This year’s Premier Gear Award winners are, as usual, an eclectic set—full of old-school vintage homage, leading-edge digital developments, and imaginative meetings of those worlds. Dig in and dig it as we revisit the gear that fired the enthusiasm and wonder of our editors and contributors in 2017.
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The design criteria for the X1 was to deliver the sounds of the classic Carvin X-100B amplifier in a compact package with added connectivity. The result is a full tube preamp in a pedal format, able to fit in a carry-on or backpack. The X1 incorporates tube technology with simple, yet flexible modern features to interface with many types of gear.
The polyphonic STRING9 String Ensemble transforms a guitar into nine different string ensembles and string synthesizers while requiring zero modifications, special pickups, or MIDI implementation. It relies on the same technology powering all EHX 9 Series pedals. In a 9 Series first, the STRING9 includes the signature EHX Freeze effect on 3 of the presets to sample and hold notes and chords with infinite sustain.
The LIGHT Pedal is an optical spring reverb that combines all the best features of a classic spring reverb with an innovative infrared optical sensor system and a unique effects section. Create countless new types of reverb textures that have never been possible before.
Ampero Press 25kΩ Edition is a compact, passive volume/expression 2-in-1 pedal designed not only for controlling Ampero II Stomp* but also for other musical devices (with external EXP pedal jacks requiring 25kΩ EXP resistance) or being used as a passive volume pedal. It has a solid aluminum alloy casing, delivering a smooth and comfortable user experience.
The PRS Horsemeat transparent overdrive is a from-scratch circuit designed to enhance guitar tone without coloring it. Using germanium diodes, Horsemeat will give throatiness without sounding nasal or too high-pitched and harmonic richness by boosting both low- and high-end frequencies, all while providing more available headroom. Depending on the setting, the PRS Horsemeat can be used as a clean boost, straight overdrive, or even enhance an amplifier’s distortion by slightly pushing the front end of the amp’s preamp section.
PRS pedals were created to be high-end pieces of audio gear.
Designed by PRS Guitars in Stevensville, MD, USA. Made in the USA.
Inspired by Mr. G. Smith’s particularly amazing vintage 1972 Big Muff® that came into the shop for repair, the Good One is a 100% reverse-engineered replica of that exact unit.
