We’re back again with yet another gorgeous amp-in-a-box from our friends at Universal Audio today, folks, and this one’s a real rocker. Based on a classic 2-channel (well, kinda 3 channel) amplifier from the 90’s that made its way onto hundreds, maybe thousands of recordings from that era, this is the UAFX ’92 Rev F Dual Rec Amplifier. We’ve teamed up with our friends at Vintage King once more to bring you this...
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Last year, we were honored to help with the release of the TONEX Pedal from IK Multimedia, a dazzling amp, cabinet and effects modeler unit that broke new sonic ground. Today, we’ve teamed up with our new friends at Vintage King to bring you all IK’s latest creation, the TONEX ONE Amplifier/Cab/Pedal Modeler, a smaller version of last year’s wonderful concoction. There are a TON of options, sounds and wonder trapped...
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Taking all the elements of an amplifier and squishing them down into a box that can fit onto any pedalboard is a pretty amazing feat, and I always love when a new one comes through our shop. Several years ago, we reviewed an amazing piece of gear called the Zero Hybrid Amplifier, from our pals across the pond at Thermion. Today, they’re back with a smaller, more powerful amp-in-a-pedal, the Freeway, and we can’t wait to...
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The effects pedals coming out of the English shop where Tom Oakes and Horrothia FX call home have always been cool to look at, built with extreme quality and incredible-sounding, to say the least. These marvelous traditions continue today with their latest release, the Triage Discrete Transistor Pre-Amplifier, which covers Boost, Dirt and Volume at the same time. Easily ranging from clean to nasty, we are really digging this...
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The award for “Pedal You Never Knew You Needed” over the last year has got to go to the Believable Audio / 29 Pedals EUNA, the Elite UNity Amplifier that took the pedal world by storm. Today’s pedal features the next creation from these guys, and simply amazes just like it’s older sibling did. The OAMP is an Output AMPlifier that replaces your conventional buffers, line drivers and preamps, and will change how...
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Much like the Boost pedals we were talking about in the other day’s review, there are certain pedals that you sometimes don’t even know you need. Today’s pedal is one of those, hands down, and it’s hard to even describe why. When a piece of gear works, sometimes it just works, without explanation. However, we’ll try our best to tell you about the 29 Pedals EUNA Elite UNity Amplifier…just be patient,...
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In today’s brave new world, filled with digital amp emulators and effects processors, sometimes it’s nice to take it back old school and analog. Today’s “pedal” is actually an amp that fits right onto your pedalboard, and is full of tonal and routing options. The Thermion Zero Dynamic Hybrid Amplifier lets you play live, rehearse or practice at home with just your pedals. Lots to explore, let’s get...
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We decided we’d shake things up a bit here at Pedal of the Day today, and bring you a piece of gear that isn’t a pedal at all. The Asphalt TAR-20G is a miniature guitar amplifier from our friends at Valeton, and we’re going to take you through how it works, and can enhance your tone. Small and light but mighty and boasting some nice options, let’s check out this nifty little amp, shall we? Compact and not heavy...
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The 10 Series of effects pedal from Ibanez (also called the “Power Series”), created in the 80’s, features some of the most underrated and loved pedals of all time. We’re going to talk about one of these 10 effects that doesn’t get talked about nearly enough: the MT10 Mostortion. This mosfet drive has become pretty rare, and when you can find one, they’re fairly spendy, which is perhaps why...
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We’ve got something a little different for you today, courtesy of our friends at NUX. The Mighty Lite BT is a mini-modeling, desktop, Bluetooth amplifier, that only takes up a small space but has some extremely powerful features. It’s lightweight, can run on a power supply, batteries or USB power, and it even has Bluetooth connectivity, for both playing music AND controlling different parameter settings. There are even...
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If you’re a fan of compression on your pedalboard, there’s good chance you’ve heard about the wonderful compressors being made over at Origin Effects. With a new lineup of smaller effects in their current arsenal, they have become a giant in the world of studio-quality compression for players throughout the world. Today, however, we’re going back to where it all started, with their Cali76 Standard Big Box...
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The Deluxe Drive72 (DD72) of Dangelo is an incredible overdrive boutique designed and built by Mr. Antonio Dangelo. The types of overdrive present on the market today are innumerable, and it is sometimes very difficult to understand the differences between each of them. The DD72 to classify it as simply as possible, I would consider it as a mix between a TS9 and a Vemuram Jan Ray. The peculiarities that in my humble opinion it is an...
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We’ve been checking out the ever-growing lineup of effects units from Animals Pedal since way back in 2017. Although it’s been a couple of years since the last one, we’re excited to bring you FOUR of their newest creations to you over the coming weeks, starting with today’s Push & Pull Distortion. Reminiscent of a classic sound from 5 decades past, this three-knob gem instantly vaults your guitar sound...
