more rapid pulses are found on the left side of the Speed knob .
And since we ’ re talking about speed , it ’ s worth mentioning that the Vibutron has a particularly pleasing amount of range . From slowly undulated wobbles to a ring-modesque stutter , there ’ s a tempo in here for every player .
Plus , the sounds are as good as advertised . If you ’ re a tremolo fan and have a penchant for analog warmth — the Vibutron will wobble its way right into your heart .
In the TRW article I referenced earlier , Mr . Kula described Frantone namesake Fran Blanche as “ one of the original boutique manufacturers .” And it ’ s true . If you aren ’ t familiar , Fran has been around since the beginning . Her first pedal , an overdrive called the Hep Cat , debuted in 1994 — more than two decades ago — and was followed by the hallowed Peach Fuzz in 1997 .
After that , Fran took a position at the venerable Electro-Harmonix and , as head tech and supervisor of production , designed the 2000 Big Muff . So if you ’ ve ever laid ears on one of those monsters — and it ’ s likely you have — you have her to thank .
Following that success , she left EHX and resurrected Frantone , only to be met with a variety of setbacks — including the 9 / 11 tragedy — that forced her to abandon the line .
But in 2015 , Fran and Frantone made a valiant comeback and as of today , is back in the business of designing and hand building some of the finest quality analog effects pedals you can buy .
There ’ s not much to the Vibutron — and that ’ s one of the things I like best . In a world obsessed with all bells and whistles and tap tempo and submenus , strippeddown pedals like this one feel somewhat refreshing . In a way , such simplicity is freeing . And that ’ s great .
The Vibutron comes with a price tag that makes it unobtainable for some players , but like I said earlier , if you ’ re a player with a passion for analog awesomeness , it ’ s absolutely worth a look .
more rapid pulses are found on the left side of the Speed knob .
And since we ’ re talking about speed , it ’ s worth mentioning that the Vibutron has a particularly pleasing amount of range . From slowly undulated wobbles to a ring-modesque stutter , there ’ s a tempo in here for every player .
Plus , the sounds are as good as advertised . If you ’ re a tremolo fan and have a penchant for analog warmth — the Vibutron will wobble its way right into your heart .
MEET YOUR MAKER
In the TRW article I referenced earlier , Mr . Kula described Frantone namesake Fran Blanche as “ one of the original boutique manufacturers .” And it ’ s true . If you aren ’ t familiar , Fran has been around since the beginning . Her first pedal , an overdrive called the Hep Cat , debuted in 1994 — more than two decades ago — and was followed by the hallowed Peach Fuzz in 1997 .
After that , Fran took a position at the venerable Electro-Harmonix and , as head tech and supervisor of production , designed the 2000 Big Muff . So if you ’ ve ever laid ears on one of those monsters — and it ’ s likely you have — you have her to thank .
Following that success , she left EHX and resurrected Frantone , only to be met with a variety of setbacks — including the 9 / 11 tragedy — that forced her to abandon the line .
But in 2015 , Fran and Frantone made a valiant comeback and as of today , is back in the business of designing and hand building some of the finest quality analog effects pedals you can buy .
WHAT WE LIKE
There ’ s not much to the Vibutron — and that ’ s one of the things I like best . In a world obsessed with all bells and whistles and tap tempo and submenus , strippeddown pedals like this one feel somewhat refreshing . In a way , such simplicity is freeing . And that ’ s great .
CONCERNS
The Vibutron comes with a price tag that makes it unobtainable for some players , but like I said earlier , if you ’ re a player with a passion for analog awesomeness , it ’ s absolutely worth a look .