Xploration • Curation • Recommendation
Japan's HTJ-Works has the coolest compact HWS-100AS Sustainor Preamp take of Tom Scholz's Rockman Sustainor Rack Unit
Everyone should be familiar with the MXR Rockman X100 Headphone Amp / Analog Tone Processor by now - which the MXR pedal of the same name is derived from. It was one of last year’s big releases - where I acquired mine back in March of that year.
But the XR100 was only one of several Tom Sholz signature devices. He made a far more expansive Rockman Sustainor Rack Unit - which is here in HTJ-Works’ beautifully streamlined 10-Controls HWS-100AS Sustainor PreAmp compact unit - which for me is the coolest take on that Sustainor to-date. Another Japanese brands - GOAT makes an even more extensive BlueSeries Rockman Sustainor - but in a much larger enclosure. I’ve always preferred compact units - and so the HTJ-Works is my weapon of choice here. It may seem pricey too - while the GOAT version is typically at $675 - which is nearly double the HWS-100AS - which retails for ¥53,900 - the equilvalent of $345.
It seems like every Japanese Boutique pedals is around $350 - at least the ones that I desire!
The Signal Path for the HSW-100AS goes : Buffer ⇒ Compressor ⇒ Pre-Main ⇒ Phase ⇒ Cab Sim ⇒ Output Stage.
The device has 2 Channels CLN & LEAD - where you have 3 options for the former - Semi, CLN, CLN2 [direct out], and 2 options for the latter - LEAD & EDGE.
HTJ-Works HWS-100AS Controls - Treble [LEAD/EDGE], PreGain, Sustain : 0 > 8 > 15 > 21, Bypass Buffer on side, Level, T-Boost, Notch, CLN Options : SEMI / CLN / CLN 2 [Direct Out], LEAD Options : LEAD / EDGE, Boost [LEAD/EDGE], Phae, 5-bar LED Output VU Meter, CLN/LEAD Footswitch, Bypass Footswitch.
MXR Reckman X100 Controls - Gain Mode : Clean 2 / Clean 1 / Edge / Distortion, Volume (Master), Input Gain / Compression, Chorus : Off/On, Internal Mono > Stereo Output Switch (via TRS Cable), CTRL - Remote Gain Mode Switch - e.g. MXR Tap.
HTJ-Works have done the following ’mapping’ visual - which shows which of the Rockman Sustainor controls the pedal matches up to, and which ones it streamlines! :
The HWS-100AS Sustainor Preamp goes straight onto my wishlist, while I've still to assign a priority to the acquisition.
This is a killer take on a legendary Tom Sholz device - and the $345 equivalent price tag actually seems about right for this complexity / nature of pedal.
Everything about this pedal appeals to me - including the looks of it, and it's smartly configured feature set - which cleverly omits some of the controls from the source device - which it keeps all the essentials onboard for a really feature-rich and expansive Preamp / Boost / Overdrive - with multiple deployment capabilities.
Most are eminently family with Japan's 10 or so major pedal brands which are very widely available. While the Japanese Boutique Pedal scene is hidden away from most, and those pedals are usually quite a bit harder to get hold of. In fact many Japanese boutiques brands don't export pedals by default - so you need to use freight-forwarding services like Tenso.
I have a fairly significant wishlist of Japanese Boutique Pedals - some of which seem to be almost entirely unobtanium!
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