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albou « Truly extra !! »
Published on 08/11/14 at 17:49The Distortron Z.Vex is, according to the brand, "the little sister boosted the Box of Rock." Having never tested I could not confirm it, but maybe is it the same basic components.
In the case of Distortron, it is a pedal overdrive / distortion (see below) trying to reproduce the sound of the mighty Marshall JTM45 and with 3 knobs (volume, tone, drive ... classic ) and two mini-switches (a 3 position switch levels subs, and a switch to boost the gain level). A priori analog technology, it is possible to power via a battery or standard 9V battery.
UTILIZATION
Regarding the knobs, nothing revolutionary, the magic trio is still his work! If revolution there, it is located in switches: one can choose three levels of sub-bass amps and depending guitars used (1 is the minimum and max 3), the second switch (lo or hi) allows you to send an overdose of gain to the signal ... or not.
Around the tone knob it says "crackle okay" which translates as "normal hiss" when the pedal is activated and it turns the knob drive, it actually means sizzling, and so it's normal !
To conclude the three knobs are super simple to use, but in addition they are very reactive and the sound quality of 10/10 to 1/10 are impeccable.
Use: 10/10 no complaints!
SOUND QUALITY
I have never witnessed the legendary power sound JTM45 but I doubt that a small red box can highlight the same power in a Vox AC15 ... This does not prevent that same box gonna cum! Despite its name the pedal is as much an overdrive distortion, depending on the level of drive and choose especially if you put the second switch on "hi".
But back to the sound itself, is ecstasy! I would not have thought I could get it with my gear. A well burnée overdrive and the Stooges quite honest, that's what suits me, and that's what I get !! Also the possibility of lowering the gain with the volume knob on the guitar allows things well, especially live.
Finally, it is a very good pedal fitting in the vicinity! All pedals placed before will be transformed by the Distortron.
The quality of sound out are superb, and it has an inexhaustible reserve gain: With the switch set to hi, the drive does not exceed 5/10!
The sound is perfect!
OVERALL OPINION
I use it for more than 6 months and I have not yet found all the possible combinations, but those that I already used suit me very well. I bought it used 80 € and I think it's a very good deal, € 120 (on the internet) it is a little expensive but it's still a great pedal!
I had never tested any Z.Vex before and when I see what can be the cheapest model I'm very optimistic! Regarding the Distortron, what I like most is of course the sound but also the two switches that change some of the old traditional "vol / tone / drive" even if the pedal is hell from the start . The only downside (to play the real finicky jerks) would creaking you hear when you move the knob drive ... I still say that in the year of grace 2014, it would still have made a scientific discovery to prevent this from happening ... Well if that's the price to pay for EC's, so I'm willing to pay and sometimes twice a !!
With experience, I would hesitate much shorter before buying ^^!
In the case of Distortron, it is a pedal overdrive / distortion (see below) trying to reproduce the sound of the mighty Marshall JTM45 and with 3 knobs (volume, tone, drive ... classic ) and two mini-switches (a 3 position switch levels subs, and a switch to boost the gain level). A priori analog technology, it is possible to power via a battery or standard 9V battery.
UTILIZATION
Regarding the knobs, nothing revolutionary, the magic trio is still his work! If revolution there, it is located in switches: one can choose three levels of sub-bass amps and depending guitars used (1 is the minimum and max 3), the second switch (lo or hi) allows you to send an overdose of gain to the signal ... or not.
Around the tone knob it says "crackle okay" which translates as "normal hiss" when the pedal is activated and it turns the knob drive, it actually means sizzling, and so it's normal !
To conclude the three knobs are super simple to use, but in addition they are very reactive and the sound quality of 10/10 to 1/10 are impeccable.
Use: 10/10 no complaints!
SOUND QUALITY
I have never witnessed the legendary power sound JTM45 but I doubt that a small red box can highlight the same power in a Vox AC15 ... This does not prevent that same box gonna cum! Despite its name the pedal is as much an overdrive distortion, depending on the level of drive and choose especially if you put the second switch on "hi".
But back to the sound itself, is ecstasy! I would not have thought I could get it with my gear. A well burnée overdrive and the Stooges quite honest, that's what suits me, and that's what I get !! Also the possibility of lowering the gain with the volume knob on the guitar allows things well, especially live.
Finally, it is a very good pedal fitting in the vicinity! All pedals placed before will be transformed by the Distortron.
The quality of sound out are superb, and it has an inexhaustible reserve gain: With the switch set to hi, the drive does not exceed 5/10!
The sound is perfect!
OVERALL OPINION
I use it for more than 6 months and I have not yet found all the possible combinations, but those that I already used suit me very well. I bought it used 80 € and I think it's a very good deal, € 120 (on the internet) it is a little expensive but it's still a great pedal!
I had never tested any Z.Vex before and when I see what can be the cheapest model I'm very optimistic! Regarding the Distortron, what I like most is of course the sound but also the two switches that change some of the old traditional "vol / tone / drive" even if the pedal is hell from the start . The only downside (to play the real finicky jerks) would creaking you hear when you move the knob drive ... I still say that in the year of grace 2014, it would still have made a scientific discovery to prevent this from happening ... Well if that's the price to pay for EC's, so I'm willing to pay and sometimes twice a !!
With experience, I would hesitate much shorter before buying ^^!