Xploration • Curation • Recommendation
The new Tru-Fi Mini Pedals with top-mounted jacks are now available at Joe's Pedals in the UK
Key Points
Short answer: if you want more transparency and headroom go with the ’71 Colordriver; if you want a slightly more vintage, colored, mid-forward character go with the ’69.
Why:
- Both Minis share the same control layout and 18V/9V option, but the ’71 is the “cleaner”/higher-headroom take while the ’69 tends to color the tone more (vintage grit).
- You’ve already noted the 18V option gives more headroom — that’s exactly why the ’71 is likely the better match if you want transparent boost/overdrive that preserves your guitar/amp tone.
- Practical: both are in stock at Joe’s Pedals for £199, so it’s easy to compare in person if you can.
Quick starting settings to audition:
- For transparent boost (’71): Treble 11–1 o’clock, Bass 11–12, Drive low, Voltage 18V, Master ~12 o’clock.
- For vintage/colored drive (’69): Treble 12–2 o’clock, Bass 12–2, Drive moderate, Voltage 9V for a touch more compression and coloration.
Also note: Two Face Fuzz Mini removes the input-gain knob from the full-size, and Newton ’Klone’ and Rat Pack Mini aren’t currently stocked but can be ordered by Joe.
Demo to listen to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4OpBAQGsTU
If you tell me your guitar, pickups, amp and the sounds you use (clean headroom, pushed amp, lead boost, OD stack), I can recommend more specifically or give exact knob presets.
I’ve pictured all 5 Mini Editions released to date - while only 3 of these are currently available at Joe’s Pedals - the ’69 and ’71 Colordrivers, and the Two Face Fuzz Face - which I own in original full-size edition - per the centrally pictured pedal in the visual!
The mini Pedals mostly have the same controls - as you can see by the 2 Colordriver models - which still have those 4 knobs (including one on the side), while the Mini Two Face drops the Input Gain knob which comes with the full-size original edition.
All Mini Pedals are priced at $199 by default, £199 at Joe’s Pedals.
’69 Colordriver Overdrive Mini
- Controls - Treble, Voltage : 18V / 9V, Bass, Drive, Master Volume on side.
’71 Colordriver Overdrive Mini
- Controls - Treble, Voltage : 18V / 9V, Bass, Drivel, Master Volume on side.
Two Face Fuzz Mini
- Controls - Volume, Voicing : ’69 / ’70, Fuzz, Bias.
Not yet available in the UK are the Newton ’Klone’ Mini, and Rat Pack Overdrive Mini. Do let Joe know if you’re after either of those two - and he can order those in with the next Tru-Fi restock.
My dilemma here is which of the two Colordrivers to go for - which do you guys recommend - ’69 or ’71 - the original 18V edition typically delivers more transparency and headroom - so possibly the ’71 is the optimal take for me?
Only one of these pedals has had a demo made to date - as below!
Demos
