The new portable POD Express Guitar and POD Express Bass amp and effects processors.
The POD Express offerings are the latest members of the POD family of products that also includes POD Go and POD Go Wireless.
“The POD Express family of products offer a variety of amp and effect sounds in ultra-portable packages with simple controls to accommodate players of any background,” says Rick Gagliano, Line 6 Director of Product Management. “POD Express Guitar and POD Express Bass offer a curated collection of models derived from our award-winning HX® sound engine, making them great options for beginners or any player who wants a simple modeling device at a competitive price.”
Both products in the POD Express family include seven amps, seven cabs, and 17 effects—including a looper—and both units may be powered by three AA batteries (included) or an optional 9-volt power supply. Additional features include stereo outputs, tap tempo, a tuner, a noise gate, a headphone output, and a USB-C audio interface with re-amping capabilities. Add an optional expression pedal for volume control, or up to two footswitches to select presets or turn effects on and off.
POD Express Guitar and POD Express Bass are the latest in a lineage that began in 1998 with the introduction of the now-iconic red “kidney-bean” POD—the portable processor that launched the amp modeling revolution.
Line 6 | POD Express Guitar | Overview
POD ExpressGuitar is $179.99 (MSRP) and is available worldwide.
POD Express Bass is $179.99 (MSRP) and is available worldwide.
For more information, please visit line6.com.
The MKII builds on the same circuit as the original 385, but adds A/B switching between two volume and gain settings.
In the summer of 2016, Walrus Audio announced an incredibly unique overdrive inspired by the built-in amp of the vintage Bell and Howell 385 Filmosound projector. For years, guitarists have modified and used the projector’s amp as guitar amps for their dynamic response and tone. Walrus captured that sound and squeezed it into a pedal called the 385 Overdrive. Now, after years of being tour and studio-tested, Walrus has made this incredible pedal even more dynamic with the 385 MKII.
The MKII builds on the same circuit as the original pedal but adds A/B switching between two volume and gain settings. This gives the pedal two separate sets of volume and gain that can be used like a preset to change volume and/or gain for specific parts. Also new for the MKII is the 385+ Switch: A feature that slams the front of the pedal’s circuit with a barrage of high gain, saturation, and loads of sustain rocketing the pedal into distortion-level territories.
External updates include top-mounted jacks and soft-touch, relay true bypass.
The 385 MKII is available in two different versions:
- Textured black enclosure with an illustration of an original 385 Filmosound projector by David Hüttner in yellow and red ink.
- Flat black enclosure with an illustration of an amp tube warm and ready to rock in cream ink by Josh Yosurack.
The die-cast enclosure’s exact size is 4.77” x 2.6” x 1.39” including knobs. Power requirements are 9VDC, center negative(100mA minimum). Walrus Audio is offering The 385 MKII for a retail price of $249.99
For more information, please visit walrusaudio.com.
PG's Nick Millevoi builds his own pedal using the StewMac Sun Fuzz Pedal Kit, StewMac tools, and their step-by-step instructions, proving even a novice can be up to the challenge, with a little help from StewMac's customer support!
Highlights
- Nick, with limited pedal-building skills, successfully builds a pedal using StewMac's Sun Fuzz Pedal Kit.
- Despite initial doubts and a lack of tools, Nick follows StewMac's instructions and enjoys the process, likening it to building Legos.
- He encounters issues with the first build, but StewMac's exceptional customer service, led by Devin, assists in troubleshooting and replaces the kit.
- Nick's second attempt is a success, and he expresses enthusiasm for making more pedals, praising Stewmac's support.
- Stewmac's Sun Fuzz kit is recommended as a great starting point for novice builders, emphasizing the company's commitment to helping customers succeed.