Electro Harmonix Q-Tron vs Mu-Tron III Envelope
November 16, 2008 by Chazders · Leave a Comment
Way back in the early Seventies, a company called MuTron made waves in the guitarworld with the introduction of the Mu-Tron III, the world’s first envelope follower pedal. This ingenious device provides automatic wah effects, using the dynamics of the input signal to control frequency and resonance so the tone varies in relation to how hoard the strings are struck. Although the Mu-Tron III can emulate a wah-wah pedal quite convincingly, its real strength is its synth-like swells, drippy clicks and duck-like quacks.
Funk players like Parliament bassist Bootsy Collins flocked to this pedal in droves as they no longer had to worry about balancing their stacked platform soles on a rickety wah-wah pedal to get expressive, vocal-like tones. The Mu-Tron III also was a crucial element of Jerry Garcia’s and Frank Zappa’s sounds, and it even found flavor with keyboardists such as Stevie Wonder, who used a Mu-Tron III on his hit “Higher Ground.”
Unfortunetly, the Mu-Tron company folded as the Seventies came to a close. Engineer Mike Beigel, who designed the original Mu-Tron III, dropped out of the musical instrument business for years, but in the late 90’s joined forces with Electro-Harmonix’s Mike Matthews to resurrect a new and improved version of this desired effect.
The Electro-Harmonix Q-Tron offers many of the same features and functions as the Mu-Tron III, plus a few improvements. Like the original, the Q-Tron has a drive switch with up and down settings, a hi/lo range switch and variable gain and peak controls. The Q-Tron differs from its predecessor in that it includes a boost switch, an overload indicator and the addition of a mix setting to the mod selector, which also offers band-pass, low-pass and high-pass filter settings. The effect is housed in a sturdy stainless steel case similar to those used for E-H’s Deluxe Electric Mistress and Deluxe Memory Man.
But the biggest differences in the Q-Tron’s vastly improved sound and responsiveness. We compared the Q-Tron side-by-side with an original late Seventies Mu-Tron III, and it only took a few minutes to determine that the Q-Tron is superior. The Q-Tron can accurately duplicate the Mu-Tron’s most desirable sounds, but it can be tweaked even further to provide fatter bass, more cutting highs and ominous, floor-shaking swells. The pedal is especially responsive to picking dynamics, making it easy to generate expressive effects. Within minutes, even the most mild-mannered players were transformed into fire-breathing funk monsters.
The End Line
George Clinton once said, “You can’t fake the funk,” but thanks to the Q-Tron it’s easier than ever to get nasty, booty-shakin’ tones. Exceptionally responsive and dripping with attitude, this pedal provides some of the juiciest envelope follower sounds in existence.
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Kustom Double Cross Guitar Amp Head
November 15, 2008 by Chazders · Leave a Comment
Kustom got metal? Remember back in the day when you might recall those kind-of-weird yet kind-of-cool colorful car seat-like padded tuck-and-roll jobs? You know, the colorful /sparkly padded amps Creedence Clearwater Revival were known to use back in the late Sixties and early Seventies… Read more
Tune me up, Scotty
November 9, 2008 by Chazders · Leave a Comment
For back-porch strumming, being a few 100ths of a semi-tone out of tune Read more
Blackheart BH5H Amplifier Review ‘The Little Giant’
November 7, 2008 by Chazders · Leave a Comment
Blackheart Engineering has brought the guitarworld an amazing all-tube, vintage-styled BH5H head. The little guy has a 1×12 extension cab (BH112 cabinet) loaded with an Eminence speaker, a solid classically joined 15-ply (18mm) void free plywood cabinet box. The Blackheart is also available in a combo model (BH5-112). Read more
T-Rex Twister Chorus/Flanger Pedal
October 29, 2008 by Chazders · Leave a Comment
T-Rex introduces the latest member of the stomp box family of effects named, the Twister. The Twister contains both flanger and chorus in one single rugged box, which makes it an outstanding choice for guitarists!
