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Category: First Impressions

What do I think about a piece of new (to me) gear at first? We all know first impressions don’t last, but at least this way I can look back and see how my opinion has changed from when I first tried something.

Posted on 13th August 202512th August 2025

First Impressions: Origin Effects Deluxe55 Tweed Recreation

Back in June, I bought a Deluxe55 amp-in-a-box pedal by Origin Effects.

This is a photo of my pedalboard.

There are 3 pedals on the board. From left to right, they are:

- Origin Effects Deluxe55
- Lazy J Cruiser Deuce
- Arc Effects Klone v2
Origin Effects Deluxe55, Lazy J Cruiser Deuce and Arc Effects Klone v2 on my pedalboard.

What do I think of it? Here are my first impressions.

Continue reading “First Impressions: Origin Effects Deluxe55 Tweed Recreation”
Posted on 28th July 202527th July 2025

First Impressions: BJFe Honey Bee OD Retro

Earlier this month, I picked up one of my holy grail pedals: a Honey Bee OD made by BJFe.

This is a photo of three guitar effects pedals on the author's pedalboard.

On the far-left, is the BJFe-in-your-hand series Honey Bee Overdrive by One Control. It's a distinctive warm honey colour, with four control knobs on the top surface.

In the middle is the BJFe Honey Bee OD Retro, by BJFe. This pedal is a lighter shade, almost yellow. It has three control knobs on its top surface.

On the right-hand side is the Klone v2 by Arc Effects. This pedal has a metallic gold finish. It spots the Klon's distinctive control knobs.

What do I think of it? Read on for my First Impressions.

Continue reading “First Impressions: BJFe Honey Bee OD Retro”
Posted on 8th July 20255th July 2025

First Impressions: One Control Honey Bee OD 4K Mini Standard

I recently bought the Honey Bee OD 4K Mini Standard, from One Control.

This is a photo of three mini-sized guitar effects pedals on my pedalboard

On the left, in blue, is the One Control Blue Bee OD 4K Mini (BBOD4K-mini for short).

In the middle, in yellow, is the One Control Honey Bee OD 4K Mini Standard (HBOD4K-mini-standard for short). This review is about this pedal.

On the right, in a crimson red, is the One Control Honey Bee OD 4K Mini Custom (HBOD4k-mini-custom for short).

Each mini pedal has four control knobs, for Volume, Gain, Bass and Treble.

Although all part of the same family, and based on the same circuit design, all three pedals sound quite different.

What do I think of it? I’ve made my photo of it the wallpaper on my phone …

Continue reading “First Impressions: One Control Honey Bee OD 4K Mini Standard”
Posted on 3rd June 20252nd June 2025

First Impressions: Tone King Imperial MKII Synergy Preamp Module #TweedTone

Synergy have just released the Tone King Imperial MKII preamp module.

This is a photo of the Imperial MKII preamp module in a (dusty!) Synergy SYN-1 housing.

On the left of the module, there are two rows of three pots, one row per channel.

The top row of three controls are for the Lead channel (the tweed-voiced overdrive channel). They are labelled Volume, Tone, and Mid Bite.

The bottom three controls are for the Rhythm channel (the blackface-voiced clean channel). They are labelled Volume, Bass and Treble.

Next to them are two large, fixed stepped controls. These are the Attenuation controls, one for each channel.

There's a mini toggle switch nestled in between the two large controls. This enables a high-frequency cut.

On the right, there are two more toggle switches, to switch on the built-in, valve-driven tremolo. Next to them are two more pots, for controlling the speed and depth of the tremolo circuit.

I found one in stock here in the UK the day after launch, and ordered it straight away.

Now that it’s here in a very dusty Hermit’s Cave, what do I think of it? Here are my (very positive) first impressions.

Continue reading “First Impressions: Tone King Imperial MKII Synergy Preamp Module #TweedTone”
Posted on 25th December 2024

First Impressions: ThorpyFX The Dane mk2 Overdrive / Boost Pedal

Father Christmas has been, and left me something very purple indeed 🙂

The Dane mk2 guitar pedal from ThorpyFX. A brushed black gunmetal top, with five white control knobs and two foot switches. Purple accent sides.

What do I think of it? Read on to find out.

Continue reading “First Impressions: ThorpyFX The Dane mk2 Overdrive / Boost Pedal”
Posted on 1st October 202430th September 2024

First Impressions: Umbrella Company Hitchhike Drive

I recently bought an Umbrella Company Hitchhike Drive pedal.

What do I think of it? Read on for my first impressions.

Continue reading “First Impressions: Umbrella Company Hitchhike Drive”
Posted on 23rd September 202413th September 2024

First Impressions: Demonfx 83 Drive

I recently picked up an 83 Drive by Demonfx.

What did I think of it? Read on for my First Impressions.

Continue reading “First Impressions: Demonfx 83 Drive”
Posted on 16th September 20248th September 2024

First Impressions: Rockbox Baby Blues Vintage Distortion

I recently picked up one of the pedals on my bucket list: the Rockbox Baby Blues vintage distortion pedal.

What do I think of it? Read on for my First Impressions.

Continue reading “First Impressions: Rockbox Baby Blues Vintage Distortion”
Posted on 14th August 202412th August 2024

First Impressions: JHS Pedals Notaklön

Recently, I picked up a JHS Notaklön overdrive pedal.

What do I think of it? Read on for my initial thoughts.

Continue reading “First Impressions: JHS Pedals Notaklön”
Posted on 13th August 202412th August 2024

First Impressions: One Control Blue Bee OD 4K Mini (BBOD4K) Overdrive

I recently picked up a Blue Bee Overdrive (4 knob version), or BBOD4K for short, by One Control.

What do I think of it? Read on for my (shorter than usual) First Impressions.

Continue reading “First Impressions: One Control Blue Bee OD 4K Mini (BBOD4K) Overdrive”

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Recent Posts

  • First Impressions: Origin Effects Deluxe55 Tweed Recreation
  • New Arrivals: July 2025
  • First Impressions: BJFe Honey Bee OD Retro
  • First Impressions: One Control Honey Bee OD 4K Mini Standard
  • #CoffeeAndKlon 42: Can I Learn To Love My RYRA The Klone?

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  • First Impressions: Origin Effects Deluxe55 Tweed Recreation – HomeToneBlog.com on #TweedTone: Dialling In A 5e3 Tweed Deluxe Reference Tone For 2025
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