VFE Blueprint
Posted: December 8, 2011 Filed under: Chorus, Delay, Modulation 1 CommentWhat’s so great about a guitar pedal that is built with quality and value in mind?
Absolutely everything.
In the case of VFE pedals, tone is important too. And that’s a good thing.
Hand-built in Puyallup, WA, VFE pedals are literally made with the highest quality parts available. From the true bypass relay switching to the uber high-end solder used – yes, even the solder is under extreme scrutiny – VFE literally attempts to build the best guitar pedals around.
So how does VFE do?
Quite Cool: The DOD Ice Box
Posted: November 16, 2011 Filed under: Chorus, Modulation 1 Comment
Don’t let the name fool you; the DOD Ice Box is a warm sounding chorus pedal. And don’t let the price fool you either; it doesn’t cost much, but it ain’t cheap.
DOD guitar pedals are a friendly reminder of a time not too long ago when affordable stomp boxes were built with quality and durability in mind. Unfortunately, times have really changed.
Digital Fuzz? The Boss FZ-5
Posted: October 30, 2011 Filed under: Fuzz 1 Comment
The term “digital modeling” stirs up as much emotion as “global warming.”
When fuzz is thrown into the mix of binary code and guitar tone, Hell tends to freeze over.
The Boss FZ-5 proudly displays the COSM badge on its shiny, silver exterior. For some, it is a sign of progress. For others, the letters might as well be scarlet.
Pretty in Pink: The Ibanez AD9 Analog Delay.
Posted: October 24, 2011 Filed under: Delay Leave a comment
It’s pink and pretty. Its sound is borderline gritty. Oh, am I giddy.
The Ibanez AD9 Analog Delay is a classic delay that has been around since 1981. Luckily for most, its sound has changed very little since its introduction.
The AD9 is — as the name implies — analog.
So what?
Crunchy and Delicious: The Choad Blaster
Posted: October 19, 2011 Filed under: Distortion 2 Comments
Yes, you read it right: Choad Blaster.
It’s a rather coarse name for anything other than a sexual aid, but it’s still an appropriate one.
It’s a kinky little thing. It has a black paint job, various colored knobs and control labels that are printed on the bottom of the pedal.
It looks different from most pedals because it is different. In fact, the Choad Blaster is very different.
And different is good.
So which … err?: Morley ABY Channel Switcher
Posted: October 9, 2011 Filed under: Channel Switcher Leave a comment
(Insert epic sounding reverb effect)
THERE WILL BE NO SOUND DEMO FOR THIS POST ..POST ..POST!
The Morley Channel Switcher does not produce any sounds of its own — it’s a channel switcher for crying out loud. So … NO SOUND FOR YOU!
But, alas, the Internet is filled with plenty of questionable reviews of this compact and rugged channel switcher, and I am here to give the straight dirt.
Bland and Boring: The Boss DS-1
Posted: October 6, 2011 Filed under: Distortion Leave a comment
What do these two things have in common?
They are good for smashing nails into wood and self-defense. Unfortunately, the list ends there, and I wouldn’t want to play my guitar with either.
Maybe I’m being too harsh. The Boss Distortion would make a better doorstop than the hammer.
TZ2: Thee Fuzz?
Posted: October 2, 2011 Filed under: Fuzz Leave a comment
This is my dog, Chow. He hates The Fuzz.
He hates The Fuzz so much he won’t even look at it. Plug The Fuzz in and he will leave the room. Play The Fuzz and he will pee on your stuff.
The Guyatone TZ2 — known as The Fuzz — is a terrible creation. It’s small, it’s loud and it’s shrill.
Blame Godlyke for putting it out. It’s a nasty thing. Ear-piercing high frequencies garble up chords and leave notes sounding like they’re being chased by 20,000 bees.
Two cheap knobs: One for loud and one for hurt. Well, the hurt knob is actually called “Depth.” Perhaps it refers to how far it will pierce your brain.
The pedal is held together with a rubber band and a flimsy metal plate. The enclosure looks like an ashtray, and the electronics are squished in there for dear life. The footswitch feels like it’s broken — but it’s not.
There are a lot of reasons to hate this pedal, but I can’t.
The Green Bastard: Boss PH-2 SUPER Phaser
Posted: September 26, 2011 Filed under: Modulation Leave a comment
You know that really sad commercial about abused animals? The one with Sarah McLaughlin’s “In the Arms of an Angel” playing in the background? I think of that commercial when I look at my poor Boss PH-2 SUPER Phaser, the one I have lovingly named “The Green Bastard.”
I found The Green Bastard at Noisebug in Pomona for a rather sad $15. It was covered in grime and looked pathetic — it smelled bad too.
Being the good human I am, I saved Greeny from a quiet death. A thorough cleaning took care of some of the cosmetic flaws, but it was still damn ugly. Lucky for me, it sounded a lot better than it looked.
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