Last three reviews, sorry for the wait.

Phaser

Ahhh, I wish I had an MXR Phase90 to compare this pedal to.
The first phaser I ever heard was at my first guitar lesson when I was 16 and it was a script Phase90 (that was probably before the block-logo era… gee that’s old!).
It’s kooky but I still remember the sound of it: lush, swirly, and oh so cool sounding.
I later found out this was the same pedal Gilmour used on “Shine On You Crazy Diamond,” and probably why I dug it so.

(OK, back to the present Paulie!)

The Retro-Sonic Phaser was very impressive.
The sounds it produced were classic and smooth.
They reminded me of many records I heard over the years.
Whether I hit it with a clean, compressed, boosted, or overdriven signal, it took it like a champ and added no discernable distortion.

I liked the sound of the sweep and the harmonic overtones it produced.
Nice and rich, but warmer than anticipated. I thought it would be edgier, but it was always smooth, which worked well as it didn’t create those jet plane sounds some phasers will do when combined with distortion.
I liked the way the sweep sounded when it bottomed out and headed back to the top of the wave.
The Depth knob was quite functional as you could go totally wide with the sweep or narrow the effect down to a very limited range of the sweep.
I also noted that the Phaser didn’t take over your sound as much as some phasers do.
That’s not to say it was subtle, but I really could tell that I was paying a Start thru it, or when I later played my p90 axe, it’s particular tone shone thru, only swept away by an elegant phase-tone.

Once again, the pedal was very very easy to dial-in.
Just Speed and Depth, plus another one of those things that all these Retro-Sonic pedals seem to SO wisely include: a Level knob.
Why don’t more pedalmakers include these?
Just like the Analog Delay, you could precisely dial-in the level that the pedal will be once you engage it. It can go way over or way under unity, or right exactly at unity.
It’s one of those gig-worthy additions that I just love the luxury of having.

I compared the Retro-Sonic to two of my other phasers: the Red Witch Moon Phaser and my old Boss PH-1r. The Boss was much more of an all consuming device, which at times I want and at other times I get overwhelmed by. The Retro-Sonic seemed much more like the kind of phasing I’d want to use at a gig, when I want to blend in with the music but still have all that lush swirly goodness. The Red Witch (that lives on my board) has an airier sound and is more complex to set-up. I absolutely adore the sound of the Red Witch but there are times when (after turning it on) that I look down at it and am totally confused by it. You have to dial it in just so, tho’ when you do it is a sonically unique and heavenly sound!
Once again, with the Retro-Sonic, just so easy to get the sound you need and concentrate on the playing.


Eight-O-Eight Overdrive

I know, I know… I love every pedal that I review here on Toyz, “you gotta try this one,” God’s gift to pedals, it’s all good, etc. etc.

So knowing this is Retro-Sonic’s take on the venerable (but commonplace) TS-808,
I must admit that even before I plugged this one in I was ready to gently dismiss it.
But wait… I plugged it in at home and I was a little under-impressed by it!
Sure, it had more volume and more bottom, but it was that old tone I’ve heard before
(I used a vintage TS-808 for years).

Move to rehearsal last Friday. I used the same guitar and board, just with my Vox AC15 for amplifier. My main booster/overdrive is the Menatone TBIAC, as it’s the perfect booster for that amp and I could use that all night and be set.
But this is a test, so I started using the Retro-Sonic Eight-O-Eight and damn if it didn’t sound great! That sound must be familiar for good reason because this pedal came totally alive in a room with 3 vocals, bass, drums, and another guitarist.
It has a very sweet compression and a very singular tone that cuts thru the mix, reacts to your fingers, providing a lovely note bloom that gets notes singing into harmonic feedback even without sounding too heavy or aggressive.
Although the pedal has that toobscreamer tone, it has none of those negative attributes that in these days makes you kick the TS off your board.
No nasty mid-honk, but plenty of relaxed mids that still provide the classic sound.
No low-end robbing bass cut, only a shallow curve that, by the way (and as Twanger noted above), is totally adjustable with a trimmer located inside the pedal. One of those set-and-forget parameters.

