
Digital approximations of analog modulation classics in an easy-to-use, compact package.
Super simple, compact design with solid digital approximations of hard-to-replicate analog sounds. Fair price.
Flanger could benefit from a little extra control.
$159
Mojo Hand FX Swim Team
mojohandfx.com
While it’s not a stated part of their mission, Mojo Hand FX seems to prize simplicity in their pedals. Many Mojo Hand pedals that could be more complex to take advantage of digital processing possibilities are just three knobs and a push button. And while this isn’t the only layout the company utilizes, it’s employed effectively on pedals like the Deluxe Memory Man-inspired Dream Mender to distill a more complex analog stompbox to its essence. The Mojo Hand Swim Team, a digital chorus and flanger inspired by the Electro-Harmonix Polychorus, Echoflanger, and Small Clone, uses the same 3-knob layout to make summoning classic and powerful modulation sounds easy.
Wade in the Water
The Swim Team’s graphics are a clear homage to Nirvana’s Nevermind. Mojo Hand also sells a limited negative-image, black-and-white “bleached” edition (though Bleach, Nirvana’s first LP, is graced by little if any chorus or flange effects). While Kurt Cobain didn’t use a lot of pedals, he was no stranger to chorus and flange. They helped define the sound of Nevermind and In Utero, in particular, and Cobain used the EHX Small Clone, Polychorus, and Echoflanger at various points in his career. Heck, I’d wager a generation of guitarists were turned on to the effect from the opening notes of “Come as You Are” alone.
Mojo Hand FX Swim Team Review by premierguitar
- Chorus setting: Mix & Depth at 1 o'clock, variable Rate
- Flanger setting: Mix & Depth at 1 o'clock, variable Rate
The Swim Team uses just three basic controls: depth, rate, and mix/feedback. The latter changes duties depending on which effect is activated with the chorus/flanger button. It’s simpler than a Polychorus or Echoflanger (forgoing the “tune” knob, “filter matrix,” and “double track” modes on those pedals), but simpler than a Small Clone. Simplicity does have some drawbacks: If you plan to change between the two effects in a live situation, there’s no visual cue to reveal which effect is employed. The bypass LED, for instance, doesn’t change color.
The Swim Team uses just three basic controls: depth, rate, and mix/feedback. The latter changes duties depending on which effect is activated with the chorus/flanger button. It’s simpler than a Polychorus or Echoflanger (forgoing the “tune” knob, “filter matrix,” and “double track” modes on those pedals), but simpler than a Small Clone. Simplicity does have some drawbacks: If you plan to change between the two effects in a live situation, there’s no visual cue to reveal which effect is employed. The bypass LED, for instance, doesn’t change color.
Shallows and Depths
The first thing I had to do when I plugged the Swim Team in was fish around for those eerie Nirvana sounds. Plugged into a ’60s Fender Bassman with a ’90s MIJ Fender Jaguar, the quivering tones of “Come as You Are” were easy to summon with all of the knobs between 12 and 1 o’clock positions and the chorus engaged. And if you want to coax the tones of Kurt’s famous live “anti-solo” freakouts, maxing out the rate and depth and pairing the pedal with a ProCo RAT does an excellent job. I also spent a lot of time trying to capture the chaotic warble heard on live renditions of the “Heart Shaped Box” solo. And though there are a lot of ingredients in the tone soup of any live recording, I couldn’t quite summon the thickness of a vintage Polychorus with the Swim Team and RAT alone.
My favorite tones in the flanger department came around with the rate in 9 o’clock territory and depth at noon, which generates a subtle rise-and-fall texture that gives power chords extra glow and single notes a little extra magic. The output starts to get a little chattering-elves crazy once you roll the rate clockwise past 3 o’clock. But most rate settings remain practical and easy to adapt to an existing guitar tone throughout the knob’s sweep. Part of this agreeability in flange mode (which is generally a good thing) makes the Swim Team less suited for over-the-top flange. And if you’re after pitchy, high-frequency peaks and outlandish jet-whoosh, you might want to look to more radical options. That said, I found humbuckers deliver a deeper, richer whoosh from the flanger— especially with lower rate settings. So be sure to try Swim Team with your own rig to see how they match up.
