Well, I had so much fun visiting Teddy and the store last Summer that my Maine friends and I decided to rent the rehearsal studio for a couple nights this past weekend.

First, my thanks to Teddy for putting up with the god-awful racket we made Sure, we played a couple of songs (to use the term loosely), but we had more fun just making noise, and Teddy was kind enough to let us experiment with a few pedals: the Sunny Day delay and Tremolessence by Dr Scientist, a TBIAC, a Seek Trem, MP Mighty Red Distortion and a Lovepedal 200 lbs. It's a very nice room, with a great Yamaha drum kit, an Ampeg bass amp, and (while we were there) 2 Dr Zs and a Bogner. There's plenty of room to stretch out, and a relaxed vibe about it all. It's a damn good thing he's located out in an industrial park, because we were loud.


So, what about the toys, you ask? Well, this was my first chance to really give the Retrodyne CE 35 a good workout (both the head and cab, that is), and I would not have been disappointed to have only plugged directly into the amp. I put some new tubes in last week (the PI and 'verb tubes were a lil noisy), and it sounded great to my ears. The first night I had the 200 lbs in the loop, and I was completely floored. This is the fuzz I've been searching for. I don't know how it would work w/ other set-ups, but the Schecter and the CE 35 loved that pedal- and so did I. There wasn't a bad tone in it, and it was hard not to use fuzz the entire time. It's that good!

I also really liked the Sunny Day delay. I think I prefer the delay sound of the Digilog, but the SDD has the bonus of chorus added to your repeats- nice! It's a sweet pedal, as is the Tremolessence. I knew that I was going home with one of them, and was really tempted to go with a trem box, since the Retrodyne has none. However, I was so taken with the 200 lbs that I had to get it.

At the end of the first night Teddy came in and played through my rig. It's nice to hear what someone else sounds like through it, as it gives you some perspective. Teddy, too, really liked the 200 lbs, so I knew I wasn't hearing things. And he can play well, which was a real treat to listen to. I'll also mention that while we packed up our gear, Teddy told us some great stories about some people I'm sure you all know.

Once again, my thanks to Teddy. And to anyone who can make the pilgrimage, I can't recommend it enough. Maine is gorgeous in the Summer, and when you see that stock room filled with pedals, you'll think you're in heaven.


Here's some photos:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/26359432@N04/

very cool post. i was more then a little pumped when i saw that Teddy had opened up that room. I think it's a outstanding, fun idea. It's a good thing i don't live in Maine, or i would be "that guy" that they have to kick out every day.
"sorry aaron, the room is, um, booked again today. And tomorrow."

My wife hired in on United Airlines about a month back. Now we have free flights (standby). Sooner or later i will have to fly up and see the shop. Can a Swart AST travel as carry-on for the return flight????

Good to hear about the 200lbs, also. I have a Karl, that i use a little, and a BBB 07, that i use a lot. The 200lbs hasn't gotten quite as much forum love as the other two, so it's good to hear some positive comments.

cheers

Hey James, it looks and sounds like a great time was had by all.
Thanks for the pics and the story.
I'm gonna' see Teddy in August this year,
It's unbelievably hard to be in that place and not plunk down your wallet and buy something.
Speaking of which, I'm glad you found your fuzz nirvana with the 200 lbs. pedal!
I need to do some research on that one.
Make a clip if you get a chance.

Wow, the "orange monster" turned out great!
Very cool travelouge, now I have roadtrip GAS...!

Yeah fellas- Toyz is the place to be. It's a damn good thing I don't live in Maine, or I'd be broke. It was tough not buying the 2 Dr Scientist pedals as well.


I may go up late Summer with my wife, so perhaps another visit is in store. There certainly isn't anywhere else like it in Maine to drool over gear and make a racket.


The one thing I didn't mention was my lukewarm response to the Mighty Red. I guess maybe the hype about all of the BJF/MP pedals got to me, or it just didn't like my amp. Whatever it was, it didn't make me take out the credit card.... thank god!

i've never played the Mighty Red, but i played the BJF Dyna Red in a tourbox a little ways back, and i didn't really love it either. I was expecting something massive, and it sounded thinner then i was expecting.

It was the one BJF/mad Prof i have played that i would not buy.

Very cool.
Is that an original Ampeg B-15?
I could get my Motown on with that old beast
I've been dreaming of having one of those for years...sigh.
Sorry, back to the 6 string talk.

quote:

Originally posted by aaron:
i've never played the Mighty Red, but i played the BJF Dyna Red in a tourbox a little ways back, and i didn't really love it either. I was expecting something massive, and it sounded thinner then i was expecting.

It was the one BJF/mad Prof i have played that i would not buy.

yeah- I was surprised that it left me uninspired, since the clips of all the pedals sound SO good. The BoR sounded much more ferocious, to be sure.

quote:

Originally posted by e-flat:
Very cool.
Is that an original Ampeg B-15?
I could get my Motown on with that old beast
I've been dreaming of having one of those for years...sigh.
Sorry, back to the 6 string talk.

I'm not really sure, as I don't know my bass amps that well, It sounded great, though, especially with the house bass!

quote:

Originally posted by StratoMac'r:

quote:

Originally posted by aaron:
i've never played the Mighty Red, but i played the BJF Dyna Red in a tourbox a little ways back, and i didn't really love it either. I was expecting something massive, and it sounded thinner then i was expecting.

It was the one BJF/mad Prof i have played that i would not buy.

yeah- I was surprised that it left me uninspired, since the clips of all the pedals sound SO good. The BoR sounded much more ferocious, to be sure.

I second the notion about the BJF DRD. I had one for a while and I agree it was very amp-like but it just did not do it for me. I know a lot of players swear by them but in the end I sold it off and never missed it.

Man, I wanna move to Maine!


Teddy, are you planning on a "Satellite" store, in Arkansas? LOL


That sounds like a great time! I am soooo jealous.

quote:

Originally posted by Swain:
Man, I wanna move to Maine!


Teddy, are you planning on a "Satellite" store, in Arkansas? LOL


That sounds like a great time! I am soooo jealous.

It was a blast!


I failed to mention all of the great guitars that were hanging in front of the store- makes you certain that if you won the lottery, you'd know where to start that spending spree

I always enjoy a visit to Musictoyz, Teddy's a great guy. Its great that no matter how busy Teddy seems, he always makes time to chat (music, gear, sports, his kids) and is gracious with the latest and greatest of his stock.