Xploration • Curation • Recommendation
2 of the best from Seymour Duncan have just recently landed - the Diamondhead Multistage Distortion + Boost, and Polaron Dual Modulated 2-16 Stage Analog Phase Shifter
I first covered the Diamondhead back in November of 2019, and it’s been on the wishlist ever since. I guess I was never presented with the right opportunity - until I came across it during my Christmas visit to Reykjavik’s 2 main pedal shops - Tónastöðin and Hljóðfærahúsið.
It turns out that it was the only reasonably priced pedal that I encounter in Iceland - where it was priced at 32,500 ISK which amounts to around £192 equivalent. I had my father in tow - and he managed to wrangle a further senior citizen discount - meaning that it cost me just £180 or so - which is as close to a bargain you get in Iceland. Near enough every pedal I encountered was around 20% dearer than UK Pricing - as is expected of Iceland really as it’s generally a way more expensive country. There was some serendipity in my finding the one pedal that was reasonably priced - it’s the only bargain I spotted in Iceland - where it arrives in the reference collection nearly 6 years later on.
I was so impressed by the Diamondhead that I sought out the Polaron from the same range - which I discovered discounted at GuitarGuitar. My good friend Phil @ Pedal Experiment had raved about his recent acquisition of those same pedals in his end-of-year roundup - so all that was fairly fresh in my mind while I vacationed in Iceland for the Christmas period.
Both pedals are incredibly expansive and fabulous sounding - and well worth it even at full $229 price. I feel for sure that I have the 2 best pedals from the Seymour Duncan range.
They both go for £229 on the Seymour Duncan Webstore - but vary enormously in price across the various UK stockists. Both pedals were acquired very opportunistically!
Further details on each below :
Diamondhead Multistage Distortion + Boost (Plexi & JCM800 Coverage) - $229
Controls - Bass ±13dB, Mid ±13dB, Treble ±13dB, Boost (+15dB), Level, Gain, Saturation : On/Off (SD 805 OD), Boost Footswitch, Distortion Footswitch.
Great authentic high fidelity sounding Marshall style distortion - covers Plexi and JCM800 tones with ease and more - and has a smart and potent Boost - which you can then add in an 805 saturation to. The circuit further benefits from a 3-Band Active EQ for ultimate output shaping and every way killer Marshall tones. Generally the profile leans a little more towards modern and searing - compared to the more vintage sounding Carl Martin Plexi Ranger - which landed around the same time - and is also active currently on the board.
The Diamondhead is expansive - while also being relatively easy on the dial in. A great extended coverage Marshall style pedal - which joins that top tier selection now too.
Polaron Dual Modulated 2-16 Stage Analog Phase Shifter - $229
Controls - ENVELOPE } Sens, Depth; LFO } Depth, Rate, Stages : 2 / 4 / 6 / 8 / 12 / 14 / 16, Resonance (Stage + Reso = Filter), Tune (Centre Frequency), Presets : 1 / 2 / 3 / FS [Tap Tempo], Bypass Footswitch - Hold to flip LFO / ENV Mode, Presets Fooswitch - Hold for Tap Tempo, Select Preset Slot.
I'm not sure why I didn't cover this one at a similar time. Evidently I was otherwise preoccupied - possibly over-indulging on Compact Enclosures - where at times I eschew all but Compact format pedals - I get into that phase every now and again.
There's no doubt the Polaron is an exceptionally espansive analog phaser - covering 2 to 16 Stages in 8 steps, and offering Envelope Modulation as well as LFO. A highly capable and expansive Phaser for sure.
It's every bit as good as its aforementioned sibling here - and those pedals combine exceptionally too. The Polaron has the further advantage of 3 onboard presets. It's funny what evades our notice from time-to-time - and something of a mystery as to why I did not cover it back in the day.
In any case the Diamondhead and Polaron are wholly superb - and I'm delighted to have finally landed them!
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