Ugly Guitar Truth: EHX Hot Wax Overdrive

Somehow, EHX was about to the keep the announcement of their new overdrive pedal a secret from me for the last few weeks. They have produced a new dual overdrive pedal that has taken me by surprise. The Hot Wax is not at all what I expected for Electro Harmonix. As it is explained by EHX, the Hot Wax overdrive is basically the Hot Tubes overdrive mated with the Crayon overdrive. Is this a match made in heaven or some hellish concoction? Let's discuss.

It's Probably Not What You'd Expect

Unlike previous match ups, the two drive circuits share some functions. This means the two drives are not independent from one another. Unlike the Turnip Greens and Soul POG, this pedal shares tone controls and does not feature an effects loop. Were these cost cutting measures or lazy design? Maybe neither. Electro Harmonix is, if nothing else, a company that doesn't suppress creation. Does this mean that everything they make is a winner? Hardly. I imagine when something at EHX make Mike Matthews say, "That's cool." it gets produced. At least they aren't telling us that this is the latest and great, brand new, totally original design from EHX. They're honest. They told us that if these two pedal had a baby, then this is the result. It's not two pedals in the same box, it's a product of commingling,

It's Nothing New

I know we discussed how it was the product of two other pedals, but there is a problem whenever you have these situation. These two pedals, respectively, have been on the market a while. I checked out the Hot Tubes when I first noticed it a few years ago. I passed then. I was rather excited about the Crayon during its release, and it continues to be a go to pedal for me. It could be that these pedals sound great together, but that would only prompt me to buy a Hot Tube pedal to test that theory.

Rebranding

What EHX may be doing is branch out into larger, more complected drive pedals. Looking back at the catalog of EHX drive pedals, you'll notice their wasn't much that didn't have MUFF in the name. The popularity of their (for the lack of a better word) clone pedals is allowing them to move in a different direction. Let the Muff return to its fuzz roots and develop overdrive circuits that stand on their own. While most drive options have been compact, three-knob-jobs, the line needs more complete and capable gain stage options. Instead of reinventing the wheel, Eletro Harmonix married two existing circuits. Instead of blowing (cigar) smoke up our collective butts, they gave us the truth. Respect. But this could all just be EHX trying to flesh out there Drive pedals with a more diverse offering.

Conclusion

For me, I already own a Crayon, so it doesn't make a lot of sense to pick up this pedal. I would like to give a run through. For someone looking for a overdrive/boost or dual overdrive pedal, then this might be your thing. The Hot Tubes in my opinion does a fine job at being a mid/light gain, mid-humped overdrive. The Crayon is a good sounding, flexible overdrive. Put them together and what do you get? Magic? Gold? ... Hot Wax...

Support the blog by shopping on Amazon by using my link!

There should be an ad below:

Ugly Guitar Truth: EHX Dual 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 guitarists. 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 is 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 a 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 means 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.

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 guitarists. 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 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.

Support the blog by shopping on Amazon by using my link!

There should be an ad below:

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.

Support the blog by shopping on Amazon by using my link!

There should be an ad below: