The D*A*M Meathead with its baby-pink (currently baby-blue) color scheme is a big hit with fuzz-lovers so I had to find out for myself. I ended up giving it probably the highest praise I could and I’m not even a big fuzz fan!
Discover what happened when I got to try this at http://www.effectsdatabase.com/reviews/dam/meathead#ixzz1onVvcwxU
On paper, I was not expecting this to tickle my fancy but I was wrong, AGAIN. It’s supposed to deliver Hiwatt tones but there’s more to it than edge-of-breakup Townsend tone. Experimenting got this one into unexpected territories!
You can read what I discovered at http://www.effectsdatabase.com/reviews/bearfoot/reviews/h#ixzz1onVk7huH
Recreating the fantastic BJFE pedals AND making them more readily available by itself deserves applause but that’s only the 1st step, the tone need to be happening as well. #1 out of 4 I got to test and this one has a bigger sonic range than you would expect!
Check out my review at http://www.effectsdatabase.com/reviews/bearfoot/dynared#ixzz1onVYUPx6
BearFoot is a collaboration between BJFelectronics and DonnerBox to produce some of Bjorn Juhls best designs. These guys really need no introduction, Bjorn Juhl has been building amazing pedals for years and Donnerbox has been around for a long time creating funky boxes. The news of these guys teaming up to recreate the amazing BJFE pedals, at a lower price and in bigger numbers, got the anticipation levels of many pedal lovers WAY up. I am looking at the first pedals they recreated. Check out the reviews of the Dyna Red Distortion, Model H and Honey Bee OD! All BearFoot prodcuts are designed by Bjorn and produced by Donnerbox in the USA.
The new and now REALLY “mini” Mint green mini vibe comes in the exact same color as the old one. It’s not only a smaller box, it now also has the level boost trimmer on the outside via the 3rd control. The 2 other controls are to set the Speed (Vel.) and Depth (Ampl.). For improved headroom and depth, you can run the pedal from 8v to 18v. I played the original many years ago and this smaller version is a big step forward. I’m also happy they retained the pulsating led from the original.
Years ago, I had the opportunity to test the original Mint Green Mini Vibe. It was the 1st vibe I got to try and I loved that pedal. Used it at a blues gig and fell in love with vibe pedals. So years later, the MGMV returns and I was curious to hear how the small one sounds and how it sounds compared to the vibes I own.
From what I remember from the original, I would say that this version sounds pretty much the same. It has that same deep throb in the sound and movement of the vibe sounds great. I think the MGMV sounds a bit dark due to the big range of the vibe and then the 3rd control comes in handy. The 3rd control is a level trimmer and when you turn it up, it adds some sparkle and clarity to the tone. The range of the Depth control is really nice, it basically goes from OFF to very subtle to sea-sick levels of throb. You can easily dial in the right amount for clean or overdriven tones. When lowering the Depth, you can turn down the level a bit for smoother sounds, turn both up to cut through nicely.
With the level control available to you on the outside, the MGMV actually doubles as a boost pedal. Turn down the Depth control and all the wobble is gone, then you can use the 3rd control to boost your signal. This works really well and adds a nice texture to your sound.
Compared to some other vibes I own, owned or have tested, I must say that the MGMV is one of the best you can get. There is something addictive about the depth it has and adds to your sound. It also blends really well with your tone. Some vibe pedals put their own sonic stamp on your sound. Thanks to the level control, the MGMV can be dialed in to fit perfectly with your tone.
The Bearfoot FX Mint Green Mini Vibe is an inspiring pedal for sure. This small box packs all the killer tones of the original and adds versatility with the level control. The only niggle I have is the fact you cannot adjust the speed with your feet as there’s no room to install a big knob. That does not distract from the great tones you will get from it.
