Model R
This is a complex pedal, with many tones and possibilities. I bought this pedal for single coil solid body applications in front of Vox/Fender style amps. I wanted a high quality mild articulate gain (my opinion of mild gain might be equivalent to some peoples rock gain tone) that was different from my Klon (aware of the hype but I think it is better then the hype!), Landgraff M'OD (covers a lot of ground, perfect in front of a good Marshall) or Purple Plexi (early sparkly hand wired has usable extreme gain).
I focused in on the Model R based upon this amazing clip:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid ... l+r&hl=en#
Playing through my script logo TopHat Ambassador (think Vox/Fender clean tones, most pedal friendly amp I've ever owned) I found that it worked better for me to dial in the amp eq settings after understanding the Resonance (R) control knob in relation to Volume (V) and Drive/Distortion (D). Oddly enough this led me to a sweet new base sound on the TopHat that I didn't consider in the past... What worked best for me was the Model R set as follows: Volume at 2, Resonance at 4, and Drive/Distortion at 7. With a Telecaster in the bridge position the tone control needed to be backed off slightly for rhythm sounds, leads sang with the tone maxed out. Working the guitars volume pot yielded stunning low gain sounds. My Strats have a dark sound, so the bridge position worked out nicely without working the tone control. P-90 equipped guitars really sounded awesome. This pedal did not work well for me into the TopHat with humbucker equipped guitars. Into a cranked 82 Marshall JCM 800 half stack with the Model R Drive/Distortion setting set low to push the amp over the top was kind of cool, but a little too treble sounding to my ears. Will probably use that in the studio for lead tracks. Again, I could have tuned the Marshall eq to create a monster rhythm setting. An excellent, balanced rock tone was achieved with the Model R through my vintage HIWATT DR 103 and cab. The Model R has something special and unique. I hate to compare apples to oranges but there is a sort of Trainwreck feel to me about this pedal, probably due to the Resonance control.
Cliff Hanger 2
Although my interests and abilities as a musician are varied (new age, blues, country ,study jazz with Jack Wilkins) I play in bands that require high gain tones. Due to that I find myself often leaning on a Bogner Uberschall when tracking some guitar parts and performing live. The Uberschall matched with a vintage cab with Pre-Rola Celestions works perfectly. I usually double rhythm tracks with a different vintage head/cab/pedal combo to add a unique layered Rock sound. After hearing that the Cliff Hanger was the BJFE pedal with the most gain on tap I knew I needed to check it out. The Cliff Hanger 2 offered more fine tuning options so I held out for one of those. Humbucker equipped guitars into my vintage HIWATT DR 103 and cab sounded incredible with the Cliff Hanger 2. This pedal sounded best to me with Volume on about 2, Tone on 3 and Distortion on 8. Dropping the low E to D sounded nice and tight.
As was expected the amp/guitar/cab/speaker configurations/pairings played a great deal with my levels of success. But that is the case with all high quality pedals! Very grateful to have picked up these pedals! Special thanks out to Bobby D for your youtube clips:)
After I recover from these purchases I will be on the hunt for the Rocketride Delay, Rocketride Chorus and MP Phaser. It never ends...
