March 2021 – HomeToneBlog.com

31st March 2021

New Arrivals: March 2021

It’s been a very quiet month for new arrivals. This time, it’s mostly down to me.

(The second hand market here is still a mess, but that’s a topic that probably deserves its own blog post …)

I’ve been enjoying both the Mad Professor Sweet Honey Custom and Sweet Honey Deluxe Overdrives so much, I’ve just not been very curious about the pedals that have been cropping up on the second-hand market this month.

But, you know me: I’m always on the lookout for tweed-tone pedals, and this month, I picked up a couple that are pretty rare in their own ways.

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First Impressions: Brantone Electronics Vintage Tweed Overdrive Pedal

Earlier in March, I picked up a second-hand Brantone Electronics Vintage Tweed overdrive pedal.

Read on for my First impressions. Spoiler alert: I like this pedal a lot.

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First Impressions: TH Custom Effects AZABACHE Overdrive Pedal

Earlier in March, I picked up an unbranded pedal from eBay. It was sold as an AZABACHE pedal by TH Custom Effects. Does it live up to the hype of “the best sounds [sic] Fender Tweed Amp simulator I ever heard”?

Read on to find out my first impressions.

28th March 2021

Quad Cortex: Why I’m Passing On It

Neural DSP’s Quad Cortex is finally shipping. As one of the early backers, I have the chance to get one of the first units, before they hit the shops.

I’ve decided not to.

20th March 2021

Joe Gilder’s Latest Tips On Recording Fingerstyle Acoustic Guitar

This year, I’m learning how to record acoustic guitar. I’ve got a lot to learn. To help me learn, I’m keeping an eye out for any helpful YouTube videos from professional engineers and producers.

Like this one 🙂

Joe Gilder has just posted his tips for recording finger style guitar, as a five-step process that anyone can follow.

18th March 2021

#PlayAlternative: Heritage Guitars

Got a short-but-sweet one, for anyone who’s after an alternative to the mighty Gibson Les Paul.

Andertons have just posted a video introducing Heritage Guitars’ Standard Series to their audience. Have a listen!

In terms of tone, I reckon it’s all there. To my ears, the H150 model sounded like a good Les Paul.

Let me know if you agree or not, in the comments below.

18th March 2021

The PRS S2 McCarty 594 Is Finally Here!

PRS announced the S2 McCarty 594 back at Winter NAMM 2020. I ordered one the same month … and then shortly after, the global pandemic began.

I ended up cancelling my order later in 2020, as there was no sign of it actually shipping to the UK. Fast forward to March 2021, and the S2 McCarty 594 that I ordered has finally reached these shores!

What is it like? Read on to find out 🙂

2nd March 2021

First Impressions: ToadWorks Leo Jr American Overdrive

A couple of weeks ago, I bought a second-hand Leo Jr overdrive pedal.

The photo shows the ToadWorks Leo Jr pedal, photographed from an angle above.

The pedal itself is black, with a gain knob at the top left, and a level (volume) knob at the top right.

I’ve been after one of these for a long time. Now that I have it, was it worth the wait?

1st March 2021

New Arrivals – February 2021

It’s been a quiet month.

The second hand market … is a bit weird right now. It’s become all-too common for asking prices to be close to (or even above!) the original retail price. It isn’t just rare or vintage gear that’s seeing high prices, either.

Instead, I’ve focused on trying to make the most of what I’ve already got – especially my Telecasters. I think it’s been a month well spent.