New SFX Custom Shop Pedal

Mark Latimour · #1 01-11-2011, 03:34 AM

Most of you know that Max at SFX tends towards coming up with his own designs and creates pedals with his philsophy of simple, functional, clean and well executed design. He is not known for making clones or copies of other pedals, but rather coming up with new an interesting ciruits to benefit bass players.

However, from time to time, there are pedals out there that are so revolutionary, so unique in their design and execution, that there really isn't another way to achieve the same thing without "borrowing" from the original circuit.

Max has asked me to test out one of his new custom shop pedals which, unlike most of his stuff, is based off a very rare, very boutique, Japanese pedal that is said to be one of the best signal enhancing circuits ever made. I was assured by Max that it took him months to track down the circuit diagram in order to replicate this pedal, but that, having done so, the results are worth it.

The pedal Max wanted me to try arrived in the mail today. I haven't tried it yet, but will post a full review once I get it on my pedal board tonight. However, I thought I might build up some anticipation in advance of getting the review posted.

I think Max is standing by to put this into full production, but at the moment I have the only version in existence of the new, SFX Micro-Spice.

rratajski · #2 01-11-2011, 03:55 AM

F that. 9V power...psssssssssssssh.

Oh wait, this is an improvement of the circuit....circuit hahaha.

KIDDING!!!
Way to go Max!!!

Footbutt · #3 01-11-2011, 05:15 AM

ha!
i love the description on the pedal:
"High Speed Asymptotical Singal Enhancer" --pure genius.

Smurf-o-Deth · #4 01-11-2011, 05:37 AM

What devilry is this?

Hollow Man · #5 01-11-2011, 06:13 AM

Ya, wot be dis 'signal enhancer'?

**grygrx** · #6 01-11-2011, 06:57 AM

Swift713 · #7 01-11-2011, 07:02 AM

But the SFX version has an LED! It may even be blue.

s_mcsleazy · #8 01-11-2011, 07:11 AM

so what is it

**Bryan R. Tyler** · #9 01-11-2011, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by s_mcsleazy

so what is it

Add an "l" to the product name.

Mark Latimour · #10 01-11-2011, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bryan R. Tyler

Add an "l" to the product name.

A Spicel?

bassman1185 · #11 01-11-2011, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Latimour

A Spicel?

I LOL'd.

Hollow Man · #12 01-11-2011, 08:25 AM

Methinks we've been had......

Mark Latimour · #13 01-11-2011, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hollow Man

Methinks we've been had......

The pedal exists. I have it with me right now!

scotch · #14 01-11-2011, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grygrx

Yeah, but the SFX versions' signal enters and exits with about 180 degrees of signal 'maximization'. Look out BBE!

Bob C · #15 01-11-2011, 09:16 AM

Is it April 1, or what? What does this pedal do??

Wud · #16 01-11-2011, 09:42 AM

Could somebody offer me any clarification as to weather the SFX Micro Spice features NOS vintage cloth covered cable ?

I think this is a very important question that I've raised here and I demand instant answers.
This could be the deciding factor if an order gets placed today or if I look elsewhere for my High Speed Asymptotical Signal Enhancer needs.

My name is Mudd · #17 01-11-2011, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bryan R. Tyler

Add an "l" to the product name.

Splice?

And Devi's already done it...

Mark Latimour · #18 01-11-2011, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by My name is Mudd

Splice?

And Devi's already done it...

I would imagine the effect of the Devi box to be quite different from the Micro-Spice. Whilst I respect Devi's interesting take on the design, its not remained true to the original circuit used. That said, I live what Devi's done and could see using one of those when going for that early Cream sort of sound.

Mark Latimour · #19 01-11-2011, 01:25 PM

Okay, so I got this home, and fortunately my wife was watching TV so I got to have a proper play with the Micro-Spice and, it is nothing short of amazing.

Max told me it would help bring some extra vintage warmth to my existing SFX pedals and that the perfect spot for it was after my overdrive. So I immediately set it in my board after the Micro-RD "low gain" OD and I immediately felt my sound transferred back to the day of old school heaven. It was like I was playing through JimmyM condensed into pedal form.

I think what really impressed me about the pedal was its transparency, it was like it wasn't there, but it somehow made my tone feel more vintage. I got to thinking, it works perfectly with the SFX board, but how does this thing play with a more exotic set up? So I rigged up the following:

Now, most people would probably think that the BBBOD adds all the vintage tone you would ever want. Those people would be wrong. The Micro-Spice made me think that the BBBOD was being played by Paul McCartney recording at Abbey Road such was the power of its aura. It even tamed the modern sounding FEA Labs Dual Band by making me think its was only a single band of vintage bliss.

I had to know what the secret was. Max probably wouldn't like me sharing the gut shot, but I think the world needs to know.

Swift713 · #20 01-11-2011, 01:54 PM

While the graphics on the original Spice are certainly more vintage looking, the red and green insulation technology looks light years beyond the original Spice.