Tone. At Home.
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.
I recently picked up another tweed-tone pedal: Catalinbread’s Formula 55 overdrive pedal.
Is this going to be the 5e3-in-a-box pedal that I can recommend to anyone who wants the sound of a Tweed Deluxe without having to buy one of these expensive amps? Or is it going to be three out of three for disappointment with Catalinbread pedals?
Read on for my First Impressions.
Continue reading “First Impressions: Catalinbread Formula 55 Overdrive”I recently bought a Fractal Audio Axe-FX 3 mkII rack unit, for use at home.
Why did I get it, and how am I getting along with it so far? Read on for my First Impressions.
Continue reading “First Impressions: Axe-FX 3 Mark 2 As An FX Processor”A couple of months back, I bought the MXR version of the legendary Timmy overdrive pedal. Since it arrived, I’ve been far too busy using it to write about it 😂
If you’d like to know a bit more, here are my First Impressions of this pedal.
Continue reading “First Impressions: MXR Timmy Overdrive Pedal”I recently bought a new compressor pedal: Fender’s The Bends. It has a reputation for being a very boring compressor pedal. That’s good: I’m a boring guitar player, and I like boring gear. The question is: is it too boring?
Read on for my First Impressions.
Continue reading “First Impressions: Fender’s The Bends Compressor Pedal”
Last year, I picked up Hedgehog (my Squier Esquire 60’s Custom), and it quickly became one of my firm favourites. I’m on a hunt to find the right bridge pickup to bring out the best in it.
I’ve already given the Seymour Duncan Antiquity II a go. Will I be any happier with the Bare Knuckle Pickups True Grit? Read on to find out.
Continue reading “First Impressions: Bare Knuckle Pickups True Grit Telecaster Bridge Pickup”
Back in May 2021 (where did the time go?!?), I picked up a second-hand Tone City Sweet Cream Overdrive pedal. I’ve finally put it onto my pedal board, to see what it can do.
Is it a outright clone of the Sweet Honey Overdrive, or does it have something different to offer? Read on for my First Impressions.
Continue reading “First Impressions: Tone City Sweet Cream Overdrive”
I recently picked up a new (to me) factory-modded Amber Overdrive pedal, made by Mad Professor.
This is the third pedal in their Custom series that I’ve tried. I really enjoyed the first two. Will I enjoy this one as much? Read on for my First Impressions.
Continue reading “First Impressions: Mad Professor Amber Overdrive With Midas Touch”AKA how to get the Native Instruments Maschine Mikro MK3 to play nice with Universal Audio’s LUNA DAW.
I recently bought a Maschine Mikro MK3, to use for percussion / finger drumming. Have I finally found something that suits me, or will the search be continuing? Read on for my First Impressions.
Continue reading “First Impressions: Native Instruments Maschine Mikro MK3 Finger Drumming Pad”
After a couple of months of waiting, my Synergy IICP preamp module pre-order has finally arrived. Yay!
Was it worth the wait? And how is a tweed-tone nut going to get on with a recreation of an amp most famous for being the sound of progressive rock and classic metal? (Spoiler alert: this thing sounds fantastic in tweed … 😎)
Continue reading “First Impressions: Synergy IICP Preamp Module”#TweedTalk is my occasional Tuesday column, where I talk about all things related to tweed amps and tweed-tone pedals.
In the recent Black Friday sales, I finally picked up Universal Audio’s Fender 55 Tweed Deluxe amp plugin to add to my collection of tweed tone options.
Is it going to get much use, or am I going straight back to the real amp? Here are my First Impressions.
Continue reading “#TweedTalk 2: First Impressions: Universal Audio Fender 55 Tweed Deluxe Amplifier Plugin”