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The pedal creations that come from Supercool Pedals are always great-looking, great-sounding and creative, all the things you want from an effects unit. Today, we’ve got their latest release, a take on a classic, but with their signature Supercool spin on it. The Barstow Bat Distortion is reminiscent of a certain small, black box from the 80’s, with a couple twists and turns to bring a vintage circuit into the modern...
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Pedal of the Day, Port City Amplification and countless other people and businesses here in the Asheville, NC area (and elsewhere) have been greatly affected by the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene – if you’re able, please consider making a donation to BeLoved Asheville, or volunteering, or asking people affected by this tragedy if they need any kind of help. Every little bit helps, and any effort to help heal and...
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Pedal of the Day, Marla Amplification and countless other people and businesses here in the Asheville, NC area (and elsewhere) have been greatly affected by the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene – if you’re able, please consider making a donation, or volunteering, or asking people affected by this tragedy if they need any kind of help. Every little bit helps, and any effort to help heal and rebuild is much appreciated...
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It’s been a couple years since we last saw a pedal from This Heavy Earth (or is it thisheavyearth – ??), but today’s effects unit really brings the sonic goodies. The Hesher v3 Preamp brings several famous amplifier circuits from across the pond together into one beautiful sonic stew, ranging from slightly dirty and broken up to amp-pushing, eardrum-crushing glory. A true amp-in-a-pedal production, this one brings...
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What else can we say about the wonderful world of UAFX from Universal Audio? Well, not much, except that we’ve got ANOTHER one for you all today. Based on extremely expensive and rare model amplifiers from the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s, the UAFX Enigmatic ’82 Overdrive Special Amp brings what could cost you hundreds of thousands (yes) of dollars onto your pedalboard at a cost that normal folks can actually...
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I’m always excited to take a look at effects pedals from another new (to me, anyway) company, and that’s what we’re doing once again today. Hailing from Austin, Texas, Blank Electronics has a passion for audio electronics, mostly amplifiers and effects pedals, sharing their hobby with those interested in fun and sometimes wonky effects. The first pedal of theirs we’re looking at is the massive Wizard Sleeve...
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Many moons ago, we had the opportunity to check out a revolutionary Boost/Overdrive pedal from Massive Unity Ltd. called the Dirty Boy T.A.E. Preamp. Today, Dirty Boy is its own company, owned by our pal Danny Gomez, and we’re going to take a look at their latest, simply called the Preamp. With not as many bells and whistles as its predecessor, this one has a simple control section, a few output options and a ton of gorgeous...
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We love checking out anything local, and are excited to bring you all the first design from our new friends at Marla Amplification here in beautiful Asheville, NC. The S10V Limited Edition Run 11W Guitar Amp has just a couple of controls on the front panel, but there is a lot to discover within this gorgeous-sounding circuitry. Mixing modern and classic tones alike, to create a wonderful musical stew, we think you’ll all dig...
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Following in the footsteps of the awesome DS-1W Waza Craft Distortion we saw a couple weeks ago, we’re excited today to bring you its sort-of sister pedal, the SD-1W Waza Craft SUPER OverDrive, from the fine folks over at Boss. The bright yellow SD-1W gives you the same type of vibes as the bright orange DS-1W does, and, not surprisingly, they sound great together. This is another update of a classic, oft-used pedal that was...
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A couple weeks ago, we had the pleasure of checking out another great little portable amp from Caline, The Blacksmith CA200G 20W Bluetooth amp. Today, we’ve got another portable amplifier from these guys, one that’s a bit bigger and a bit bolder: the Scuru S8G Bluetooth Guitar Amp. With two speakers, built-in effects, Bluetooth connectivity and more, this little orange beaut will change the way you think about small...
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It’s NEW JHS PEDALS DAY here at Pedal of the Day once again, and we’re checking out their latest original circuit offering. 8 years in development, the Hard Drive Modern Distortion instantly transforms your sound into the heavy, amp-crushing tone you’ve probably been searching for years for. A simple but effective control section lets you dial in the perfect sound for any rig…let’s jump right in and see...
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We have checked out a LOT of pedals from Caline over the years, and have found them to be one of the better affordable effects brands out there. This month, we’re turning in a slightly different direction, as Caline has sent us a couple of their new amplifier to review and demo, starting with today’s CA200G The Blacksmith 20W Bluetooth Guitar Amp. With some decent power for such a small amp, and a couple of built-in...
