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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It’s always a thrill to get gear from a pedal company for the first time, and today’s effects unit is sure to get the commenters talking. Combining a mythical circuit with a familiar-looking enclosure, the Attic Audio Transparent Overdrive brings you the best of both worlds. Designed to be a little tongue-in-cheek, this drive/boost provides incredible tonal punch, along with being an excellent conversation starter…...
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Sometimes, you just need ONE knob to get some incredible tone out of your guitar and amp. Today’s featured pedal proves that in spades, bringing a wide range of tones and dBs to work with and apply to your sound, beefing it up with any coloration. The B1G 1 is a simple gain booster, but has been designed by and electronics guru, and brings true studio quality right onto your pedalboard. The B1G 1 is an all-analog gain boost with...
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I’m always on the lookout for pedals that not only present themselves in a unique way, but offer unique sound options, too. Today’s pedal, the 1954 Transparent Fuzz from ScreaminFX, covers both of these criteria with ease, as you can see just by looking at the design of this bright orange beauty. Hand-made and built like a tank in Austin, Texas, with a clear shield that lets you peer directly into this fuzz’s soul, I...
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The good folks at StewMac carry just about every item you need to make your musical dreams come true, from luthier tools to parts & hardware to amps and yes, even Pedals. Today, we’re looking at their latest pedal kit, the International House of Overdrive. You’ll step right into the world of classic overdrive tones, and learn a thing or two about what goes into making effects pedals along the way…c’mon!!...
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We always love checking out pedals from new companies, and we’ve got a real gem for you all today. The DPE Pedals Chromosome Dual Overdrive brings 2 classic circuits, complete with some great additions, into the mix, to drive your amp and alter your tone…in the best ways. Having 2 drive circuits in one pedal is always a blast, and when they sound this good, it’s that much more fun… The Chromosome is a dual...
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The Verdugo Series of pedals from NUX have been some of our favorites over the years, and we’ve got our EIGHTH one for you today. The NDO-5 Ace of Tone Dual Overdrive has 2 channels, with each one harnessing the auditory glory of a classic overdriven circuit, with NUX’s special spin on it. Easy controls, lots of routing and bypass options and incredible tone are what you find here – let’s dive in and see what...
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We recently had the chance (in collaboration with Sweetwater) to check out the first couple of pedals from PRS Guitars, the Horsemeat Transparent Overdrive and the Mary Cries Optical Compressor. Today, we’re taking a look at the third and last pedal in their current lineup, the Wind Through the Trees Analog Flanger. This modulation machine provides 2 flanger circuits in one pedal, broadening what you thought was possible with...
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We recently had the privilege of testing out our first effects pedal from PRS Guitars, the Horsemeat Transparent Overdrive, and it was an absolute hit. Today, we’re looking at a 2nd pedal from Paul and crew, moving in a different direction sonically, but keeping that PRS quality and tone intact. The Mary Cries Optical Compressor is everything you want in a compressor pedal, if you use them, and everything you never knew you...
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Today we’re checking out the fourth Adam Adventure Series pedal from ALABS Audio, after already having been impressed by their Orbital Stereo Pitch Shifter, NovaDrift Stereo Modulation and TimeSlip Stereo Delay effects. The CETUS Stereo Reverb features nine modes of glorious reverberation, along with some fun built-in options that will shape and sculpt your tone like never before… Grab a CETUS Reverb from Amazon –...
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Last month, we were able to check out the amazing Utopia Deluxe Echo Delay from Anasounds, and were floored by the amount of sonic options packed into such a compact enclosure. Today, we’re looking at another pedal with similar attributes, but switching gears as far as effect genre is concerned. The Sandman Double Overdrive combines two of Anasounds’ previous pedals into one unit, gives them some upgrades and crushes any...
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It’s always exciting when we get to check out new pedals from companies for the first time, and we’re stoked to welcome Artisanal Effects into the mix today. Their Toneshaper Drive EQ Overdrive pedal combines the oomph of an overdrive with the frequency-sculpting of a 6-band EQ, for a well-rounded sound that can fit with ANY setup. There’s a lot of history on this one, so lets hear from the builder about how it came...
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We’re taking a glance at our second effects unit from ALABS Audio today, and are really excited about all that this brand is capable of. The Orbital Pitch Shifter is a stereo digital pedal, offering 9 high-quality modulation effects. These include vibe, chorus, multi-chorus, phaser, filter, rotary, flanger, tremolo, and ring. Lots to get into here, let’s jump right in and see what this green gem is all about… Grab a...