The Tone knob has a gentle but effective EQ curve and I think it would match up with any amp you throw it in front of. It’s not sculpting EQ, but (need I say it again) totally functional to find the sweet spot for your live or recording rig.
I had a blast A/B’ing the TBIAC and the Eight-O-Eight as they are totally different sounding pedals but equally up to the task of providing some amazing overdrive and boost. I thought I was over the TS-thang, but the Eight-O-Eight is making me reconsider that preconception and possibly make room in my rig for it (aaaargh!).


Compressor

This pedal, inspired by the Ross compressor, which in turn was inspired by the early Dyna-Comps, enters a field where there are a LOT of compressors out there to choose from. A lot of them are darned good too! I really enjoyed the Diamond comp, the Janglebox, the Tone Press, the BJF PGC, the Menatone JAC, etc…
SO, is there actually room for yet another compressor???

Tested the Retro-Sonic with my practice rig first.
It has a lot of volume on tap, easily enough to drive the front-end of a tube amp into overdrive, and you can just dial-in the amt. of compression you like (sweeet!).
There’s a lot of settings within those three knobs. You can get a lot or a little compression from the R-S. A lot or a little volume. A slow, moderate, or fast attack/decay (the Recovery knob). If you know how a compressor works (I can’t get into that discussion here or I’ll be up ALL night), leave it say that the controls on the R-S work exactly as they are intended to, which speaks highly of Tim Larwill’s ear and engineering.

But initially (on the practice rig) I felt to get the compression I wanted, the pedal wasn’t transparent enough. Like you get the compression but it’s almost too apparent for my taste.

That all changed in rehearsal. I absolutely loved the ratio of compression to clean that the R-S delivers. There’s times when you love transparent compression (e.g ,the Diamond) and there’s times when you love heavy-handed compression (e.g., the Janglebox) but to actually have a strong mixture of both worlds in one pedal would be an awfully cool thing and that’s exactly what the Retro-Sonic Compressor gave me during our jams.
It gave my cleans a nice long sustain, but without adding a lot of high-end.
In fact I didn’t really notice much (or any) EQ shift at all, just a powerful shift of dynamics and the keen ability to mutate the signal envelope to my ears desire.
This is no wimpy compressor, but like all the Retro-Sonic effects in this tourbox, it is always mindful of letting your guitar tone shine thru at all times.

Inspired by my suddenly formidable clean comp-tone, I pulled out some old Andy Summers riffs and we did a rocking version of The Police’s “Message in a Bottle.”
The R-S Compressor and Chorus combination was stunning! Everybody in the room wanted to know where that sound came from and all I could do was just point at the two grey boxes on the floor!

What’s even better is the way the Compressor stacked with the Eight-O-Eight. The Compressor exquisitely fattens up an overdrive tone and seamlessly blends into that pedal like it’s an integral part of the pedal. Just great fun to be had here!


Once again, BIG thanks to Tim Larwill of Retro-Sonic for sponsoring this tourbox and providing these excellent tone-devices for us to play with for a spell.
I think he has very successfully taken some older, revered, and time-tested circuits and somehow made them his own. He has taken their greatest attributes and focused them, all the while smoothing out their apparent weaknesses.
These pedals beg to be used live & with other musicians in the room, or taken out to recording sessions. They are fast to operate, built to withstand a lot of use, and IMO made to be used together. They stack so well with one another, or certainly with other pedals, and to me this is one of the hallmarks of great gear.

Certainly it was hard handing them off to James (“StratoMac’r”) the other night… yes, it was only after a few cask-conditioned pints of ale (and the prerequisite dash to relieve myself!) that James was able to move the box of pedals from my side of the bar to his!

I miss them already, but sharing with your budz is what the Tourbox is all about.

