| Author | Message | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 774 Registered: 9-2003 |
Anyone out there have experience with any of the above's products? I'm looking to put together a killer effects pedalboard for my guitar rig. I haven't had great luck with effects before: most stompboxes usually have better tone than rack mount jobs, but are noisy and crap-up the sound when ganged (both bypassed and in-the-loop). Let's not even talk about pedal and/or patch cable failure and troubleshooting, LOL!Rack mount stuff is no longer in fashion and is hard to come by. I have an old Yamaha SPX-50D rack mount that has a great (albeit digital) distortion (amongst other effects), but the effects ganging is fixed within a given preset and can't be changed (only the parameters within the effects present within a preset can be changed and stored). Anything electronic (especially digital) is succeptable to bad power-induced damage, and a rack-mount is, of course, a single point of failure that will leave you high and dry at a gig without any effects. It is MIDI controlled which is another can of worms. At any rate, I'm looking for killer tone, minimum noise, and minimum degradation of the original guitar and amp (bypassed and modded) sound. I've been looking at "boutique" supposedly hand-made effects, which are (naturally) two to three times (on avg.) the price of mass-market stuff (unless you;re talking Pete Cornish, UK pedalboard guru to the stars: David Gilmour, Jimmy Page, Pete Townshend, Brian May, et al...his stuff is DOUBLE the price of the boutique stuff!). Fulltone is hand-made in the U.S. of A., and they do have a custom shop as well. Framptone is by ex-Humble Pie and solo artist Peter Frampton, but his line is very limited at this early stage. He does have a nice buffered dual amp (A-B)switcher on offer currently. Pete Cornish (UK) has a line of stopmpboxes (mostly highly-modded mass-market item guts in a stout metal enclosure). His specialty is Custom Pedalboards. These can take a year or more to conceive and build, and the price is stratospheric (1GBP = $2USD doesn't help, LOL!)! In all fairness to Pete, he is the acknowledged pedalboard leader, at least by the Brit Guitar Gods, (although Bob Bradshaw at Custom Audio Electronics might beg to differ, LOL). A check of Harmony-Central.com shows some very satisfied (albeit very rich and/or very broke) Cornish customers. One guy has high praise for his $15k (!!!!) Cornish effects pedalboard. David Gilmour had a custom three (or four) piece ALL-TUBE pedal board for his Meltdown Concert(s) which can be seen/heard on the 2002 "David Gilmour Live in Concert" DVD. There is a write-up on Pete's website about this, but the price has to be other-worldly (you have to contact Pete for that info). I don't know if Bradshaw is much cheaper, but he is renowned and is local (at least compared to Cornish). CAE makes stompoxes as well, anybody try 'em? His racks were THE thing to have, especially in the late eighties/early nineties: Van Halen, Clapton, Yngwie, etc, all had/have his custom rack systems. One of my College Alum buddies from (Electrical) Engineering school got a job with Bradshaw hot-rodding Marshalls straight out of college, but that was a 1 1/2 decades ago, and I lost track of him since. See, and you guys thought custom Alembic's are expensive, LOL! Since I am not a pro player with a contract, nor do I have a huge bank account, I highly doubt I'll be buying one of Pete Cornish's or Bob Bradshaws pedalboards and/or rack systems any time soon...unless that big overdue Lotto win happens, LOL!. Anybody have any advice? The last thing I want is some Sam's Ass or Garbage Center Korean-made crap. Those plastic Digitech (et al) multi-effect stompboxes are probably a mixture of all the WORST things both rack-mount multi-effectors and stompboxes have to offer combined! I've thrown away all my old (better than today's junk) stompoxes years ago because they were noisy and crapped-up the sound. Short of a custom rack-of-the stars effects system, what's a lousy guitarist supposed to do? Suggestions? | ||
| lbpesq
Advanced Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 326 Registered: 7-2004 |
