The Best of Boutique Pedals
- Thread starter Rainmaker
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Peterku
New member
Re: The Best of Boutique Pedals
I really like my V-Stack BHM. It's a killer hi-gain OD pedal in my opinion, and also has an adjustable hi-cut filter for direct recording. It gives a very smooth saturated lead tone when plugged into a slightly overdriven amp. Once I used it at a gig with a small Mesa combo (w/ EL84's), and it was the best singing tone I ever created (except for a VH4S's sound I tried once...
).
I really like my V-Stack BHM. It's a killer hi-gain OD pedal in my opinion, and also has an adjustable hi-cut filter for direct recording. It gives a very smooth saturated lead tone when plugged into a slightly overdriven amp. Once I used it at a gig with a small Mesa combo (w/ EL84's), and it was the best singing tone I ever created (except for a VH4S's sound I tried once...
).
aleclee
Major General GAS
Re: The Best of Boutique Pedals
Besides, I'm disinclined to trust consensus "bests".
Back on topic, the only OD pedal I ever thought was worth owning was the HAO Rumble Mod. It does the "Dumble in a box" thing surprisingly well. Of course, we know how there's not so much agreement on the desireability of Mr. D's tone.
As you might guess from my sig, I'm inclined to agree with Rid. I'm willing to concede that there are some flavors of "universally accepted 'good tone'" but there are some classics that some folks love and others despise. For example, Santana has a tone that drives folks wild in both directions--some dig his tone while others don't. Sooooo, I guess I'm saying that, while there are some tones that might be able to get consensus about their quality, I don't see that happening with one being "best". I suspect that Drew, Krankguitarist, and TO would have a hard time agreeing on what OD pedal was "best", simply because their tastes are very different.TwilightOdyssey said:Okay, I had to really think about that post. I disagree, but I will explain why.
I think that there is a universally accepted 'good tone'; we all know it when we hear it, it doesn't have to be expained, debated, or analysed. Of those acceptable good tones, there probably is a 'best' but I think that it will always be narrowed down to 'top 10 guitar tones'; with a big enough poll, I bet you that most guitarists will be astoundingly close on their choice, aside from the wacky people out there as well as the contrarians, like Rid.
Besides, I'm disinclined to trust consensus "bests".
Back on topic, the only OD pedal I ever thought was worth owning was the HAO Rumble Mod. It does the "Dumble in a box" thing surprisingly well. Of course, we know how there's not so much agreement on the desireability of Mr. D's tone.
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Gearjoneser
Gear Ho
Re: The Best of Boutique Pedals
There's an unfortunate reality.....All rigs are different, with different players behind them, so it's like saying there's a 'best' pair of jeans, best set of tires, or best handlebar on a bicycle.
However, there's stuff that gives a person a big smile on their face when they plug in.
For me, it's...
Z. Vex
Fulltone
Klon Centaur
Homebrew
Menatone
old ADA pedals like the Flanger and Final Phase
T. Rex
TC Electronic
Banzai
There's an unfortunate reality.....All rigs are different, with different players behind them, so it's like saying there's a 'best' pair of jeans, best set of tires, or best handlebar on a bicycle.
However, there's stuff that gives a person a big smile on their face when they plug in.
For me, it's...
Z. Vex
Fulltone
Klon Centaur
Homebrew
Menatone
old ADA pedals like the Flanger and Final Phase
T. Rex
TC Electronic
Banzai
some_dude
Raging BB Gunologist
Re: The Best of Boutique Pedals
Looking at my pedalboard there's some stuff I can say that I think is the best.....
....but ultimately, they're simply the best for me. I always have a hard time suggesting to others what is best for me because it might not be the best for them.
That said, I like Tubescreamers (and clones) but they're not for me (too smooth). I'd much rather have a treble booster (gives me a raspy high end to my solos), so I use an Analogman Beano.
For phase I use a Red Witch Moon Phaser....but there's plenty that it can't do (over the top like a Small Stone, or vintage like a Mutron)
And for wah I use a Chicago Iron Parachute wah (Tycobrahe Parapedal clone). It's a different sort of wah, and if you're looking for something more traditional this isn't the wah for you.
But honestly, when it all comes down to it it's the sound that's important. A good pedal is a good pedal, no matter the cost or source of manufacture.
Looking at my pedalboard there's some stuff I can say that I think is the best.....
....but ultimately, they're simply the best for me. I always have a hard time suggesting to others what is best for me because it might not be the best for them.
