NOW, IN THE YEAR 2016, we ask this same
question, but it has spread to many other effects. “Is this a Big Muff?” many users ask when
a fuzz pedal has three knobs. A simple two-knob fuzz will give way to Fuzz Face plagiarism
accusations. However, these pedals are reinvented umpteen times because they sound good,
and they often transcend genres. These are the tools of our music, no matter what type.
But what about those pedals that defy placement into any genre? When will their days
come? What follows is a list of 9 pedals that defy genres, to the point where they belong
to no genre at all. The very type of these pedals is also wildly disputed, to the point where
they may very well be original effect types. Get into it.
JEN HF
MODULATOR/
GRETSCH
PLAY BOY
Even though Gretsch released this box
under the name Play Boy, this odd duck is
known worldwide as the Jen HF Modulator,
part of Jen’s awesome “tongue shaped”
pedal line with sliders in lieu of knobs. At
the time, players rightfully dismissed the
HF Modulator—it sounds like complete and
utter garbage. The HF Modulator may well
have played a hand in sullying the world of
pedals to many a musician at the time of its
release. As far as what the pedal actually is,
it’s almost like a ring modulator that’s on
its last legs. When turned on, a coughing,
sputtering dial tone leaks out at all settings.
However, all bets are off when a fuzz pedal
sits before it. Any fuzz transforms the HF
Modulator into the rightful Gretsch name,
coating the tone in a rich bath of octaves
and harmonics that sounds otherworldly.
ToneReport.com
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