Homebrew UFO
The UFO (UltimateFuzz Octave) is an octave fuzz pedal in the vintage style, but the octave effect has its ownfootswitch so youcan choose if you want to add it to the fuzz, which comes intwo flavours – vintage andmodern – selected with a toggle switch.Vintage is thick and creamy 60s-style fuzz, but with a nice rawedge, delivered via a tone knob that can dial insomethroaty upper-end presence to cut through the mix. Switched to modern, youinstantly get a fatter bottom-end andmore output, whichmakes the pedalmore willing to take off into harmonic feedback.The upper-octave effect is a real treat. It’smixed proportionally to be fairly prominent, but youcan tame it a touch with the tone knob if desired, and it works just fine all over the neck – no matter which pickup youare on – just flick it in to add extra interest to your solos and riffs.
Verdict:
Avery versatile fuzz box formodernand vintage sounds, that livesupto itsname.
ORIGIN: USA
TYPE: Octave fuzz pedal
FEATURES:True-bypass, octave footswitch
CONTROLS: Fuzz, level, tone, vintage/modern switch
CONNECTIONS: Standard input, standard output
POWER: 9Vbattery or 9V DC adaptor
DIMENSIONS: 125 (w) x 95 (d) x50mm(h)
Homebrew Detox EQ
The Detox, aPaul Gilbert signature pedal, has a party piece in that it can turn a distorted rock sound into a clean sound.Thekey is inusing the pedal’s level knob at a lowlevel – the effect is different fromsimply turning your guitar volume knob down(which canmake the sound a little muffled), as youhave the treble, bass andmidknobs to compensate for anyEQchanges. Without anyEQboosts, unity gain seems to be near the full travel of the level knob, so dialling it back will take the edge off a dirtampand really clean it upwhenyouare back to about 10 o’clock (Paul Gilbert’s preferred setting).The Detox isno one-trickpony, though; with the level knobup, those cut and boost tone controls can reallytweak youramp to your taste, adding a bit of sparkle, bottom-endwhompor whatever – especially useful if youhave anampwith minimal tone control.
Verdict:
Clever design offers practical tone tweaking with extra benefits.
ORIGIN: USA
TYPE: EQ pedal
FEATURES:True-bypass
CONTROLS:Treble, bass, mid, level
CONNECTIONS: Standard input, standard output
POWER: 9Vbattery or 9V DC adaptor
DIMENSIONS:70(w) x 120 (d) x 57mm(h)
Homebrew ParaDrive
The ParaDrive offerstwo related functions – overdrive and boost – independently in one box, each with its ownfootswitch.Theoverdrive is based on theHBEPower Screamer, itself derived fromaTube ScreamerstyleJRC4558Dcircuit, and has a three-way ‘diode select’ switch for tonal options, plus a ‘fat drive’ switch for extra low-end gain.Theboost section offers a gain increase, dialled in with a single knob.Oneposition of the diode switch offers classicTStone, although the ParaDrive hasmoreupits sleeve than a standardTube Screamer in terms of output level.Theothertwo offer variations withmore low-end, gain and dirt – useful choices to better match youramp.Theboost takes the overdrive to another level, but it’s great on its own – just kicking yourampupa notch.
Verdict:
Oneof the most versatile and practical overdrive pedalswe’ve seen lately. It’s like adding three extra channels, giving you four level/dirt options.
ORIGIN: USA
TYPE: Overdrive/boost pedal
FEATURES:True-bypass, independent boost and drive footswitches
CONTROLS: Gain, level, tone, boost,D.Sel switch, FD switch
CONNECTIONS: Standard input, standard output
POWER: 9Vbattery or 9V DC adaptor
DIMENSIONS: 125 (w) x 95 (d) x50mm(h)
Homebrew Germania
The Germania isHomebrew’s take on the classic Rangemaster treble booster fromthe 1960s, and offers upto20dBof gain to drive youramp. In its ‘hi-fi’ setting, you get a full range boost, but a ‘lo-fi’ setting offers amore focused boost in one of three frequency ranges controlled with the3Qswitch. Boost in hi-fimodeis bright, withsome germanium-driven grit to it, and as you turn the knob clockwise there’s a massiveamountavailable. In lo-fi mode, the three settings offer cut in the bottom but different midrange emphasis. This pedalworks best with an ampthat’s already overdriven, and especially one that’s dark-sounding – kick it in to take itupanother level and squeeze outsomeharmonics – it did a fine job with our oldnontop-boost AC30. It’s also great with a dirt pedal.
Verdict:
TheGermania can deliver a rawand aggressive boost, but that tonal shift won’t necessarily suit allampsettings, so try it out with your own.
ORIGIN: USA
TYPE:Treble boost pedal
FEATURES:True-bypass
CONTROLS: Gain, hi-fi/lo-fi switch,3Q switch
CONNECTIONS: Standard input, standard output
POWER: 9Vbattery or 9V DC adaptor (+9V rather than the more standard -9V needed)
DIMENSIONS:70(w) x 120 (d) x 57mm(h)
Homebrew CPR
HBE says that the CPR (ComPressorRetro) is modelled after a vintagecompressor circuit… but it’s not saying which one. Controls are fairly standard, with a sustain knob turningupthe compression and the level knob setting the appropriate output, with enough on tap for a neat boost function – with or without the sustain knob turnedup.The attack knob setshowquickly the compressor kicks in on your signal, allowing youto shape the front-end of your note envelope to suit the musical context – that Nashville snap being there if youwant it.We find the CPR does all the things you’dexpect froma good compressor – keeping the sound tight and focused, adding definition and helping squeeze out the sustain.
Verdict:
There are plenty of good pedal compressors, and the CPR joins the ranks; it might not appeal to those wanting to conserve space on their ’board, but it’ll certainly look good on it.
ORIGIN: USA
TYPE: Compressor pedal
FEATURES:True-bypass
CONTROLS: Sustain, level, attack
CONNECTIONS: Standard input, standard output
POWER: 9Vbattery or 9V DC adaptor
DIMENSIONS: 125 (w) x 95 (d) x50mm(h)
Homebrew Cremolo
With all-analogue FET-based circuitry, the Cremolo is designed to mimic vintage valve tremolos. Intensity and speed knobs are standardonany tremolo pedal, but the Cremolo also has a level knob that can not only compensate for any perceived volume dropwhenthe effect kicks in, but also has extra output to drive anampor match it to the chain. Two ranges of speed are available via a slow/fast switch, while another switch turns off the flashing speed indication LEDif youfind it irritating. There’s awarmth to the Cremolo that screams vintage, or rather whispers it softly into your ear – it’s a nicely rounded tremolo that really does sound as if itcamefrom a vintageamp.You get only one sound,
but it’s a good one with plenty of subtle shadings available via the intensity knob.
Verdict :
TheCremolo is all about vintage tone, ather than offering a range of tremolo types, so if you are looking for old-school amptremit might be just what youneed.
ORIGIN: USA
TYPE: Analogue tremolo pedal
FEATURES:True-bypass, flashing speed indication LED
CONTROLS: Intensity, level, speed, speed indication LED, off/on switch, slow/fast switch
CONNECTIONS: Standard input, standard output
POWER: 9Vbattery or 9V DC adaptor
DIMENSIONS: 125 (w) x 95 (d) x50mm(h)
