The MXR Custom Badass ‘78 Distortion pedal is the first in a line from MXR that is designed to roar like a huge stack as well as sound like a worn-in vintage tube amp. MXR claim to have hot-rodded this distortion pedal for over-the-top soaring leads and rich saturated rhythms. I think they succeed. This pedal packs quite a punch!
Here is a perfect example of a forgotten and underrated guitar pedal that should be an essential pedal in everyone’s board, the MXR Vintage 1974 Phase 90. If you don’t have one, you’re probably wondering what it does and how it can benefit your playing?
Regardless of which British Invasion you prefer, The Beatles in the ’60s or the New Wave of British Heavy Metal in the early ’80s, “this pedal just might be your bag” or should I say, “should be on your pedal board”.
Since their inception in 2004, Pigtronix has pursued a conceptual approach to pedal design called F.A.T. – Futuristic Analog Tone. Pigtronix has distilled the essential soul of tube overdrive into the straightforward yet remarkably flexible design of the new FAT Drive.
NAMM 2012, like most years, has failed to disappoint in unveiling new and exciting guitars and in my opinion Epiphone have produced this years must have guitar. It doesn’t help my cause that I am a huge Kiss fan but when you consider every aspect of it, the looks, its heritage and most importantly the way it sounds its right up there with the best of ’em.
I have to admit, I was a bit skeptical when I first started to check out the Amplitube App and iRig attachment for the iPad (also available for the iPod and iPhone). As someone that grew up in a day and age when if you wanted a new amp sound, you bought a new amp, and the best effects were single pedals or the occasional multi-effects unit that beat expectation.
I love testing distortion pedals just as a wine aficionado loves collecting and tasting wines. I feel that there is a place and song for every distortion pedal. I enjoy the simplicity of a good stomp box in a world of digital rack mounted clutter and complication. I don’t have the time nor want to read a one hundred page manual to figure out how to program a unit. I want to plug my guitar into a box, step on it, and be blown away. That is exactly what happened when I hit the gas on The PolySaturator by Pigtronix.
As I’ve explained in the past, when it comes to gear, I’m very much of the “No Expenses Spared” camp. This is what we do; it’s our passion and our life – you wouldn’t see Monet working with Crayola or Gordan Ramsay serving up KFC in one of his dishes would you? I’m not going to waste your time telling you about every little piece of gear I get sent unless it’s something that REALLY catches my ears and I’m happy to use night after night.
Who hasn’t picked up the guitar and not wanted to sound like their idol? For me growing up it was Eddie Van Halen. The desire to capture his sound on “Unchained” was always key and the only way to do was to find a Flanger – that magical flame sound and jet engine sweep!
This monster of an effects pedal features 21 different filter sweeps, and each is completely customizable. The Frequency knob sets the center frequency of whichever sweep is selected, which can range from super-low and bassy to bright and brittle. The Sweep Range knob controls both the direction of the sweep (up or down) and how wide of a frequency range it covers. The Speed knob controls both the speed of the sweep’s attack and decay. On the left side of 12 o’clock, the Speed knob controls the attack and decay together, but on the right of 12 o’clock, the attack stays on the fastest setting and the knob only controls the decay.
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Do you love the guitar and all things guitar related? 