BearFoot is a collaboration between BJFelectronics and DonnerBox to produce some of Bjorn Juhls best designs. These guys really need no introduction, Bjorn Juhl has been building amazing pedals for years and Donnerbox has been around for a long time creating funky boxes. The news of these guys teaming up to recreate the amazing BJFE pedals, at a lower price and in bigger numbers, got the anticipation levels of many pedal lovers WAY up. I am looking at the first pedals they recreated. Check out the reviews of the Dyna Red Distortion, Model H and Mint Green Mini Vibe! All BearFoot products are designed by Bjorn and produced by Donnerbox in the USA.
This being a recreation of the original BJFE Honey Bee, it comes with the same features. Please check out my review of the original! The box has a swirly, honey-colored paintjob that looks great and is equipped with 3 controls. Like the original it has volume and drive control and that special “nature” control. The Nature control is more than an EQ, it has an impact on the tone but also on the drive, definitely if you go below 12:00 on the dial.
When I first reviewed the BJFE version, I absolutely loved it. So I was curious to see/hear how this new version would sound and how it would compare with the original. I started off by testing the pedal itself but also have the original at my disposal for a proper A/B-test.
As the original, the Bearfoot FX Honey Bee OD delivers fantastic sweet tones. It has a great dynamic feel and it invites you to work your guitar to get the tones. I really like using this for a light crunch tone, extremely touch sensitive. Like the original, it has a sweetness in the tones without sounding nasal but you can dial in more grit when you want to use it as a boost.
I was really digging the pedal so it was time for the a/b-test. Let me say one thing before going further. I do NOT believe that 2 pedals sound 100% the same, there are ALWAYS small margins in the tolerances of the parts that will make the sound different. The difference can be small but it will be there. So when a/b-testing, I think it useless setting the dials the same on 2 pedals and expect them to sound the same. So I started with the original BJFE and set it for a mid gain crunch tone, drive about halfway and the nature control around 11:30. And then I tried to get the same tone with the Bearfoot FX model.
After closely comparing them for a couple of hours, as standalone pedals or using them to boost other pedals or a crunchy amp, I would say that the Bearfoot FX Honey Bee OD has a bit more of everything compared to the original BJFE. It has a bit more output, a bit more gain and a bit more sparkle to the tone. The mids of the BJFE sound probably a bit sweeter but you can dial the Bearfoot to sound as close as possible.
I am very glad we are now able to get the fine pedals from BJFE again, the BJFE Honey Bee OD blew me from my socks and the Bearfoot FX version did not disappoint!! It delivers the same sweet tones as the original. Hats off to Donnerbox for making these available and for delivering the awesome stuff!
Here’s a pedal that many would dismiss because of its name. Do you think Mike Landau and Scott Henderson can be totally wrong about good tone? There’s a good reason why I followed their footsteps and got an SD-9, the Analog Man modded version takes it a step up.
Find out why you need one at http://www.effectsdatabase.com/reviews/maxon/9/sd9#ixzz1onUqyD3o
This one I got in a trade and thought I could use on my new board because I like some phaser every now and then. I’m getting a LOT more mileage out of it then just phaser though and it has turned out to be one of my best deals ever.
Read up how I’m using this at http://www.effectsdatabase.com/reviews/redwitch/moonphaser/deluxe#ixzz1onUeMH93
Another one from El Musico Loco and here’s how this one went. I bought it without hearing or testing it, the package arrived, I took it out of the box and it went straight onto my pedalboard that I took to my NYE gig. It did exactly what I hoped for.
There’s more so read the review at http://www.effectsdatabase.com/reviews/elmusicoloco/blisterlily#ixzz1onUUZX1M
The 1st time I got to try an Analog Man comp, the results were a mixed bag, it was ok but nothing special. The pedal has gone thru some updates and I like this one a lot better. Enough for it to bump my favorite comp of my board?
Find out for yourself in my review at http://www.effectsdatabase.com/reviews/analogman/comprossor#ixzz1onUHZ0Rm
I got to test 3 Empress pedals and did I keep the most impressive one ’till last? Yes, I did, the Super Delay covers pretty much every delay you could want in a neat package. Not cheap but a lot of delay for your euro!
Check the whole story: http://www.effectsdatabase.com/reviews/empress/superdelay#ixzz1onU6r0FQ
