by Eskimo_Joe » Sat Dec 01, 2007 8:44 pm
Hi everybody! I had the good fortune of being able to try both the Model H prototype and the official version that was just released. BOTH are incredible pedals! If the H ever hits broader release, it will be a superstar for sure!
Most of my distortion experience is on the Marshall end of the spectrum so it is especially nice to have a new, tasty flavor of distortion. I've never played a HiWatt so I can't say how close it is, but knowing BJ's work, I'm sure it is a very very good representation.
Anyway, as far as differences, the official version is every bit as tasty as the prototype and has the added dimension of breaking up a bit earlier. I put all the knobs at 12 o'clock on both and at that level, the proto is much louder and doesn't break up as much. The new version seems to be a bit more refined (yet it retains all the pure rock n roll swagger of the proto).
As far as the comparison between the other BJF distortions, there's no comparison. The Model H is in it's own territory for sure. To me the Dyna Red, the Model R and the Mighty Red are cousins in the Marshall family, and the Emerald Green is in the Vox Family. The H has it's own identity for sure. It is extremely rich. Lots of sustain. The type of pedal that makes it fun to hit a single chord and just listen. It's comes alive in lead playing as well. It seems to respond to how hard you dig in. Very very tasty!!!
It'll be great to hear everyone else's reviews.