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Multi-effects units are always a blast to explore, and when they’re in Stereo, it’s even more fun. The ALABS Audio Orbital Pitch Shifter is a stereo digital pedal, offering a wide range of pitch-shifting effects, including Pitch Shifter, Octave, Micropitch, Harmonizer, Whammy Sound and more. Other features include Differential True Stereo mode, analog dry-through and two selectable Bypass modes, plus momentary operation...
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We’re continuing our lineup run-through of the first four pedals from Bolt & Forge Analog Audio today. Coming to you from Yakima, Washington, we’re excited to jump back in and check out the third of FOUR effects they sent over, the Sawbones Optical Compressor. Bringing the funk and evening out the most fluctuating of signals, let’s see what it can do for you… The Appaloosa is a noise-free, full-featured...
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The Gladys Overdrive was the very first pedal we ever reviewed for our friends at Summer School Electronics early last year, and it was a great introduction to this great company. Since then, we’ve had the pleasure of checking out EIGHT of their other wonderful creations. Today, we’re revisiting that first effects unit, but in a slightly different capacity: ladies and gents, here is the Gladys Overdrive V2. Gladys V2 is an...
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After the instantly recognizable Fuzz Blender ’77 we reviewed from Supercool Pedals a few months ago, we were excited to see what their next effects unit might be. Well, the day has arrived: presenting The Thneed Overdrive, a low-mid gain drive with nods to a certain super-expensive horsie-esque pedal AND one of the greatest authors of all time. And remember: “A Thneed’s a Fine-Something-That-All-People-Need.” The Thneed is a...
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Combining Preamp, Overdrive and Boost into one pedal might seem like a lot, but with the Westerlund Audio ONE, everything melds together in sonic perfection. This options-laden mammoth can give your signal a pop, shape your tone, add in some breakup or get downright crunchy – whatever you need, it can handle with ease. So many knobs and swithces, and we’re totally here for it – let’s check it out! The...
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Each and every pedal we’ve come across from ZVEX Effects has been unique and different from what we’ve all come to expect from pedals, and today’s continues down that path with extra gusto. The Sonar Vexter Tremolo takes modulation to the next level, providing a slew of features, both present AND hidden, for you to explore. Get ready for a wild ride here, folks, ’cause this ain’t your grandaddy’s...
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After we saw the Autumn and Winter overdrive pedals from Fox River Devices in their respective seasons, it’s only logical that the next one in this series would be….SPRING!! The third member of the Seasonal Drive Series, Spring is a low to medium gain overdrive with a max gain of approximately 44dB. It can be used as a clean (or clean-ish) boost at lower gain settings and a subtle overdrive with the gain turned up…...
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Last month, we continued our steak of reviewing excellent pedals from our friends at NUX, with the amazing Duotime Dual Engine Delay. Today, we’ve got another one from their impressive Verdugo Series of Stomboxes: the Queen of Tone Dual Overdrive. Bringing two different but extremely complimentary drive circuits to the table, this 2-for-1 gives you just about all the overdrive options you could need…and maybe a couple...
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The crew at Thermion constantly pushes the boundaries of what is sonically possible in their pedals, and today’s effect brings classic rock tones to the table. The Heartbreaker Preamp Overdrive gives you two gains, three modes and six parameters to explore, providing dynamics, crunch and delicious overdrive in the ultimate preamplifier for classic sound lovers. If you’re on the hunt of a unique, mid-gain British drive...
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It’s Klone Time Again, Kiddos!! We love a good mythical circuit around here, especially when it looks and sounds *really close* to an original…well, at least what we’ve heard an original sounds like, having never been knighted into the club. This particular clone comes to us from Warm Audio as the Centavo Overdrive, an accurate recreation of one of the most unattainable overdrive pedals in guitar history. Let’s...
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I’ve known Brian from Porter Pickups since we met while I was still living in Boise, Idaho, back in 2016. He and his team put some wonderful pickups in a couple of guitars of mine, with the Classic/Smooth humbucking combo in my PRS CE24, which you’ve heard on the majority of my demos over the last 6+ years. Today, I’m excited to help spread the word about their first effects pedal offering, coming via their subset...
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Delay is the best effect out there, hands-down…BUT, I do love a good compressor and a good preamp, too. Fortunately, today’s pedal, the Niche Devices Humboldt Preamp SE combines both of these effects into one brilliant effect, with broad range and total tonal control. Conceived over the course of two years, this original circuit offers optical compression coupled with a high headroom preamplifier, and features the unique...
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Love it or hate it, the Ibanez Tube Screamer, in all its iterations, is a staple in the world of guitar overdrive effects. With its characteristic mid-range boost and bright green enclosure, it works with rock, blues, metal and more, becoming part of many famous guitarists’ signature sounds. Its stock version, however, can leave some wanting more, and that’s where today’s pedal comes in – the TS9 Tube Screamer...
