THE FIRST TELE....EVER MADE.... 3 TUNERS ASIDE HEADSTOCK?

COOL STUFF TO KNOW

This little gem is a clone of a 1949 Fender Broadcaster Prototype #1

the first fender prototype

note the scratches from the first ever ashtray cover

Finished & For Sale 1950

By the beginning of 1950 the 1950 Broadcaster was for sale to the general public.

They made 5 prototypes in 1949.  The 'snake head'...then the same one but with the classic Tele inline headstock which they sold a few from the factory floor.T
The 3rd had 2 knobs on a plate but mounted behind the bridge...the last prototype #5 moved that plate to the side.
The 5th prototype was the 1950 finished model.

The few guys who bought the second prototype  with a pine body no truss rod but the 6 in a line headstock were part of the early Rock-a billy scene. They travelled up to Canada then back down to the deep South just to make a living.

Prototype #4 ...for sale at the factory just knock at the back door

The maple neck had no truss rod...the drastic temperature changes from their travel forced Leo to add an adjustable truss rod. The body was pine so it got bruised easily from knocking the guitar around in the dark small clubs with tiny stages.

 Alder was cheap and light enough and did a good job on absorbing the knocks. Leo had some very smart gutsy employees who pushed him for these improvements..

The whole effort took the right leader (Leo) the right team and at the right time to pull it off.

prototype #2

prototype #3

Harmony sued him for using the name so it was dropped after only being used for a couple of months.

It was sold without a name. It is historically referred to as the 'Nocaster'...then in the autumn it became the Telecaster.

Over the years the pickups have had their output increased and the bridge have been improved with 6 saddles over just 3. ...but visually the guitar is much the same.

OVERDRIVE- FIRE CUSTOM SHOP CARPE DIEM .... this plexi changes everything !!!!

FIRE CUSTOM SHOP
CARPE DIEM
(100 watt Plexi stack)

So just when I think I can not possibly find another mind blowing overdrive this shows up.
Go figure from Brazil too. Who would have thought.

Current price $280.00 USD

Now Wampler do make a pretty decent one and with countless more knobs and switches. The Wampler is nothing to be ashamed of. BUT...as they say in a horse race this wins by a nose.
In a word this has balls. The sound is definitely better then the Tech21 Hot -Rod Plexi by a lot. Unless of course you have the limited Edition Export model.
The 'thump' control which is simply a Marshall 4x12 speaker simulator is to die for.
It is a shame someone does not do a Marshall 4x12 simulator with controllable resonance. (for those that have not heard this)
 A: check the post and
 B: do not confuse this function with speaker simulators for recording...the difference is night and day!)
OK OK...I digress again!

So the Carpe Diem is a classic Plexi.
in this case I would say this is the 100 watt stack with the heavy lower mids...as in Hendrix style.
Yes children Uncle Paul says this thing hauls!!!

....finally when you get this pedal ...play it for your friends ....then say to them in a kind and soft voice 

"Eat your guts out!" "This one is mine!' "ALL MINE!!!!" then break out into a sardonic laugh. A small dance would not go a miss either.

So...'That Pedal Show' got this pedal from the manufacturer...and let us hear it....so ...orders go thru the roof but no one has any???
So Anderton's and others go chasing after it.
Fine but.
Fire Custom Shop really never exported. They soon learnt how to...and what to charge too.
In Brazil it sold for about $140.00 USD before this sudden exposure.

Yes...I know what you are thinking ...others have tried but...the leak was pre plugged.

"Ok" ...you say..."will you buy this pedal?"  you say.
and I say "that is the dumbest damn ass question I have ever heard in my whole life!!!!"

OVERDRIVE- ROTHWELL HEARTBREAKER OD.....it does it all from ts808 to Metal

ROTHWELL 
HEARTBREAKER OVERDRIVE

A very unique pedal from the U.K.
I suspect we have a real engineer behind this pedal
the opposite of Menatone The King.

Both trying to do the same thing. Both doing it superbly well.

-Rothwell from a pure scientific method of deconstructing what makes up a sound and perfecting it. Cause and effect taken to exacted conclusion.

-Menatone where intuitive gut instinct, trial and error and the sound of what they want already firmly embedded in their mind. Their goal being that though technology is important  Art is imperative.

Current Price $158.00 USD

Both succeed...

The Rothwell is clear crisp and defined down to last overtone.
The Menatone creating a soulful magic that the sound seems almost organic.

The pedal has a great industrial retro look. In fact it really looks like a real piece of gear from the 50's or even late 40's. Built to last.

Video's (like the above) do not get better than this. No flash BS just a very simple tutorial with good playing to adequately show anyone exactly how each sound will work in context with it's use. In short..you hear a light overdrive or a metal OD sound used in the exact style it is meant for.
Check it out. It speaks for itself.
                                                            <><><>

Where have I heard this before?
_______

It is interesting that the reviewer on this second vid uses the 'Free'  tune to demo the product since he did the same showing off the Catalinbread Plexi pedal too.

