ao link
Filter content by area of interest
Amps
Boost and Overdrive
Delay
Distortion
Fuzz
Guitars
Modulation
Pitch
Reverb
Utility
All
All
2024-GPX-Catalinbread-Belle-Epoch-Family-700.jpg

We’ve had a number of pedals released into Catalinbread’s Belle Epoch Tape Echo family - starting with the original 2015 compact edition. The Deluxe edition arrived 2 years later, and and 2 years after that we had a large-format Epoch Pre - Preamp/Buffer, which is alas discontinued now.

 

In fact 2024 kind of sees something of a replacement for that Epoch Pre - in the shape of the 4-controls Epoch Bias - Preamp/Bias pedal.

 

The range currently consists of 5 pedals - One large DLX, a mini, ...

Stefan KarlssonPopularCommentsRSS FeedContent Subscriptions

2023-GPX-Catalinbread-Super-Charged-OD-700.jpg

I believe the SuperCharged OD was first out in and around 2009 - in a 3-knob edition then - with Volume, Gain and Contour controls. The new one is significantly re-tooled with numerous refinements to the circuit - including an entirely new Tilt EQ control and with more range overall, while the same core 8 x MOSFET gain stage topology remains.

 

It’s a really full-throated, thick and juicy amp-like overdrive with an incredibly high degree of shaping - where the Tilt EQ pivots around the 800Hz ...

Stefan KarlssonPopularCommentsRSS FeedContent Subscriptions

Catalinbread unleash the Deluxe edition of their Dirty Little Secret Plexi Drive - to go head-to-head with the Tsakalis AudioWorks Room #40

BoostBoost and OverdriveCatalinbreadDistortionDriveMarshall Style DistortionOverdriveTsakalis Audio Works+-
2023-GPX-DLS-vs-Room-40-Main-700.jpg

I’ve long been saying that Catalinbread should be externalising the SB / SL switch of its DLS - which for such a long time has been an awkward-to-reach internal dip-switch. They finally decide to do it in this Deluxe edition which comes with additional Presence and Boost controls / functions too.

 

I’ve owned a compact DLS for quite some while - and it’s a decent Plexi type for sure - supposedly Andy Martin’s favourite, but has never quite been one of my own absolute favourites - unlike the ...

Stefan KarlssonPopularCommentsRSS FeedContent Subscriptions

Walrus Audio enters the Budget Pedal Arena with its incredibly well-considered Fundamental Series initial offering of 8

Boost and OverdriveCatalinbreadChorus and VibratoDelayDigital DelayDigital ReverbDistortionEarthQuaker DevicesFenderFuzzGibsonJHS PedalsMaestroModulationOverdrivePhaserReverbTremoloWalrus AudioWampler+-
2023-GPX-Walrus-Fundametnals-vs-Budget-700.jpg

Most people consider JHS Pedals’ 3 Series launch back in October of 2020 as the catalyst and forerunner of this particular effects pedal industry Budget phase / development. While I would go back to August of 2019 to EarthQuaker Devices’ first $99 pedal - the Plumes Small Signal Shredder OD - as the starting point of this trend.

 

Of course Josh Scott was the first to issue a full range of $99 pedals - where he launched with 7 white utilitarian / industrial style 3-knobs + 1-switch - somewhat...

Stefan KarlssonPopularCommentsRSS FeedContent Subscriptions

9 cool pairs of Vox-in-a-Box and Marshall Plexi style Pedals which have, or are about to fill slots #17 and #18

Bearfoot FXBispell AudioBoost and OverdriveBossCatalinbreadDistortionGreer AmpsMarshall Style DistortionMenatoneMI EffectsPettyjohn ElectronicsVictory AmpsVox AmplifcationVox Style Distortion+-
2023-GPX-9-x-Vox-Marshall-700.jpg

Readers of this blog will know that I’ve long and consistently had 2 key pedal types in my pedal-chain - namely a Brian May Vox style pedal, and an Eddie Van Halen Marshall Plexi style pedal - which for the last number of years have populated slots #17 and #18.

 

My very first pairing was the hybrid set of Bearfoot FX EGDM and MI Effects Super Crunch Box V2 - which overall probably served the longest innings on those two slots.

 

Since that first pairing we’ve had matched brand pairs - from...

Stefan KarlssonPopularCommentsRSS FeedContent Subscriptions

15 of the Best Compact Enclosure Vox in a Box style Overdrives

AMT EffectsAMT ElectronicsBearfoot FXBispell AudioBoostBoost and OverdriveBossCarl MartinCatalinbreadDriveGreer AmpsLovepedalM.A.D. EffectsMenatoneOverdrivePettyjohn ElectronicsVictory AmpsVox AmplifcationVox Style DistortionWestminster Effects+-
2023-GPX-Vox-Style-Pedals-700.jpg

It’s been a while since I last did a Vox-in-a-box roundup - in fact all the way back to my 2018 12 of the Best Vox Style Pedals feature - so it was about time I did an update. Readers will know that I always have a Vox pedal in my pedal-chain - occupying what is now slot #17.

