The StarCrash 70’s Collection re-skins 4 Catalinbread classics (Adineko, Katzenkönig, SFT, and Valcoder) and adds 2 brand new period correct pedals - a Screamer-type SideArm Overdrive, and a 70’s style StarCrash Sustaining Fuzz.
I really like the styling of these - which enclosures come in a really appealing apple-green sparkle, and where prices vary from $179 to $209 for the Adineko delay.
I only own the standard Katzenkönig from this circuit selection, I’ve had the SFT on the wishlist...
February can often seem a rather odd month after the hustle and bustle of NAMM Show January - where a lot of new stuff always gets announced - while increasingly outside the NAMM schedule - but certainly in and around it! Projects delayed from the previous year often get released in January, but this year those kind of seem to be more spaced out - with some not feted to happen until March / April. February always seems slow compared to January, and that sometimes extends into March too before ...
The first batch of the BHS-D had uniformly white insides, while batch 2 had mostly gold interiors, my copper one, and one in Zonk blue! I would have doubly lucked out if the circuit anchor posts had remained brass as in the first batch, but they were switched to steel in this new batch. I still feel that my copper insides provide the best complementary colour scheme to the components - really sets off the greens and yellows of the resistors and capacitors, as well as the footswitch ...
The 4th and final variant of the Facet family. This is based on the 2-transistor Tone Bender variety made by the Italian Jen Factory - for Vox - in 1966.
It has the least amount of low-end of any of the Tone Benders / Fuzz Faces - and can be considered to have a somewhat Treble Booster like profile - with enhanced highs. Lots of players love it because its somewhat brighter profile tends to cut through more in the mix.
Markus has unearthed some really special vintage Philips silver-face...
In my recent review of the Kernom Moho Magmatic Fuzz - I already lauded it to the high rafters as the greatest Multi-Fuzz pedal ever created. It’s the perfect tool for proper fuzz fans - and in particular for those who have fully mastered the relatively tricky Zvex Fuzz Factory and similar - all those should get along with the Moho fabulously. Newbie fuzz fans may find the device a little tricky to dial in - as every knob impacts the texture and tonality of the output - so pretty much all 6 ...
CAVEAT EMPTOR! : Someone just did a breakdown of the Warm Bender - and alas - those are not NOS transistors - not even in the slightest - in fact rather more ordinary grey market knock-offs - not one of the Germanium Transistors has any sort of pedigree or provenance - which very much explains how Warm Audio could sell this at such a low price, For me this should be filed under ’False Advertising’. Weirdly I still have a vague desire to own this pedal - but it’s not nearly as...
This is far from Blammo’s first attempt at a Zonk Machine - where I covered its earlier Zonch Machine in a 2020 Zonk genre rundown. I had always intended to pick up one of those at some stage - but as is sometimes the case it’s as well that I held out as I feel that their newest variant is likely their best take yet.
It’s a properly authentic and wholly vintage inspired 3-Germanium Transistor construction - utilising Soviet MΠ38A flying saucer types. It has a few modern concessions - ...
The second phase of the Reeves Electro DaughterBoard Series sees 4 cool takes on the 2-Transistor Fuzzes which evolved in 1966. We’ve already had a taste with the more modern-leaning and mid-forward Facet IZ Fuzz Face, where we also have takes on the Tone Bender MK 1.5, Vox Tone Bender, and original Arbiter Fuzz Face Distortion. You then get an opportunity to order the Facet IZ again at the end of the month (28th Feb) - and indeed you can order the whole set of 4 then if you wish!
Each of ...
I’m delighted to report that my friend and yours Vitalii Bobrov - of Drunk Beaver fame - at last has a proper website / webstore for his pedals - DRUNK-BEAVER.ROCKS - where his full current range of 19 pedals can be purchased - of course when in stock.
All these pedals are made in relatively small batches (20 or so at a time) and when there is high demand as there often is - then stock clears out very quickly and then there is typically a wait of around 3-4 weeks before more stock is ready ...
So 2024 is off to a pretty spirted start! I treaded myself to 2 pedals right at the tail end of the year - the Poly VERBS puts in an appearance in this month’s selection - while the Reeves Electro BHS-D is running a touch late and will be part of the February selection instead.
This time of the year has to be mostly about NAMM - while I feel that a lot of builders kind of took away from NAMM and launched / showcased their new release in advance!
I’ve still to make it to NAMM - timing’s ...