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It’s been a couple of years since we had any pedals from Italian pedal builder Dophix in the shop, so I was excited when today’s pedal arrived and I plugged it in. The Medici More Fuzz offers you a fuzz pedal..AND MORE! With two circuits that sound great alone or even better combined, this silver fox will get your blood pumping and the crowd rockin’… Medici is an innovative fuzz pedal that let you adjust the...
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I’ve been playing PRS Guitars in some form for about 20 years now, and they remain, hands-down, the favorite guitars I’ve ever had the pleasure of owning. From my first early 2000s Santana SE all the way up to my gorgeous Special 22 Semi-Hollowbody, each one creates its own unique tone, and they have all played as smoothly as can be. Today, we’re venturing into another section of the PRS world – PEDALS, and...
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There’s not a lot that’s better than plugging in your favorite Overdrive pedal, cranking up a good amplifier and hitting an E, G or D chord of your choice and letting it ring out, is there? Well, the short answer is YES, if you have a pedal like the AmpMojo Sol Drive Responsive Tube Overdrive. This one has an ACTUAL TUBE inside, bringing warm and inviting drive sounds anywhere and everywhere you need them to be… The...
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When the crew at Lerxst Amps sent us the two pedals they designed with Alex Lifeson of Rush, we were, needless to say, stoked. The By-Tor Overdrive Boost was the first one, and it turned out to be an incredible amp-driving powerhouse. Today’s effect is the complimentary (if you know your Rush songs) Snow Dog Octave Fuzz. A completely different pedal and sound from the first one, the Snow Dog gets really dirty, adding elements to...
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We’re continuing our “Asheville Week” here at Pedal of the Day today, with the first of three effects from a company focused on 100% analog sounds. The Asheville Music Tools AFG-1 Analog Dynamic Flanger is a Whooshless Resonant Comb Modulator, featuring a reissue Bucket Brigade Delay line to deliver classic Flanger and Chorus sounds with the most natural modulation possible. The synthesizer-inspired control voltage...
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Over the course of the next week, we have FIVE pedals that all come from right where we live: beautiful Asheville, North Carolina. Some new companies, some old, all local and all amazing. We’re starting this little run with a unit that isn’t an effect, but an extremely useful piece of gear for any FX Loop-equipped tube amplifier. The Master Volume Box Attenuator from Asheville Guitar Pedals allows you to crank your...
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It’s always exciting diving into pedals from a company you’ve never worked with before, but when those pedals are a collaboration with one of your guitar heroes, that makes it just a bit more special. Today, we’re looking at the By-Tor Overdrive Boost from Lerxst Amplification, which pairs MojoTone with Mr. Alex Lifeson of the prog-rock band Rush. Seeking to exact his specific sounds on amps, cabs and now pedals,...
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Although we’ve never had the pleasure of playing through an actual amp from Science Amplification, today’s pedal is as close as we can get right now to the real thing. Based on the circuitry from the amplifier of the same name, The Mother Preamp Pedal is a recreation of its dual channel tube-powered namesake, but refined into pedal format. Just like the full-fledged amp, it’s a modern take on the vintage high-wattage...
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We’ve been reviewing and demoing effects units from NUX for over six years now, and they just keep getting better and better. Today, we’re continuing our exploration into their Core Series of pedals (the Tape Core Deluxe was amazing, BTW) as we check out the Verb Core Deluxe, a vast-reaching, wide-ranging ambient powerhouse that brings your favorite reverb sounds up from the depths…let’s dive right in, shall...
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A good pedal with distortion mixed into some fuzz is always a welcome treat here at Pedal of the Day, and we’ve got a real wicked scorcher for you all today. The Cosmodio Instruments Pet Yeti Distortion Fuzz has elements of both of these musical genres, but with some additional tweakability and sonic prowess. If you like to turn knobs, flip switches and make a beautiful racket, this pedal is just what you’re after…...
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Today’s slice of gear doesn’t really make your signal distort, or repeat, or sound extra modulated or weird, but it is an important piece of your sonic puzzle. The B-8 Professional Wireless System from NUX lets you roam freely around the studio, stage or practice spot without losing any signal strength. It also has a couple additions and tricks up its sleeve that we need to talk about, so let’s get right to it…...
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We’re back in the AVL once again today, keeping it close to home with our buddies down the road, Asheville Guitar Pedals. We checked out their mini 308 Distortion a couple weeks ago, and today we’re looking at the equally powerful Fuzz Driver Distortion. This one has just two control knobs, but the range and gusto trapped in this pedal is unleashed with a serious fury, all while maintaining gorgeous, amp-driving tone. Get...
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Ever since we got our Monarch 15W amplifier from Benson Amps back in 2017, we’ve loved everything they’ve put out, especially when the effects pedals made their debut. Having already checked out the Preamp, Germanium Fuzz, Germanium Boost and Stonk Box units, we couldn’t wait to get our hands on their first foray into out favorite all-time effect: Delay. The Delay Benson has created brings vintage and modern...
