A
s a fellow effects geek, the news of Frantone’s return to the effects
industry should pique your interest. Frantone, the company headed by
Fran Blanche, is one of the original boutique manufacturers. Her circuits
are all original and revered for their untouchable levels of quality. Fran
even etched and drilled her own circuit boards and got custom knobs—everything
about her pedals oozed a level of craftsmanship not equaled by another analog
circuit designer. Ever played an Electro-Harmonix Big Muff after the year 2000? Fran
designed that. Frantone’s pedals—if you can find them—hold their value extremely
well and (some of them like the Bassweet below) will likely be buried with their
owners due to their sound quality and general scarcity. In honor of this momentous
occasion, I’d like to regale you, the reader, with the five best Frantone effects.
WORDS BY NICHOLAS KULA
ToneReport.com
17