Various Effects review - READ ! :)

[Thames]

Dunno what's going on this morning, but I had to talk!
Ive tried many effects during the last 2-3 years and never post any feedback on them... so here are my impressions :

COMPRESSION :
(note : not a compressor fan at all)

Visual Sound Route 66 : probably the best comp I tried so far.

MXR SuperComp : piece of junk. Sold it 5 minutes later. But solid!

Marshall Edwards the Comp : just ok. strange clicking sounding compression effect...


DRIVE-FUZZ-DISTORTION-Cleanboost :

- Big Muff : a classic effect known as a one-trick pony, and that's right. Dont expect much. I prefer the sound of the Russian one over the NYC Ri (never tried any vintage unit). I have both for sale.. 65$ each (russian one has been modified.. email me!)

Visual Sound Route 66 : TS style drive, too much compressed for me, and the Bass Boost switch is not well EQ'd.

- J.Everman FuzzDrive : a great pedal, kind of jack-of-all-trade, master-of-none. I cant get a good classic fuzz out of it, and the drive is well, different, and nice. Good if you're looking for something different.

- Barber DirectDrive : great drive, but too much compressed-sounding for me. The push-pull switch is a nice feature, I prefer the "pull" setting.

- Fulltone OCD : that's my pedal! I love it. It breathes, it shines, it drives, it sings... an airy drive, with an impressive range of drive! A keeper!

- Fulltone Soul-Bender : superb 3-trasistor fuzz. I love it. Great late 60-early 70 tones, and airy-sounding.

- Fulltone '70 : I dont understand why people say that it doesnt clean up very well when turning guitar volume down... I can get clean tones at 7. Great fuzz, I thought silicon units were lifeless, but I was wrong. Had one years ago, sold it (no use), now I have another one on its way!

- TC Jauernig (sp?) Luxury Drive : Wow. I love this box. Sometimes used as a clean boost for solos, sometimes to accentuate clean passages and add sparkle, sometimes as a drive by itself. I can do what I want, it preserves the real tone of my guitar and amp, only amplify the whole thing. A keeper!

- TS-10 : yuck! no comment


(see below for next part...)

 

[Thames]

Re: Various Effects review - READ !

MODULATION EFFECTS :

- BOSS CE-2 : taiwan version, green label. A early taiwan model. Had the chance to A/B with a Japanese black label, which sounded much better. However, this pedal has an interal trim pot, so previous user might have tweaked it.

- EHX Dlx Electric Mistress reissue : like all EHx effects, there's an incredible range of tones, but the best tones are achieved on low settings : keep the pots at 9'oclock for a light and sweet, watery tone (think Gilmour). It can do chorus too!

- EHx SmallStone russian and NYC : I had both version. the Russian is warmer, but a piece of junk. The NYC is a nice, more modern sounding phaser, and sturdier. I hate the 1/8" phone-style DC input. A/B'ed it with a Ri MXR Phase 90. I prefer the Phase 90, not a big difference, but damn! it sucks tone!!! (non-truebypass). Im selling mine btw.. 55$ NYC exc cond.

VooDoo Lab MicroVibe : the best bang-for-buck Vibe available! I really like it! I have one for sale, I dont use it anymore, and need cash... 95$ mint!

Visual Sound H2O Chorus/Echo : superb vintage/analog sounding chorus. Very similar to the CE-2 Japan. But I hate 2-in-1, and the reliability is questionable. I thought I was buying a boutique pedal, but upon arrival, I saw Made in China on it. I'll pass.

EHx SmallClone Chorus reissue : a different animal. If you like Nirvana' Come as you are, this is the same exact tone. More modern than vintage, but still pretty nice.

ECHO/DELAY/REVERB :

- EHx HolyGrail Reverb: probably the only pedal I kept for so long. A keeper. And nicely priced too. Never had any buzzing/humming noises with mine.

- Visual Sound H2O echo : really nice Echo style pedal. But I hate 2-in-1, and the reliability is questionable. I thought I was buying a boutique pedal, but upon arrival, I saw Made in China on it. I'll pass.

- BOSS DD-3 taiwan : nothing impressive. Just ok.

- BOSS DD-3 Japan : dunno why, but they seem to sound better.

- BOSS DD-20 GigaDelay : ultimate Delay pedal for me ! I LOVE it. A keeper for a long time. Reliability ? dunno... we'll see!

Digitech Digiverb : yuck. flimsy feel. not reliable. not much usable settings...

Guyatone MD-2 Delay : hey! a pretty cool pedal in a small package! a pleasant surprise! and very interesting when self-oscillating... a kind of "usable toy".



That's it!