Ugly Guitar Truth: BOSS Waza Craft DC-2W Dimension-C

I don't think I get this one. I understand that it's a vintage pedal that BOSS has released under the Waza label, but other than the vintage appeal, there just isn't anything here that I'm stoked about. I ran a little long in the post about the Waza Metal Zone, so I think this will be shorter.

Ugly Truth in: 3... 2...

1. Presets

I'm a knob tweaker. I love to twist knobs. I like to fine tune all the settings. The biggest reason that I don't own a Strymon pedal is that I would probably be found dead from dehydration next to it because I tried to adjust all the parameters. So the fact that this is a "set it and forget about changing it" type of pedal is a little detracting for me. I get the appeal, but I'd be screaming for a Blend knob right off the bat. I mean, it is a cool pedal with a lot of vintage appeal. Also, you can rig it up in a loop with a blend if you are that into it, but it sounds like a lot of trouble just to run a special pedal with some cool vintage cred. 

2. Premium

This pedal isn't for me. The whole Waza line has a particular customer base and 9 times out of 10 I'm not interested. (actually, it's 2 of out 8 so far...) This is the most expensive Waza pedal at 229 USD. No doubt there will be those that buy and love this pedal. Those people probably already know that they will love this pedal before they buy it and they don't mind paying that premium. I'm not cool enough to really "get" this pedal, so my money is better spent on a used MD-500. You get 20 presets with the Dimension-C, but your options are nearly limitless with the MD-500. 

3. There is no 3

Conclusion

No doubt there are some cool sounds in this box. If you were stoked when BOSS announced it, then you are the type of person that BOSS made this pedal for. I, however, didn't. 

The Ugly Truth About BOSS MT-2W WAZA Craft Metal Zone

BOSS decided to break the dang internet, or at least our tiny little corner of it, with the announcement of the BOSS MT-2W. It is regarded by some to be the most despised of all pedals and praised by others for its unique sound and features. Along with the Dimension-C, the Metal Zone has gotten the WAZA treatment. So what does that mean for this divisive pedal? Well, let's take a look at what the BOSS Waza Craft Metal Zone MT-2W has done

First, a little backstory. I think I've shared this before, so I'll keep it brief. I used to play in a metal band. In my search for great metal tone. I, for a time, used a Metal Zone running through a GE-7 into an amp set for the edge of break-up. I still remember that I set the gain all the way down. This pedal had enough gain at zero. The more you turned up the distortion knob, the more noise and hiss came through the pedal. I still think that a Metal Zone running through an EQ is a powerful combination and an easy way to enter metal tone nirvana. So what do I think of BOSS releasing a Waza Metal Zone?

It makes sense. If you really think about it. Waza is the "greatest hits" of BOSS. The first pedals in the line were some of their best sellers. The SD-1 and DS-1 have sold tons of units. Nearly everyone that has gotten into pedals at least knows of these pedals if not owns them. I've owned several of each. (Why? It's hard to say.) But Waza isn't just about BOSS' most popular, current production models. They have rereleased some of the most coveted vintage pedals from the past. The DM-2 has been a vintage favorite for those that crave analog delay tones. The CE-2 is another pedal that saw rerelease in the Waza line. Both of these pedals are often emulated, but it seems like there is still a draw for something backed by BOSS. So why the Metal Zone? It's not as common to see an MT-2 as it is an SD-1, the Metal Zone is still in production, so why then? I think it's the same reason the BD-2 got its custom setting. Modders.

One of the first pedals that I ever modded was a Metal Zone. I liked the pedal, but the noise was always bothersome. So when I stumbled across a mod that was supposed to help with that, I jumped on it. I also killed the first MT-2 I ever tried to mod. eBay loved me. I think this is the reason that BOSS has given the Waza treatment to the MT-2. I hate being too cynical (or maybe I don't. I don't know.), but it makes sense. BOSS doesn't see much money from the modding community. When I modded pedals, I didn't buy a new pedal. I jumped on eBay and bought the cheapest pedal I could in case I screwed up the mod. I'm many others do the same, so BOSS wants to cut out the middleman and sell us the modded pedal up front. It makes all the sense, but is it worth it?

Log story just a little bit longer: yes, it is worth it.

The End

Just Kidding! did you think I wasn't going to talk this point into the ground? Is this your first time here? So, you may have noticed that I haven't talked about what this pedal sounds like. (I mean, if you think about, reading about what a pedal sounds like is a little silly, but hasn't stopped me before) If you like the way the Metal Zone sounds then you'll like the Waza Zone. If you didn't, then you probably won't be blown away by this pedal. If you don't know if you like the Metal Zone or not, then what have you been doing? It's been around for over 20 years... To be honest, this is one of the Waza pedals that I'd be interested in. I don't have very many heavy distortion pedals, and the MT-2 hold a special place in my guitar playing history, so buying a premium/custom version from BOSS for 50% more isn't a stretch.

NAMM 2018:Vox MV50 Boutique Hybrid Amp Head

Following the release of the first three super-compact amp heads using Nu Tube technology, Vox has released another. Calling it "Boutique" Many are speculating that these heads will be Dumble inspired. Starting around the time Orange released their Micro Terror heads, the idea of tiny of tiny amps have started catching on. In the past, these little amps were mere novelties, but now they capture more of the sound of their larger kin. Fitting these amp with practical features that many want with a larger amp added to 50 watts of power and Vox have put together rather impressive amps. But let's focus on the Boutique...

What is a Dumble, anyways...

Dumble is to amplifiers as Klon is to pedals. I'm not saying that a Dumble isn't a wonderful amp, but let's not kid ourselves. Guitarists are a superstitious bunch. The Klon Centaur wouldn't be the pedal it is today if they started mass producing them. That is to say, they wouldn't be able to fetch thousands of dollars and have countless clones if the original was readily available. If Dumble started producing amplifiers like Fender or Vox, would they have the same mystique? Possibly not. Would they cost as much as a Porsche? Absolutely not.

Is It A Dumble?

Let's not get carried away. These little head do a fine job, but lets not forget that Vox put out an AC version. If Vox actually believed that these amp sound as good as the amps that inspired them, then they have done a great disservice to their bottom line. Would you buy a Vox AC amp with 50 watts for 200 dollars? I know I would. Does the MV50-AC sound like a Vox, sure... kinda. They gave it the Vox-y chime, but it's not in that league. It's somewhere between the Valve Reactor series ( which is somewhere dying in a fire hopefully) and the current AC tube amps. So what about the Boutique? It's probably something like that. Kinda like putting a "Dumble-pedal" in front of Blues Jr. But you know, it's an amp.

Conclusion

Do I like it? Yeah, I kind of do. The features and functions of these amps are rather impressive. More importantly, the development of new/Nu tube technology is important. If they can replicate tube tones with this, then that's very exciting. The features of the Nu Tube seems a bit like snake oil. They've been trying to replace tubes for ages. Guitarists in general love their old tech, so even if these do perform just like tubes, they are fighting an uphill battle. My biggest concerns about the Boutique are the same ones that I have for the rest of them. There is a single Tone knob. The controls, in general, look like they belong more on a pedal than a head. Maybe they should make an MV series amp with more robust controls...