The Verdict
Mojo Hand FX’s Swim Team sells for $159, which is a pretty fair price for the two rich modulation voices that approximate classic, sought-after sounds in stable digital platforms. Both effects sound great in the kind of relatively straight applications you hear in vintage recordings. And the chorus, in particular, is lush and spirited. The flanger covers the basics with ease, but I did miss some of the idiosyncrasies that can make flangers sound so radical and unique, like the metallic bark from an old bucket brigade Electric Mistress. Then again, vintage analog units can be quirky and unreliable. And even their newer BBD counterparts can be pretty expensive. Given that, this compact and streamlined multi-modulator merits praise for offering a design that cuts the extra fat and extra expense.
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Lutefish, the real-time music collaboration device and platform, is excited to announce a suite of new features designed to simplify setup, streamline collaboration, and offer more flexible subscription options for Lutefish Stream users. These latest updates, Audio Presets, Automatic Session Recall, Improved Scheduling with Contact Visibility, and a new Yearly Subscription Plan, are all about making it easier than ever for musicians to jam together, no matter where they’re based.
Save Time and Stay in the Flow with Audio Presets & Session Recall
Musicians can now save and reuse their exact audio settings, reducing setup time and ensuring every session sounds exactly as they want.
- Automatic Session Recall: When users leave a session, their current audio levels are automatically saved and restored when they rejoin.
- User-Defined Audio Presets: Each user can create and name up to five custom presets, like “Band Practice,” “Studio Mic Setup,” or “Quick Jam,” making it effortless to jump back in with the perfect sound.
“These tools are all about saving time and hassle,” said Patrick Finn, Business Manager at Lutefish. “Musicians want to make music, not spend time rebalancing levels every session. With presets and recall, we’re giving them time back and helping them sound their best, every time.”
Smarter Scheduling and Contact Visibility
The latest update to Lutefish also made it easier to find collaborators and book sessions. Users can now:- View all their contacts at a glance when scheduling a session.
- Instantly identify which contacts own a Lutefish Stream device—so they will always know who’s ready to jam.
Go Yearly and Save 20%
Lutefish now offers a Yearly Subscription Plan, providing users with the same great access as the monthly plan at a 20% discount.
This option is now available within the Lutefish app and web platform, and current monthly users are eligible for a discount with an upgrade to a yearly subscription.
Lutefish’s mission has always been to empower musicians to connect and collaborate without boundaries. With these new updates, Lutefish Stream continues to break down barriers—whether you’re jamming with a friend across town or collaborating with a bandmate 500 miles away.
For more information and to start jamming today, visitlutefish.com.
Empress Effects is proud to announce the release of the Bass ParaEq, a bass-specific parametric EQ pedal.
Building on the success of their acclaimed ParaEq MKII series, which has already gained popularity with bassists, the Bass ParaEq offers the same studio-grade precision but with features tailored for bass instruments.
Basses of all types – including electric and upright basses with active and passive electronics – can benefit from the Bass ParaEq’s tone-sculpting capabilities.
The new pedal follows the success of the Empress Bass Compressor and ParaEq MKII Deluxe, which have become some of the company’s best-reviewed and top-selling products. The Bass Compressor’s popularity confirmed what Empress had long suspected: bassists are eager for tools built with their needs in mind, not just adaptations of guitar gear.
The Bass ParaEq retains the line’s powerful 3-band parametric EQ and studio-style features while introducing a bass-optimized frequency layout, a selectable 10MΩ Hi-Z input for piezo-equipped instruments, a dynamically-adjusted low shelf, and automatic balanced output detection—perfect for live and studio use alike.