Kevin: Check out analog Mike's stuff at http://analogman.com/. He has his own handmade boxes and also does mods. I have his "dynaRoss" compressor - a modified MXR Dynacomp that is a vast improvement - gets rid of the "waves" or "pulsing". I also have a moded Ibanez TS-9 Tube Screamer (I sent him my re-issue and he modified it to the old specs and then some - I got the "silver" mod). Very quick turn-around. If you are looking for a wah wah check out Goeffrey Teese's pedals at http://www.realmccoycustom.com/. They are not cheap, but they are VERY good. I have the RMC Picture wah and love it. You should also go to the User Review section of http://harmony-central.com. A GREAT resource for info on instruments and equipment. Extensive reviews by people who actually own and use the stuff. Bill, tgo | ||
| beelee
Junior Username: beelee Post Number: 47 Registered: 11-2004 |
Hey Kevin, Over the years I've read about the Cornish and Bradshaw pedalboard/rack systems, some of the setups have stomp boxes mounted in the pedal board itself, combined with fx units in the rack so any combination can be accessed, others have stomp boxes mounted in the rack along with the fx units all controlled from the pedalboard. these setups will big bucks for sure, just finding the seperate components you want it to be made of alone will cost you, plus if you plan on taking it to gigs, the size of the rack and pedal board is also something to consider ( transporting it, the size of the stage you'll be playing on etc.) If its what you want and can afford it go for it. There are some good rack units and multi-effect stomp boxes around, Line 6, TC Electronic, Lexicon, ART and Digitech and others, you just have to do some research and try out some stuff at home, if you don't like it take it back and try something else, you can't always get a good feel in the store for some gear. I have been using a ART SGX Nitro rack unit with either the ART X-15 or X-12 Midi foot controllers for many years without any problems, it is very user friendly and does more than I'll ever need, I also use a Bass Crybaby 105Q and Tubeworks Blue Tube pedal with the ART or just the 105Q, Bluetube and a Digitech Bass Whammy , they don't kill my tone and aren't noisey. The Nitro was discontinued but they still support all their gear ( I believe ART was started by former MXR employees ?) I used to have/use an army of stompboxes but it killed my tone, so I went rack mount and never have been sorry I did, I also use a Lexicon MPX G2 and R1 foot controller in one of my rigs. I put the rack unit in my amps FX loop and the 2 pedals in between my bass and amp, nice short signal chain. I played with a guitarist that used a Line 6 POD, Rockman Midi controller, and either a Mesa Triaxsis, and either a Mesa or Marshall stereo power amp ( I forget) into 2 Marshall 2-12 cabinets, he had an awesome sound, I'll ask him the specifics, and let you know. good luck in your search, B. | ||
| edwin
Member Username: edwin Post Number: 54 Registered: 5-2002 |
I replaced a rig that had more real estate than the state of Rhode Island with a Lexicon G2 and R1 footpedal. Aside from the issue of being able to improvise with effects, I am completely happy. The only thing I am tempted to add is an Electro Harmonix Bass Microsynth. the G2 with an EA iAmp 500 makes a very light and versatile rig. Edwin | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 778 Registered: 9-2003 |
Actually, I like the Yamaha rack unit (even though it's digital, the sound is surprisingly good), but it isn't versatile enough. I have a Tom Scholz original Rockman which used to be my "effects" (played through my Fender Silverface Twin). The tone is good, especially with chorus, delay and distortion all enabled at the same time, but it is extremely noisy, and it turned a tinny (but clean) stock amp into an even tinnier (is that a word?) dirty amp. Years ago I met Gary Pihl (Sammy Hagar, Boston) who turned me on to that Rockman amp stack monstrosity when he was VP at the now defunct Scholz R&D Co. It had every effect and tone imaginable, but it was a beast to haul, was very expensive, and it must have been a repairman's nightmare with all those mini rack components to go wrong. That new Line 6 stuff is a much more compact modern-day digital version of that old Scholz thing, but being an old-school tube guy, digital usually just doesn't float my boat soundwise...reliability/durability could be an issue also. Believe you me, I'm not looking to have to hire a roadie, I also don't need every effect under the sun. I play classic rock and blues mostly. I just need your basic effects, but I don't want noise and crappy sound (especially bypassed). Reliability is a must. I used to like that day-glo colored ART SGT rack processor (was it digital, analog, or both?), but I can just see trying to get a 10-15yr. old rack mount effect fixed when it dies while playing out, LOL! No thanx, LOL! Thanx for the suggestions fellows. Handmade in America is definitely my speed, so I'll be looking into your suggestions along those lines. Hey, anybody gotta winning Lotto ticket they wanna donate to the cause? Pete Cornish and/or Bob Bradshaw are just DYING to add me to their "endorsee's" list, LOL! | ||