That said, I like Tubescreamers (and clones) but they're not for me (too smooth). I'd much rather have a treble booster (gives me a raspy high end to my solos), so I use an Analogman Beano.
For phase I use a Red Witch Moon Phaser....but there's plenty that it can't do (over the top like a Small Stone, or vintage like a Mutron)
And for wah I use a Chicago Iron Parachute wah (Tycobrahe Parapedal clone). It's a different sort of wah, and if you're looking for something more traditional this isn't the wah for you.
But honestly, when it all comes down to it it's the sound that's important. A good pedal is a good pedal, no matter the cost or source of manufacture.
some_dude
Raging BB Gunologist
Re: The Best of Boutique Pedals
I'd also like to add that one should be careful of the boutique market. The whole thing is driven by hype and pricing. Sometimes it seems that the higher the price is, the more hype there is around it....particularily as some people won't want to admit they just dropped $500 on something that sounds just like a stock TS-9 or Big Muff....
....but hey - it's true bypass - so it must be good. Right?
I'd also like to add that one should be careful of the boutique market. The whole thing is driven by hype and pricing. Sometimes it seems that the higher the price is, the more hype there is around it....particularily as some people won't want to admit they just dropped $500 on something that sounds just like a stock TS-9 or Big Muff....
....but hey - it's true bypass - so it must be good. Right?
twoheadedboy
New member
Re: The Best of Boutique Pedals
I am gassing SOOO hard for a Dirty Boy Afro Fuzz. I want that tone under my fingers!
I am gassing SOOO hard for a Dirty Boy Afro Fuzz. I want that tone under my fingers!
Rainmaker
Bee Bee King
Re: The Best of Boutique Pedals
To keep this thread going in its intended direction, replace best with your favourite.
My mistake...
Anyway, these pedals have no distributors here in Perth! Shame. Looks like I'm going to have to take a trip to the States, lol.
To keep this thread going in its intended direction, replace best with your favourite.
My mistake...
Anyway, these pedals have no distributors here in Perth! Shame. Looks like I'm going to have to take a trip to the States, lol.
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sooperunkn
New member
Re: The Best of Boutique Pedals
These are the 3 boutique pedals I own and they work very well for me and my rig...
Wah->Fulltone Clyde Deluxe
--------------------------
Amazing tone, cuts through clean and dirty. Very versatile due to 3 switchable modes and a volume control which is very handy when needing a boost or maintaining unity volume. Built like a tank. True Bypass.
Deja Vibe->Fulltone DejaVibe or Sweetsound MojoVibe
----------------------------------------------------
These 2 pedals are for the most part identical. Whichever one you buy you'll swear is the best. They both use photocells just like the original and they both convert the voltage to 18v just like the original. I have an older Fulltone (big white box) and it is hands down my favorite. It's really hard to describe but it literally makes my tone come "alive"... as if my tone were an actual being that can communicate with people... what??? told you it was hard to describe!! True Bypass.
Phaser->Maxon PH350 Rotary Phaser
-----------------------------------
This guy uses photocells too which I feel adds to the warmth of its tone. If you want a phaser that doesn't add dirt than this is the one. Again... sounds phenominal clean and dirty. 4-6-10 stages. Positive/Negative Feedback dial which is awesome if you want to produce some over the top sounds... actually does a kicka$$ Flanger too. Not True Bypass but can be modded easily because the're plenty of room inside.
These are the 3 boutique pedals I own and they work very well for me and my rig...
Wah->Fulltone Clyde Deluxe
--------------------------
Amazing tone, cuts through clean and dirty. Very versatile due to 3 switchable modes and a volume control which is very handy when needing a boost or maintaining unity volume. Built like a tank. True Bypass.
Deja Vibe->Fulltone DejaVibe or Sweetsound MojoVibe
----------------------------------------------------
These 2 pedals are for the most part identical. Whichever one you buy you'll swear is the best. They both use photocells just like the original and they both convert the voltage to 18v just like the original. I have an older Fulltone (big white box) and it is hands down my favorite. It's really hard to describe but it literally makes my tone come "alive"... as if my tone were an actual being that can communicate with people... what??? told you it was hard to describe!! True Bypass.
Phaser->Maxon PH350 Rotary Phaser
-----------------------------------
This guy uses photocells too which I feel adds to the warmth of its tone. If you want a phaser that doesn't add dirt than this is the one. Again... sounds phenominal clean and dirty. 4-6-10 stages. Positive/Negative Feedback dial which is awesome if you want to produce some over the top sounds... actually does a kicka$$ Flanger too. Not True Bypass but can be modded easily because the're plenty of room inside.