Nice reviews Cubba, I agree totally. It's really hard to find anything negative about the Retro-Sonic pedals, isn't it?

You're right about the pedals sounding great when played together. I played a gig with them and left my regular pedalboard at home, I just chained all of the R-S pedals together. Awesome sound!

quote:

Originally posted by Jimmy James 902:
Hey Tim:

Yeah, I just checked my RS DD, and it is #009.

My only suggestion for tweaking the DD would be to change/add something for the upper-range of the eq, as the treble frequencies above 5 Hz. seem to drop-off rather quickly.

Maybe adding an optional "Top-Boost, Range-Master" type of switch. Some of my friends find it a bit too dark sounding (personally, I love it with my strats).

Great pedal, Tim... Nice to know that I have one of only ten ever made.

Jimmy James 902

I've got one of only 10 Boost pedals Tim made, not the new one based on the FA-1 but the original one-knobber...I've got #002!

quote:

Originally posted by cubba65:
Chorus

I've never had or tried a real Boss CE-1 Chorus Ensemble
(the world's "first" and "best" chorus pedal),



but I can't imagine it sounding much better than Retro-Sonic's modern, updated version of that pedal. What a great device!

This all-analog pedal delivers two seperately controlled sounds, Chorus and Vibrato.
You preset their respective parameters separately and then can toggle between the two via the Chorus/Vibrato stompswitch. The other stomp turns the effect on/off (true-bypass of course).

The Chorus side is really thick and lush. I don't think I've ever heard a warmer chorus in my life and let me tell you I've owned, tried, and sold a lot of these things over the years.
As fat sounding as it is, it still has a lot of sheen and air. Just none of that metallic brightness that a lot of chorus units lend to the tone (and keep them off my board).
If chorus is passe to you, then a chorus-tone like this would make you change your mind.
Nice thing too is that you can set the speed of the chorus effect (with the Chorus Intensity knob) anywhere from a very slow, barely moving effect (but still luscious), to a smooth, gently pulsing wave, or all the way up to a wide ranged, fast moving warble. Some of the settings reminded me of the better detuned-chorus sounds you can get from an SPX90 or Whammy. With overdrive engaged, I could totally dial in some of Alex Lifeson's tones (I'm thinking "The Trees" here). Leave it to say, when you think "chorus" in your mind, this is the sound you hear.

But even if you never use the Chorus side, the Vibrato side of this pedal is worth the price of admission. If I had to pick a single favorite tone that all 5 pedals were capable of, the Vibrato sounds from this pedal would have to be the one.
When you turn on the Vibrato sounds, it makes you want to sit down!
So lush and dreamy and totally addictive. Just didn't want to turn it off.
I can't really put it into words, but it doesn't sound like any other vibrato sounds I've heard. Maybe it reminded me a bit of the unique vibrato sounds you can get out of the classic A/DA Flanger, but even more genuine than that.
Depending on how you set the separate Rate & Depth knobs, you can get some of the best Leslie sounds I've ever heard out of any device. On the slowest rate settings, it does another version of chorus tones (and surprisingly they don't sound exactly like the Chorus side), then turn it up for varying levels of speed and depth for all the Leslie sounds you can imagine.
I was easily able to cop some glorious George Harrison/later-Beatles Leslie gtr. tones or some of the similar Clapton tones of the period.

Lastly, the Retro-Sonic Chorus solves the various "issues" that the original CE-1's had. From what I can gather, the CE-1 was not engineered for guitar levels, so they often had to be modded to optimize the signal-to-noise ratio. The RS Level knob takes care of that, as you can easily set the effect for unity, less, or more level, depending on how you set the knob. I know there's times when I turn on an effect and I want to hear more or less of it... problem solved.

Being true-bypass, the RS also solves the tone suck and bypass/level-loss of the CE-1.
And then there's the size/weight/power-cord issues of the CE-1. All solved here with a compact & lightweight pedal that runs on a common Boss-barrel 9V AC-tap.

