Tuesday, October 27, 2026

FLANGER/CHORUS- NUX Mini SCF ...TC Electronics 1976 Chorus Flanger clone

NUX
$80.00 USD
MINI SUPER CHORUS   
No secret this is a digital algorism take of a 1976 Analog 
rack mount game changer unit. The layout is a nice simple 
Speed, Width and Intensity with the choice from a button 
between either the Flanger or Chorus.
CONCLUSION __
The company has a rep of either missing the target 
 or nailing the bullseye. They did a stellar job on 
 this one. The original is famous for its near  
 digital like glassy clarity so going straight 
 digital was a perfect match.
 A very good sound for a reasonable price. 

FUZZ- TONECAT Fuzz Au Chocolat ___ NEW ___ Big Muff clone

$80.00 USD
TONECAT

FUZZ AU CHOCOLAT   

If you think soft drink in any country you think Coca Cola and if you think Fuzz you think Big Muff. That said what do you need know??? 
Well this is a one size overkill fits all so lets not go from Triangle 
to NYC models to narrow it down.  
   CONCLUSION 
Tonecat gives you a 'handmade in Australia' and very 
usable effort with killer and fun graphics at a very 
affordable ca$h outlay.

NAM ____ the Amplifier Emulation Game Changer

 GAME CHANGER ?  


Saturday, October 24, 2026

OVERDRIVE- OBSIDIAN AUDIO The Devil OD ___NEW ___Tube Screamer on steroids

Obsidian Audio   
  The DEVIL    
$220.00 USD
Metal for decades has used the Tube Screamer as a Boost, with a 73.4 Hz  poke in the upper mids. What is missing is a full EQ of Bass, Mids & Treble to match it to anyone's rig or indeed several rigs consisting of different amps and guitars and even other pedals. To be complete it really needs both a gate and an overall increase of Girth
 provide to give a voice that adds both lower mids and bass without also adding mud. In short 
the pedal has to be tight.
    CONCLUSION ___
It does all this and though there are others that do none check 
all the boxes and tend to be much more specific in the genre 
and/or sub genre they cater to. still give you the mass 
this does. That said, all are valid. If nothing else this 
would be the ultimate Swiss Army Knife as a second drive.
...yes there is a cheapie, DemonFX Precision Drive make  
   a clone of the Horizon Precision Drive. $45.00 USD  
 

Wednesday, October 21, 2026

OVERDRIVE- TKOG Oxford Monarch Overdrive___NEW___ Marshall Gov'nor clone

TKOG EFFECTS PEDALS 
 OXFORD MONARCH 
$290.00 USD
The designer of this pedal goes to a great length to detail the many pedals that were designed by using the original and all that followed it. Including well known brands like Wampler, JHS and Fulltone. Even this pedal is not the makers first but more of a deluxe version. Like the original it is a OpAmp with clipping diodes pedal. As I have stressed in the past these can be more easily made cheaply where OD's using FET transistors that are more tube like can as a rule not be. Yes like all pedals there 
are exceptions and some of my favorite OD's use both.
The pedal has 2 channels with one being the OD and the other a Boost. It basically gives you the tools to cover a 
proximity of all the Marshall amps from the JTM 45 thru 
to the JCM 800. 
            CONCLUSION __
 In the real world one turns the knobs on any OD and finds a sound 
 'they' personally like and not one that will get a room of players to 
 say. YES ...that is exactly like a real Plexi etc. etc. So this MIAB 
 is about average for 'sound' in its price range.
Most of us can find at least one killer pro MIAB sound from a $65 Tone City Golden Plexi v.3 
 

OVERDRIVE- GHOST NOTE AUDIO Codename X81 ___NEW___ Valvestate 8100 clone

$260.00 USD
 G H O S T  N O T E   A U D I O 
[CODENAME X81]
Made in the UK. It is a clone loosely based on the 1991 Marshall Valvestate 100 watt solid state amp.
The layout is active Bass, Mids and Treble with Volume, 
Gain & Contour (a mids sweep.) 
A toggle gives you more gain & a button for Boost. 
This is an extremely high gain pedal. 
CONCLUSION |||
 It simply is what it is meant to be. 
 It is punchy, tight with incredible balz. 
 No fizz just smooth all the way thru the highs.
 It is totally over the top but irresistible.
...the iSet Grim Heavy Metal is gritty but does a            reasonable stand in _$30.00 USD (Amazon)

      

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

OVERDRIVE- CRAZY TUBE CIRCUITS Rapture ___NEW ___ one stumble but no fall

crazy tube circuits
rapture   
$215.00 USD
Once upon a time not so very long ago CTC brought out the Triptych  pedal. Basically all the Tone Bender Fuzz variations and a basic MIAB 
to put them thru in one enclosure.
The general consensus from those that tried it was WOW what a 
great amp. The company simply pulled the OD out of this Triptych 
Fuzz pedal. They added a bit of headroom & gain but that's about it. 
           CONCLUSION __
Lets just say I expect one day before long the Triptych 
will disappear off their site as the bad ol' Fuzz part is 
at best mediocre and should be put back in the closet. 
However the Overdrive in it is indeed total killer. 
...the good news is everyone can now 
                    live happily ever after, 😇.

                      

  
NOTE: I the Greer Lightspeed has been the King of 
transparent OD's for 8 years. I think this will kill it!!!