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17 Oct

Catalinbread CSIDMAN Glitch/Stutter Delay

Gladesville Guitar Factory | guitarfactory.net | RRP: $299

As conjurers of sonic behaviours and characteristics, Catalinbread are able 
to infuse in each of their pedals an important sense of worth and value. In this vein, many of the manufacturer’s most recent pedals have recreated past sounds and technologies with a focus on specific traits and mannerisms. It’s this very path that has lead the innovators
at Catalinbread to create the CSIDMAN Glitch/Stutter Delay – a stompbox that equips the clarity of a digital delay with the glitch-like imperfections of portable CD player – making it possible for everyone to pull off a Jonny Greenwood glitch-solo.

17 Oct

12 Oct

Keeley Electronics The Dark Side Effects Pedal

Keeley Electronics | robertkeeley.com | RRP: Expect to pay $410

Ever popular, constantly designing and refining, and somewhat resurgent in terms of new products, Robert Keeley and his team have landed another success in the form of their ‘Workstation’ pedals. Keeping the pedal form factor but combining more than one effect, they’ve proved a tuneful solution to covering a few pedals in the one unit. Taking a Pink Floyd style bent with this particular pedal, the aptly named Dark Side features some Gilmour-esque type effects and a few extra-hip features to stretch your imagination.

12 Oct

7 Oct

LunaStone Effects Overdrive Pedals

Amber Technology | ambertech.com.au | RRP: Wise Guy $499, Big Fella $499, Three Stage Rocket $599

If there’s one thing all guitarists are without fail; it’s hard to please. As gear stands today we are subject to a sheer mountain of choice and possibility so immense that only the twin monoliths of memes and porn can overshadow it. We straddle the three main branches of the Tree of Dirt (distortion, overdrive and
 fuzz) wantonly as monkeys and clamber about on any and every combination and permutation in search of the elusive tonal Holy Grail. Many of us fall off in the climb but occasionally someone will have enough singularity and clarity of vision to tap into something really special. Sure, all of this sounds fantastic, but imagine trying to build and market something like that, something that the throngs of SRV-a-likes and wannabe-Iommi’s could all agree to stomp on. Talk about a tough job...

7 Oct

19 Sep

Carl Martin Lick Box – Greg Howe’s Signature

Innovative Music | innovativemusic.com.au | RRP: $499

If you haven’t seen, heard or used a Carl Martin pedal in the last year or two, you must have been living under a rock. You should get down to your local guitar store and try a few of them, because they are some great sounding pedals at very smart price points. I’ve played with most of the pedals in their range, and today I got to try a new addition. One that is going to get a lot of tone nuts jumping up and down for a go. With that, I would like to introduce you to Greg Howe’s Signature Lick Box, the latest in a range of pedals that has been designed by the team in Denmark. Now, if someone’s tone is worth trying to capture, Greg Howe is going to be right up there on the list. Carl Martin has done just that for you.

19 Sep

14 Sep

Keeley Electronics Compressor Pro

Keeley Electronics | robertkeeley.com | Expect to Pay: $450

The very beginnings of Keeley Electronics hark back to a modified Ross Compressor. That initial mod laid down the foundation for redesign and innovation that, today, sees the company as a major player in stompbox technology. Still central to this ongoing success is the compressor effect. In this particular area of development 
they always seem one step ahead of the rest, a prime example of which is the Keeley Compressor Pro. In line with the entire Keeley range, this unit pushes the boundaries of what we have come to expect from a compressor.

14 Sep

14 Sep

Radial Engineering Tonebone Mix Blender And JDX Direct Drive

Amber Technology | ambertech.com.au | RRP: Mix Blender $379, Direct Drive $349

Not being an engineer myself, I guess it’s not my place to guess, but I don’t imagine that when most people first pick up a soldering iron they say to themselves “I’m gonna make something that no one will ever know is there!” Looking at the extensive Radial Engineering catalogue, it seems they really excel at being the silent partner in
 the business of sounding good. You would have seen the logo, which I found out is a dissection of a piece of quad-core cable, on their ever-popular JDI passive DI box. This unassuming, indispensable, industry standard little green box is easily one of the most trusted conduits available and as a result the Radial name has become synonymous with precision and unflinching transparency.

14 Sep

12 Sep

Lovepedal Purple Plexi

Gladesville Guitar Factory | guitarfactory.net | RRP: $319

Minimising controls and maximising tone, that’s the mantra of Lovepedal stompboxes. The boutique pedal manufacturer is responsible for making the one-knob pedal not only a viable option, but also a vehicle for distinct settings and a myriad of tonal options. Next to pedals of greater stature, excessive functionality and overcomplicated controls, Lovepedal units hold their own with skilfully sculpted tone. The ‘less is more’ approach is one that they take very seriously, perfectly embodied by their updated Purple Plexi. Now with three control knobs instead of four, this new redesign aims to tap into decades of Marshall Plexi tone.

12 Sep

24 Aug

Keeley Electronics Silver Bullet Fuzz Pedal

Keeley Electronics | www.robertkeeley.com | RRP: $255

Robert Keeley has been building, modding and refining pedals
 for many moons. A lot of his creations have become staples on pedalboards around the world, from uber rock stars to studio cats 
to bedroom bashers and those just beginning their foray into tonal exploration. A respected engineer, his enthusiasm for tone has never seemed to wane, and the recent revamp of the Keeley look, website and a tonne of new designs shows that he’s working as hard as ever.

24 Aug

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