Back in 2003, Dan Coggin’s Dinosaural created a silicon transistor circuit which sort of combined elements of a Tube Sceamer and a Tone Bender - and hence the ’Tube Bender’ moniker. I believe the earliest models were in Silver sort of 1590BB style enclosures, and the later ones were in Black.

From 2003-2007 a total of around 150 were made. And in the intervening years several takes on that circuit emerged - including the Aion FX Wyvern in 2020, and the Drunk Beaver T-Rex a year later - ...

I’ve had the full-fat Beetronics SeaBee Harmochorus from the very start, but found it somewhat complicated to use, and while I still own it, it hasn’t had a rotation for a while. It took some time, but I had eventually gotten used to the Zzombee Filtremulator - which is equally complex, but the Harmochorus never fully gelled for me - while I have always loved the sound of its output.

This Lite Edition is a fantastic take - which carries most everything which made the original great - but ...

Freqscene’s Wade has a unique knack for spinning out distinct and very individualistic takes on classic effects. His Wave of Modulation Phaser adds a Transistor Preamp into the mix - which warms up and enhances the modulation. And in place of the more typical 2 and 4 Stage phasing, Wade has added a further stage for increased range and more complex modulation textures.

The modulation is further enhanced by Slow and Fast Rate Ranges - which bring out further details in those extremes of ...

So for the final session in this initial BFC sound-shaping series - I loaded in my Germanium 2N1308 Transistors - which are used to great effect in the 2007 EQD Hoof Fuzz Edition, and the circa 2022 Loe Sounds She Fuzz Edition. Both those used a combination of 2N3904 and 2N1308 transistors.

I started off with the exact same settings as last week’s V7C Green Russian profile - where I preferred the BC337-25 Transistors throughout. This time around I tried all transistors in various ...

The RK2000 is only just now officially released! While in fact there have been 2 Custom Shop PGH editions available for a while in Glow White or Black editions - with or without those handy 2-switch Remote Footswitches. Those are priced at $369 solo and $420 with the remote - courtesy of the Keeley Custom Shop. Those custom shop editions have a small colourful PGH fish icon on them too - which some will really like

The now launched Standard Edition RK2000 is seemingly a sort of dark bronze-...

Supposedly the secret sauce / magic ingredient of many a classic studio recordings was the use of these Compander + Boost devices. Which Compress, Expand, and Sweeten your core tone. We often thing that the core components - the amps and pedals and guitar matter the most - while the final sound was frequently down to this kind of studio magic - now available in a compact stompbox - for legendary front-of-chain action!

I already have a system of boosts at the heart of my rig - but I really ...

So my Wilson Effects Capstone has landed, and it’s exactly as the demos indicate. It can be incredibly subtle and exceptionally transparent. And has an inherent sweetness to its output. You really need to crank it to get it to reveal its more textured side.

With the MOD switch to the left - things remain so transparent and subtle - it’s so incredibly transparent. While I quite like to get some mix of harmonics into the mix - which involves cranking a number of the dials.

Controls - GAIN...

Mark at Summer School Electronics has made the perfect first classic fuzz - for anyone wanting to experience the best of that circuit style in the ultimate format. Essentially a Type II BC108 Silicon Fuzz Face with additional Tone knob and external Bias control.

I prefer all my Fuzz Faces and Tone Benders to have external Biases - as it’s such a key tool for adjusting the nature and timbre of the fuzz - and gives you more flavours and versatility. Further tone controls are incredibly handy ...

This new generation delivers 2 / 4 and 6 Stage Phasing in an incredibly handy format - with the perfect complement of controls for maximum impact. The original version had a Phaser / Vibrato switch, which has been felt surplus to requirements on this occasion - considering the already fabulous Diamond Vibrato - which I have and love.

All the Diamond Modulation pedals are great - where I’ve still to acquire the Tremolo, and will also be getting in this Diamond Phase at some stage - while I ...