Ugly Guitar Truth: BOSS WAZA Craft 75-Watt Head

The Katana amps have made a huge wave in the solid state amp market. So much so, that it is easy to forget that the Katana amps share a blood line with the WAZA craft amps. The WAZA was the very first amps under the BOSS name. Roland has been producing amps for decades, but only in recent years have they put the BOSS logo on the front. Now, with the popularity and notoriety of the Katana, the WAZA line has expanded to include a 75-watt head. Is this finally the WAZA for the masses? Let's see...

Something Old, Something New

There is a feature list a mile long on these amplifiers. No matter what the amp can do, it has to sound good first and foremost. The WAZA was authentically voiced after the heavy rock sounds of the 70s and 80s. These amps also have a separate independent B channel that selects a"Brown Sound" Tone Capsule. Both the A and B settings have 4 channels: Clean, Crunch, Lead1, Lead2. Included with vintage tones are modern features such as Dual FX Loops, Midi controls, USB and Line outputs with cabinet simulated outputs.

Affordability?

The good news is that the WAZA 75-watt head costs $750 less than the 150-watt version. However, that means it still costs $1,500. Paired with the 2X12 cab, the combo will run you $2,500. That's Marshall stack money. Obviously, these amps are meant for the touring professional. If you were hoping that this would be a cheap option to the full bore 150-watt version, then you might be a little disappointed. This isn't exactly bridging the gap between the affordable Katana line and the premium WAZA, but it's good to see that they are still supporting and developing their high-end amps.

Conclusion

Is it time to run out and buy the WAZA Amp.  No, it is not. Unless you are a touring professional that can justify a high-cost rig, this option isn't very approachable. More approachable than the 150-watt version, but when we are talking about starting at $2500, then why not get the high-powered version. These are impressive amps that hopefully translate into great affordable products like the Katana.

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Ugly Guitar Truth: Chasebliss Tonal Recall Red Knob Mod Delay

Those familiar with Chasebliss know the amount of engineering that they put into each one of their products. No product more recognizable of their than the Tonal Recall. An absolutely stunning display of quality, features, and control, the Tonal Recall has made a name for its self on its hard-earned merit. Just before Summer NAMM Chasebliss announces that they've produced a second version of this pedal with some very special features. Let's check it out...

The Tonal Package

It's hard to improve on such a beloved pedal, but Chasebliss have done just that. They've increased the delay time to 1100ms while still using the MN3005 that gave the first version its character. It now carries more repeats before its signature breakup. Its runaway hold control has been improved to sound more natural. The overall tonal range has been expanded to be able to sound a bit brighter. Quite simply, the people over at Chasebliss have made their amazing delay even better.

Still The One

Although they have made many changes, the Tonal Recall is very much the same pedal. There are a dizzying array of options available in this pedal. Deceptively simple look at a glance, the Tonal Recall lets you control nearly every aspect of your delay sound. These controls are also controllable via expression pedal as well. Rest assured that this is still the pedal that everyone knows and loves.

Conclusion

No doubt that the fans of the original will love the Red Knob Mod just as well. It is hard to believe that they've created a way to make this absurdly great delay even better. The only thing that you could criticize is the price tag. Not to say that the price isn't worth it, (I'm pretty sure that had to put actual magic in there) but when you start looking at $500 delays you find a lot of great options. Chasebliss has declared war of the big box delays with this one.

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Ugly Guitar Truth: DigiTech SDRUM Strummable Drums Pedal

NAMM is currently afoot and it is again time for new gear to be debuted. This is a very exciting time for us who enjoy discovering new gear and musical equipment. The thing I look forward to the most is the new pedals at NAMM. I'm a bit of a traditionalist when it comes to guitars, but I always look new and different ideas when it comes to pedals. That what DigiTech has done with the SDRUM. It is a drum machine that takes input from a guitar to create a groove. Much like the pads on a midi controller, you use your guitar strings to play a rhythm and that rhythm becomes the bass or snare beat. Let's take a closer look at this pedal.

A New Kind Of Groove

Continuing to capitalize on the success of the Trio, Digitech has developed a new tool for the solo artist. Taking the lessons learned from their first outing into the "Band in a Box" market, Digitech has given us another tool with even great potential. While the Trio was innovative, it lacked the flexibility that many serious artists needed. DigiTech has been active in the Live Looping scene for a decade or more. The JamMan is a recognized and respected tool by many solo looping artists. While the Trio might be a great practice tool, the SDRUM brings the ability to create any rhythm with nothing more than the pedal and a guitar.