This pedal may be my favorite of the bunch (but wait, there's 3 more pedals to go).
I've been bored by chorus sounds for years, but the Retro-Sonic's phat tone & sheer musicality transcends that notion and has forced me to rethink things yet again.

more pedal reviews to follow...

That vibrato description pushed me over the edge. Pulled the trigger. I thank you! Unfortunately, I don't think my wife will thank me

Thanks for all the great reviews. Some of the Retro-Sonics are on my radar a long time, especially the chorus.

Yep, I must stop reading these great reviews. The pangs of GAS are getting to be too much. Now, which one to get first....

When this Tour Box was announced, the plan was supposed to be that the box would move along pretty quickly. A lot of people expressed interest and we ended up with a list of twenty stops.

The initial post said "You get a week to receive, test, and ship the pedals."

For whatever reasons, here we are one month in and only two stops made. At this rate I might see the pedals around Thanksgiving. Maybe Christmas.

I already have enough tsuris in my life. I don't need to be aggravating over this. I hereby give up my spot on the tour to Corleone.

Carry on.

quote:

Originally posted by BmoreTele:
When this Tour Box was announced, the plan was supposed to be that the box would move along pretty quickly. A lot of people expressed interest and we ended up with a list of twenty stops.

The initial post said "You get a week to receive, test, and ship the pedals."

For whatever reasons, here we are one month in and only two stops made. At this rate I might see the pedals around Thanksgiving. Maybe Christmas.

I already have enough tsuris in my life. I don't need to be aggravating over this. I hereby give up my spot on the tour to Corleone.

Carry on.

I feel for you. Since my name is the very last on the list, could be a bit longer wait for me.

Likely will be worth it though...

quote:

Originally posted by LFB: Likely will be worth it though...

Believe me, it's worth the wait (as the last member on the East coast Sweetsound tourbox, I can also say it was well worth the anticipation.)



I'll try to get a proper review posted ASAP- thought I believe that I won't be able to improve on Twanger's or Cubba's comments.

quote:

Originally posted by StratoMac'r:

quote:

Originally posted by LFB: Likely will be worth it though...

Believe me, it's worth the wait (as the last member on the East coast Sweetsound tourbox, I can also say it was well worth the anticipation.)



I'll try to get a proper review posted ASAP- thought I believe that I won't be able to improve on Twanger's or Cubba's comments.

Both tourboxes are well worth the wait.
Not a stinker in either batch and some are in my top 10 ever.

AFA "improving" on prior reveiws... bah, it's not a competition, it's just supposed to be one's personal reaction to the pedals, nuff said.
You can write a book or you can write a paragraph.
I know I wrote a ton and always do but I've got a big flapper and can't help myself.

Lastly, AFA the past month... well there's a third review coming up from "strato" any day now as the box has already gone on to "wavydb" and his review should also be in by the end of this week, so we're really not that far behind.
And any amt. of tardiness is purely my fault alone, as I got the box from Canada but was away for work the following week.
I forsee the box moving along at a good pace now and besides,
like James said, "it's worth the wait!"

quote:

Originally posted by LFB:

quote:

Originally posted by BmoreTele:
When this Tour Box was announced, the plan was supposed to be that the box would move along pretty quickly. A lot of people expressed interest and we ended up with a list of twenty stops.

The initial post said "You get a week to receive, test, and ship the pedals."

For whatever reasons, here we are one month in and only two stops made. At this rate I might see the pedals around Thanksgiving. Maybe Christmas.

I already have enough tsuris in my life. I don't need to be aggravating over this. I hereby give up my spot on the tour to Corleone.

Carry on.

I feel for you. Since my name is the very last on the list, could be a bit longer wait for me.

Likely will be worth it though...

OK... next tourbox starts on the West Coast.
Promise!

Ok- Let's gab about some fine gear, shall we?



