The original Boss VB-2 meets the Boss Waza Craft VB-2w

The original Boss VB-2 meets the Boss Waza Craft VB-2w

I love our Pedals and Effects readers! One of the many reasons why we love you guys, is because our readers are very persistent with their requests. I would say the number one request I have had over the last couple of years, is if I could do an original Boss VB-2 Vibrato/Boss Waza Craft VB-2w comparison. They want to know if Boss' newest vibrato is as good as the old one. Well, wait no longer, here are my thoughts:

Read More

Bobb Bruno's Signature Fuzz 'The Fluzzy' by TSVG

Bobb Bruno's Signature Fuzz 'The Fluzzy' by TSVG

We're back with more from Bobb Bruno! Multi-instrumentalist extraordinaire, Bobb wears many hats. You can find him in Best Coast, Bunny Tuff, or you might know him from his work with the Uphill Gardeners. Once again joined by Jonathan Hischke, we go over Bobb's very own signature fuzz pedal "The Fluzzy!"  

Read More

Bobb Bruno's Bass Pedalboard

Bobb Bruno's Bass Pedalboard

Picking up where we last left off with Bobb Bruno, Bobb gives us a run down of the effects he's been using on his pedalboard when he plays bass! Jonathan Hischke, and Bobb go through his pedalboard, and find out that Bobb has quite a bit of tricks up his sleeves, some cool surprises and some really off-the-beaten-path vintage gear. 

Read More

Pedals And Effects Welcomes Bobb Bruno

Pedals And Effects Welcomes Bobb Bruno

Pedals And Effects is honored to welcome Bobb Bruno back to the website. You may know Bobb Bruno from his work with Best Coast, Bunny Tuff, Uphill Gardeners and a plethora of other projects. We also featured Bobb for our "Pedals And Effects 5" column last year. Bobb Bruno is a like minded sonic innovator and he is always searching for that new sound. Bobb has such a unique approach to his instrument and he's always of the innovator mindset. Joined by Jonathan Hischke, we have a in depth conversation with Bobb on his musical history, his approach to effects pedals, Japanese noise, Spice Girls, and so much more.

Read More

The Depths by Earthquaker Devices

The Depths by Earthquaker Devices

In celebration of this years Summer NAMM, and in preparation for the annual Earthquaker day, I wanted to revisit a time to when I flew out to Akron, OH to try out some yet-to-be released Earthquaker pedals. These pedals of course, in true Earthquaker Devices fashion, became absolute mainstays and every time I go and visit those guys, I know that they're onto something great.

Read More

Unleashing the Cinematic Power of the Mercury7 Reverb from Meris

Unleashing the Cinematic Power of the Mercury7 Reverb from Meris

If you're a fan of Pedals and Effects, then there is a good chance you were really into our review of the Ottobit Jr. from Meris, and I am confident that you'll be as blown away with their Mercury7 Reverb! Meris is not your ordinary effects maker. They set out to break boundaries and take pedals where none have gone before. And the Mercury7 is no different. This pedal's fidelity, functionality and compact size break new ground in the reverb world just like the Ottobit did.

Read More

Deep Space Pulsar by Rainger FX

Deep Space Pulsar by Rainger FX

UK based Rainger FX might possibly be one of the most uniformly stylish effects companies out there. We've rocked their straight-out-of-the-lab Dr. Freakenstein fuzz on Fuzz Wars before, and we got to play around with the sweet Dwarf fuzz pedal too. New for NAMM 2017, David Rainger may have come up with something totally unique to the pedal game, presenting the Deep Space Pulsar, a sidechaining pedal!

Read More

Fuzz Wars: EHX Sovtek Big Muffs featuring Weezer's Scott Shriner

Fuzz Wars: EHX Sovtek Big Muffs featuring Weezer's Scott Shriner

This shootout is as nerdy as it gets.  It starts with three bass players (Weezer’s Scott ShrinerJonathan Hischke and yours truly) in a room, talking about gear when they realize there are enough Sovtek fuzzes in their possesion to do a Fuzz Wars. High Fives ensue.

Read More

Throwback Thursday: Recording Rehearsals At Manny’s Studio

 Throwback Thursday: Recording Rehearsals At Manny’s Studio

Back in 2008 or 2009, having been on the road with the Mars Volta, we took a break from touring to work on a new record. During the break we managed to have some time at home for once. As a personal project, I had always wanted to make a “rehearsal” or “live in the studio” record on 24 track tape and release it for free. Opportunity knocked, and someone who owned a warehouse space in Frogtown (a part of Atwater Village in Los Angeles) was having an art showing. They wanted a band to play the showing, so they asked me if I could throw something together and I saw my chance to make a recording, as well as, do a fun gig in a cool space.

Read More

Fender Jazz Basses with Dark Star Pickups

Fender Jazz Basses with Dark Star Pickups

A long time ago, in a bass galaxy far away, there were two basses made for me that had the Fred Hammond Dark Star pickups in them. Here, for the first time, are those basses’ stories. Although those basses of mine are not featured on here, you can hear my friend Oz’s basses which, in fact, sounded better than mine ever did.

Read More

F*$k@D Up Fridays with Joey Karam & The Inductor

F*$k@D Up Fridays with Joey Karam & The Inductor

So sometimes, on Pedals And Effects, we end up with messed up videos. You know the story…video guy has footage, loses footage, says he will look for footage and ultimately, you end up with no footage. After months of digging in the drives, I found some really great videos that, though some may seem incomplete, were really great videos in the making. Think of F*$k@D Up Fridays as a sort of blooper reel day.

Read More