ao link
Filter content by area of interest
Amps
Boost and Overdrive
Delay
Distortion
Fuzz
Guitars
Modulation
Pitch
Reverb
Utility
All
All

2024 January Pedal-Chain Update - Episode I - Blues-Driven

Ambient EffectsBig Muff Style FuzzBlues Breaker Style OverdriveBlues Driver Style OverdriveBoostBoost and OverdriveDigital ReverbDistortionDrunk BeaverEnvelope Filter and Auto WahFuzzGermanium FuzzKuro Custom AudioMarshall Style DistortionMetal DistortionModulated FuzzModulationMulti-DriveOneder EffectsOpAmp FuzzOscillating FuzzOverdrivePedal ChainPlate ReverbPoly EffectsPreAmpRack Style ReverbReverbReverb WorkstationShimmer ReverbSinverteksmallsound/bigsoundSpacey ReverbSpring ReverbSubdecay EffectsTone Bender Style FuzzTremoloTru-Fi Guitar EffectsVictory AmpsWinnipeg Electrical Co+-
2024-GPX-Pedal-Chain-Update-January-700.jpg

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 ...

Stefan KarlssonPopularCommentsRSS FeedContent Subscriptions

Zoom release a compelling 200-Flavours Compact Gain Workstation - the MultiStomp MS-200D+

BoostBoost and OverdriveDistortionDriveDrive WorkstationDual-DriveFuzzMetal DistortionMulti-DriveOverdrivePreAmpZoom FX+-
2024-GPX-Zoom-MultiStomp-MS-200Dplus-V2-700.jpg

As soon as I saw this I thought - ’mini Boss OD-200’ - at least in concept. Zoom effects are fully DSP as far as I’m aware - so we don’t get a JFET input section like on the Boss and Strymon Hybrid / Digital gain pedals - while there should still be plenty of interesting flavours to be found here. The Bixonic Axentrix and Mooer Model X Preamp X2 were both instrumental in convincing me that you can get really decent gain voicings just from digital - also the Neunaber Neuron - all stand-alone ...

Stefan KarlssonPopularCommentsRSS FeedContent Subscriptions

My Sinvertek N5 MGAT-1 Golden Era DS99 Hyper Preamp has landed!

Blues Breaker Style OverdriveBlues Driver Style OverdriveBoostBoost and OverdriveBrown Sound DistortionDistortionDriveDrive WorkstationKlone and Transparent OverdriveMarshall Style DistortionMetal DistortionMulti-DriveOCD Style OverdriveOverdriveSinvertekTweed Style Overdrive+-
2024-GPX-Sinvertek-N5-MGAT-1-GE-Detailed-700.jpg

Wow - what can I say! The original N5 MGAT-1 was already my favourite distortion of all time - so I initially thought that this was going to be a sort of sideways step from that with more specificity to reach certain key classic era Marshall tones more easily and more precisely - and it certainly does that. While Mr Wu has kind of blown me away again - as this is incredibly a further improvement over the already exceptional MGAT-1.

 

The MGAT-1 Golden Era seems a little bit more poised and ...

Stefan KarlssonPopularCommentsRSS FeedContent Subscriptions

End of Year Pedal-Chain Update - Final Formation - Class of 2023

ALABS AudioAmbient EffectsAnasoundsBig Muff Style FuzzBispell AudioBitcrushing and Lo-FiBixonicBlues Driver Style OverdriveBoostBoost and OverdriveBossBrown Sound DistortionChase Bliss AudioChorus and VibratoCompressorCoppersoundDecibelicsDelayDelay WorkstationDigital DelayDigital ReverbDistortionDouble TrackingDriveDrive WorkstationDual-DriveEchoverbElectric LoveEmpress EffectsEnvelope Filter and Auto WahEQEventideFjord FuzzFlangerFortin AmpsFuzzFuzz Face Style FuzzFuzz-Drive and FuzzstortionGated and Velcro FuzzGermanium FuzzGlitchGuitar Synth and SequencerHello Sailor EffectsHologram ElectronicsIntensive Care AudioJackson AudioJAM PedalsKernomKeyztoneKlone and Transparent OverdriveLo-Fi DelayLooperMaestro Style FuzzMarshall Style DistortionMessiah GuitarsMetal DistortionModulated FuzzModulationModulation WorkstationMulti-DriveMulti-FXNoise GateOctave FuzzOctaverOddball DelayOddball FuzzOddball ModulationOpAmp FuzzOscillating FuzzOverdrivePalmer Custom FXPastFXPedal ChainPedalPalFXPickup ModellerPitch-ShiftingPlate ReverbPoly EffectsPreAmpRack Style ReverbRainger FXReverb WorkstationReverse DelayReverse ReverbRing ModulationRotary SpeakerShimmer ReverbSilicon FuzzSpacey ReverbSpring ReverbStrymonSuper-Fuzz StyleSwellTape DelayTark AudioTC ElectronicThorpyFXTone Bender Style FuzzTremoloTubescreamer Style OverdriveTubesteaderTweed Style OverdriveUtilityVox Style Distortion+-
2023-GPX-Pedal-Chain-Update-Class-of-2023-700.jpg

The final arrangement for the year - all the pedals that impressed the most!