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We love the way the folks at VVco Pedals incorporate great effects with nostalgic merch from past movies, TV shows and more, and we’re especially stoked about today’s featured pedal. The Dark Father Preamp is clearly representative of a certain Jedi-turned-Sith, and it sounds just as evil. Melding elements of overdrive, fuzz, distortion, EQ, boost and preamp, this multi-faceted effect is not only fun to look at, it sounds...
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We’ve had a blast checking out the lineup of pedals from the newly-revamped Maestro brand, and have a BIG surprise for you all today. They’ve just released FIVE new units, and we have got them all in one place for you. Today, we’re looking at the Orbit Phaser, Mariner Tremolo, Titan Boost, Arcas Compressor Sustainer and Agena Envelope Filter – 5 effects building on the first 5 pedals they initially released...
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We recently got to check out our first pedal from the team at Colfax Recorders, the Apache Rose Preamp, and were more than a little impressed. Today, we’re venturing down their path once again, as we explore the Zephyr Overdrive. A versatile but easy-to-dial-in drive, this baby blue beauty adds the perfect dirt element to your pedalboard, and fits right in as your new favorite always-on effect… The Zephyr Overdrive with...
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Mario Marino has been creating products under the name Axess Electronics since 1998, crafting custom buffered splitters, routers, switchers MIDI foot controllers and more, for names like Alex Lifeson, Peter Frampton, Richie Sambora, John Petrucci, Dweezil Zappa and Eddie Van Halen. Bringing decades of expertise to the effects pedal world, he has released the AXSGTR OBViouS™ Boost/Overdrive, an option-filled beauty that dirties up your...
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After reviewing and demoing the newly released lineup of 15+ pedals from Poison Noises, we thought for sure they were done, but no. Today, we’re bringing you a brand new creation of theirs, The Effluence Spring Reverb. This effect has a great range of reverberation to explore, from simple tone-enhancing settings to full-on, blown out vintage reverb that lingers in your ears forever. Project sound into a reverb-soaked lucid dream...
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The first round of Dept. 10 pedals released by Blackstar Amplification (Boost, Dual Drive, Dual Distortion) were full of options, HUGE tones and exquisite build quality. Those effects focused on boost, overdrive and distortion elements, showing how you could really push your amp and shape your tone with ease. The latest release from Blackstar sees them switching focus now to the actual AMP aspect of the chain, bringing you the...
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A good overdrive can really make you amp come alive and sculpt your tone, but what if you have TWO in one single pedal? That’s the name of the game with the impressive and options-laden Pantheon Dual Overdrive Deluxe from Wampler Pedals. From boost to crunch to powerful drive and up to heavy distortion, this purple beast has all you could want in a dirt pedal…and then some. The now legendary Wampler Pantheon provided a...
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The Clubber Lang Harmonic Percolator Fuzz from Malaise Forever was one of our Top Pedals of 2021, and we were stoked to check out more gear from this fine company out of Columbus, OH. Luckily, we didn’t have to wait too long – today, we’re helping with the Brand New Release for their next creation, the Rage Monster Germanium Gain Stage. Packing some classic and modern boost sounds into one pedalboard-friendly...
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We love discovering new, up-and-coming effects pedal builders here at Pedal of the Day, and we’ve got another for you today. Summer School Electronics has a three-pedal lineup so far, and we’re going to check them all out over the coming weeks, starting with the Gladys Overdrive. This three-knob, one-switch beauty is a no-frills overdrive unit, with one added option to set it apart from the rest. Let’s what what...
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We love wild, modulated, ambient machines, as do most of you out there, and we’ve got an amazing one for you today. The Vongon Ultrasheer Stereo Pitch Vibrato & Reverb not only looks incredible, but the sounds it produces are second-to-none. Weaving in and out of gorgeous, wide-spanning soundscapes, this powerful stereo effect combination is inspired by the early digital studio effects units of the late 1970’s. Capable of...
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How much fun are looper pedals, seriously? We’ve had many, many of them come through the shop over the years, but today’s might just be the hands-down, end-all, be-all Looper pedal in existence today. The Pigtronix Infinity 3 Deluxe Stereo Looper utilizes state-of-the-art technology to achieve previously unheard audio fidelity out of a foot pedal looper. Jam-packed with features, Infinity 3 allows for every looping...
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We reviewed a couple of effects from Kenny B Pedals a few years ago, and are excited to jump back in and check out some more of his gear today. The William Overdrive is a seemingly simple 3-knob, 1-toggle affair, but beneath the surface lies a powerhouse boost overdrive distortion that’s just waiting to unleash itself on the world. Let’s see what’s in store for us, shall we? Inspired by the Prince of Tone, the...