All About The Bass?

The one notable exclusion the SDRUM possess is the bass line. The Trio is named so because it adds drums and bass to a guitar loop. The SDRUM only does drum loops. Let's not get to hung up on that fact. To think that this is an update or replacement for the Trio is a little foolhardy. While the Trio offers to fill in the holes in your ensemble, the SDRUM allows you to be more expressive and in control of your music. Having said that, the solution for a bassline already exists. An octave and looper pedal allows you to create your own bassline in much the same way the SDRUM creates drums.

Teamwork

The SDRUM has another trick up its sleeve. It integrates with the JamMan pedals. If you've ever tried to sync two looping pedals, then you know why this is a major feature. A fraction of a second can become a distracting lag over the course of a 3-minute song. This appears to be a well thought out approach to creating drums of the fly.

Conclusion

I'm impressed with what I've seen from this pedal. It seems to be a straightforward solution for artists that need a flexible tool. Its intuitive design makes it simple yet still elegant. However, this is still a unitasker. It does one job. Also, you will not be seeing this pedal in the bargain bin at your local music shop. At $200, this is a serious tool meant for the working/avid songwriter. This pedal won't be seen on every pedalboard. It is, however, an excellent execution of product design.

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Ugly Guitar Truth: EHX Expression Pedal

So, as much I look forward to new products from Electro Harmonix, Expression pedals are not extremely exciting. EHX did release several rocker pedals a couple years back. The "Next Step" line of rocker pedals looked futuristic and new, but that's always a gamble with guitarist. The fact that you couldn't attach it to your pedal board and unfamiliar functionality kinda doomed them. However, the new Expression Pedal is back to basics and that's about the best news we could hope for.

It's Plastic

Yes, this pedal is basically the Wailer Wah, but in expression pedal form. It has great features, for an expression pedal. You can reverse the polarity and set a minimum value via trim pot. It works with a wide range of pedals and has conventional construction. Constructed out of glass-reinforced nylon (plastic), the pedal is light weight and hopefully affordable.

Expression Impressions

I like that EHX is providing choices. They've taken risks with unproven ideas, but they've also provided a good option to those who prefer conventional pedals. It Seems like they are covering all bases. The Expression Pedal is much more affordable than the "Next Step" Expression pedal. Just moments ago, EHX posted the list price of $49.30. Which is roughly half the price as their previous expression. However, It's hard not to compare this pedal with the MOOG expression...

Deja Vu

Plastic construction and identical feature set, make this pedal a near clone of the Moog EP3 Expression pedal. Not that EHX is a new-comer to cloning pedals. However, not everything is a direct clone of the Moog. First off, the EHX pedal looks like it is larger than the Moog. I don't have exact dimensions of the EHX pedal, but by simply looking at the promotional photos, you can tell that the EHX looks much like a typically Dunlop Wah shape (if not size). The Moog is sized between a full sized and the mini sized pedals that we've seen released lately. With the larger size, you have a slightly larger price tag. The Moog sells right at $40. So, less than $10 difference for a near identical pedal.

Conclusion

I like this pedal, if only for the fact that it is a departure from those weird rocker pedals that they put out previously. It comes with a 6' TRS cable (just like the moog). It doesn't work with everything, probably. I know that the Moog expression doesn't play with Line6 very well. Also, the Moog seems to use an audio, rather than linear, pot. This mean that moving the pedal half way won't necessarily give you a 50% value. This lends its self to wah-type applications, but it will still work with effects like pitch bending and other non-wah types. If you liked the Moog but wished it was a little bigger, this might be your thing.

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Ugly Guitar Truth: BOSS 40th Anniversary Box Set

BOSS pedals just announced that they are reissuing some of their first pedal they have ever produced. The SP-1 Spectrum, OD-1 Over Drive, and PH-1 Phaser are being produced in a hand-made, small batch manufactured in Japan. Vintage pedal collectors and enthusiasts of vintage effects know the importance of such pedals. Before now, to find and acquire one of these pedal out in the wild would mean throwing down big money. The Spectrum pedal can fetch around $500 on the open market. So is this a treasure to be had or a gimmick to be avoided. Let check it out...

