5 Worst Pedals Of 2017

Just as there is best of the year, there is also some pedals that didn't really seem to hit their mark. This isn't to say that they don't do the job their were meant to do, its just that sometimes the fact that they even exsist is a a head-scratcher. Let's take a look at some of the worst pedals of 2017.

EHX Blurst

I wanted to like this thing when I saw it. EHX has the habbit of bringing unexpected and fun products to market, but the Blurst was flirting with line between junk and genius and fell right over to the junk side. This is a pedal that dares you to try and use it. There is are some interesting special effects in this box, but I can't see that anyone could find use for it other than a noise maker. Some may need weird and interesting noises and this will provide, but for many of us, this is a waste of space.

DOD Rubbernecker

This pedal is actually a solid delay. It has some unexpected features and it expands of what you are capable of with analog delay. However, it suffers from timing. The Rubbernecker is now in the shadow of its big brother, Carbon Copy Deluxe. These two delay may possibly share some DNA, but given the choise between the two, most are going to go with the pedigry that the Carbon Copy brings with it.

BOSS/JHS AngeryDriver

This pedal came straight out of left field. The Angery Driver is a colaberation between JHS and BOSS. It combinds the Angery Charlie and Blues Driver. Both pedals are outstanding in their own right. So the decition to combind the two comes as a big surprise. Although, the pedal works on a technical level, it robs itself of some the best qualitiest that come with each respective pedals.

Keeley D&M Drive

What is basically a signature pedal, the D&M Drive actually works against itself. I understand why this pedal happened. These two brits that talk about pedals on the internet have the capability to sell plenty of pedals if they recomend them, so why not give them an endorment deal? Well, the whole perpuse of their show is to help guitar experience many differnent guitar product and maybe help with purchasing choices. If it turns out that they just shill for whoever is lining their pockets, then it doesn't help their credibility.

TC Electronic Rush Booster

This year we saw a whole slew of new pedals from TC Electronic. It's no coinsedence that this come after the buy out of TC by Behringer's parent company. What make the Rush booster worse than most other pedals in the same line is that TC already make a great boost for the same price. The Spark Boost is great and compact. For a one knob boost, you don't need a huge, heavy enclosure. This seems like some kind of oversight.

A New Smorgasbord Of Tone From TC Electronic

TC Electronic looks like they have been busy working up a whole new line of effects. They look to be a clear departure from the familiar. These pedals seem to be stripped down, compact version of classic effects. Those that have followed TC Electronic know that they are know for making some of the most dependable and smart effects on the market. Their Ditto was a game changer for many. The Hall of Fame reverb is a staple on many boards. The Flashback, in its many variations, are loved by many. The Toneprint capability of many of their pedal make them endless editable. These new offering look to be a beast of another kind.


What looks to be 13 in all, they all have their jack on top (fun) and range from one to four (external) knobs. These guys offer gain, mod, delay, reverb, and comp in tiny little packages. These pedal are a barrage of color and interesting names. They are: Skysurfer Reverb, Grand Magus Distortion, Tailspin Vibrato, Fangs Metal Distortion, Afterglow Chorus, Rush Booster, Cinders Overdrive, The Prophet Digital Delay, ForceField Compressor, Thunderstorm Flanger, Echo Brain Analog Delay, Rusty Fuzz, and Blood Moon Phaser. Can I just say that I'd buy the Blood Moon Phaser on the name alone.


Now For The Bad News...


This is the first major release since Behringer acquired the brand sometime in the last year or so. Does that mean that there are rehashed plastic pedals masquerading in pretty TC boxes? I don't know. I would to hate to think that TC Electronic would put out anything that wasn't up to their standards. Now, a cool looking, well designed pedal for a small price is always something of interest, so these pedal will remain on my radar. So far I can't find these on any US music web-stores, but Andertons has these available


For more info of these check out TC Electronic's website
For vid of the real deal check out 60 Cycle Hum's YouTube Channel