What would be a good first BJFe?

[stratguy23]

Hope this hasn't been covered to death, but what is a good first BJFe pedal? I am thinking that a CAF would be cool or maybe an EGDM. HBOD seems like the standard choice, so maybe that? What are the wait times like for those pedals? I have a sense I really can't go wrong with anything. Thanks.

[SteveA]

I would think that the PGC or the HBOD would be the standard first two and the MGMV being another unique one of the line. Then you can go for the MH, CAF, and others...

[thesjkexperience]

What is your rig, what type of music do you play and what do you feel you are missing in your sound?

The CAF is a pretty extreme pedal, but loads of fun! My personal favorites are the Emerald Green (4 knob if you can find one), Model HvT and SBEQ. All three are worth every cent I paid. Other favorites have been the HBOD, Red Rooster Booster, Purple Humper and the Baby Blue. There are still so many I haven't tried due to lack of funds, but someday I want to at least try: Model R, Model G, SYOD, PPF, AWF......

[stratguy23]

Those are what I have at my disposal (among some other pedals). I have a '59 Maestro GA-16T and a Divided By 13 JRT9/15, I play a PRS Tremonti and Strats. I play rock, I just joined a cover band that does a lot of up tempo, pop punk kind of stuff, but I like the Beatles, Jimi, SRV, Floyd, Nirvana, Alice In Chains, stuff like that the best, so I think we will add stuff like that. What am I missing? Not much honestly, I guess a good overdrive and Marshally distortion would be good (Honey Bee and Dyna Red would cover those I'm guessing). I have a lot of fuzzes (but always want more), but I have never found an overdrive or distortion that I really love. I like tone shaping pedals and boosts a lot as well. What is the wait like for a SBEQ and PGC?

[Strat-o-lux]

I'd suggest the HB, Dyna Red, or Model H as starters in the dirtbox realm. EGDM is great, but more to a specific taste and not (in my experience) ideal with all amps. The choice is more complicated these days with all the BearFoot variants as options.

And don't forget the MP line - SHOD is my all-time favorite OD, especially with Strat and vintage Fender amps.

Definitely, PGC is one to check out. It's not like any other compressor you've experienced. Only one I'll use.


My condolences to your bank account.

[thesjkexperience]

The trouble is only Bjorn knows when certain models will be built and who knows how long the waiting lists are? It is good to get on the list for the pedals you want, but it will be necessary to look at the used market if you want it now.

Killer D*A*M collection! Mine looked similar before I found BJFE and now I have none! I also recommend studying in the Library section of this forum and listen to a few sound samples. However, the thing about BJFE pedals is they way they feel when you play them. It is just like a great tube amp with all the nuance and touch you could want.

THe other thing I found is very few of the sound samples I listen to sounded like the pedals through my rig, so if you have the cash to float a few pedals it is best to find a good deal and buy them. The reason you should check the library is Bjorn's pedals function much differently than other pedals. Most pedals have a sweet-spot and that is it, but BJFE and Mad Professor pedals have many very usable voices. And that is before stacking them or playing with different Voltages!

I find it best to ignore the common convention of the knobs at noon business (really how many pedals do you run with all knobs at noon?) and start with the volume around 9 o'clock and start playing with it as if there were no writing on it. Like a child might. Every knob is typically interactive with the others and the Nature, Voice, etc are not the typical bass to treble swipe. There are times my kids move the knobs on my pedals and I don't notice it and find a combination that is amazing that I never thought of. SOme pedals like the EGDM and MHvT are really deep with great sounding combinations and others are much easier to grasp like the DRD.

Also do a search on stacking. Once you get two really compatible BJFEs the combinations are endless! Good combos are: EGDM>HBOD (this can get Neil Youngish) MH>HBOD ok pretty much anything into a HBOD lol. Lots of info on it and it would take days to hit all the points.

So, get out your card and start buying and get on the lists of pedals you are interested in.

[stratguy23]

Good to know, I was thinking about the 4 knob Bearfoot Model H potentially if I go that route (I like the idea of a treble control because I switch between humbuckers and singlecoils). What are thoughts on that one? I am on the high gain Bearfoot tourbox, so I will get to try the Dyna Red Hot, 4 knob Model H and the Honey Beest. What kinds of amps does the EGDM work with and what does it not work with?

Thanks, I like my D*A*Ms and I don't see them going anywhere, they will just make some new friends. Thanks for all the info! I have heard they are really versatile and great at stacking. I got on the list for a bunch. I am patient, but I would not be opposed to buying used if there were a good deal...

[Strat-o-lux]

The EGDM was, I believe, designed specifically to work with a '60s Vox amp. I quite like it with my DST30. What amps does it not go well with? That's really just a matter of personal taste. I don't favor it with BF Fenders; others might.

You'll learn a lot from trying out pedals in the tourbox. 4 Knob Bearfoot Model H is excellent and quite versatile, and the treble control is (for me, anyway) a big plus.

As thesjk pointed out, there's a bit of a learning curve with the control functions on many of BJ's circuit designs. Do spend some time perusing the BJFE Reference Library on this forum for authoritative info on the pedals.

[stratguy23]

My Divided By 13 is sort of Voxish, I am not much of a BF Fender guy (I like Tweeds, Voxes and Marshalls). I am excited for when I get the tourbox, I think it will definitely help me pick what I am interested in. I will peruse this forum (specifically the Reference LIbrary) a lot to get more info. Thanks guys!

[Johnson]

I think a great starting point is your favorite amp tone...Complete this sentence: My favorite dirt tone comes from a _________ amp!

Depending on your answer:
Marshall = Dyna red or Model R
Hiwatt = Model H
Supro = Honey Bee
Vox = Emerald Green Distortion Machine
Mesa etc. = Cliffhanger II
Gibson = Model G

Besides, it looks like you've got your fuzz tones already covered However, my first BJFe was a CAF...it's one of those pedals i'll never sell...it's beautiful chaos Best of luck and let us know how the search goes!