I Dig One Trick Ponies

[Jeff Bonny]

I've bought and sold a lot of pedals over the last thirty years and most of them at one time or another I've regretted not keeping. So I made a deal with myself recently that I would never sell another pedal. Effects are something that I've used fairly sparingly when I need to add a little sauce to the mix and their value can be best measured by the depth and variety of flavors rather than getting big mileage from any one in particular. A big collection is a good thing.

So in addition to acquiring new ones lately I've been replacing some I've had and missed. Looking at what I want to bring back I've realized that the wonder boxes like the Eventide PitchFactor don't have nearly as much appeal as the oddball one trick ponies like the OC-2 and the Slow Gear. It's like the lack of versatility is part of their charm and personality. Maybe I just don't have the patience to really sort out a box with a ton of sounds? It's probably a basic character flaw but I've always felt like I wasn't getting my money's worth using a super versatile box for only a couple of sounds.....which is kinda at odds with believing the variety of a big collection is a good thing. A lot of the time though the one trick ponies have been my benchmark (the OC-2 being a prime example) and for whatever reason they just sound better to me.

 

[Goldmember]

My favorite one-trick-pony is the MXR Phase 45. It may have only one trick, but it does it, oh, so mildly and cleanly!

 

[Mosfed]

You know I agree with you. In general I like to find pedals that do one thing really really well and I know that when I turn to them, I will get that sound.

Some examples for me would be the OC-2, the Mutron Octave Divider, the Dan Armstrong Orange Squeezer compressor, the MXR script phase 90, the HOF mini-reverb, the Ditto mini looper.

I think this obsession started with me from my training as recording engineer and the advice of an old master to stay away from all-in-one products and go for separate pre-amps, a/d converters, etc.

 

[jasonmitsch]

I am of the opposite mentality. I want the flexibility to do anything I want. I play so many styles with so many groups that it necessitates it. That's why my board has been shifting to strymon/eventide/sourceaudio gear.

 

[JimmyM]

I tend to go for the 1-trick ponies as well, though I prefer the term "specialty pedals" Flexibility is cool, but not at the expense of getting exactly what I want, and while I can't say I've disliked the more flexible pedals I've used, it seems like I always prefer the specialty pedals.

 

[FretNoMore]

The EHX Small Stone nano phaser is a one trick pony I like. Flexibility is good in my opinion though, but unless pedals have presets I also like to use my pedals as one trick ponies, find a sound and then leave the knobs where they are. I'd rather have one pedal per sound on my board than adjust something to get a different sound for the next song.

 

[Jean Baudin]

I like 50-trick ponies.

 

[cnltb]

My favorite one-trick-pony is the MXR Phase 45. It may have only one trick, but it does it, oh, so mildly and cleanly!

been looking for such a pedal for a little while now.
I really like those!

 

[Jeff Bonny]

I like 50-trick ponies.

When I grow up I wanna be just like you!

 

[bassmusic17]

The EHX Small Stone nano phaser is a one trick pony I like.

I also enjoy my Nano Small Stone. May not get as much love as MXR Script Phase 90 but i like what it does quite a bit.

 

[Goldmember]

been looking for such a pedal for a little while now.
I really like those!

Of all places, I found mine on the unpredictable Craigslist for $60. It was the last MXR pedal I thought I would ever find on that website! The 45 2-stage phase is shmooth as a pancake, and it's the shexiest pedal this side of Amsterdam.

 

[Jeff Bonny]

How does the Phase 45 differ from the Phase 90?

 

[FilterFunk]

Flexibility is cool, but not at the expense of getting exactly what I want

^This. I'm very particular about certain effects.

 

[cnltb]

Of all places, I found mine on the unpredictable Craigslist for $60. It was the last MXR pedal I thought I would ever find on that website! The 45 2-stage phase is shmooth as a pancake, and it's the shexiest pedal this side of Amsterdam.

Aahhh... Amsterdam...yes. Amsterdam... good pancakes !

 

[Bassmike62]

EHX Bassballs is my favorite 1TP so far. Unique sound, more flexible when modded, but still that one sound. Sold mine a year ago, another victim of FAD (Filter Addiction Disease).