THE DETAILS
For this review, I played the
second and newest iteration
of the Minstrel. This one is
slightly smaller and more
pedalboard friendly than
the original, too, thanks to
a more standard nine-volt
power requirement (versus
12-volt requirement). Like
the first version though, it
features a three-band EQ
that’s absolutely fantastic
for shaping and tweaking
your tone.
Word to the wise: Start with
the EQ knobs at noon. This
doesn’t work with every
pedal, but it’s the best
starting point with this one.
The Minstrel features three
modes that blend British
and American tones with
a hint of Dumble here and
there. Mode one is the
lightest overdrive, but
there’s still a good amount
of crunch if you crank the
gain. Kicking into mode two
adds more gain, thickness
and a midrange punch
that’s perfect for taking
your guitar to the front
of the mix for solos and
leads. Of course, this can be
tamed with the EQ knobs,
but Mode two is more
midrange-forward overall.
Switching to Mode three
adds even more saturation
and a very pleasing sizzle.
This mode is leaner, tighter
and more aggressive than
Mode two—and harmonics
just drip off the fretboard.
It’s very awesome.
THE DEVIL
Playing through this pedal
feels and sounds like playing
into a real amplifier. It’s that
simple. And I know that’s
something you’ll read a lot
in overdrive reviews, but in
the case of the Minstrel, it’s
probably truer, because at
its core, it is one.
WHAT WE LIKE
The Minstrel offers a lot of
positives, but the threeband EQ and trio of modes
are outstanding. Being able
to dial in comprehensive
range of drive tones is an
awesome experience.
CONCERNS
The Minstrel is a high
quality and great sounding
pedal for sure, but it does
cost a pretty penny—so be
prepared to pony up some
cash if you want one. Also,
it needs a lot of juice. Even
though it runs at nine volts,
it requires 500 milliamps
of power.
Now, you’ll read pedal
commentary on other
pedals about how great
the volume knob cleanup
is or how the amp-like the
touch responsiveness is,
but in my journey to find a
pedal that could do deliver
a chimey low-gain grit as
well as it could a thick highgain chunk—the Minstrel
delivers in a way that no
pedal before it has. It’s really
good.
ToneReport.com
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