| spose
Junior Username: spose Post Number: 39 Registered: 5-2002 |
Hi, a guitar player I work with uses a Bradshaw system..he loves it and it works flawlessly. I think you're looking at over 3K for a Bradshaw system. Have you looked at the Voodoo Labs system? I think it's about 800 bucks.. http://www.voodoolab.com/gcsystem.html (Message edited by spose on February 18, 2005) | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 1379 Registered: 5-2002 |
If Kevin doesn't mind me hijacking his thread, and on a somewhat related note; batteries vrs. adaptors. A couple of the guitar players I played with over the last several years would not use adaptors with their stomp boxes as they felt batteries gave them a better tone. Of course invariably, as you might expect with nine battery powered stomp boxes in the chain, a battery would die in the middle of a show and the guitar player would be down on his knees plugging and unplugging cables trying to find which box died. I always felt that the trade-off wasn't worth it. There's something about having your signal die in the middle of your solo in front of a packed house that doesn't make the possible difference in tone worth it. Of course, one of the guys I refer to did put fresh batteries in his boxes before every show. As for the other guy, I always carried a fresh 9 volt in my bag just in case. Anyway, I thought maybe some of you who used stomp boxes may have opinions about the difference in tone from stomp boxes running on batteries vrs. adaptors. | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 779 Registered: 9-2003 |
Dave: I don't mind you jacking my thread. Batteries are yet another endearing quality of stomp boxes. I've never been happy with all the crappy patch cords and batteries/power supplies involved with using multiple boxes. I suppose the same thing can be said for the batteries in Alembics as well. My new bass came delivered with a dead battery, so even fresh stuff fails. The batteries in my Charvel/Jacksons don't last either...without them you get no tone, so I am familiar with the drill. The things we must endure in the name of tone! There is something to be said for a Les Paul straight into a 5-knob Marshall Plexi. No flexibility and no effects, but what tone there is is great! Exhibit "A": The Awesome, er, um , Allman Brothers "Live at the Filmore East"!!! I've got my preferred clean and dirty tones via my two amps, now I need to add effects for cover tunes that won't destroy the tone I have. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 1381 Registered: 5-2002 |
At love the Filmore East album!! | ||
| lbpesq
Advanced Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 327 Registered: 7-2004 |
I use a dunlop DC Brick to power all the boxes on my pedal board (Pedaltrain board - check it out). It powers up to seven 9 volt boxes and three 18 volt boxes. (My old Ibanez AD-80 analog delay uses two batteries - 18 volts). It comes with several different styles of plug, so it should fit just about everything. I know some people claim to be able to tell the difference in tone between a fresh battery/wallwart vs. a partially depleted battery. I can't, other than the sound goes to crap when the battery is dying. But I don't worry about that now. Just plug in the Brick and everything else powers on. Bill, tgo | ||
| lbpesq
Advanced Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 328 Registered: 7-2004 |
Sorry, accidental double posting. Bill, tgo (Message edited by lbpesq on February 18, 2005) | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 782 Registered: 9-2003 |
As a Power Engineer, I can tell you that crap in = crap out. And crap is exactly what you get out of your AC Mains, especially during peak demand periods. Add the cheapo Korean-made wall-warts and you usually get pretty dirty (not exactly DC) power. Batteries are immune to this, but the voltage level is constantly degrading (electonics don't like that either). A power conditioner with an isolation transformer and huge storage caps (a la the now defunct Tice Power Block) goes a long way. You should hear how it lowers the noise floor of my Eden WT-550 Time Traveller tube/S.S. hybrid bass head. Unfortunately, the thing weighs a ton, was expensive new($1600 plus) and is expensive used (?). It's good for studio/home usage (it was designed for high-end Hi-Fi rigs), but not exactly the best thing for live gigs, although where there is a will...yada, yada. Another Brothers Fan! You da man, Dave! I can get a GREAT Duane/Dickie tone out of that new Straub hot-rodded Plexi w/2X12 greenbacks. Just add a LP and some talent (I have the LP at least, LOL!), and presto, instant Awesome Bros tone in spades. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 1389 Registered: 5-2002 |
