Axe-FX 3 – HomeToneBlog.com

26th December 202525th December 2025

2025 Review: Pedal Platforms & Other Amps

Rather than do a ‘best of’ style post, every year I do a rundown of what amps I’m using for pedal platforms, and why – along with other amps I’m using at home with both electric and acoustic guitar.

Previous years: [2019] [2020] [2021] [2022] [2023] [2024]

25th December 202525th December 2025

First Impressions: Wampler tcd Distortion Pedal

Father Christmas left me a new pedal under the tree!

This is a photo of Wampler's tcd drive pedal.

The pedal enclosure itself is painted in a white metallic paint. Combined with the use of lower-case sans-serif fonts, it gives the pedal a futuristic vibe. — Wampler’s tcd drive pedal, on my pedalboard.

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

24th December 202524th December 2025

#TweedTone: Dialling In A 5F1 Tweed Champ Reference Tone For 2025/26

Regular readers may have noticed that most of the tweed amp in a box pedals seem to be chasing either the legendary 5e3 Tweed Deluxe or the sublime 5F6-A Tweed Bassman sound.

But every now and then, I get a pedal that chases the sound of a 5F1 Tweed Champ. And I think it would help if I had a reference tone to compare those pedals against.

So let’s see what I can put together in the Axe-FX 3.

26th November 202526th November 2025

First Impressions: Mad Professor The Green Wonder Overdrive Pedal

I recently picked up a pedal called The Green Wonder, by Mad Professor.

The Fire Custom Shop Carpe Diem, next to the Mad Professor The Green Wonder, on my pedalboard.

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

18th November 202517th November 2025

#TweedTone First Impressions: NUX 59 Bassguy Overdrive Pedal

I recently bought a brand new NUX 59 Bassguy overdrive pedal.

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

27th October 202526th October 2025

First Impressions: Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive (Hand-wired 2025 Edition)

I recently bought another Sweet Honey Overdrive pedal.

The o.g. Sweet Honey Overdrive, the 2025-edition Sweet Honey Overdrive, and the Arc Effects Klone v2 on my pedalboard.

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

7th October 20256th October 2025

#TweedTone: Is A 5e3 Tweed Deluxe Valve Amp Right For You In 2025?

Last week, I published an updated Tweed Amp Rig price comparison, looking at how much it would cost (here in the UK) to build a Tweed Deluxe rig for home use in 2025.

There was one answer that was too long to fit in that blog post: is it worth you spending that amount of money on a Tweed Deluxe rig for home use?

Today, I’m going to try and answer that question.

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.

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 …

6th July 20255th July 2025

#CoffeeAndKlon 42: Can I Learn To Love My RYRA The Klone?

#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.

I’ve had my RYRA The Klone pedal longer than this blog’s been going, so why haven’t I featured it at all until now? Why hasn’t it had the love from me that its fan base says it deserves?

And is that about to change? Can I learn to love my RYRA The Klone?