Sparkling Orange vs Sparkling Yellow

[EyeFly]

Here's the kick off for the Sparkling Orange (SO), Sparkling Yellow (SY) comparison from a bona fide treble junkie. Hope it helps!!

RIG: PRS Custom 22, treble p/u, into Tonefactor Eeyore A/B (with both participants) into THD Flexi 50(with 6v6?s) into THD 2X12 cab with Lead 80?s.

ERGONOMICS: Finished sparkly orange box (nice flavor) sized as per previous BJF products, AC tap and in/out access on the side, three "standard" BJFE "slender" knobs with index markings. From left to right, volume, treble, and drive. Nice Eva graphics on this one with no internal trimmers.

I tested both at home using moderately loud volume settings with amp just at breakup; enough for standard venues especially mic'd.

First, tested each with the drive totally counterclockwise. (11 / 12 / full CCW on both) I adjusted the volume to just above unity. The SO provides more bass response than the SY but at these settings, its subtle. Both add some thickness and sustain.

Settings changesd to: 11 / 12 / 12 on both - definite differences are noted. Both have good sustain. The SY "barks", the SO is more even tempered and not nearly as trebly. High single string response of the SY can give you that ice pick sensation that you don't get with the SO which makes it better for leads on the higher ledger lines. The overdrive is similar in both with more perceived girth of the SO when chording. Strike an open chord hard and it fades very smoothly with an even texture; the bass and low mid response is preserved. As you increase the drive to full, the SO maintains the low end and the harmonic differences become more noticeable.

Settings to: 11 / full CCW / full CW: again the SO has more low end and low mids. The tone knob in this position on the SY tames the treble. The SY is still more "in your face" if that's what you are looking for..

Adjusting the tone from full CCW to full CW while striking a hard chord yields a linear response on both with the treble on the SY becoming noticeably more harsh at the higher settings.

Overall, both provide more than ample levels of overdrive. Both are effective with varying guitar volume and/or pick dynamics. The SO is more useful along a broader range of tone settings. If you try the SY and find yourself continually using the tone at 10 and below, the SO is probably more suited to your taste. Since I own the SY, I'll keep it. But, I'd give serious consideration to making these changes permanent on the "Sparkling" line up. I am not opposed to owning another "color" in the CS line up either....but, sometimes, I just gotta have my treble!!

Play on...and thanks again for allowing me to participate...

cork

[williamh]

To be honest, that sounds likes exactly what I'm looking for. Owned the lpod(sparkling yellow in different box), and it worked wonderfully with the orange amp I had. I attribute this to how bassy and dark the orange was blending with how trebley the sparkling yellow was. Switched to a dr z maz 38 because I wanted more clean headroom and the sparkling yellow was the first thing to go as the combination of bright and trebley pedal with bright and trebley amp was just too much. Sounds like the sparkling orange would be an ideal pedal for my amp. I hope to get a chance to try one out once its gone by all the current sparkling yellow owners.

[Eskimo_Joe]

Very nice review! Looking forward to testing it out too.

[TheWarmth]

Photo???

[Realfi]

Sounds good to me to. I like the SYOD for certain things but find the sweet spot a bit narrow for my tastes.

I probably would prefer something a tad less aggressive.

[EyeFly]

Sounds good to me to. I like the SYOD for certain things but find the sweet spot a bit narrow for my tastes.

I probably would prefer something a tad less aggressive.

You'll like the Orange as well!!

cork

[EyeFly]

Photo???

Sorry, I didn't take any photos.

Perhaps Donner has some or Cabo can take some before he ships. I'll make sure to take some pics next time I'm involved in one of these...

cork

[cabo]

great review Cork,,Ill try to post some thoughts in the next day or so,,,until then heres something for your peepers.





the Mystoury box came out cool looking too even without paint,,I can get a shot of that too if Donner doesnt mind it being posted

SOOD and Mystoury on its way to Robapov. Enjoy

[Robapov]

this is perfect timing, just refined my pedalboard to keep it simple...also just purchased a Dyna Red (again) and i am almost positive it will be the sound i am looking for with my new guitar...this tourbox should arrive shortly after the red does

[Realfi]

Very handsome..although it's making me thirsty-looks like a fizzy orange drink!