Yes, I'm a big Allman Brothers fan. And I currently have Elizbeth Reid in the set list. | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 786 Registered: 9-2003 |
Greg Germino @ Germino Amplifiers is a big Brother's fan as well. He does Marshall Plex-style boutique amps very well. He's also quite an accomplished player. While I bought from his competition, his stuff is well worth the price if you're after Duane's "Tone From Heaven". There's a link on his site for an in-depth spotlight review of his products and a whole bunch of video w/sound clips of Greg Germino and Website host Jason Barker jamming through these amps. Jason is an even more acomplished player than Greg, and that's saying alot. Ck it out: http://www.steelbender.com/spotlightgermino.html | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 1399 Registered: 5-2002 |
Kevin; some pretty cool videos! | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 789 Registered: 9-2003 |
Thanks Dave. I thought so myself. Now if only I could play like Greg or Jason. I wonder if they'll travel to Joisey for lessons? LOL! | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 792 Registered: 9-2003 |
Pink Floyd/David Gilmour devotee John Roscoe has his own site devoted to obtaining DG's sound, and he is also a Pete Cornish client. Here is a link to view his custom board which took the better part of a year to make, and lightened his wallet to the tune of approx $10k!!! He shows pix during various stages of construction so you can get a look at what goes in to a Cornish board. He does a nice write-up on Pete, uses info and pix from Pete's website (with full permission of same), and provides a link to the Cornish website. John is a friendly guy who was very cordial when I inquired about his custom board and the price. Ck it out: http://mywebpages.comcast.net/jroscoe/evolution.htm I still need that lotto winner: my tax refund is on it's way, but it won't cover a Cornish board...not unless I bet it and win, LOL! | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 1415 Registered: 5-2002 |
Thanks Kevin; that's a pretty neat description of how the board comes together. | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 795 Registered: 9-2003 |
John is a nice guy as well. Now if I can only talk him into letting me 'borrow' that pedalboard for a while! Hmmm, unless I get an 'extended' test drive, maybe that's not such a good idea. These expensive toys (and everyone on THIS site knows what I'm talking about, LOL!) will be the ruin of man if he's not careful, LOL! | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 809 Registered: 9-2003 |
Hey, I just had a thought: If Danno's band Doomtree hits it big, maybe he'll get a Cornish effects board and maybe throw a peon like me a freebie Cornish board of his own, LOL! Just dreaming...but you never know...he may be giddy from the success of the new album, er, um, CD? Well, I'm goin' to Vegas in a week to ride Harleys in the WARM (!) sun and gamble a little. Maybe I can win enough to get that Cornish board after all. Not bloody likely! But ya gotta have a dream, LOL! | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 810 Registered: 9-2003 |
As I mentioned in my other thread here (i.e., David Gilmour Live DVD), Bjorn Riis over at gilmourish.com gets a decent David Gilmour/Pink Floyd tone out of his homemade stomp-box pedalboard and Sound City Amp. He spent years collecting mostly vintage out-of-production stomps and even longer learning to play like DG. I guess where the desire is there, almost anything can be accomplished. I personally can't see going through the same drill and expense all to put up with a bunch of noisy, unreliable, tone-sapping effects myself. Besides needing more than just a good DG/PF tone, I need other tones as well. Add just plain not having the time nor patience to go nuts auditioning a hunnert boxes, and there you have it. Anyone wanna bankroll my Vegas trip? I'll pay great dividends if I win, LOL! Come on SEVEN! LOL! (Message edited by kmh364 on March 17, 2005) |
