gain taper is most effective between 4:00 and 12:00. When the level and gain are both maxed out, it holds together. The TS808 farts a little in the low end when it's maxed, and the OD808 gets a little bit fuzzy when it's maxed out, so in comparison, the Stinkbug is useable throughout the entire range of the controls.
Overall, this is seriously good pedal and way overlooked. Emma is known for making really good pedals like the Reezafratzitz, but perhaps it's the unusual names of their pedals that makes them get overlooked. They SHOULD be a common name among the forums.
I should mention that although I'm not a fan of stacking overdrive pedals, I have tried this through an Ecstasy 101B, SL5 and Port City Pearl. The 101B and SL5 both have EL34 power sections but the Pearl has a 6L6 power section. The Stinkbug morphs perfectly with the amp and doesn't seem to have a preference for either type of power section. I put the Stinkbug in front of the 808's and behind them. Both ways actually yielded some pretty good overdrive. It seemed have the basic effect of opening up the TS808 and making more level input available. From what I have tried, it does seem to be a very stackable pedal.
