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Re: BJFE Tourbox 10/08 (SYOD/CAF/CH/EGDM/MH/SWF)

PostPosted: Sun Oct 19, 2008 11:31 am
by thiscalltoarms
Just got home from Church (short service today, not sure why...), kept it simple this morning (well, simple for me anyways), but I limited myself using ONLY drives from this tourbox, and a few other pedals. Note that the volume level wasn't huge- I used a good amount of attenuation in order to use my amp at fairly normal levels.

Budwah/CH/Model H/EGDM/SYOD/SBEQ/Pitch Black Tuner/Ce2/DD5 (dotted 8ths)/DL4 (quarter note and auto swell)/Carbon Copy

Songs played were 2 by Hillsong United (primarily delayed U2 style songs), 1 dance beat David Crowder Band track, and a hymn that I just did ambient volume swells on.

Cliff Hanger- I opened up the set using the Cliff Hanger on a more aggressive tune with super staccato U2 style dotted 8th delay. I normally use my MP MRD on this track, and I appreciated the way the Cliff seemed more grainy and toothy as opposed to the extremely compressed "leather pants" gain structure of the MRD. The Cliff seemed a bit more open to me despite the gain level. All that adds up to a more aggressive staccato tone that seemed way "crisper" than my MRD. I also appreciated the treble content into my dark as molasses Budda Superdrive, but wondered if it might be too much treble for a brighter or normal amp. Also, I didn't have any objections to lack of bass, but my amp is dark, and I was using it for riffing fairly high the whole set. No power chords for me this morning.

EGDM- The second track needed a darker delayed and warmer tone. My normal go to would have been my HBOD, but since I left it at home, I dialed the EGDM for medium gain with the nature rolled back a bit and rolled back my tone control some on my ASAT. Not perfect, but I got me ballpark what I was looking for in terms of compression. As the song climaxed I stacked the SYOD behind it for a nice singing brighter lead tone- I like the way the added grit of the SYOD complemented the compression of the EGDM- I will have to try stacking the SYOD into it as well. I like the EGDM's tone overall, but I need to experiment more with it to get it to the sweet spot or figure out what exactly tone I would use it for if I got one.

SYOD- I am gas-ing for one of these really bad :) sounds awesome into my notably darker amps- I used it set 9/2/10:30 in terms of settings. Those would be bright for most other rigs, but for me its a slightly bright but fairly balanced tone. I used it on our third song- a dance beat with a bunch of poppy hooks and delayed guitar parts that gave it more of a syncopated feel. Sounds gorgeous. Great tones. A little bright with my wah in toe down position, but thats to be expected. I also tried it with the gain cranked for the first song (aggressive U2 feel...) and I could totally have used it that way happily. I went with the Cliff for the sake of a bit more gain and to try to use everything I brought.

Model H- I used it a bit on the last track, but mostly I still found it to feel kinda bland with my dark dark amp and eminence custom speakers. I need to try the Model H with a different amp. I did enjoy its smooth sustain again, but I didn't have any breakthroughs with this one. Have other's experienced this providing crunch? I was expecting a much brighter crunchier tone- perhaps its just the single coil/dark amp combo.

CAF & SWF didn't go on this gig cause I knew the songs wouldn't work with fuzz this time around. They'll both be with me at my more experimental practice tonight.


This was a more hands on review talking about how I tried to use the pedals in a practical performance situation. When I play at Church its kinda like doing a session gig, I come in listen to what the Church Music Director (Worship Pastor) wants, have two run throughs of each song, and have to have my tones down and riffs written/ready to go. I was really happy with the SYOD and EGDM in this context- between the two of them and my guitar controls I had a fairly wide variety of tones available.

Where to go from here? I want to try SYOD stacked into EVERYTHING and break out my SG to see what higher output pickups do all the pedals. Also, I need to break out my Orange AD30 & Vintage 30s (which is dark in a different way), and see how these pedals work with my other rig. I have a feeling that the CAF and Model H NEED higher output pickups to get the tone I've been hearing rave reviews about previous to getting this tour box. My current stack that I am excited to try is the SYOD->SWF, that might be a perfect angry lead tone. Interesting stack for sure.

Enjoy. Next review likely tomorrow afternoon.

