Despite its straightforward controls, this brute-force distortion pedal boasts enormous range.
Since founding Ukraine-based Piod Effects in 2009, owner/engineer Aleksey Malyshok has been trying to replicate the monstrously heavy tones of amps such as the Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier and Peavey 5150 in a stompbox. After much research, he concluded that the best way to achieve this feat was to eschew the diode-based clipping used in most of today’s distortion pedals.
This led to the development of the What You Want distortion pedals, including the recently released What You Want 2 and its compact little brother, What You Want 2 Micro. Despite its diminutive size, WYW2 Micro boasts the core circuitry and fire-breathing tone of its big brother, but with simpler, more user-friendly controls.
You Get What You Need
At the heart of the WYW2 Micro is a unique “cascading constraint” circuit, which employs op-amps and a pair of FETs to produce amp-like overdrive that’s tight and defined no matter how much drive you dial in. This analog circuitry features custom-designed DC and audio noise filtering and a relay switch for quiet-as-a-mouse true bypass.
The pedal works with standard 9V power supplies, though you can also run it with a 15V power supply too. (There is no battery option, and the power supply is not included.) If your amp has an effects loop, you can feed the output of the stompbox to your amp’s effects return, using the pedal as a standalone preamp.
With just three controls—volume, gain and tone—operation couldn’t be simpler. The gain knob sets the distortion amount. Volume controls a discrete booster circuit, which reportedly provides more headroom than the output voltage divider-based circuits on most distortion and overdrive pedals.
Aggressive Perfector
While the WYW2 Micro has limited tone-shaping capabilities compared to its bigger sibling, the single-knob tone control is versatile, boosting lows or highs when moved further left or right, respectively. The noon-to-1 o’clock position yields slightly mid-scooped tones that are a good starting point for dialing in your own sounds.
Ratings
Pros:
Articulate metal distortion. Superb detail. Tube-like response. Excellent tone control range. Quiet till you hit the strings.
Cons:
Lacks the versatility of its bigger brother, the WYW2. No battery option.
Tones:
Ease of Use:
Build/Design:
Value:
Street:
$180
Piod Effect What You Want 2 Micro
piodfx.com
I can safely say I haven’t encountered many pedals that can rival the WYW2 Micro’s crushing gain and finely tuned tone control. It’s free of piercing highs and muddy lows, even at the most extreme settings. It’s difficult to get a bad sound out of it, or at least one that wouldn’t suit some other high-gain musical scenario.
With a Gibson Les Paul Custom, a Marshall JCM800 set fairly clean, and the pedal’s gain and tone knobs set to noon, I was treated to a smooth-sounding, slightly mid-scooped wall of thrash-friendly tone. The attack was quick and highly responsive—essential qualities for speedy and/or progressive forms of metal. The circuit definitely sounds tube-like, without the compressed highs sometimes encountered in high-gain solid-state amps. I expected the attack to soften and slow as I turned up the gain. To my surprise it remained consistent no matter where I placed the knob.
The WYW2 Micro’s biggest strength is the detail you can hear at high gain. Full and broken chords ring out evenly, making the pedal ideal for ruthless riffage that integrates complex chords, a la the Dillinger Escape Plan. An astonishingly low noise floor adds to the pedal’s tightness. Notes and chords never deteriorate into a mess of white noise. It’s a breeze to cop a wide range of star-studded metal tones, from the mid-scooped mayhem of Dimebag Darrell and Fredrik Thordendal to the screaming midrange of Jeff Hanneman and Scott Ian.
Even understated gain settings have enough muscle for classic metal riffing and lead work. Placing the gain knob around 10 o’clock and the tone control a hair past 2 o’clock yields a fat ’80s British metal tone that conjures K.K. Downing’s roaring Marshall from Judas Priest’s tour de force Priest…Live! But while the pedal responded to rolling down the Les Paul’s volume knobs for gritty interludes, the distortion doesn’t dissipate enough for convincing clean tones. The midrange and the lows thinned out too, forcing me to dial back the Marshall’s treble and presence knobs on several occasions to balance things out.
The Verdict
The Piod What You Want 2 Micro’s clever circuit provides many things guitarists desire from high-gain distortion pedals: straightforward controls, minimal background noise, and response that’s scarily close to that of a punishing high-gain tube amp. It packs more distortion than even the most gain-hungry guitarists are likely to use. This all-or-nothing attitude probably won’t win it high marks with blues or classic rock players. But for die-hard metalheads, this pedal’s strengths give it the upper hand over many competing high-gain stompboxes.
On this episode of the 100 Guitarists podcast, we’re talking about our favorite Lukather tracks, from his best rhythm parts to his most rippin’ solos. And even though he spends most of his playing time with the biggest names, we’ve managed to call up a few deep cuts.
Steve Lukather is one of the most documented guitarists in the hit-making biz. He grew up as an L.A. teen with a crew of fellow musicians who would go on to make their livings at the top of the session scene. By the time Lukather and his pals formed Toto, they were already experienced chart-toppers. The band went on to success with hits including the rockin’ “Hold the Line,” breezy, bouncing “Rosanna,” and the timeless “Africa.”
