The tone wizards at EarthQuaker Devices are back at it tackling the arcane art of transistor-based distortion. The EarthQuaker Devices Zoar is their latest effort in delivering incredibly interactive, medium-high gain distortion. The Zoar is built on old-school circuitry, but features a modern hi-fi sound with amp-like sensitivity. Each Zoar offers a fully analog signal […]
In 1987, Mike Soldano released a soon-to-be legendary amplifier: the Soldano SLO. The 100-watt, high-gain, shred-ready amplifier has since become one of the most coveted in history. Since then Soldano has gained a loyal following, with Mick Mars (Motley Crüe), Warren de Martini (Ratt), and Howard Leese (Heart) adopting the SLO as their go-to tone. […]
Sterling by Music Man crafts more affordable versions of guitars and basses by their big brother brand, Ernie Ball Music Man, allowing everyday musicians to experience a performance instrument at a fraction of the price. When Ernie Ball Music Man released their DarkRay in partnership with Finnish bass amplifier and pedal brand Darkglass Electronics, players […]
Imagine being able to select and combine your favorite characteristics from multiple Keeley-designed overdrive and boost circuits! The Keeley Noble Screamer does just that with four amp-like overdrive modes that are 100% analog. Select from two tone circuits with broad spectrum tone control or a narrow focus filter control. Want more versatility? Go from a […]
Marshall’s history of designing guitar pedals dates back to the late 1960s. But in the late ’80s, music was changing, and the need for a dimed-out Marshall distortion tone was higher than ever. Enter the Mark 1 series of Marshall distortion pedals. Within this original lineup, two pedals in particular — the DriveMaster and ShredMaster […]
In the 1970s, London, England-based Orange Amplification reached into the depths of their own amplifier circuits and pulled out a family of signature effects players came to adore. Today, the Orange Vintage series of pedals celebrates Orange’s legendary history, with modern recreations of those very effects. The Orange Vintage Distortion, Sustain, and Phaser all draw […]
Nearly every pedal company offers an overdrive effect. It’s a decently simple circuit to create, and there are a ton of variations available on the market today. From the first overdrives that were built to emulate tube amp breakup, to the modern active EQ-equipped studio darling ODs, overdrive pedals can serve a higher purpose on […]
How many gnarly rodents can you stuff into a stompbox? The JHS PackRat features nine rodent-style distortion versions all available on a single knob. Think replication, not emulation. When JHS founder Josh Scott crafted the original prototypes of the PackRat, he examined 45 different versions of the famous rodent-style stompbox. Now with the JHS PackRat, […]
The EarthQuaker Devices Hizumitas is a fuzz pedal designed for Wata, guitar sorceress of the legendary experimental band Boris. Wata collaborated with EarthQuaker Devices’ own Jamie Stillman to reproduce the incredible, unattainable tones from her Elk BM Sustainer fuzz pedal. The simple yet effective design offers three knobs to control your desired fuzz tone. The […]