The Hermit’s Cave – HomeToneBlog.com

7th April 20266th April 2026

First Impressions: Fulltone Fat-Boost FB-3

I recently picked up a second-hand Fulltone Fat-Boost FB-3.

This is a photo of my Fulltone Fat-Boost FB-3 guitar effects pedal.

The pedal comes in a metallic silver case. Input and output audio jacks are on the side. 9V power is on the left-hand side of the pedal, close to the output audio jack.

There are five controls shown on the top of the pedal:

- two large knobs at the top, for output volume and drive (a bias control for the internal FET)
- two small trim pots, one labelled "Bass" and one labelled "Treble" — The Fulltone Fat-Boost FB-3, on my pedalboard.

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

6th April 20265th April 2026

Studio Diary #64: Chasing The Amp That Got Away

‘Studio Diary’ is an occasional series where I talk about building a home recording setup for hobbyists and enthusiasts like us. I share my personal experiences, and the thinking behind some of the decisions that I’ve made along the way.

Many of us have tales of “the one that got away” … a guitar or an amp that we’ll always regret not buying at the time. This is one of those tales, and the story of how I’ve recently reproduced something similar in my Axe-FX 3.

And it’s all thanks to That Pedal Show.

28th February 202618th February 2026

New Arrivals: February 2026

Real life (and my work on the upcoming Marshall Origin 20H long-term review) doesn’t leave much time for exploring new (to me) gear at the moment.

So I’m trying to be sensible, and only pick up gear that solves a problem, helps me with the Marshall Origin 20H review, or is just too good an opportunity to pass on.

23rd February 202621st February 2026

(Belated) First Impressions: Gibson USA Les Paul Junior Double Cut in Dark Walnut

Late last year, I bought a brand-new Gibson USA Les Paul Junior, in that delicious dark walnut finish.

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

3rd February 20262nd February 2026

First Impressions: Using The KAT Load*Star Speaker Attenuator With My 5e3 Tweed Deluxe Amp

I recently bought a KAT Load*Star speaker attenuator, to use with my 5e3 Tweed Deluxe amp.

The KAT Load*Star Speaker Attenuator, sat on top of my Fender ’57 Custom Deluxe amp.

I’ve only had this for 24 hours, and it’s already in the running to be my best purchase of 2026. Why? Read on for my first impressions.

1st February 202631st January 2026

#CoffeeAndKlon 43: Winter NAMM 2026

#CoffeeAndKlon is my (irregular!) Sunday morning magazine series, where I talk about whatever’s on my mind right now. There’s always coffee, and there’s normally chat about the Klon and its many competitors.

This week, I want to talk about the new products that were announced at (or around) Winter NAMM 2026 that I’m very interested in … and the ones that I wish had been.

31st January 202629th January 2026

New Arrivals: January 2026

This month, I’ve mostly been looking at gear to solve problems I’ve run into (or questions that I want to answer) for my upcoming Marshall Origin 20H long-term review.

13th January 202611th January 2026

Quick Listen: Wampler tcd Distortion Pedal With A Gibson Les Paul

Quick Listen is where I capture and share guitar tones that I’ve dialled in. No exploration; little discussion – just a quick audio demo or two along with a documented signal chain.

Wampler’s tcd Distortion pedal on my pedalboard.

Today, I’ve made a quick recording of Wampler’s tcd distortion pedal into one of my Axe-FX 3 pedal platform presets. Click through to have a listen.

12th January 202611th January 2026

First Impressions: Palmer PCABM

I recently bought a Palmer PCABM.

This is a photo of the Palmer PCABM.

The top of the PCABM is visible, but facing away from us (so that the cables plugged into the PCABM are facing the back of my amplifier).

There are two cables plugged into the PCABM: one in the "Series In" input (from my amplifier), and one in the "Cab 1" output (to the Two Notes Captor).

At the very top of the photo, there is a blue tag around each cable. Yes, dear regular reader, I finally started labelling my cables! Why didn't I do this sooner?!? — The Palmer PCABM, sat on top of my Two Notes Captor.

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

10th January 202610th January 2026

Studio Diary #63: Pros and Cons Debate: Exploring Amp/Cab Switchers

Pros and Cons is an irregular series where I do a deep dive into a decision that I need to make – normally about gear for a home hobbyist studio. Here, I share whatever problem I’m trying to solve, all the background reading on the various options, and a look at the pros and cons of each way forward. I find that this process helps me make a more informed – and less emotive – decision. If you’re faced with a similar decision, I hope it helps you too.

Are they overkill luxury, or a necessary expense for any home hobbyist who uses multiple amps into the same load box?

That’s the question I’m trying to answer for myself in this post.