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Black Arts Toneworks Pharaoh

Discussion in 'Effects [BG]' started by MNoir, Jul 11, 2013.

  1. Jul 11, 2013 #1
    MNoir

    MNoir

    Apr 14, 2013
    Between Boston and NYC...
    Looking for some feedback on the Black Arts Toneworks Pharaoh fuzz pedal. Currently using a WH Swollen Pickle, which I like, but it's still not quite the sound I'm hearing in my head. Yes, I've tweaked the SP's internal controls.

    Any feedback on the Pharaoh is appreciated.
     
  2. Jul 11, 2013 #2
    HugoBazZ

    HugoBazZ

    May 12, 2013
    Bump for interest ! :D
     
  3. Jul 11, 2013 #3
    johnk_10

    johnk_10 vintage bass nut Supporting Member Commercial User

    Feb 16, 2008
    Washington, Utah
    John K Custom Basses
    IMO, I the Pharoah's a nice pedal. even though they're both based on a BMP they sound completely different, and IMO, it's ALOT easier to get a good sound out of it than a Swollen Pickle since the SP has so much variance with all of its controls. that said, I dig the swollen pickle just as much.
     
    Driven Crane and DonBorelli like this.
  4. Jul 20, 2013 #4
    MNoir

    MNoir

    Apr 14, 2013
    Between Boston and NYC...
    So I ended up ordering a BAT Pharaoh, and it's suppose to be delivered today. As soon as I get get home tonight, I'll be comparing it to the WH Swollen Pickle. One will be staying on my board...
     
    Driven Crane likes this.
  5. Jul 20, 2013 #5
    HugoBazZ

    HugoBazZ

    May 12, 2013
    thank you!!

    really want some feed on this pedal :D
     
  6. Jul 21, 2013 #6
    Kazoo_Legend

    Kazoo_Legend

    Oct 20, 2012
    Central Valley CA
    +1.
     
  7. Jul 21, 2013 #7
    MNoir

    MNoir

    Apr 14, 2013
    Between Boston and NYC...
    First, let me say that I really liked the Way Huge Swollen Pickle. Once you have set the internal Voice and Clip potentiometers to your taste, you really can create a variety of great BMP-style fuzz tones that work wonderfully on bass. With that being said, it just was not the "sound" I was looking for. I found that the low-end frequencies that the Swollen Pickle generated were a bit overwhelming for my current set-up. There is a definite reason that Jeorge Tripps printed "Jumbo Fuzz" right on top of the pedal! Also, it did not have the particular high mid-range content I wanted in my fuzz tone. I definitely recommend this pedal for anyone who wants that BMP sound, and has the patience to really fine-tune all the variables of the pedal. I would think that the SP would destroy in a dub step musical setting! So with all this being said, the Pickle has been pulled off my board to make room for the Pharaoh.

    Last night, I spent only a couple of hours exploring the BAT Pharaoh fuzz but so far I absolutely love it! The low-end appears to be transparent and natural sounding, while providing a ripping fuzz sound. I definitely like the combination of the tone stack and high-end control! It is very easy to dial in a great tone, without it becoming shrill or brittle. I was finding the choice between germanium, silicone, or bypassed diodes very cool, and I really need to spend more time investigating these options. So far, I have created a bypassed diode, medium fuzz sound, which stacks very well with my Vintage Microtubes and Linden EQ pedals. Very happy! More review to come…
     
    Driven Crane likes this.
  8. Jul 21, 2013 #8
    HugoBazZ

    HugoBazZ

    May 12, 2013
    Thank you!!!

    looking forward for more info :)

    soundclips mabye? ;)
     
  9. Jul 21, 2013 #9
    DeltaPhoenix

    DeltaPhoenix Supporting Member

    Apr 6, 2011
    Gainesville,FL
    The Pharoah is a great pedal, I really liked it stacked into an OD. I liked the BAT LSTR pedal a little bit more though. It seems like it started right where I liked the Pharaoh and then had a bit more to give.
     
  10. Jul 21, 2013 #10
    MNoir

    MNoir

    Apr 14, 2013
    Between Boston and NYC...
    I have heard that the BAT LSTR pedal has more dirt, but with my "always on" being a DG Vintage Microtubes, I am using the Pharaoh to overdrive the VMT. Same thing as you would do with a regular amplifier set-up. I do like how it stacks with my chorus and phaser also.
     
  11. Jul 23, 2013 #11
    HugoBazZ

    HugoBazZ

    May 12, 2013
    any chance that we can get some sound clips?
     
  12. Oct 4, 2013 #12
    Sir Sly Ry

    Sir Sly Ry

    May 21, 2013
    I'm going to get a fuzz or distortion pedal eventually, and right now BAT has my attention. The Pharaoh seems to be pretty rad on bass but most videos seem to have it paired with another pedal. I'm wondering how it sounds on a totally clean tone.

    I'd be curious to hear how the LSTR sounds on bass as well.

    I don't think I'd be using fuzz/distortion a whole lot in my music writing, but sometimes I'd like to be able to turn on something heavy and just crush it. But I'd still like the fuzz or distortion to have some clarity as I tend to play two or three notes at a time quite a bit (lots of opens that I let ring out for example).

    Any suggestions for me?

    edit: And my bass is active by the way, not sure if that will make a difference.
     
  13. Oct 13, 2013 #13
    Darkonar

    Darkonar

    Dec 14, 2011
    Chile
    Shameless bump!

    Might be getting one of these within this month, anyone else who had/has one could share their opinions or experiences?
     
  14. Oct 13, 2013 #14
    Rabidrasbora

    Rabidrasbora

    Sep 21, 2012
    North Dallas, TX
    I really enjoy this pedal's tweakability, and the various voices you can achieve. You can get a fairly clean sound or more of a raw sound depending on your settings. It gets pretty hairy if needed, but stops short of fuzz (my opinion). Tone and distortion knobs are consistent/predictable (no surprises, I count this as a plus). It plays well with most of my pedals (Eden WTDI, VT Bass, MXR BEF) but didn't like following my Wren & Cuff or going into my MXR Octave pedal. In the Pharaoh's defense, I'm finding the Octave pedal doesn't like most other pedals I have/had...
     
  15. Oct 13, 2013 #15
    K2000

    K2000

    Nov 16, 2005
    Brooklyn
    I don't know any bass players using the Pharaoh (this is the first time I've seen bass players say they use it), but g____r players seem to LOVE it.
     
  16. Jul 24, 2017 #16
    Matt Dean

    Matt Dean Supporting Member

    Jan 2, 2007
    SF (North) Bay Area
    I resurrecting this thread because I just picked up a Black Arts Pharaoh, and I'm really digging it. First, I feel very at home with the Pharaoh; I've had a number of muff variants and love the general tone of a muff. But the Pharaoh, has germanium and silicon diodes for added tonal variation, which sound awesome to me. Anyway, I've been pleasantly surprised by how much I like the Pharaoh and thought I'd pump some life into this thread.

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