Stefan KarlssonPopularCommentsRSS FeedContent Subscriptions

2023 Guitar Pedals of the Year - The Best of the Best

ALABS AudioAmbient EffectsAmp and Cab IR SimAnalog DelayBest in ClassBig Muff Style FuzzBitcrushing and Lo-FiBlues Driver Style OverdriveBoostBoost and OverdriveBossChase Bliss AudioChorus and VibratoCollision DevicesDelayDelay WorkstationDigital DelayDigital ReverbDistortionDouble TrackingDriveDual-DriveEchoverbElectric LoveFjord FuzzFlangerFlower PedalsFuzzFuzz Face Style FuzzFuzz-Drive and FuzzstortionGated and Velcro FuzzGermanium FuzzGranular DelayHello Sailor EffectsHologram ElectronicsJackson AudioJAM PedalsKernomKeyztoneLo-Fi DelayMaestro Style FuzzMarshall Style DistortionMeris EffectsMessiah GuitarsModulated FuzzModulationModulation WorkstationMulti-DriveMulti-FXOctave FuzzOddball DelayOddball FuzzOpAmp FuzzOscillating FuzzOverdrivePalmer Custom FXPastFXPickup ModellerPlate ReverbPoly EffectsRack Style ReverbRainger FXReverbReverb WorkstationReverse DelayReverse ReverbShimmer ReverbSilicon FuzzSpacey ReverbSpring ReverbStrymonSuper-Fuzz StyleTark AudioTC ElectronicTremoloUtility+-
2023-GPX-Best-of-the-Best-Pedals-700.jpg

So we featured 120 pedals across the 5 Genre categories this year - as you’ve witnessed over the last 5 days, and those have been whittled and distilled down to these 27 Magnificent and Exceedingly Flavoursome candidates.

 

Picking out the very best of those is obviously a slightly subjective exercise while based on a series of exacting criteria - including innovation, versatility, practicality, variability, playability, quality of manufacture, quality of output and sheer enjoyment.

 

Here ...

Stefan KarlssonPopularCommentsRSS FeedContent Subscriptions

2023 Best New Distortion Pedals of the Year

Bardic Audio DevicesBest in ClassBrown Sound DistortionDistortionDriveDrive WorkstationDrunk BeaverDSM & HumboldtDual-DriveEarthQuaker DevicesElectric Eye AudioEmpress EffectsFairfield CircuitryFortin AmpsFunny Little BoxesHoopla PedalsIntensive Care AudioLaowizMarshall Style DistortionMessiah GuitarsMetal DistortionMulti-DrivePedalPalFXSua DevicesTWA EffectsUAFXUniversal AudioVemuram+-
2023-GPX-Best-of-Distortion-Pedals-700.jpg

A decent showing on the Distortion side too - with some particularly great High Gain Distortions. I was due to review the Licthlaerm Gehenna and Medusa also - but with Daniel Ringl’s workshop move - that didn’t quite get sorted this year - hopefully early in the new year - and then I can update the ’Full Metal Racket’ selection which exercise I normally do late Autumn!

 

There’s couple of really cool filter distortions here that I really like - the Intensive Care Audio Vena Cava Filter / ...

Stefan KarlssonPopularCommentsRSS FeedContent Subscriptions

2023 October Pedal-Chain Update - Episode X - Transformation Multipliers

All-PedalBardic Audio DevicesBoostBoost and OverdriveBossDistortionDriveDrunk BeaverDual-DriveElectric Eye AudioEnvelope Filter and Auto WahFlattley Guitar PedalsFuzzFuzz Face Style FuzzFuzz-Drive and FuzzstortionGated and Velcro FuzzGermanium FuzzHello Sailor EffectsIntensive Care AudioLoe SoundsMarshall Style DistortionMetal DistortionModulated FuzzModulationMuir Audio DesignMulti-DriveOscillating FuzzOverdrivePedal ChainPhaserRainger FXSilicon FuzzSpaceman EffectsTark AudioTone For Punk+-
2023-GPX-Pedal-Chain-Update-October-700.jpg

Wow what a wild ride of a month - one of the busiest to date - bookmarked with two superb events. You really need to read my event round-ups - they’re so full of little details - and of course personalities - the bigger friendship network and sort of family that makes up this magnificent sector in many ways. For sure everyone is in hard competition with each other for the same customer money - but there’s genuine warmth of spirit - a friendliness and willingness to cooperate and get along. Both...