Then the light went on ...the 'Free' tune !!!!
...the Heartbreaker sounds like the Catalinbread product. I certainly do not think they borrowed something from them as this pedal has been around as long or longer then a lot of Catalinbread pedals.
They obviously have a similar philosophy for overall tone.
Not bad!

CODA

First the price. At $158.00 USD (incl. shipping) from Rothwell direct.
This is a very good deal. It is Boss pedal pricing.

It was nearly a hundred more when a few dealers in the US had it...it sold poorly and was expensive...so it got dumped ages and ages ago.

....the pedal industry may love myths and legends....but it is not immune from fashion...this pedal has been around since 2009 ...but since it has survived ...if only barely ...a lot of word of mouth has saved it.

A few Brit stores sell it...or get it direct.
For the value of the parts alone you get build quality and great sound
...it is one sweet deal.

It is in the same territory as Menatone's The King
The King is soulful...the Heartbreaker however has a lovely crafted simplicity to it's exact and focused sound.

It really gets down to taste.
Both are equally great.

With my 14 OD's I definitely do not need it  I have it covered with my 'King'.
Will I get one. I would never say never.
But...it is not on my short list.

I do like this pedal very much...it has punch and balls even if you play low or a bit busy ....there is not a trace of mud. Clarity ...clarity ...clarity !!

on second thought...I will have to see what can go to make room for it. LOL
....I do have a spot half the size....if I  Dump the Joyo ...Exotic BB clone...this pedal would easily sub for it yet give me more.

WHY SDS IS THE BEST...bad pun

Hello earthlings...

OK folks I take pride in finding the best pedals and now guitars at the best prices!

Attention to detail can be crucial!!!

Take for example the new Fender Mustang and Duo Sonic...not even Fender
published what wood it is made of. This is critical...not only for value but more important tone.
I had to scan several countries to find out. It turned up in a store called Cosmo's Music in Toronto Canada.  Alder! Virtually all but a few Fenders are made of alder. So any pickup designed for any Fender will likely sound great in it

Then for example Gibson has just announced the new Gibson M2...which is in fact the old Gibson Melody Maker updated. They do not actually say this but.. I would think ...M2 is Melody Maker 2.
OK...to the point.
It comes in about 10 colours...and it took someone who went to NAMM to find a pic with a  couple in it ...then following that lead to another I got a pic with 5...so it was off to Google UK...a store there had a pic with all 10.

So..if it is hot...or so new the paint is still wet you will find it here.
The Freeman had only been out 2 weeks....and there were no ads just gossip from other blogs.
You will also find small obscure company's that offer exceptional gear at low prices.
Have you heard of Rothwell pedals or of anyone using them? Probably not. We all should have ...because they make a seriously great product
OR
How about the Fire Custom Shop from Brazil...right up there with the very, very best!!!! Their recent Plexi is so good it sells for double what it sold for in Brazil...and they are getting it...because the sh@t they make is worth it!!!
I just bought one! If you could get a great tone...and make your dirt sound twice as fat...and were in a trio too...wouldn't you?

Theft is my game...I scour the entire world stealing from the best...even when it is not in English. I take into account many opinions but I am not a slave to them. I condense a lot of blah blah into getting to the point. I have no one in the music biz that I owe favours to so I can say what I want. I freely compare pedals. If a pedal has a better rival you hear about that rival right then and there in the new review.

A lot of players are getting the Bogner Burnley OD...I bought one...it is damn good!
Only 2 weeks later the Friedman BE-OD came out!
I was so impressed I got one.
I played it for only 5 minutes.
I was stunned!!! Quite literally stunned!
I kept playing it. It was 7pm...when I finally noticed the time...I had 4 hour left before I needed to be at work!!!
That evening I put my new Bogner for sale on Reverb!!!

I never say dumb sh@t  like like "this pedal would not suit everyone" I say
"this pedal is crap! " No one needs to fork out $250.00 USD on crap...nor do they need to spend that on a pedal where the clone is equally as good for $35.00 USD.

What is more there is something new every week...often many new things. Posts are made at least twice a week and updates and additions every day.

My point is...welcome but come back soon...

OVERDRIVE- DR. SCIENTIST THE ELEMENTS .....a DIY where you do not make the pedal but it's tone

D.I.Y.

DR. SCIENTIST THE ELEMENTS

Made by a husband and wife team near Edmonton Alberta Canada. A very interesting approach.

They took all the elements that pedal makers use to make the voicing for an overdrive but instead of creating a 'voice' for the pedal and allowing you to cut a few highs and boost the gain...then set the overall volume ...they put a knob on every part inside that shapes the sound. In short you can then 'voice' your own pedal. So here you have it. You can shut up about finding your own unique sound.

You have no excuses. Or you can be just like me and settle for the best preset you can find in a pedal. LOL

Yes for all my bull ...I just want it done for me

Still ...there are times on a tune even with 15 OD's I could really use this pedal big time.

The pic clearly shows all the many parameters you have... a massive amount of EQ and I expect clipping diodes to add a bit of nasty to your overdriven transistors.

The lady in the family does the great graphics so you have an endless choice of artwork.

to choose from.