I have to start with my absolute favorite of the bunch, which was the delay. I've never owned any of the pedals that Retro-Sonic is *cloning*, so you can take my opinion with a grain of salt.

When I had all 5 (!!) plugged-in, I wanted to experiment with the delay first, since it has been the weakest link on my chain. The L6 DL4 isn't horrible, but compared to the R-S analog delay, it does begin to sound pretty artificial. Regardless, the R-S just sounds real and righteous. Long, short, medium delays-- you name it, they all sound just as warm and lush as can be. Perhaps a tape-based delay would sound better, but this one, to my ears, is a must have. I don't have any need for delays longer than 600 ms, so what I might lose in length available w/ the DL4, I'd certainly make up for with a much better delay sound.


How much did I like it? I spent at least 3 or 4 hours one day just tweaking it, and not once did I grow tired of it, or wish that it did something other than what it does. It was hard to play without it once I started using it.



The Eight-O-Eight came as a very pleasant surprise: the more I played with it, the more I wanted it. I don't currently have (or I should say, *use*) an OD, as the BoR keeps me pretty happy. However, I did find that this OD grew on me a lot. Compared to my last Fulldrive, it sounded cleaner, airier, and more organic. I think (?) there may have been a trim pot, but I didn't feel the need to mess with it, as it sounded awfully nice just as is. FWIW, I did like this better w/ a Strat than a HB guitar.



Phasers aren't normally my thing, but I did find myself getting some very nice swirly bits with this one. Combined w/ the Sweetsound fuzzes, I managed to get some nice Manzanera/801 psychedelia going (if you know the live version of Diamond Head w/ 801, you'll get the idea.) Great sound, easy to use- I could see using one.



I'll post my thoughts on the chorus and compressor tomorrow.



Have a GREAT Labor Day, all!

I've had a Retro-Sonic Phaser for about a year now.
Love the phaser to death. Great tone. The addition of the level control is genius but ...
The switch stuck in the "on" position during a gig this weekend and I had to take it off my board between songs. I was able to sort of take the switch apart and get it working so hopefully it was just dirty or something. Anyway, just a hardworking "gig review".

quote:

Originally posted by StratoMac'r:

[w/the R-S phaser] ... I managed to get some nice Manzanera/801 psychedelia going

You had me on "Manzanera."

What a cool tone and style he had goin' on.

Klasaine,

If the switch ever gives you more trouble feel free to contact me for a replacement switch or you can sned the pedal for repair.. That's covered under warranty.

Thanks for the great reviews guys, this is interesting. Cool getting everyones perspective on the gear..

Tim

Sorry for the delay- I've been sick for the last few days....



anyhow- where did I leave off?



aha! the chorus!



well...... it's certainly THE best that i've ever played. there's no cloying digital, metallic artifacts, just a super lush, chewy, warm yumminess... and I don't even LIKE chorus!

but what got me was the vibrato- now there's an effect to reckon with it can sound wacky and over the top, or just subtle enough to make your part stand out. Outstanding.... a great pedal.



I really liked the compressor, too- with a bit of tweaking, i was able to get that bill frissell sound: lonnnnnnnnng, clean notes that just sound perfect. add some delay, and it's like a dream.



All in all, each and every pedal is a winner, and there's no way you could go wrong, at least in my short testing period. well made, no nonsense pedals that just beg to be played.



that analog delay will be mine someday!

quote:

Originally posted by cubba65:
You had me on "Manzanera."

What a cool tone and style he had goin' on.

yeah..... an underrated guy: diamond head and 801 live are just classics of their genre.


not to mention all that great early Roxy Music stuff

Where's the tourbox at? - my fingers are getting twitchy.

quote:

Originally posted by Tonewolf:
Where's the tourbox at? - my fingers are getting twitchy.

Hey Kev... "wavydb" has it now, it goes out to GBlekas tomorrow, then on to twang_007, etc.