When the original version of Walrus Audio’s Mako Series I [M1] emerged back in 2022 I wrote that there was much to like, but I kind of missed the absent Flanger and Dimension algorithms which are core to a couple of my other favourite Multi-Modulators (Terraform & Synesthesia) - and which I use a lot. I also use the 16 Modulations on my Eventide H90 - which has most everything I need, but lacks a Dimension Chorus too.

In fact the most expansive pedal in that category is the GFI System ...

In the same format and enclosure of the fairly recent Silvetone 1484 Twin Twelve Preamp with the same distinctive knobs, we have another analog Twin style pedal - this time a modulator, with independent footswitches for each channel.

I really like how the Mini Volume Knobs light up to show each channel that is on - a really elegant execution - that I look forward to seeing more of!

Controls - OPTICAL } Speed, Depth, Volume, Footswitch; HARMONIC } Speed, Depth, Volume, Footswitch.

Ports...

So my good friend Adrian Thorpe had a tough time of it towards the end of last year - where he was forced to retire several models at the time - owing to the evolving RoHS hard ban on Vactrols - or LDR’s (Light Dependent Resistors) as they contained tiny trace amount of a carcinogenic compound - cadmium sulphide. This applies to Europe and much of the rest of the world, but currently not the Americas. It does mean that pretty much every authentic lightbulb Uni-Vibe is impacted - which is why ...

So PastFX’s Modulation quotient is up to 11 varieties now - 4 Choruses, 3 Phasers and 4 Flangers - all killer! And all very much favourites in my Reference Collection, where in fact I also have earlier editions of the Elastic Mattress, and Hot For Flanger - so I very much own a baker’s dozen of these!

• CHORUS - Chorus Ensemble Mini (DLX Boss CE-1), Stereochorus PX65 (DOD FX65), New Division (EHX Clone Theory), Kurt’s Cologne (EHX Small Clone).
• PHASER - Foot Phaser Deluxe (Foxx Phaser),

This Rounder Sounds Zebra-Trem review was planned to have happened last month, while the pedal was held up in customs for too long, and then ended up being temporarily mis-placed within the local postal delivery service. And when it finally arrived it had obviously been a little ’battered’ along the way -  i.e. likely dropped once or twice, and as a result - right at the start - the screen was simply just not appearing / booting up. Everything else worked fine - the blinking LED came on, and we...

These Hangman fx pedals have been doing the rounds somewhat of late - both Emily Hopkins and the Superfunawesomehappytime chaps received bumper care package of these fairly recently. And Intheblue’s Shane Diiorio and Mike Hermans have at least one apiece.

I do hope Guitar Pedal X can be more involved at the front of these sorts of brand launch events. I mustn’t grumble really - I do get included in many a release schedule, and plenty gets sent my way - but weirdly I still feel like I’m ...

When I did my recent ’9 Notable Brazilian Guitar Pedal Brands’ overview - a reader noted that I should have included Cachalote Audio also (Sperm Whale in Portuguese!) - which at the time was wholly unknown to me. They do have worldwide ambitions though - having an English language Website also, and a presence on Reverb.com - which I noted previously is fairly rare for Brazilian brands - who mostly seem to keep themselves to their native MercadoLivre Marketplace.

In any case - having been ...

Brazil is a fascinating guitar pedal marketplace - mostly inward looking, and mostly closed off from the rest of the world. I was the first European I believe to get Aura Amps and Tone Ink pedals shipped out of Brazil. Some of those brands have some experience of shipping up the landmass and into Central and North America, but little or nothing ventures across the waters in either direction.

Andy Timmons has long favoured the GNI/ NIG Music OctaFuzz (as pictured left of centre) - where I’ve...

So I’ve been meaning to do this article for a while, but kept putting it off - in the hope that we might see more brands materialising from this country. That has not been the case though - so now seems as good a time as any to focus on the small but mighty trifecta of Croatian brands - Dawner Prince Electronics, DryBell Musical Electronic Laboratory and Polarbear Effects.

I typically have a grid of a 9 for this style of article - so here I’ve selected my favourite 3 choices from each brand...