dubkitty wrote:some of the modern EXH devices are startlingly good. some of them are kind of goofy, e.g. the Ravish Sitar and keyboard emulators, but they're also putting out a lot of excellent, useful multi-function tools. a long way from the cheap, awful stuff they did in the 70s-early 80s.
i'm a big Fairfield Circuitry fan. i can't use some of their stuff because it's just too far-out for what i do, but it's always full of intriguing possibilities some of which you can't find anywhere else like the variables on the Unpleasant Surprise fuzz.
i adore the old Ibanez Tone-Loc series. i have the Lo-Fi and Phase Modulator, and they're each both functional in a normative context and capable of going batshit crazy.
and though i don't have one, i urge y'all to check out the Epiphone Uptown Kat guitars. they finally fixed the inherent problems with the Wildkat by going to a hollow body with a 335-like center block and loaded it with wicked Firebird pickups. just take off the trapeze tailpiece, slap a Bigsby on that puppy, and Bob's your uncle. i liked the one i tested back when they first came out enough that i really should look into a used one; as you all know i have way too many guitars. but none with Firebird pickups. i'm going to have a hard time saving for a new used car, ain't i?
I'll always have a place in my heart for the 90's reissues of all the EHX big boxes, which are still where it's at for me. Basically, the middle ground between the early weirdos done in with better components and mostly-common PSU's. They seemed to have endless ideas in the pre-internet age that most other companies have borrowed & are still catching up with (still waiting for a reissued Soul Kiss or Freedom Amp pedal, someday?).
However, I have too many issues with modern EHX build quality, inasmuch that I absolutely stay away from their new stuff, even though it pops up in the Poor/Non-Functioning sections where I frequent my shopping most. But if they were to make something that sounded like the guitars on that Sky Ferriera LP (it was mostly stacks of plug-ins, so maybe that's up their alley), I would have to cave in, but I still feel kinda stupid for even considering the Micro Freeze, knowing what I know and seeing what I've seen over the years.
An Epi Uptown popped up on Dave's a few months ago, and I was super intrigued (it was also only $300!), but I'll have to keep an eye out in the future. Didn't even realize those were Firebirds!
Phosphene Audio wrote:2 entries:
Someone mentioned EHX. I have found problems with some of their pedals over the years, but I have had a Ring Thing since they appeared and I both have never had a single problem with it and really like it's feature set.
I previously used a big box Moogerfooger ring mod, and, if one was comparing the two pedals using clean guitar or a synth, the Moog probably had the edge, but as I am playing distorted guitar 90+% of the time, it sounds fine. The fact that it has presets and can instantly tune to a note one is playing with a button press is also useful. You can use it as a frequency shifter (single sideband up or down, as opposed to both at once). This is a little less cluttered than going full Ring Mod and is what I use. You can do pitch shift with it, but I don't.
I also can't say enough nice things about the Dead Air Studios Projekt V. It is, of course, based on the WEM Project V. It sound incredible and legit has a wide variety of sounds in it. It also has plenty of output available unlike a lot of vintage clones (I'm aware that's just how the vintage designs are, not specifically a flaw, but not useful to me).
I wanted one of the Ghost Warmjets, which admittedly look a little cooler, but this was cheaper, as well as actually available.
On this one, I don't find the second bias pot necessary, but YMMV. The more interesting stuff happens with the first one.
Moog Ringmod is the absolute ring mod, and I really should've kept one instead of selling 'em (too many of 'em) off a few years ago
Project V is on my list, though I do have a Dirge vs. Ghost Warmjet (Dirge built on a Ghost PCB) I'll probably offload soon (major regerts already, truly, madly, deeply), since i have car repair bills incoming this November....
But all of those Dead Air projects are totally smooth, and absolutely worth the time: I have a Bow Echo diy'd prototype that I just love to bits, and I'm trying to keep myself from shelving some pennies away for a Sawzall
Also, to add to the Delight thread, I'd like to add the Boss Hyper Fuzz, which I still never repurchased, but used almost exclusively for about 15 years before I went all Tone Der Todesking and knew any better. It was endlessly useful! It was pretty much a perfect pedal.