It's A Gamble

There is a phenomenon in the guitar world especially guitar pedals. When a item is discontinued it either fades to obscurity, or rises to near-legendary status. The later happened with the Klon and King of Tone, and the former has happened to many non-nameless pedals. However, rereleasing vintage pedals isn't money in the bank necessarily. The Tuber Screamer is a great case in point. The TS-808 in currently available in a rereleased form, but it bares such a strong resemblance to the TS-9 and is heavily clone and copied that the effect is readily available in countless iterations. So the strongest motivation to by an 808 or this box set is nostalgia.

Money Grab

We have to mention the price of the set. $900 for the three pedals. Yes it comes in a really nice display box. but at today's market value, these pedals would only set you back about $700. The real gem here is the Spectrum. It is a single band parametric EQ. That means you can choose to boost or cut one frequency. You can pick up a brand new Empress Para EQ pedal that blows this out of the water for half the price of the vintage pedal. The OD-1 and PH-1 are both obsolete and replaceable by pedals that no more than what their vintage counterparts fetch. Is this an attempt to capitalize on the vintage pedal market by BOSS? Ehh, well...


Because They Can

If BOSS put out these pedals as a part of their regular run with inflated prices, then I wouldn't hesitate to dismiss this as a cheap money grab. However, they are only made 1,500 of these sets. That probably less than one per each guitar shop in the US let alone the world. This a milestone for BOSS. The set was crafted by hand in Japan in small numbers. BOSS has sold millions of pedals. They don't need to jack up the prices of 1,500 units. Everything about this set is focused towards a serious collector. The price an limited run are to insure exclusivity. I'm sure there are those willing to pay that price for three pedals that will remain in a box.


Conclusion

When I first heard about these pedals, I thought that they were going to be like the WAZA line. But this is something all together different. These are a special collectors item. Pedal Nostalgia has been a thing for a while now, and BOSS is giving the market something that it has wanted for a while now. I'm not going to buy this set. I don't have that kind of money to throw at pedal I don't intend to use. However, if they rerelease the Slow Gear that might be a different story...

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Ugly Guitar Truth: TC Electronic Hall Of Fame 2 Reverb

Several new reverb and delay unit have been released lately. Far from the least of which is the TC Electronic Hall Of Fame 2 reverb. The sequel to the rather iconic Hall Of Fame reverb, the HOF 2 bares a strong likeness to its predecessor. The controls, toggle, and stereo in/out are all still there. The majority of the reverb modes are the same as well. So are there enough differences between 1 and 2 to make a current own run out and buy number 2? Let's take a look...

Real Time Control

As with the Flashback 2, the Hall Of Fame 2 comes with the Mash function. This basically lets you take control of a single parameter by pressing the pedal's foot switch. This unique function turns your on/off button into an expression pedal. Not only that, but in the Tone Print settings, you can set the Mash function to any parameter that you want. This level of real time control is totally unprecedented in a single-sized, compact pedal. Personally, I am more excited to see this function in a reverb than in a delay.

Shimmer

Finally, TC has caught the Hall Of Fame up with the massively popular trend of Shimmer. This effect has become widely popular and is included in nearly all digital delay and reverb pedals in the last few years. It was a major selling point with the RV-6 and the MXR reverb. TC Electronic has implemented the same octave algorithm from the Sub N Up pedal. To say the the Sub N Up is a good octave pedal is a little bit of an understatement. If the thought and care that went into the Sub N Up also went into the shimmer setting on the Hall Of Fame 2, then rest assure it is a impressive effect

More Custom Options

In addition to the other changes, TC Electronic have made room for two additional Tone Print settings. This has come at the cost of the Tile, Ambient, and Gate settings, but those are still available under the Tone Print editor so we aren't really losing them. In combination with the Mash function, these Tone Print setting become extremely valuable. Tone Print offers a deep and rich editor that allows you to control much more than what the four knobs on the face of the pedal can do.

Conclusion

TC has put out an incredible pedal. The features alone are tempting. Combine that with the pedigree of the Hall Of Fame, dependability of TC Electronic's reputation, and powerful Tone Print editor and you have a killer pedal. The only bit of criticism I can muster would be for the Mash button. This function uses a new piece of hardware. How will this stand up to years of use? We don't know yet. I don't expect this to fail, but it may be a weak link. It also poses a problem for the tinker that like to fiddle with their pedal's bits. Neither of these would persuade me to discourage someone from checking out this innovative  pedal.

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