Xploration • Curation • Recommendation
2026 March Pedal-Chain Update - Episode III - Giga-Muff Multiplier
After the quiet comfort of February, March unleashed an avalanched of work - both in terms of new releases and acquisitions, but especial in the field of Guitar and Pedal expos - where I attended 3 within a month - first The Birmingham Guitar Show at Cranmore Park, then the London Synth and Pedal Expo at Studio 9294, Hackney Wick - and then back to Birmingham for the Noise Maker Market at Centrala, Digbeth - all grand events.
I burned myself out a little this month, and came back willingly empty...
Decades Pedals perfectly revives and improves Multivox's 1978 Big Jam Distortion - which sits sort of adjacent to but distinct from the early MXR Distortion+ and DOD250
So back in the late 70’s, American brand Multivox commissioned Japan’s Firstman Electronics (aka Hillwood) to OEM manufacture a new series of ’Big Jam’ pedals. Of which the Big Jam Distortion was one of the key successes.
The Big Jam Distortion sits somewhat adjacent to the other 2 big late 70’s American distortions - MXR’s Distortion+ and DOD’s 250 - the DOD250 was essentially a clone of the MXR - and both originally had Germanium Diodes - where the DOD250 later changed to Silicon Diodes. ...
Decades Pedals unleashes great first release - the potent OpAmp + Transistors MultiJam Overdrive & Distortion
A brand new pedal from a spanking new brand - and a thoroughly exceptional first attempt. The combination of LM741 OpAmp, at least 2 x C945 Transistors, and killer 1N60 Germanium Diodes. That combination of clipping delivers the most exceptional vibrant and richly textured output - which ramps up quickly from Overdrive to Distortion - while it easily handles both of those disciplines!
Controls - Volume, Tone, Drive, Fat Cap Off/On, Mode : Vintage / Modern (more output and headroom).
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