I have never seen so many video's made on one pedal ...dozens

....I do not know if these videos show
it's best features as with so many to choose from I had O. Deed

(pun intended) after checking out these.

CODA

You can in theory create a personal tone on it...that if put beside the same pedal someone else has and both are recorded it would sound like both players owned an entirely different brand of pedal.
Dr. Scientist does not design your sound ...you do!!!!

That is indeed ...cool!

OVERDRIVE- TECH21 HOT-ROD PLEXI...there are 2 but one is hard to get

TECH 21 HOT-ROD PLEXI

This has got to be the ultimate 100 watt Plexi right down to the 4x12 cabinet thump!
Then they took that last step further and put in that modern boost typical of a Gourmet Repro-Plexi amplifier manufacturer...the sound of an enhanced overdrive channel with a 12ax7 to supply the smack!
I hate to once again say the sound is huge  ...so lets just say it is massive ... lol

Jimi Hendrix had out his first LP when I went to a concert to see him. I went thinking his record was a lot of studio tricks. I left the concert thinking what Eric Clapton said to Pete Townsend when they first saw him together in a small London pub.

Clapton said "THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING !!!"
This pedal was the sound I heard that night.

The Export model with the
'THUMP '  cab resonance control
only 1000 made


The current model
with the 'PUNCH' mid control
   SUCKS!!!

Current Price $179.00 USD

The first video compares the real amp with the pedal!

IF you have been searching for a sound so big if it reflected back off the wall it would crush you

then prepare to be amazed at the sound on this video !!!!

OUCH !

NOTE:  the new label on the purple faced pedal is a mid control ...this pedal was for the domestic market and is currently the only model made ...unfortunately the black faced  model was a limited edition for international distribution. The mid control labeled 'PUNCH' model is a very pedestrian pedal ...it is devoid of the amazing 'THUMP'.

 In my opinion the Thump was a very important feature it gave the pedal a massive girth ...it makes the demo redundant ...without the Thump feature I would not recommend the pedal!

I had a bad  feeling I should research the name change... It was worth it as I was going to buy one.

BUT 

 I had a good look and found a few by searching world wide. There are 

'New Old Stock' Black Faced models in Australia ...France and even South Africa. These varied in price from about $250.00 USD to nearly $500.00 USD.

The best deal was in the U.S. via Germany where ...I got the last one ...from Rouge Music for $179.00 USD which is the current price of the new model.

Rogue Music buy up dead stock and clearances from stores and resell it. 

The Export stock is from 2013... so act accordingly if you want one. Get hunting.

                                       A few will eventually show up.

NOT GOOD NEWS IN SPITE OF ME ASKING WHEN I MADE MY ORDER AND BEING AFFIRMED THAT I WAS GETTING A BLACKFACE MODEL....I DID NOT...I AM SURE THAT THE ONE WHO CONFIRMED MY ORDER SIMPLY LOOK AT THE PICTURE ON THE POSTING...I FULLY EXPECT THAT THEY DO NOT AND HAVE NOT HAD AN OLD MODEL...BUT SIMPLY USED IN HOUSE FILES OF PICTURES FOR THEIR AD!

SO NOT ONLY DO I NOT GET THE PEDAL I HAVE ALL THE POLITICS AND EFFORT NEEDED TO BE DONE TO GET A REFUND!!!

...

SO FOLKS ALL THE DUMB ASS STUFF I THOUGHT COULD HAPPEN  ...DID
In short there was never a  THUMP model in the first place

But credit where credit's due...they called up TECH21...who had one left collecting dust on the back shelf for a few years ...just waiting for me.  LOL

A PLEXI IN THE REAL WORLD
-------------------------------------------

So how does it sound?
Well with the THUMP off it is adequate but not very exciting OD.
With the THUMP on....it does sound very big.

In the real world the thump will change according to the pitch and dynamics of the playing.
This does not do this...the effect is much more static ...it is more like an octave pedal playing an octave lower then the music played. The higher the volume and the more real speaker is pushed the better the elusion.

The Carpe Diem and the LPD Sixty 8 Drive...are far superior pedas when it gets down to the actual amps sound. BUT...these pedals are a hundred dollars more.

So what's the verdict???
I expect in the video ...the amp it was being played thru had a bit of spank...and was 40watts or more
which is not unfair if you play with a drummer in a band context.
At 5 watts though it is a nice effect...but not mind blowing.

So in short I think live this thing will kick some serious butt 

At a price of $179.00 USD it is good value for what you get.
I worked on a tune I thought it would fit...and it did indeed do wonders for that tune.

The Carpe and the sixty 8 are a far better choice ...and in the long run would fit any tune needing some dirt.

So folks not being able to get one is not a crisis ..but if one comes your way it could be a useful addition to your board.

I only had my Tele to test the pedal ...I will let you know how it sounds with my LP.

Well with the Les Paul this thing speaks!!!!
Once you get the your tone settled you bring up the thump so it is even with the with your sound without it ,,,then even with a cheap practice amp you get pretty much what you hear on the vid.
That sir!  Is not to hard to take.  LOL


SO ENDS THE CRAZIEST POST ON THIS SITE  :-)