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Single knob pedals aren’t always the flashiest, but usually bring something to the sonic table you didn’t know you needed. Today’s pedal follows that to a T, providing gorgeous boost and tone-shaping with ease. The Xtonebox Carbon Booster Signal Boost is an essential tool for guitarists and bass players alike, both raising your volume and improving your overall sound. The circuit inside the Carbon Booster consists of...
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ONE KNOB. ONE KNOB TO RULE THEM ALL… And so it goes for today’s pedal, the Calico Effects Pounce Preamp. The simplicity you might expect from a one-knob pedal, regardless of genre, can sometime be deceiving. Is that the case with this golden beauty? Let’s delve in and see what’s in store… The Pounce is NOT a transparent, clean, preamp booster…no siree Bob. Quite the opposite, in fact, it adds...
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Modulation is a key ingredient to any rig, whether it’s coming from a phaser, a chorus or a vibrato….but what if you could have ALL THREE in one enclosure? That’s where today’s effect, the JAM Pedals Ripply Fall Chorus Vibrato Phaser, comes into play. Combining a couple other JAM Pedals into one, these side-by-side effects will launch your sound and creativity into the musical stratosphere. The Ripple side...
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We’ve been chatting a lot about Boost pedals recently, and are excited to present a new version of an instant classic. The Vertex Boost MKII picks up right where the original MKI left off, offering a smaller enclosure without sacrificing any tone or functionality. Not just a signal booster – this one enhances and drives any rig that needs it. At 33% slimmer than the Boost MKI, the MKII easily sneaks onto any pedalboard....
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Hitting a chord with an amazing overdrive pedal plugged into your amp is one of the best feelings there is. Period. Luckily, we get to experience this feeling time and time again here at Pedal of the Day, and today’s little box of joy absolutely delivered in this department. The MusicBoxPedals Lyla Drive is a classic styled pedal that covers everything from clean boost to preamp to low/mid gain overdrive – lets see what...
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The Animals Pedal lineup (aka Ninevolt Pedals) has been one of our favorites for years – affordable, excellent quality and a wide range of effects. We love when they send us another new pedal to check out, and today’s gem is no different than usual. The Diamond Peak Hybrid Overdrive takes everything you know and love about high-output British amplifiers from the 60’s and 70’s and puts it into a box that will...
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We’ve got a first today, as this review is not for a PEDAL, but for a GUITAR. The folks at Glarry contacted us and asked if we’d like to check out their GTL Semi-Hollow model, and we couldn’t say no. This $120 instrument plays like one that’s a lot more expensive, and while it’s not in the upper echelon of fine guitars, it is an excellent choice for beginners, weekend warriors and even those who plays...
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When you think of the history, music and guitar players associated with Orange Amps, the word Acoustic doesn’t usually come to mind. Mastodon. Sepultura. ZZ Top. Rush. Slipknot. Iron Maiden. Not the most acoustical set of artists, right? Well, we’re not sure if it’s the recent teaming up with bluegrass powerhouse Billy Strings or what, but we’ve something very intriguing for you today. The Orange Amps Acoustic...
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Coming out of the gates with the exquisite Type One Chorus Ensemble, we had the feeling that the crew at Horrothia FX were going to bring the heat for their next pedal release. They did, in the form of the Teeth Discrete Low-Gain Overdrive. This subtle but powerful machine gives you gorgeous boost, tasty crunch and delicious tonal enhancement around every corner, to be certain… Wanting to add a little flavor to the old...
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It’s been a while since we’ve heard from ADAG Audio, the last time being back in 2019 with the Metal Shock Distortion. But we’re glad they’re back, and with yet another BANG! The Seagull Overdrive is a transparent, low-mid gain drive pedal, with four simple controls and a lot of tonal tweakability. A great tone-shaper, you can run this one as a boost, first stage bump or right at the perfect level of amp...
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So, our friend James Bowman, who happens to be the guitarist for Against Me!, decided he wanted to build some guitar pedals (as Bowman Audio Endeavors). He sent them over to us to check out, and we’ve got the second one in the lineup today for you. After the wild and dirty Harmonic Percolator, the Fortune and Glory Boost might seem a little tame. However, this one-knob wonder can get down right DIRTY if you want it to…...
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The new DCP Series of pedals from our friends at Caline are all Dual Effects, featuring two of your favorite Caline pedals in one enclosure. With the effects ranging from overdrive to EQ to distortion to compression to fuzz and more, there’s something in this lineup for everyone. Today, we’re going to take a look at the DCP-06 Sundance Special Overdrive Boost, a powerful dual-dirt combo that packs a punch and adds to your tone. The...
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