THE BEST PEDAL OF 2025

THE BEGINNING OF THE END  

An Overview 

2025 was really the year of the Modeler coming of age.

Modelers are quite simple computers that make sound.

Compared to even a cheap cell phone they are crude. 

Yes the software from the pioneers was and is complex 

and extremely time consuming. The BIG BUT is  the  

topography to make even the software is freely available

even though the free part of it will be argued. 😇 

 

The $80 Valeton GP5 put a lid on Modelers being precious.

If this was used to make a recording by one of the super 

stars who was famous for using a pricey modeler  

and no one new ...the guitar playing fans would be 

admiring the players great tone. 

 

My argument is that the humble analog pedal 

is the Stradivarius sound of a 'Sound-from-a-Box.' 

The modeler is a disposable carbon fiber & stainless 

steel violin 'Sound-from-a-Box.' 

A modeler of today is second best to one that comes 

out tomorrow. A great analog pedal that is decades 

old is still the best, not second best.   

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THE BEST PEDAL OF 2025 

This year there is a tie. One company made an OD with fine harmonic detail through its whole range of low to high gain. The other has accurately reproduced the Fuzz box that became the first game changer. Both are very small independent handmade makers.

 

RhPf Electronics Mosferato  #1  

It is is an Overdrive that can go from low to high gain. It uses FETS which as most know are the gods answer to a convincing Tube/Valve sound. It has definition through its  whole range and sustain the does not feel compressed even when playing at bedroom volumes. It has a rich amp like character yet it is not suggestive of a particular brand of amp. It allows for tweaking to the highest detail. It is the Swiss Watch of OD's. oddly enough it is made in Switzerland, LOL. 

 

It is 110% a cork sniffers pedal but not the cork sniffers price.   

$180.00 USD 

...check out the May 24, 2025 for more.

TOL RED Germanium Fuzz #1    

Let me point out the small stuff first. It comes in a heavy steel enclosure that could go right through a wall if you tossed it and still work. The enclosure has that lovable sloped top of all vintage Fuzzes. It claims to be a Tone Bender Mk2 complete with vintage NOS transistors. So this is what you do. You take a real $1400.00 USD Sola Sound Tone Bender Mk2 and set it beside the TOL RED and you A/B them in a blindfold test. You then choose which one is the real Tone Bender. You have one minute to decide so you better have a coin to flip as you have just bet your guitar you can tell. Because WTF! You know it will be a guess! 

LOL.

I bought mine NEW for $130.00 USD 

...checkout June 12, 2025 for more

THE RUNNER UP

EARHQUAKER Devices Barrows Fuzz 

It is loosely based off of a Tone Bender but it has the vibe, sustain and control of a excellent Overdrive.

If anyone asked me to pick them a dirt pedal and I new zero about their needs, their tastes or their budget I would tell them to get this, bulletproof little Fuzz. $130.00 USD

...check out Sept. 22 & Sept. 29 for more 

BEST OF THE CHEAPIES

SONICAKE Trio Rider 

Nothing complicated, just a very, very excellent Klon.
In fact 3 Klons. The Silver of which about 30 were 

made. The standard Gold and the Klon Version 2 

the KTR. I hated the Klon, I had several, lol. 

But this I love, & especially the Silver. 

The damn thing is $50.00 USD. 

$200.00 USD ...will not buy you better!!!