The search nd ... a second SFX-03

[drpietrzak]

I went shopping for a new pedal today. I have been looking for a smoother than Santana, Santana-like tone from a pedal. I like the tone I get from my SFX-03, but need another tone or 2, and it can't cover everything without turing the dials. So I have been trying all the pedals I can find in my area. I was getting close I thought. I was thinking an AC-Tone from CM, a BB from 'xotic or perhaps a Santana modded OD3 from Indyguitarist. All sounded like I wanted them to from the descriptions. The Womanizer had the vibe, but was one channel and took up a lot of pedalboard space. I could not find clips of the OD3 mod so that was eliminated. No one had the AC-Tone around here, so that was out of the running. I was about to buy a BB Preamp pedal. Small, and very smooth for a non-high plate running tube pedal. I was down to A/B'ing and hitting it with boosts. So I asked to try it with a SFX-03 and see how it did for contrast with the SFX-03, and also to see how it did as a boost for my SFX-03 (when it returns home). The BB was a really good pedal, and about as smooth as I have found a pedal. But, there was still a touch of fizz to me (not very much at all though). At least there appeared to be just a touch of fizz in it (BB) compared to the SFX-03. Also the sustain of the BB was not enduring and had the SFX-03 had a smoother, longer taper when holding a note. I was using a PRS McCarty goldtop into a Genz Benz Black Pearle as I generally play a El Diablo a lot, using a PRS clone or LP. So I then tried hitting the SFX-03 with the BB and the SFX-03 was great. I thought about backing the BB down (gain) but, the lower gain settings on the BB were more fizzy sounding as well. After trying some other pedals I ended up deciding that the best option for me was just to get another SFX-03.

So now, as odd as this may seem, I am going to be replacing a couple of my pedals with a second SFX-03. I will run it eq'ed differently, with different gain settings as well as use it as a boost into my original SFX-03. Now I just need to get that one back to get everything set up! I am looking forward to the set-up.

 

[kjrocks]

Re: The search nd ... a second SFX-03

You've got to be the first !

 

[drpietrzak]

Re: The search nd ... a second SFX-03

You've got to be the first !

After the pedal warmed up a bit, I pulled the Keeley style modified DS-1 (an older seeing eye style pedal) I had holding it's spot on the board off and put the SFX-03 back in place. It still amazes me how the SFX-03 responds to being hit by another pedal, volume changes and picking dynamics. This is still the most sensitive pedal I have ever played this way, with this tone anyway. As my Tweed Deluxe clone is about the most sensitive amp I have relative to picking dynamics, it made me start to think. Just for kicks I played some stuff from the Fender Tweed Deluxe reissue NAMM demo video and this pedal was pretty decent in getting the same style reactions. The pedal is not voiced like a deluxe, at least mine, as the bass is not as strong. Hit this thing with an eq or TS pedal and you can get (to me) a very Mark IIIc to Mark IV or even into hot rod Marshall ground (depending on settings). I am excited to stack 2 of these things in the chain.

 

[nebucanazza]

Re: The search nd ... a second SFX-03

:smack: :smack: :smack:

 

[drpietrzak]

Re: The search nd ... a second SFX-03

:smokin: :no1: ... :bowdown: