I need something with a smallish footprint including top loading jacks for my pedaltrain Nano plus. I need a transparent low gain drive and also a sustaining lead sound.
I'm currently looking at:-
Strymon Sunset - ticks a lot of the boxes, but quite expensive and I'm not sure if a didital pedal is the way to go, as my main effect unit is a Helix LT.
Chase Bliss Brothers - The demos sound good. Out of budget and I wouldn't use the midi capability, looks complicated and I've read there can be volume issues between sounds. However it sounds good and I could probably integrate it with my Helix. So perhaps I could use the midi? The demos do sound good. Not too fussed about fuzz, but handy it has so many options
Truetone VS-XO - Older pedal but looks simple and versatile. Cheaper option with lifetime warranty
Xotic AC RC. Demos sound good, but a bit expensive compared to the truetone for an anolog only box.
So, any others I should be looking at?
Anybody have experience with any of the above?
Comments
I have the VS-XO and it's a stunning OD pedal with plenty tweak-ability! a Nobels ODR-1 "clone" on one side and more of a Tubescreamer type drive on the other. Loads of gain and volume on tap on both sides too, easy-switch footswitches and independent jacks for each side meaning you can have these sitting at various points in your chain.
Great, great pedal!
Very happy with the Brothers, but then I do use all the midi functions too.
*Just noticed you are looking for top loading jacks.
Left of field suggestion:
Wampler Pinnacle Deluxe V2 (the V2 bit is important).
You get a boost on the right side, which goes from clean boost to tube screamer
Left side is medium/high gain Marshall.
It's a really good pedal - I've recently sold one as I'm all modelling now, but it's capable of an awful lot more than the EVH idea.
If it's too high gain - there's the same idea in the newer Plexidrive deluxe too.
I sold both mine for around £135 and they come up quite often so worth a look maybe?
Very expensive but the king tone dualist is great too
Also, much as I like the Helix, I’ve still not got my ideal lead tone, when used into a clean amp. I really like the Timmy model, so I’m okay for the low gain side, but I’m waiting for future models to get my ideal sustaining mid gain sound.
Okay, will definitely try a Sunset. I’ll try the VS-XO at the same time as Sounds Great have both
I’ll check out the other suggestions too.
The Brothers I would like to try, but I don’t think anybody stocks them nearby. Has anybody got one I could try in Manchester?
Do you ever have issues with it only having a combined master volume for both channels?
That’s the thing that worries me a little, not having independant control over volume for each channel.
EDIT: the Jouster has been sold anyway.
I have the Sunset, it is good. I really like the non-clicky momentary switches as well rather than the hard click switches.
not momentary as in only work when pressed, I mean quiet like a tap tempo switch not hard click