NPD: Origin Effects Revival Drive Hot Rod Edition

dubber

Took delivery this morning and fook me it's good! Yes, it is expensive and yes there are a lot knobs to twiddle. However, it's essentially a super flexible pre-amp in a very nice box and, as a set-and-forget/non-twiddler type, I found the controls intuitive and easy to dial-in. At bedroom volumes I could fairly easily coax hot-plexi (which you'd expect) and blackface tones through the fx loop of my Cornford. My Cornford, whilst excellent when plugged straight in, does not take pedals well (I've tried a few including the Victory Sheriff pre-amp) with the added controls of the Origin, I could get decent tones pretty quickly.

I've heard a few comments saying the pedal doesn't like single-coils and I've seen the ice-pick Andertons video ... it does seem like a bright pre-amp, but all you have to do is turn down the tone-knob on the guitar - it's not rocket science ... not sure what agendas are being played out in some reviews.

My only question now is whether I should have gone for the non-hot-rod model, I don't see myself setting the gain (volume) dial past 2'o'clock ... perhaps the original model would have sufficed? Apologies again to original Revial drive sellers in the classifieds section who's chain I might have yanked!

ragingben

Awesome glad you're loving it. I reckon you're better off with the hot rod, it's better to have the option of more gain than not. I have the normal custom version and love it, but at low volumes (bedroom and below) it had a smidge more gain.

ragingben

Oh and mine hates the coil tapped humbuckers in my PRS - it's beautiful when they're in humbucker mode but sounds rough when I engage the coil tap, sounds hollow.

hotpickups

I must be a very tolerant player then because I don't hear any negative thoughts when using my RD standard. I'm more of a plug n play man I guess and don't tweak infinitum though. Use my Strat and my Humbucker guitar and they just sound great. Must admit I've never had an issue with pedals but then I don't use many. I feel the Hotrod version might be more than enough gain that I would ever realistically use

Did you get the footswitch for it too?

Rowby1

I’ve the full fat RD Custom and single coils do sound great with it (to my ears anyway!) but it helps if you’re used to using the controls on your guitar.

Edit. On the subject of more gain, I stick a Nobels ODR-1 in front of it if I want more

hotpickups

Rowby1 said:

I’ve the full fat RD Custom and single coils do sound great with it (to my ears anyway!) but it helps if you’re used to using the controls on your guitar.

Edit. On the subject of more gain, I stick a Nobels ODR-1 in front of it if I want more

I whack an awesome fuzz in front of mine  for those special solo occasions. Albeit they are rare these days lol