Re: BJFE Tourbox 10/08 (SYOD/CAF/CH/EGDM/MH/SWF)

PostPosted: Sat Oct 25, 2008 8:37 pm
by lefte118
whats the status on the tour box? do you still have everything thiscall?

Re: BJFE Tourbox 10/08 (SYOD/CAF/CH/EGDM/MH/SWF)

PostPosted: Sat Oct 25, 2008 10:28 pm
by NewarkWilder
i believe its en route to me as we speak, i'll check in when it arrives

Re: BJFE Tourbox 10/08 (SYOD/CAF/CH/EGDM/MH/SWF)

PostPosted: Sat Oct 25, 2008 10:30 pm
by Bobby D
NewarkWilder wrote:i believe its en route to me as we speak, i'll check in when it arrives



Hey Newark -- when you get the box, can I drive over and have a listening party with you? My brother lives in Bradenton, and I go there pretty regular. Might have to make a special visit to see the tourbox! :-)


bobby d

Re: BJFE Tourbox 10/08 (SYOD/CAF/CH/EGDM/MH/SWF)

PostPosted: Sat Oct 25, 2008 11:22 pm
by Donner
another great review TCTA !!
Yup speakers make al the difference and thats one reason why there is a whole range of tones..... with othe amp/speakers the SY and EG could be to bright......... you might try stacking the SY and H
Yes the more dynamic drives like H and HB show more dynamic range with a higher input - gives it more range to dance thru 8)

Re: BJFE Tourbox 10/08 (SYOD/CAF/CH/EGDM/MH/SWF)

PostPosted: Sun Oct 26, 2008 11:51 am
by Bobby D
it IS a very good review TCTA!

I like those contemporary worship gig. I get called to do a few at a VERY large Methodist church -- big PA system, light show, video screens, full on CONCERT.

And you are RIGHT about the Hillsong stuff - - I just pretend that I am THE EDGE, and everyone says I sound perfect :-)

That Cliffhanger sounds like fun.....

Re: BJFE Tourbox 10/08 (SYOD/CAF/CH/EGDM/MH/SWF)

PostPosted: Sun Oct 26, 2008 11:03 pm
by NewarkWilder
Looks like Bobby and I are gonna have a bit of a pedal party next week when the eagle lands... with... video reviews! :twisted:

Re: BJFE Tourbox 10/08 (SYOD/CAF/CH/EGDM/MH/SWF)

PostPosted: Mon Oct 27, 2008 10:16 am
by Bobby D
NewarkWilder wrote:Looks like Bobby and I are gonna have a bit of a pedal party next week when the eagle lands... with... video reviews! :twisted:



This is CORRECT!

I know that I am not an "official" member of the tourbox, but since Newark and I live so close, and my brother owns a gym and a house over there in Sarasota, I am going to drive over with my strat, my Soldano, my small collection of pedals, and my video camera equipment.

I want to do short video clips of each pedal in various situations, and various types of stacks.

I want to take pics of them all against a beautiful Sarasota sunset.


Since I graduated from New College in Sarasota, I suppose we could bring them all to the Slavin Electronic Music Studio at school....they stilll let me use facilities.......but that might be overkill for a pedal demo.

Anyhow -- I am VERY excited to get to meet another BJF fanatic, and to see the tourbox, and to get to hear the MP TOP.....

Re: BJFE Tourbox 10/08 (SYOD/CAF/CH/EGDM/MH/SWF)

PostPosted: Mon Oct 27, 2008 2:55 pm
by Donner
yeah that will be some excellent additional feedback Bobby !!

if you have a chance Ive never done many side by side comparison clips so some Model H v SYOD etc clips would be useful and appreciated if you have time.... 8)

Re: BJFE Tourbox 10/08 (SYOD/CAF/CH/EGDM/MH/SWF)

PostPosted: Mon Oct 27, 2008 3:49 pm
by Bobby D
Donner wrote:yeah that will be some excellent additional feedback Bobby !!

if you have a chance Ive never done many side by side comparison clips so some Model H v SYOD etc clips would be useful and appreciated if you have time.... 8)



Donner -- tell me what you would like to see/hear, and we will give it a shot.

I would like to give back to the community who has already given me much, especially BJ -- we have had some phone calls that were mind-expanding. And I do love these pedals very much.