Flanger and Chorus are two all-time classic effects that are so closely related that a single stomp box can produce them both. T-Rex wanted to give you both great effects in a single pedal. While the chorus produces a compelling sparkle and shine to your sound, the flanger puts a funky blend on both single-notes and chords. Hear it for youself, and you’ll discover how it’s the wild and unusual effect you’ve been longing for.
The Twister is packed with features that make sure that you get the chorus or flange blended just the way that you want. What’s more, the Twister has a mono output for running through an amp on stage, and stereo outputs for the studio and live stereo situations. In chorus mode, the light/heavy switch allows you to quickly toggle between two classic variants of the chorused sound, while the tone control allows you take off some of the top for a more subtle effect. And rest assured: like every pedal T-Rex makes, The Twister not only sounds phenomenal, it’s extremely rugged.
T-Rex Twister specifications:
* Input Impedance @ 1KHz: 464KOhm
* Output Impedance@1KHz : 370hm
* Power supply: 9V DC (Power tool 9)
* Minimum Power supply Voltage: 8,5V DC
* Maximum Power supply Voltage: 12,5V DC
* Current Draw @ 9V DC: 81mA
* Maximum input signal Vp/p: Adjustable
* Battery Type: 9V battery 6F22
* Battery Life: 1/2 to 1 Hour
* External connectors: Input Jack. Output Jack (L), Output Jack (R), 9V DC jack
* Controls: On/Off, Level, Depth, Regen, Tone, Rate, Chorus/Flanger, Light/Flanger
* Depth: 120mm
* Width: 100mm
* Height: 55mm
* Weight (excl. battery): 0,430Kg
Visit their official web site at www.t-rex-eng.com.
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Marshall VT-1 Vibratrem
October 22, 2008 by Chazders · Leave a Comment
While this pedal could more aptly be named the “Radiohead,” that’s the only complaint we have about this superlative stereo vibrato/tremolo pedal. Although designed to replicate the warm, pulsating slutter of the classic circuit found in Vox amplifiers, the VT-1 adds such modern amenities as adjustable speed and depth controls and a sweepable wave control that allows the modulation waveform to be reshaped form a mellow triangle to an intense square. And while distorted amp settings would render a less-muscular tremolo virtually inaudible, the Vibratrem came through loud and clear. Warm, natural and, when necessary, even gnarly, this unit delivers as well as many fancy-pants boutique units costing twice as much.
The Marshall VT-1 Vibratrem can be had at a very reasonable price at MusiciansFriend.com.
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Marshall SV-1 Supervibe Chorus
October 20, 2008 by Chazders · Leave a Comment
Marshall based this stereo pedal on the chorus circuitry of their popular AS80R and VS265R Valvestate amps. Considering the top-notch performance of the SV-1, that seems to have been a sound decision. In addition to lush, ensemble effects, the SV-1 also does an admirable job creating convincing rotary speaker effects with its speed control maxed out. Lo-fi vintage effects can be easily created with the filter control, which allows for high-frequency attenuation. The extra-sexy wave control lets you choose or blend between fixed- and variable-speed low-frequency oscillators, a feature you’d normally expect to find heavy-duty rack-mounted multi-processors. Like the Vibratrem, the SV-1 meets with a chorus approval.
The Marshall SV-1 Supervibe Chorus can be had at a very reasonable price at MusiciansFriend.com.
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Marshall ED-1 “Edward” Compressor Pedal
October 19, 2008 by Chazders · Leave a Comment
Producing a smooth, even sustain that faintly recalls the tone of a certain Dutch-born shredder, the “Edward” is a valuable tool for tone-conscious players who need to vary the sustain and attack of their guitar’s sound. The ED-1 is capable of creating everything from smooth legato leads to funky clean chords to choppy chicken pickin’.