 

It started with the Catalinbread Galileo way back when - and then following this rough sequence :

  1. Catalinbread Galileo
  2. Bearfoot FX Emerald Green Distortion Machine Silver (Silicon) - longest raining to-date
...
Stefan KarlssonPopularCommentsRSS FeedContent Subscriptions

2022 Best New Time-Based Effects Pedals of the Year

Alexander PedalsAmbient EffectsAnalog DelayBest in ClassBlack Country CustomsBossCatalinbreadChase Bliss AudioColortone PedalsDeath By AudioDelayDelay WorkstationDigital DelayDigital ReverbDouble TrackingDr ScientistEchoverbFree The ToneJAM PedalsKeeley EngineeringKinotoneLaney AmplificationLine 6Lo-Fi DelayMerisMojo Hand FXOddball DelayOld Blood Noise EndeavorsPigtronixPlate ReverbPLBR EffectsPolarbear EffectsRack Style ReverbReverbReverb WorkstationReverse DelayReverse ReverbShimmer ReverbSolidGoldFXSpacey ReverbSpring ReverbStrymonTape DelayWalrus AudioWamplerZander Circuitry+-
2022-best-New-Time-Based-Pedlas-Annual-700.jpg

So this is the first selection here where I only own a handful of the candidates - it’s easier to say what is in the reference collection than out :

  • Boss RE-2 Space Echo Compact - $249
  • Boss RE-202 Space Echo Deluxe - $399
  • Chase Bliss Generation Loss MKII Stereo Magnetiser - $399
  • Chase Bliss Habit The Echo Collector - $399
  • Meris LVX True Stereo Modular Delay System - $599
  • Old Blood Noise Endeavors Screen Violence Stereo Saturated Modulated Reverb Pedal - $279

Of those the Gen Loss II ...

Stefan KarlssonPopularCommentsRSS FeedContent Subscriptions

2022 Best New Fuzz Pedals of the Year

AC NoisesAcorn AmpsAnasoundsBardic Audio DevicesBest in ClassBig Ear PedalsBig Muff Style FuzzBlack Mass ElectronicsCalico EffectsCatalinbreadCoffee Shop PedalsColortone PedalsDrunk BeaverElectro-HarmonixFjord FuzzFrost Giant ElectronicsFuzzFuzz Face Style FuzzFuzz-Drive and FuzzstortionFX TeacherGated and Velcro FuzzGermanium FuzzHeather Brown ElectronicalsKeeley EngineeringKing Tone EffectsKMA AudioLoe SoundsMaestro Style FuzzMastro ValvolaModulated FuzzOctave FuzzOddball FuzzOpAmp FuzzOscillating FuzzPigtronixRainger FXRed Noise PedalsReeves Electro Guitar PedalsSilicon FuzzSilktoneSolidGoldFXStomp Under FootSuper-Fuzz StyleTampco PedalsThorpyFXTone Bender Style FuzzTriungulo LabWalrus AudioZander Circuitry+-
2022-GPX-Best-of-New-Fuzzes-Annual-700.jpg

So for the end of year Fuzz selection the only pedal of note that came a little too late to be included in this roundup was the very recent Reeves Electro BlackHatSound Deluxe Wedge - of which only 15 units have been made so far. Markus has promised me I can get copper insides when the next batch comes around - so I can complete my set!

 

Other than that everything of note that I’m aware of is included here in this selection. Again I own most of these - while there are still some down on the ...

Stefan KarlssonPopularCommentsRSS FeedContent Subscriptions

Catalinbread unleashes smart semi-budget One Knob Elements Series of Overdrive, Distortion and Fuzz Pedals

Boost and OverdriveCatalinbreadDistortionDriveFuzzFuzz Face Style FuzzOverdriveSilicon Fuzz+-
2022-GPX-Catalinbread-Elements-Trio-700.jpg

Kind of taking a leaf out of JHS Pedals’ and Fender’s playbook  - or their respective 3 Series and Hammertone Series budget ranges. Catalinbread has sort of delivered its own range of 3 semi-budget pedals - priced not at the killer $99 or below benchmark - but at 50% more at $149. In some ways there is less here than those others’ typically 3+ knob designs. While the Catalinbread Elements Series has THT components onboard versus the others’ SMT types, and a lot of time has been spent crafting ...

Stefan KarlssonPopularCommentsRSS FeedContent Subscriptions

Catalinbread channels the Yamaha FX500 for its Soft Focus Reverb Instant Shoegaze effect pedal

CatalinbreadChorus and VibratoDigital ReverbOctaverPlate ReverbRack Style ReverbReverb+-
2022-GPX-Catalinbread-FX40-Reverb-700.jpg

I’m not usually one to get excited about Mono Reverb pedals - but Catalinbread definitely have a special pedal on their hands here. Grabbing the Soft Focus Reverb algorithm from Yamaha’s late 80’s budget FX500 Rack Multi-FX - it splits a Plate Reverb algorithm into 3 separate paths - one which adds a subtle Upper Octave, one which adds Chorusing Modulation, and the 3rd of which passes the Reverb effect through unadulterated.

 

You then have 3 independent controls to fine-tune each of the ...

Stefan KarlssonPopularCommentsRSS FeedContent Subscriptions
News Navigation






















































Paul Smith
9 of the Best Mid-Size Fuzz Face+ Pedals
"Don't know if you would count this, but I "...
7 days ago
Richard kupisz
Oneder Effects' Onederbolt is a beautifully textured distortion with 4 gears of operation
"Stefano, have you considered signing up to one of "...
11 days ago
Paul Smith
Expandora extracts the Forbidden Fuzz Mode for a standalone extended-range Fuzz
"Bit of a bump here, but having just attended to "...
15 days ago
Jet Hasie
Robert Keeley Boss Mods Trifecta
"Hey Stefan, that freak fuzz seems so cool thank "...
16 days ago
Cyril Demaegd
2024 February Pedal-Chain Update - Episode II - Triple Tremolo Flutter
"As usual very inspiring. I'd be curious to "...
18 days ago
Waiting