The Keeley Noble Screamer handsomely combines many attributes of Ibanez Tube Screamer- and Nobels ODR-1-style circuits. Neither of those iconic green machines need much introduction. Both aesthetically and sonically, the Tube Screamer is one of the most recognizable pedals in the effects pantheon, and the ODR-1’s anecdotal honorifics (“The secret weapon of Nashville session players!”) and concretized list of evangelists (Guthrie Trapp! Tom Bukovac!) are practically part of the pedal’s name. But through the use of switchable clipping and tone control profiles, the compact, clever Noble Screamer makes it possible to blend and switch between flavors from both green giants.
Greening Out
The Noble Screamer’s style is minimalist and striking. It marks the debut of Keeley’s new sloped aluminum housing, which looks great and feels sturdy. The Grinch-green brushed aluminum knobs look bold and easy to read against the black enclosure too. Like the TS and ODR-1, the all-analog Noble Screamer features knobs for volume, gain, and tone. But the Noble Screamer has toggles under the latter two pots that alter their respective functions considerably. Flipping the switch under the gain knob to TS mode engages soft-clipping diodes. Switching the toggle below the tone knob to TS-mode gives the user control of a low-pass filter. In OD modes, the circuit switches to hard-clipping diodes, and the tone controls sweeps from flat EQ to boosted bass and treble in the fashion of the ODR-1’s “spectrum” control. This simple switching scheme yields a lot of different flavors. The pedal can also move between buffered and true bypass switching by pressing and holding the footswitch. It’s a smart, flexible, and practical feature.
Mix and Match
The Noble Screamer sounds delightful across the board. With both toggles in TS mode and all knobs at noon, you get soft grit with great note definition and a tight midrange focus. And while TS pedals are famous for sweet low-gain tones, all-Screamer settings beckon you to max the drive control and unlock the circuit’s smooth, singing distortion. Adding output volume at these settings brings a touch more width, and the low-pass filter moves easily between spiky and silky.
Flicking the switches to OD mode with identical settings brings a very noticeable volume boost and more pronounced bass response and fullness. Compared to the TS settings, you’ll either find it a touch dark, or pleasantly alive, depending on your taste. The hard-clipping diodes make OD mode a much nastier proposition, and you can easily push the pedal to thick distortion. I preferred keeping the tone and gain around 1 o’clock, and the volume between noon and 3 o’clock, depending on how loud and rude I wanted to get. The tone control’s sweep is impressively useful in its OD “spectrum” guise as well. You can access a lot of high-end clarity, and it doesn’t overdo the ODR-1’s signature low-end thunder. In low-gain settings, the OD mode is predictably large sounding. But the best low-gain/boost sounds might be those that blend the soft clipping of TS mode with the OD tone section. These tones are especially smooth, broad, and clear.
I don’t know that mixing and matching the circuits is necessarily better than each on its own, but it certainly offers a different palate of sounds. With the tone set for OD and the drive in TS you can stretch the bass and treble capabilities of the TS’s gentler, more targeted overdrive bite. Reverse the switches and you’ll get the TS’s more focused mid-range punch with harsher, heavier distortion. For my tastes, the OD tone/TS drive combo was the most pleasing. It’s big and punchy without ever getting harsh, and the boost from the OD tone circuit makes the TS drive a bit more commanding.The Verdict
While you could conceivably get a Tube Screamer and ODR-1 for the same price as the Noble Screamer, the high-quality, USA-built Keeley is a more flexible solution that takes up half the space. True, the overdrive sounds here are largely familiar. But the Noble Screamer is a smarter, cooler, and more versatile way to access and reshape those bedrock tones.
The Best 2-in-1 Overdrive? Keeley Noble Screamer Demo | First Look
Mike Soldano designed this sonic powerhouse to be a fully featured versatile 20w guitar amplifier. The ASTRO-20 can also be used as a stand-alone cab-less amplifier ideal for live sound, rehearsal and studio recording sessions, thanks to the DSP powered IR cabinet simulation.
The simple front panel design of the ASTRO-20 lets you save any combination of the channels, Galaxies, and IRs and quickly recall them with the included 4-button MIDI footswitch. The free downloadable Soldano Editor Software makes organizing presets and integrating your own IRs fast and easy.
3-Channels of All-Tube Tone
Despite its incredible onboard control, the ASTRO-20 is a straightforward, all-tube amplifier that is powered by two 6V6 power tubes and four 12AX7 pre-amp tubes.
There are three channels to select: Clean, Overdrive 1 or Overdrive 2.
The Clean/Green Galaxy is a high-headroom circuit reminiscent of classic American combo amps. It ranges from crystal clean to slightly pushed crunchy tones dialed in with a single Tone knob and a 3-way Bright switch.