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Happy New Year, everybody!! Here’s to a safe, healthy and prosperous go ’round the sun – cheers! Our first pedal review and demo for 2024 comes to us from our friends at Aclam: presenting The Mocker UL730 Fuzz Circuit, a seemingly simple three-knob fuzz distortion that comes from a very specific and rare amplifier, used famously by The Beatles, Joy Division and Led Zeppelin. If you need to freshen up your sound with...
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The entire lineup of UAFX pedals from Universal Audio is amazing, let’s just be honest. With each new release, there’s another options-filled gem that gets our creativity flowing and takes our musical thinking and approach up a notch. Today’s pedal, the Lion ’68 Super Lead Amp, shifts things from a modulation/delay/reverb vibe to some classic amp-pushing, overdriven sounds from decades past… Grab a Lion...
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We’re stoked to bring you the ENTIRE lineup of pedals from Rockready Mini Pedals over the coming weeks, and we’re continuing with two more excellent mini creations today. The BC-1 Brit Crunch and NG-1 Gatekeeper are small, yes, but they pack a big punch with their sonic output. With simple controls and mini enclosures, these pedals fit onto any pedalboard, and into ANY budget… The BC-1 Brith Crunch delivers classic...
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Today, we’re looking at the AmpRX Brown Box II Input Voltage Attenuator, an electrical unit that provides something often overlooked in the world of tube amplifiers: Correct Power. The basis for any signature world-class tone requires a consistent and dependable signal chain and for that, you need to start at the very beginning – powering your amplifier. The tone and performance of both vintage and modern tube amplifiers...
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Today, we continue our journey of the exploration of the Ampworx Series of preamp pedals from our friends at TC Electronic. We’re looking at all six effects in the series (so far), starting with their three latest releases, and moving through the previous three, over the last several weeks. Let’s wrap things up today with the Combo Deluxe 65′ Preamp, a pedal that faithfully recreates the sound of a 1965 Blackface...
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We’re continuing New Pedal Company Weekend here with another up-and-coming pedal manufacturer, Bolt & Forge Analog Audio. Coming to you from Yakima, Washington, we’re excited to jump in and check out the first of FOUR effects they sent over, the Appaloosa Germanium Overdrive. It was basically love from the first moment we plugged it in, let’s see what it can do for you… The Appaloosa is a true workhorse...
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We’re stoked to bring you the ENTIRE lineup of pedals from Rockready Mini Pedals over the coming weeks, and we’re starting things off with two of our favorite effects today! The VT-1 Vintage Trem and AE-1 Analog Echo are small, yes, but they pack a big punch with their sonic output. With simple controls and mini enclosures, these pedals fit onto any pedalboard, and into ANY budget… The VT-1 Vintage Trem captures the...
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In collaboration with our friends at Sweetwater, we’re proud to bring you the Analog Dual Mode Tremolo from Supro! This sea blue gem accurately recreates the iconic modulation effects found in iconic amplifiers of the 1960s. With both Amplitude and Harmonic modes, this all-analog tremolo allows players to switch between swampy tremolo sounds and psychedelic modulating tones. Let’s dive in and see what sonic treasures...
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(This article comes from our friends at GuitarTricks.com – check out their site for tons of guitar-related tips and tricks!!) Guitar Tricks presents A Look at the Vintage Pedal Market By Shawn Leonhardt for Guitar Tricks and 30 Day Singer, the original platform for online guitar lessons. Vintage pedals are so popular that many modern manufacturers attempt to replicate them so there are more to go around! Not only do some pedals...
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It’s been a while since we had a pedal from Electronic Audio Experiments here in the office, but the wait was way more than worth it. The recently released Sending V2 Analog Delay improves on the well-received first version with a myriad of sonic options, vintage tones and some modern amenities not always found in an analog delay unit. There’s a lot do dig into here, so let’s get right to it… Sending is an...
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Today, we continue our journey of the exploration of the Ampworx Series of preamp pedals from our friends at TC Electronic. We’re looking at all six effects in the series (so far), starting with their three latest releases, and moving through the previous three, over the last several weeks. Let’s keep it going today with the DC30 Preamp, a beast that faithfully recreates the sound of a 1965 Top Boost AC30 amplifier, giving...
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We’re switching things up a little bit today, bring you some amplifier flavor from an excellent local North Carolina company. Come along as we take a look at not one but TWO amazing amps from Port City Amplification: the 30W Grandville Rhett Shull Signature and the 20W Merino Combo. Our pal Carl Perkins was kind enough to lend both of these amps and a killer cabinet to us to check out, and we fell in love instantly with these...
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