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Got mine in! It absolutely slays.
The main circuit is a Tall Font Russian, so you can't go wrong there. Very useful tone sweep and plenty of gain on tap with the perfect character and bite. Not much to be said that hasn't be said on that great pedal.
My review of the additional features:
Flat/Scoop switch: Probably my favorite new feature. It does what it says and flattens out the mids in a way that definitely helps cut through the mix. I like it because its not terribly dramatic, just gives the same great tone more presence.
Creamy/Traditional switch: I'm not well-versed in muff mods, but I can see what all the hype is about with this one. It really does just turn everything up "to eleven". Doesn't sound exactly "creamy" to my ears, but that may be more applicable to guitar. Through my Fender PJ and Ampeg PF-50t, it actually seems to add more edge, depending on where the tone knob is set. That could just be from the insane amount of gain it's adding. Overall I like it, but for my uses it works better as an "effect" on small parts of a song rather than the "always on" tone I like from moderate settings on the Traditional side.
Buffer Boost: Super clean boost that the manual accurately describes as "adding a nice sheen to your top end". Definitely does that and I definitely could see myself using it as an "always on" tone booster. It also sounds really great boosting into the TFR, but honestly reminds me a lot of what the Creamy switch does. So it feels a little doubled up, but I guess if you realllly wanted to crank to eleven, you could flip up the Creamy switch AND turn on the Buffer Boost. Again, it sounds terrific but is definitely something I'll use in moderation. The most interesting thing to me about the boost is that its at unity gain at about 12 oclock. Turning it up does what you'd think slamming the TFR, but turning it down actually has a nice effect of getting LESS gain out of the TFR than you normally could. So if you appreciate low distortion settings on the TFR, its definitely something to play around with.
All in all, this is a great suped up version of an already terrific dirt pedal. You will never be lacking for gain and the bells and whistles are quite functional in tone shaping but never feel like overkill. It's a great swiss (er, russian) army knife and the clean boost is perfect. If you like the TFR or need a good russian muff, and could use an independent clean boost, I'd recommend picking one up.
Nice review. The comments on the boost remind me of the Elephant Skin I had. Any chance for a demo?
Bump.
I've owned a TFR for ages - great pedal. I've had to replace the footswitch on it twice I've used it that much.
Thinking reeeeaaaally hard about gettin one of these.
What's the word guy's? Is the mids switch much of a difference?
I've owned a TFR for ages - great pedal. I've had to replace the footswitch on it twice I've used it that much.
Thinking reeeeaaaally hard about gettin one of these.
What's the word guy's? Is the mids switch much of a difference?
I'll say that this past weekend I was in the studio recording and the whole band agreed the bass sounded better with the mid switch on. So, that alone makes it worth it to me. The other features are nice and might get used every now and then, but I think using this pedal simply as a TFR with flat mids is enough for me.
Just seen the review for this pedal in premier guitar and really like the sound of it. Down't own a tfr but always wanted one, now these added features quiet any criticisms of the orignal.
Bring on the videos!
Bring on the videos!
Really interested in snagging one of these. Bumping in hopes for a solid demo, at least on the updates from the TFR.
Well, it will have to be from someone else. My GAS has been pretty bad lately so I flipped mine not long after getting it. Used it on the album and it sounded great, but I just don't have as much of a need for fuzz/muff tones in my current projects. Used the cash to fund a Fuzzrocious Dark Driving and Demon and I don't regret it.
deepestend
Commercial User
- Feb 21, 2003
- 6,249
- 8,170
- Disclosures
- Website and Social Media at Sadowsky
I just ordered one! Can't wait. Hoping that the boost side really works as a standalone tone enhancer.
It is definitely subtle, but there is a nice top end character that gets added to your tone. Enjoy!
deepestend
Commercial User
- Feb 21, 2003
- 6,249
- 8,170
- Disclosures
- Website and Social Media at Sadowsky
deepestend
Commercial User
- Feb 21, 2003
- 6,249
- 8,170
- Disclosures
- Website and Social Media at Sadowsky
First time use last night: love how easy it is to dial in great sounds with this pedal. I've used a lot of similar muffs before and have found it very difficult to dial in just what I wanted. The boost was perfect for use as "mostly always on" and gave a very clean boost to my signal. Just what I wanted. The muff could go from a solid boosted tone with minimal distortion to all out full sounding. Love all the options of mids/scooped and creamy dreamer/regular. All bring useable functions to this table. Will report more later, but this is a very versatile pedal for me and a good ground zero.