Overdrive 1 and Overdrive 2 include independent Volume and Gain with a shared 3-band EQ. The Blue, Purple, and Red Galaxies can be assigned independently to each of the Overdrive channels via the Galaxy select switch.
ASTRO-20 1x12 Combo loaded with Celestion Greenback
The Galaxies
The Blue Galaxy ranges from bluesy cleans to fat and sparkly hard rock tones. The Purple Galaxy takes over where Blue leaves off, delivering higher gain and a tighter response. The Red Galaxy takes you on a journey starting from Soldano’s iconic lead tones to a new phenomenal high-gain universe. The Blue, Purple and Red Galaxies can be assigned to Overdrive 1 or Overdrive 2 independently and saved for instant recall.
The ASTRO-20 lets you customize the overdrive channels to YOUR needs. For example, you can select the Red Galaxy for both OD 1 and OD 2 (and set the Volume and Gain differently on each channel), or OD1 as Blue and OD2 as Red, or OD1 as Purple and OD2 as Red – the combinations are endless
ASTRO-20 Head and 1x12 Cabinet
The STAR Display
All features of the ASTRO-20 are controlled right from the front panel, making it convenient and versatile. The innovative STAR display indicates which Galaxy is being played (Green, Blue, Purple or Red), while the 6 “planets” around the star indicate the current IR preset. The planet indicator will turn OFF in CAB BYPASS mode.
Soldano Editor Software
The Soldano Editor Software features an intuitive user interface, allowing you to easily assign Galaxies to the Overdrive channels, select different IRs for all three channels, load and organize your IR library, and save up to 128 MIDI presets.
Cabless Operation
The ASTRO-20 allows you safely go to the front of house, a recording device, or use your headphones without connecting to a speaker cabinet.
If you want authentic Soldano tube tone with the modern flexibility of digital control, the Soldano Astro-20 is the amp for you.
4-Button Midi Footswitch - Expanded MIDI Control
An included 4-button MIDI footswitch lets you save and access any combination of channels, Galaxies, and onboard IRs. The amp also accepts external MIDI switchers and controllers, giving you up to 128 user-created presets. You can assign and organize your presets with the included Soldano Editor Software.
Master Controls
The wide range master Presence control takes you from a tight and mid-focused response to an open, three-dimensional feel. The 3-positon Depth switch fine-tunes the power amp’s bass response. You can boost or cut the bass using this switch. Depth cut is ideal for extended-range, low-tuned guitars, allowing you to cut through the mix. Depth boost beefs up single-coil guitars and at lower volumes enriches the bass response.
Celestion G12M Greenback
The ASTRO-20 combo is loaded with the legendary G12M Greenback from Celestion. Its broad mid-range attack and well-controlled low-end let’s explore every tonal nuisance found in each of the ASTRO’s Galaxies.
If you want authentic Soldano tube tone with the modern flexibility of digital control, the Soldano ASTRO-20 is the amp for you.
For more information, please visit soldano.com.
About Mystery Stocking
Each year, Premier Guitar likes to put out these mystery boxes as a part of bringing some fun to the holiday season. Remember, this is supposed to be a fun holiday treat! If the contents of this box will ruin your holiday, deplete the last of your bank account, or end your ability to see the good in humanity, it may not be for you.
- This year's Mystery Stocking will cost $44.95. ($39.95 + $5 Flat shipping)
- Each box will be guaranteed to contain $40 or more MSRP.
- US only. (Sorry World.)
- Make sure your shipping address is correct.
- Have your credit card ready to go before you refresh the page. Paypal is not available. Autofill may not fill in your information.
- There will be NO REFUNDS given.
- There has been a huge demand for these in the past. When they are gone, they are gone.
- One per household, one per person.
Q: What's in the Mystery Stocking?
A: It wouldn't be much of a surprise if we told you, now would it?
Q: Will I definitely get my money worth?
A: Yep.
Q: Can I return it if I don't like it?
A: Nope. All sales final.
Q: What if I live outside the US?
A: Sorry, US only.
Q. How much is it?
A. $39.95 Plus $5 shipping
Q. When will it ship?
A. On or before December 12, 2023.
Q. What form of payment do you accept?
A. Credit cards only. Sorry, no Paypal for this.
Q. Can I ship to a different location than my billing address?
A. Yes
Q. I tried last year and didn't get one. Will I get one this year?
A. There is an overwhelming demand for Mystery Stocking. Be sure you have a fast internet connection and be ready when they go on sale.
Q. I want to buy 5. How can I buy 5?
A. You can't. This year, we're limiting to one per household, one per person, so more people can get in on the fun!
Thank you to this year's sponsors!