The Bass ParaEq also offers an output boost, adjustable by a dedicated top-mounted knob and activated by its own footswitch, capable of delivering up to 30dB of boost. It’s perfect for helping your bass punch through during key moments in live performance.
Whether dialing in clarity for a dense mix or compensating for an unfamiliar venue, the Bass ParaEq offers precise tonal control in a compact, road-ready form. With 27V of internal headroom to prevent clipping from even the hottest active pickups, the Bass ParaEq is the ultimate studio-style EQ designed to travel.
Key features of the Bass ParaEq include:
- Adjustable frequency bands tailored for bass instruments
- Selectable 10MΩ Hi-Z input for upright basses and piezo pickups
- Auto-detecting balanced output for long cable runs and direct recording
- Three sweepable parametric bands with variable Q
- High-pass, low-pass, low shelf, and high shelf filters
- Transparent analog signal path with 27V of internal headroom
- Buffered bypass switching
- Powered by standard 9V external supply, 300mA (no battery compartment)
The Bass ParaEq is now shipping worldwide. It can be purchased from the Empress Effects website for $374 USD and through authorized Empress dealers globally.
Kiesel Guitars has introduced their newest solid body electric guitar: the Kyber.
With its modern performance specs and competitive pricing, the Kyber is Kiesel's most forward-thinking design yet, engineered for comfort, quick playing, and precision with every note.
Introducing the Kiesel Kyber Guitar
- Engineered with a lightweight body to reduce fatigue during long performances without sacrificing tone. Six-string Kybers, configured with the standard woods and a fixed bridge, weigh in at 6 pounds or under on average
- Unique shape made for ergonomic comfort in any playing position and enhanced classical position
- The Kyber features Kiesel's most extreme arm contour and a uniquely shaped body that enhances classical position support while still excelling in standard position.
- The new minimalist yet aggressive headstock pairs perfectly with the body's sleek lines, giving the Kyber a balanced, modern silhouette.
- Hidden strap buttons mounted on rear for excellent balance while giving a clean, ultra-modern look to the front
- Lower horn cutaway design for maximum access to the upper frets
- Sculpted neck heel for seamless playing
- Available in 6 or 7 strings, fixed or tremolo in both standard and multiscale configurations Choose between fixed bridges, tremolos, or multiscale configurations for your perfect setup.
Pricing for the Kyber starts at $1599 and will vary depending on options and features. Learn more about Kiesel’s new Kyber model at kieselguitars.com
PG contributor Tom Butwin reveals his favorite songwriting secret weapon: the partial capo. Watch how the Shubb C7 and C8 can simulate alternate tunings without retuning your guitar—and spark fresh creative ideas instantly.
Shubb C8b Partial Capo for Drop-D Tuning - Brass
The C8 covers five of the six strings, leaving either the low E or high E string open, depending on how it's positioned.
- Standard setup: Placed on the 2nd fret while leaving the low E string open, it simulates Drop D-style sounds—except you're still in standard tuning (key of E). You get that big, droning bass feel without retuning.
- Reverse setup: Flipping the capo allows the high E string to ring, giving you shimmering drones and new melodic options across familiar chord shapes.
- A flexible tool that lets you simulate alternate tunings and create rich sonic textures—all while keeping your guitar in standard tuning.
Shubb C7b Partial Capo for DADGAD Tuning - Brass
The C7 covers three of the six strings—either D, G, and B or A, D, and G—depending on how it's flipped.
- Typical setup (D, G, B): Creates an open A chord shape at the 2nd fret without needing your fingers. This frees you up for new voicings and droning notes in the key of A.
- Reversed setup (A, D, G): Gets you close to a DADGAD-style tuning vibe, but still keeps you in standard tuning—great for modal, spacious textures often found in folk or cinematic guitar parts.
Use it alone or stack it with the C8 for wild, layered effects and truly out-of-the-box inspiration.