As a session player, Lukather’s reign in the ’70s and ‘80s extended from Olivia Newton-John to Herbie Hancock to Michael Jackson. And alongside Michael McDonald—whose “I Keep Forgettin’ (Every Time You’re Near)” included Lukather’s distinctive rhythm riffage—Daryl Hall and John Oates, Kenny Loggins, Peter Cetera, and Christopher Cross (among many others) he may have earned the title of yacht rock’s number one guitar player.
On this episode of the 100 Guitarists podcast, we’re talking about our favorite Lukather tracks, from his best rhythm parts to his most rippin’ solos. And even though he spends most of his playing time with the biggest names, we’ve managed to call up a few deep cuts.
This episode is sponsored by EMG Pickups.
Use code EMG100 for 15% off at checkout!
Learn more: emgpickups.com
With built-in effects, headphone output, and AUX connectivity, these compact devices are designed to provide ultimate versatility for practice sessions at home or on stage.
Aguilar is introducing the amPlug3 Tone Hammer, a portable headphone amplifier inspired by the iconic Tone Hammer sound. Ideal for practicing anywhere, this compact device packs dual channel Clean and Drive modes for ultimate versatility. To help keep practice sessions inspiring, the unit includes reverb, chorus, and compression as built-in, onboard effects and a built-in rhythm feature to keep any players favorite basslines in time. Lastly, the amPlug3 features AUX connectivity to allow players to play along with tracks, or via a TRRS cable, record straight to a phone or laptop with ease. Whether at home, in the studio, or on the road, the amPlug3 Tone Hammer offers a convenient practice solution without compromising tone.
In addition to the amPlug 3 Tone Hammer, Aguilar has revamped their iconic Tone Hammer Preamp pedal. Built upon the original design that has become an essential tool for bass players seeking tone and flexibility. Incorporating customer feedback and refining key features, the new Tone Hammer Preamp offers enhanced drive functionality featuring an expanded gain range with a separate "drive" control for greater tonal precision, allowing users to refine their overdriven and clean tones independently. New Practice-friendly features include the addition of a headphone output and auxiliary input, allowing the pedal to double as the perfect practice companion at home or on the road. The updated, compact enclosure has a modern aesthetic, complementing the Tone Hammer series of amplifiers.
“We are thrilled to expand the Tone Hammer family with these new products,” said Jordan Cortese of Aguilar Amplification. “The reimagined Preamp/DI pedal and the all-new amPlug3 Tone Hammer provide bassists with even more options to achieve their perfect sound, whether they’re on stage or practicing on the move.”
Street Prices:
- Tone Hammer Preamp Pedal $299.99
- amPlug3 Tone hammer $59.99
Aguilar amPlug 3 Tone Hammer Bass Guitar Headphone Amplifier
amPlug 3 Tone Hammer Mini AmpFralin launches custom Prewired Tele Deluxe ’72 Pickguard featuring Lindy Fralin’s Wide Range Humbuckers.
"Our custom pickguards are not just upgrades; they are transformations. Each pickguard is skillfully built with the legendary Lindy Fralin’s Wide Range Humbuckers, renowned for their rich, full-bodied sound that will take your tone to the next level.
Paired with CTS Pots that provide unmatched reliability and precise control of your sound, every strum and pick will resonate with clarity and depth."
Features
- The ultimate “Build Your Own” Telecaster Deluxe ’72 Pickguard
- USA-Made pickups & electronics for superior quality
- Hand-wired with USA-Made vintage cloth lead for a traditional look
- Fully customizable – from appearance to function
- Hand-assembled, signed, and dated by our pickguard craftsman
- 10-year warranty on materials and craftsmanship
For more information, please visit fralinpickups.com.
With buffered bypass and top-mounted jacks, this compact pedal is perfect for adding punch to your playing.
Carl Martin has introduced the Tone Tweaker, a 12dBboost pedal designed to unleash the full potential of your favorite gear. This subtle yet powerful booster pedal is built with an internal voltage booster that provides extra headroom and makes your beloved tube amp sound even better. It is perfect for cutting through the mix during solos and adding extra punch to your rhythm playing.
Tone Tweaker features an efficient 3-band equalizer, allowing you to fine-tune your sound with dedicated controls for Mid, Treble, and Bass. Whether you want to add warmth to your midrange, more sharpness to your treble, or extra depth to the low end, Tone Tweaker gives you the tools to shape your sound with exceptional effect – subtle yet powerful.
Key Features
- 12dB Boost: Instantly enhance your signal with a clean, transparent boost that preserves the integrity of your original tone.
- Internal Voltage Booster: Increases the amount of voltage sent into the pedal’s circuitry, providing extra headroom and boost.
- 3-Band Equalizer: Customize your sound with precise adjustments using the Mid, Treble, and Bass controls. It's far more powerful than you think.
- Buffered Bypass: Preserves signal strength and tone quality, ensuring your sound remains consistent even when the pedal is not engaged.
- Top-Mounted In/Out Jacks and Compact Design: Designed to take up minimal space on your pedalboard, with top-mounted jacks saving space and providing a cleaner setup.
You can purchase The Tone Tweaker for $149 directly from Carl Martin and, of course, also at leading music retailers worldwide.
For more information, please visit carlmartin.com.