Kudos for the nifty emphasis control, which allows the compression effect to be assigned to particular frequencies. Although its effect is imperceptible through the first half of its sweep, the control can be used to give bass notes a much-needed squash while leaving the treble register virtually unaffected.
The End Line
For the money, the Marshall ED-1 Edward Compressor Pedal is one of the superior sustainer’s out there. Very easy to use, with somewhat noticeable but subtle tonal differences, the Marshall ED-1 has great features and gets the job done.
The Marshall ED-1 Edward Compressor can be had at a very reasonable price at MusiciansFriend.com.
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BB-2 Bluesbreaker II Marshall Stompbox
October 19, 2008 by Chazders · Leave a Comment
Modeled after Marshall’s original Bluesbreaker pedal, the BB-2 offers two modes instead of one. The unit’s clean, but merciless boost function can pummel an amp’s input stage or drive long cables without altering the tone of your guitar, while the blues mode uses the pedal’s drive and tone controls to create a wide range of valve-like overdrives rich in 2nd-order harmonics.
The BB-2 worked extremely well with a vintage Marshall Super Lead, producing no low-end loss when interacting with the amp’s power tube distortion. It’s performance was equally commendable with a blackface Fender Princeton, where the BB-2’s ultra-musical crunch was plainly in evidence.
The End Line
The BB-2 Bluesbreaker is a great pedal. The blues feature delivers nice, smooth drive which allows for singing highs and roaring lows. The boost feature is a bonus considering the cost of this pedal. The boost feature delivers a nice clean “BOOST” to your signal, which can be used for soloing on an already distorted amp.
I was also impressed by the fact that the BB-2 got in Hendrix like “fuzzy” territory, simply by using the blues function with the amp setting just a tad bit dirty. I use the BB-2 coupled with my crybaby classic and, I must say, that doubled the Hendrix vibe.
Overall: Wonderful Pedal I would recommend it to anyone that likes the blues but also want that extra “BOOST”.
I wouldn’t recommend this pedal with solid state amps.
The Marshall BB-2 Bluesbreaker II can be had at a very reasonable price at MusiciansFriend.com.
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Schaller Hannes Bridge
October 18, 2008 by Chazders · Leave a Comment
Roland Hannes partners with Schaller-Electronics to bring the guitarworld new innovations.
The newly announced Schaller “Hannes” bridge is claimed to be “the best of all worlds,” and “outstanding combination of sound, innovation and perfection of the highest quality” with “premium standards with no frills.” Well, we can certainly agree on one thing, the sleek design and functionality of this unique bridge is definitely appealing.
How does the bridge fit on the guitar and how does it work? Installation is undeniably fascinating; the bridge sits directly on the guitars surface. It features a separate couple unit for each string, allowing individually adjustable intonation and height. Each string is fed via a separate coupler which is individually adjustable in terms of intonation and height. Access technical details and drawings by going to Schaller’s TZ file.
How does it sound? The design decouples each string from its neighbors, allowing every string vibration to be transferred directly and independently to the body, improving harmonic response and definition.
How does it feel? This is one of my favorite features, no protruding screws, edges or spikes at all and the flat design ensures outstanding playing comfort. Another thing that I find interesting is the bridge features a ‘Graph Tech String Saver’ design; everything is contoured perfectly for the players who like to rest their palm on the bridge. The sharp edge that some bridges have, namely, the Tune-O-Matic, some players, like myself, may have found them a bit uncomfortable. Feels great - Check!
What other benefits come with the Schaller Hammes Bridge? As mentioned above, the ‘Graph Tech String Saver’ saddles are heat-treated high-performance polymers with Teflon, which ensures minimal friction on the string contact points. The Teflon significantly extends string life 15% - 25%.
What’s more, the Hannes Bridge is available in nickel, chrome, gold, black chrome, ruthenium and satin finishes. Price for the Schaller Hannes Bridge is TBD.
Learn more about the new Schaller “Hannes” bridge at Schaller’s official website.
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