A few highlights from Day 3 of NAMM.
We saw the newest version of EBS’ Billy Sheehan Signature Drive. In addition to the switchable boost, it has dual effects loops, and a phase inverter switch. Inside there are a few trim pots to adjust various drive and compression parameters, but the biggest news under the hood is the ability to swap out different op amps. It will street for around $250 and be be hitting shelves in a few weeks.
Elevate your musical expression with rich, organic sustain and versatile controls. Create intricate soundscapes with up to three layers, triggered by footswitch or playing dynamics. Adjust mix, attack, decay, and more for endless customization.
The MXR Layers Pedal blooms with rich, organic sustain that imbues every strum and pluck with resonance and depth. With a versatile suite of controls, this pedal can be as simple or complex as you need. Whether you want to lengthen single notes or generate multi-layered soundscapes rich with ambience, the MXR Layers Pedal will extend the creative potential of your instrument. Pull off chord voicings you never thought possible, compose transcendent melodies, orchestrate harmonic ensembles, create lively stereo pads, and more—all from a standard MXR housing.
MXR Layers Pedal highlights:
- Versatile suite of controls opens new frontiers to plug-and-play maestros and tonal tinkerers alike
- Up to three layers of sustain, each with its own status LED
- Trigger layers with footswitch or playing dynamics
- The Mix knob adjusts the wet signal level; in other words, the volume of your layers
- Trig knob sets the sensitivity of auto-trigger function
- Attack knob adjusts the fade-in time of each layer, while Decay knob sets the fade-out time
- Sub Oct switch adds fat subterranean vibes
- Advanced features such as expression pedal and tap switch control or additional parameter tweaks offer even more intricate customization
- Build richly detailed soundscapes that elevate musical expression to new heights
The MXR Layers Pedal is available now at $219.99 street/$314.27 MSRP from your favorite retailer.
For more information, please visit jimdunlop.com
Marshall mass in miniature.
Many inspiring and realistic big-Marshall tones. Cool variation in amp, cab, and room models.
Authentic as it sounds, it’s hard to replace the visceral experience of a big, bad stack.
$399
Universal Audio UAFX Lion ’68
uaudio.com
Though their ears may ultimately thank them, many guitarists never experience the visceral thrill of piloting a big Marshall plexi. But if nothing replaces the sensory wallop of standing before a stack—or the dynamic interactions such proximity affords—the art of digitally replicating those tonalities is in an elevated place. In terms of sounding satisfying on playback, Universal Audio’s UAFX Lion ’68 is at the leading edge, and a convenient path to big-Marshall-isms with minimum hassle and mega convenience.
The plexi-in-a-pedal format won’t work for players that need every amp and effect model under the sun. But if you relish Marshall tones, the Lion ’68 is a brilliant solution for tracking or gigging when the stack can’t make the trip. It offers an expansive tone palette, too. Super Bass and Super Lead models have ample headroom and reproduce the rich, underrated clean sounds of those amps as easily as they kick out Ramones walls of grind or Jimmy Page lead sizzle. The Lion ’68 exhibits lifelike dynamic response. It also reacts to gain devices as hectic as a Super-Fuzz with authenticity. The three amp models, six speaker cabs, and room ambience control offer scads of tone and dynamic variations. You can even jumper the two channels with realistic results. I still think I’d feel weird blasting MC5 riffs through a coffee house PA with the Lion ’68. But I would certainly try it in a bigger room and wouldn’t hesitate to record with this impressive plexi stand-in.
Featuring a unique Blah Blah Circuit for expressive filtering effects, versatile tone control, and premium Morley buffer circuit. Available exclusively through the LERXST Reverb Store for $299.
Spawned out of Lifeson’s long-time appreciation and use of the classic wah-wah effect, the Lerxst Blah Blah is a new breed of wah designed specifically for adventurous tone chasers. The Blah Blah uses Morley’s iconic switchless optical wah circuit as a springboard, carefully tuned by Lifeson and the engineers at Lerxst and Morley for an expressively vocal response that is equally usable in both classic and modern applications.
“Wah pedals have been an essential tool of sonic expression for me since the ‘Fly by Night’ album,” explains Lifeson. “With the ‘wah’ side of the Blah Blah, we really wanted to capture that classic sound while also giving it a wide enough frequency response to suit modern players.”
“The guys at Morley have designed some of the greatest wah pedals ever, so it was a natural collaboration to work on this project with them, and also see where we could take it next.”
The Blah Blah’s namesake Blah Blah Circuit is where the pedal sets its sights, and sounds, squarely on the future. Taking inspiration from Lifeson’s immediately recognisable Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction acceptance speech from 2013, the Blah Blah Circuit is a cornucopia of expressive, touch-sensitive filtering effects that evoke both vocal and synth-like sounds out of whatever instrument that is run through the pedal – including a recognizable ‘Blah’! The Blah Blah’s onboard tone control allows precise EQ control of these effects to make them fit perfectly alongside anything else in your pedalboard, or mix.
"Alex wanted us to create something unique and inspiring," said Morley Owner Scott Fietsam. "We certainly achieved the 'Blah-talkie' sound, but what surprised us was how versatile this pedal turned out to be. It opened up numerous sonic possibilities in both clean and distorted modes, making it enjoyable for a wide range of players."
Blah Blah Specifications
- Iconic Morley Switchless Optical Wah Circuit
- Switchable Blah Blah Circuit for Expressive Filtering Effects
- Versatile Tone Control for Blah Blah Circuit
- Premium Morley Buffer Circuit
- Sturdy Steel Enclosure
- Heavy-Duty Footswitch, Knobs, and Jacks
- LED Indicator Light
- 9V DC Negative Center Power
- Current Draw: 300mA
- $299
Asked to comment on the implications of such a unique wah pedal in a crowded market of effects, Lifeson said the following: “Blah blah blah, blah blah, blah. Blah blah blah blah, blah blah. Blah, blah blah blah. Blah blah. Blah blah. Blah blah blah, blah blah, blah blah blah. Blah? Blah blah blah, blah blah, blah. Blah blah blah blah blah blah blah. Blah blah blah, blah blah, blah.”
For more information, please visit lerxstamps.com.
The Texan tone tactician works with Paul Reed Smith & Doug Sewell to create a versatile amp that echoes the past, includes boost, reverb and tremolo and slips in some clever circuit options for maximum sounds.
“Working with David is very rewarding. His technical knowledge and vast musical experience push us to make guitars, and now amps, that players simply love to play,” said Jack Higginbotham, PRS Guitars COO. “Having brought his signature guitar to the SE Series last year proved yet again that we can deliver professional-level gear at a more affordable price. To recreate that access with this amplifier has been a pleasure. Hats off to Doug Sewell (PRS Amp Designer) and David on this incredible piece of gear.”
Learn more about the DGT 15 amp.