Boss pedal board review and new stomp boxes ...

[thetruthguy]

I picked up a couple of stompboxes over the weekend and thought I'd post some feedback. First off, I got the new BOSS pedal board. I know there's probably some better ones out there, but for about $125, this thing works great for about 5 or 6 pedals, powering all of them and creatively hiding most of the wires under a hidden panel. It works good but isn't compatible with all effects. For instance, I had to cut portions of one of the power jacks down to fit my Dunlop Crybaby. It didn't affect performance. Also, the jack size was completely wrong for a new Electro-Harmonix phaser (Small Stone) pedal I bought. Overall, though, the construction is hard plastic, the pedals fit nicely, my effects are powered without batteries, everything's connected well, etc. I've got a Crybaby, a Korg DT-6 tuner, a Guyatone mini delay, a phaser, and my Mesa Rectoverb 3 button footswitch in there.

I had some bad luck with the Electro-Harmonix phaser. Not only did the power cord not fit it, one of the color settings on the unit wailed when I ran it through my Mesa's effects loop. (Not "wailed" in a good way, either). Needless to say, I'm trading it for an MXR Phase 90 (not the new overpriced EVH one but the original model). That will probably work better. I was surprised though, because I thought EH stuff was good ... maybe I did something wrong.

I also picked up a Guyatone mini digital delay. It works great through the Mesa's effects loop, switches silently, has a broad range of delay, etc. Highly recommended.

I also highly recommend the Korg tuner ... these are still fairly new, but I picked it up a few months ago.

[markD]

Re: Boss pedal board review and new stomp boxes ...

as far as phasers, did you try the digitech hyper phase? that's what i'm using and it is pretty killer...although i do enjoy the simplicty of the MXR. the digitech is really versatile: 7 types of phase shifiting with speed, depth, and regen controls...plus it's stereo. i can go from classic 70's style phasing to weirdo synth-type sounds very easily...although i mostly use it for dave murray/uli roth style swirly-ness!! same price as the MXR, check it out if you haven't...if you have, ignore me!!

[thetruthguy]

Re: Boss pedal board review and new stomp boxes ..

Well, I didn't try the Digitech, as I really am looking for simplicity. My MXR Phase 90 came in, and it is wonderful. I don't know what the deal was with the Electro-Harmonix Small Stone. Maybe I just got a bad one, but the Phase 90 is so much better. Exactly the tone I was looking for in a phaser--not to mention the fact it works with my Boss' power cord, so I don't need batteries for any of my effects.

Another thing I found interesting is that I started out running the phaser and the delay through my Mesa's effects loop, but then I got lazy and just ran all the effects straight into the amp ... sounds exactly the same. Go figure. Not sure why I would need to use the effects loop on this amp, unless it could hurt the amp, but I don't see how. Overall, I'm very pleased.

[etaeniura]

Re: Boss pedal board review and new stomp boxes ..

it won't hurt your amp to run all the effects to the input. I find that using the effects loop is just a pain in the buttocks anyway, and most effects are made to be used straight intot he amp without problems.