Tech21 fly rig 5

[Mr Wolf]

Hi all, has anybody got/tried one of these and if so... Are they any good?

I'm used to using a boost/od of some sort with delay (plus tremolo and any other extra toys when I feel like it of course!). This pedal seems neat for when I might need a backup or a quick simpler set up for smaller gigs. Is it any good though?

 

[Oinkus]

Re: Tech21 fly rig 5

There has been some chat around here somewhere about those and if I remember correctly the feedback was all positive.

 

[BrianS.]

Re: Tech21 fly rig 5

I use mine ALL THE TIME! I rehearse in a space that has a small PA, and I just plug into one of the channels and I'm good to go. I've played a bunch of open mics using the Fly Rig through a PA, as well as through a small, 8watt power amp that I built from a kit.

I played one small outdoor gig with it, too, and it worked great.

One thing, though is that if you use it at a gig through a PA, you will probably need a monitor so you can hear yourself. I did an open mic the other day and we played with a bunch of horn players and I could not hear myself unless I stood out in front of the speakers.

I'm thinking of investing in a powered monitor (like a Mackie Thump or similar). With a powered monitor, you could use it as it was intended, or as an amp when there is no other PA. The Fly Rig has speaker emulation...it's an "amp in a pedal" so you really don't want a guitar amp coloring the tone of it.

I will also say that I love the delay on its own through my guitar amp, but for me, the boost and Plexi pedals on their own are just okay. I actually haven't experimented with them that much through the guitar amp, but so far I find that the unit works best as a stand alone substitute for a guitar amp.

Well worth the money.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Tech21 fly rig 5

Another vote for the Fly Rig...it is that good. Within a few months there will be a signature model, the RK5 which is the same except it is red, and the plexi section is replaced with a more TS inspired overdrive. I'd recommend this pedal to anyone.

 

[IM4Tone]

Re: Tech21 fly rig 5

I expect to be a real minority on my experience w/ the FlyRig5. I thought the concept was (is) sensational and I sorted through every demo and review I could find when they were scarce. Had mine ordered for 6 weeks before it finally arrived, and then MAJOR DISAPPOINTMENT! I wanted it to use predominantly with an amp, but tried it with several guitar amps (through the input and bypassing the pre-amp via the loop) and through a PA. In every trial, the Sans Amp mode was far too "hissy" for me to be satisfied in every trial. The other modes were not "hissy" at all. There was no way I was going to use a NR with it as, to me, that ruined the excellent concept. I might add, the tones I got were just OK, but not exceptional at all. I returned the unit, and I've never returned any musical product I've ever purchased in the past. Maybe I got a bad one, but I doubt I'll try again, unless I'd get to play one in a store and purchase that exact one.

I have a JOYO American Sound that gives me a far superior tone. It too, is "hissy", but it cost $40 and I pair it with a cheap Behringer NR400. Very inexpensive and they may not last, but the tone is far superior.

Don't take my word for it, but test drive the FlyRig5 for yourself now that they seem to be in stock in stores. Hoping that mine was just a defective one!

 

[Mincer]

Re: Tech21 fly rig 5

Wow, mine is dead quiet. Strange.

 

[BrianS.]

Re: Tech21 fly rig 5

Yeah, mine is dead quiet, too.

I did what IM4tone recommends, though...and I do this with just about every piece of gear I buy...I tried it out in a store before buying. I was on a call back list of my local music store and waited patiently for the call. When they finally got it, I made sure I tried it out through a PA set up in the store, so I knew that it would work for what I wanted it to do.

 

[IM4Tone]

Re: Tech21 fly rig 5

Wow, mine is dead quiet. Strange.

Yeah, mine is dead quiet, too.

I did what IM4tone recommends, though...and I do this with just about every piece of gear I buy...I tried it out in a store before buying. I was on a call back list of my local music store and waited patiently for the call. When they finally got it, I made sure I tried it out through a PA set up in the store, so I knew that it would work for what I wanted it to do.

Apparently I got a lemon! Just my luck.:sad: