So, this hastily thrown together board is for a rehearsal tonight, whereby I plan to 'shoot out' the following pedals;
- RYRA
- JHS Clover
- Crowther Hot Cake
- TPS Kingsley Page
- Cornish NB3
The reason for this ? I'll be running two amps tonight; my beloved Carr Mercury V, which I know inside-out, and the new member of the fold, a Matchless Nighthawk. This NAD happened last week, and I'll review very soon...
This is what I know thus far;The Mercury V
loves the JHS Clover, and the Matchless loves the Hot Cake and the RYRA.
The Page sounds wonderful at 'home' volumes, but will this translate to 'live/rehearsal' ?
Will the NB3 become surplus if the other pedals suit these amps better ?
More to follow, as the results will define paths, and where/if the HX Stomp gets involves too !!!
Comments
I tend to want a simple option to boost for solos, but I daresay I'll try both options.
Ideally, Id like to run the 'wet' into the Matchless, as I know the Carr will cope with everything else; just not so much 'cleanish'.
If I can get it down to a couple of pedals to suit both, that would be ideal !
(@Hootsmon Reckon your Minstrel would work well here ????)
Alas, this was not the case. The 2 clear stand out pedals were the Cornish NB3 and the Kingsley Page...
It was also a chance to play both the Carr and the Matchless together AND to A/B them. The Matchless shocked me at volume - it was amazing. More picky than the Carr pedal-wise, but the Hot Cake was superb into the Matchless (and v good into the Carr actually).
The Matchless was room filling; at one point, I thought I had both amps on, only to realise it was just the Nighthawk !!
All of the pedals equipped themselves well, and my hopeful sell-off and consolidation might not be as expected.
RYRA - I use it with very little gain, simply as a little bit 'more'. Delightful into both amps, especially as an always on, and worked really well as a little something on the quieter songs.
HOT CAKE - sublime at any volume into the Matchless, and played nicely with the Carr too.
CORNISH NB3 - yep, expensive for what is a one knob boost, by man alive, it certainly adds something to your sound. Whether its the Cornish buffer or not, Im not sure - kept clean and warm and touch sensitive. Excellent.
KINGSLEY TPS PAGE - I was so hoping this wouldn't work. But did it ever ! Worked @Hootsmon in your settings (cheers), and in every way. I settled on an 'always-on' feel, and this was incredible. Touch sensitive, dynamic, warm, and dig in to break up in a wonderful way. A keeper.
JHS THE CLOVER - its become a little cheap fave of mine this. Again, works as a boost, always on or as a drive. Lovely into both amps, and the Carr loves this one most. I own two of these, to use at different settings. I'll keep one, and sell the other as board space is limited.
The surprise dilemma has occurred amp wise. I love, love LOVE this Carr Mercury V. Works at every volume level, home or live, and is silent and perfect.
However, when both amps were on, the tone was different or complementary enough alongside the Matchless. I need to experiment some more, but maybe the Carr will be expendable and sold ?!?
We shall see. Thanks for indulging me, and any comments are welcome
The RDC is, imho, for generating good amps tones, and Ive got that in spades with these two amps. Im more interested in pre-amps, always-on, shapers and boosts for the band set-up.
The RDC into the SD170 into a 1x12, however, was a superb event. Just not Carr or Matchless levels !!!!
I think you play some high end stuff at home, and Ive done it myself, and they are a bit 'meh' especially for the money. I can sell them on, methinks, and get something like the able Xotic XP.
But at volume, WOW. It really is noticeable.
Two Pages ?!? Hmmm....
I might look into the JHS, the others are a bit rich for me
After like 4 years of not buying anything, i think i am getting GAS again, been looking at pedals, Strats, even contemplating getting a Taylor 314ce today...or saw a 814ce used for sale.....that would be a dream.
And there might be a JHS Clover for sale here
https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/165943/fs-jhs-the-clover?new=1