Stefan KarlssonPopularCommentsRSS FeedContent Subscriptions

Universal Audio finally completes its UAFX Amp Modeller Quadrilogy with the notably hitherto missing Lion '68 Super Lead Amp / 3-way Plexi style Preamp

Boost and OverdriveDistortionDriveMarshall Style DistortionMulti-DrivePreAmpUAFXUniversal Audio+-
2023-GPX-UAFX-Amp-Modeller-Quadrilogy-700.jpg

Universal Audio launched its UAFX Amp Modeller range in May of last year (2022) - consisting of the Woodrow 1955 Fender Tweed style Preamp, Ruby 1963 Vox AC30TB style Preamp, and Dream 1965 Fender Deluxe Reverb. Many wondered why UAFX had decided on 2 Fenders and a Vox as being its initial offering versus the more obvious Fender / Vox / Marshall trifecta that everyone is so familiar with. I guess they felt they hadn’t quite nailed those chewy Marshall tones yet.

 

The certainly have now - and...

Stefan KarlssonPopularCommentsRSS FeedContent Subscriptions

12 Degrees of Saturation 2023 Compact Edition

12 Degrees of SaturationAll-PedalAudiostormBardic Audio DevicesBig Muff Style FuzzBispell AudioBixonicBlackhawk AmplifiersBogner AmplificationBoostBoost and OverdriveBossBrown Sound DistortionChase Bliss AudioCKK ElectronicsCustom TonesDemon PedalsDistortionDr ScientistDriveDrive WorkstationDrunk BeaverDryBell EffectsDual-DriveEmpress EffectsFeaturedFoxpedalFriedman EffectsFuzzFuzz Face Style FuzzFuzz-Drive and FuzzstortionGermanium FuzzGreer AmpsHamstead SoundworksJ RockettJackson AudioJHS PedalsJRADKMA AudioMarshall Style DistortionMenatoneMessiah GuitarsMetal DistortionMI EffectsMidValleyFXMulti-DriveNordland ElectronicsOhmless PedalsOpAmp FuzzOrigin EffectsOverdrivePettyjohn ElectronicsRedbeard EffectsREVV AmplificationSilicon FuzzSinvertekSnouse Electric CompanySpaceman EffectsSuhrThorpyFXTone Bender Style FuzzTone InkTsakalis Audio WorksVictory Amps+-
2023-12-Degrees-Compact-Edition-700.jpg

This article has been a long time coming - where I originally started this ahead of the Mini Edition - which went live on January 24th. I was waiting for a couple of new pedals to be released - while the article has been iterated around 20 times now with a number of recent additions.

 

And the pedal I was waiting to launch still hasn’t quite happened, while the builder has authorised me to tease it in advance of its official release. And if I were to do the same exercise tomorrow - no doubt ...

Stefan KarlssonPopularCommentsRSS FeedContent Subscriptions

2023 July Pedal-Chain Update - Episode VII - Fuzz Buzz

Beetronics FXBig Muff Style FuzzBispell AudioBlues Driver Style OverdriveBoost and OverdriveBuzzing Bugs Audio DevicesDistortionDriveDrunk BeaverDual-DriveDumble Style OverdriveFormula B PedalsFuzzFuzz Face Style FuzzFuzz-Drive and FuzzstortionGreat Eastern FX Co.J RockettJRADKatanasoundMaestro Style FuzzMessiah GuitarsModulationMulti-DriveOctave FuzzPedal ChainPedaltrainSilicon FuzzTone Bender Style FuzzTubescreamer Style OverdriveUni-Vibe and VibeZenZero Electronics+-
2023-GPX-Pedal-Chain-Update-July-700.jpg

July was punctuated by two very significant events - Doug Tolley’s Witney Pedal Party on July 1st, and Phil Steere’s Brighton Guitar Show and FX Expo on July 15th - where I covered both of those in fine detail. Both were seminal events for different reasons, and while we were relatively few at Witney - we got to witness a truly legendary performance by David Rainger - which doubled up as about the best pedal demo I’ve yet / ever experienced - David was truly on fire - and the audience - we ...

Stefan KarlssonPopularCommentsRSS FeedContent Subscriptions
News Navigation






















































Alev Guran
Some Thoughts on the Sheeran Looper+ and Looper X
"Hi Stefan, I’m not a looper pro but I use my "...
18 minutes ago
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 "...
12 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 "...
17 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