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PEDAL SNAPSHOT Phil Traina
Key Features
transform it into that style of tone. The Ruby
Volume, Tone, Drive, and Boost controls
Red combines the Superbolts high and low
Named after Butch Walker’s studio
gain settings with a great boost. The order
switch allows the user to hit the front of the
JHS RUBY RED OVERDRIVE $249.00
pedal to add more of a fuzz character. If you
I must admit I am a little bit biased when it
switch the boost to be after the gain it acts as
comes to this pedal. This artist is one of my
more of a lead boost. With the simple layout of
favorites. Butch Walker may be the best kept
secret in Rock n’ Roll. Whether producing and
writing for todays biggest acts, playing intimate
solo gigs in smaller clubs, or rocking your face
off with his full band, Butch never ceases to
amaze. Named after Butch’s studio, the Ruby
Red pedal is a versatile rock beast.
The Ruby Red is based on the JHS Superbolt
pedal that Butch loves so much. For those who
have not seen the JHS Superbolt it is a great
take on an amp called the Supro Thunderbolt.
The Superbolt captures that great small amp
sagging gain that can take any amp and
volume, tone, and drive, along with the boost,
makes dialing in the Ruby Red a snap. If you
need a simple pedal packed with tones from
clean, sweetening power, light and medium
gain, all the way to fuzz tones, the Ruby Red
may be your jam.
www.jhspedals.com
fuzz/scuzz and buffer switch. The Tone acts as
Key Features
a Hi-Cut which can really darken up the tone
Volume, Fuzz, Deep, and Tone
controls
for brighter amps or piercing gain. The deep
knob adds bottom. The scuzz toggle takes you
Designed by David Karon and
Kirk Hammett
into another fuzz world that KHDK describes as
“velcro-type gated fuzz.” It can sound almost
KHDK SCUZZ BOX FUZZ FACE $ 199.95
synth-like or computer like. Lastly, the buffer
Sometimes pedals come across my desk that
switch helps you dial in the pedal if the fuzz
are just so fun to play and add to my musical
is not first in line. They say there are no rules
creativity. It seems like the KHDK Scuzz Box
with the switch, but are there really any rules
fuzz has done that. For those who don’t know
quite a bit of noise in the industry. The Scuzz
with guitar stomp boxes? Let your ears guide
who KHDK are, they are a guy from Randall
Box is a Germanium based fuzz has some
you. I found this pedal to work equally well with
amps, David Karon, and a guitar player named
tonal elements of a tone bender, but basically
pushed amps or clean amps, humbuckers or
Kirk Hammett from a band named Metallica;
is nailing down some of the best of the 60’s
single coils. Great job on a versatile fuzz that
you may have heard of him. Together they
fuzzes. The controls are as such: Volume, Fuzz,
will even please those who aren’t big fuzz fans.
have created a line of pedals that are making
Deep, and Tone. The Scuzz box also has a
www.khdkelectronics.com
and treble add gain as well as EQ. Overall, I
Key Features
found the 385 to have a ton of headroom and
‘Amp in a box”
was extremely dynamic and punchy. Rolling the
Modeled after a Belle and Howell
Filmosound projector
volume control down cleaned up the 385 at any
gain setting. I think that’s what impressed me
WALRUS AUDIO 385 $199.00
the most. Pedals that truly react like an amp
‘Amp in a box’ pedals seem to be popping up
and clean up with the ride of the volume are
more and more these days. The 385, while
such a blast to play. I was able to get quite a bit
it is an amp in a box, is something new. Old
of gain out of this box, but the cleans are just
projector machines have been converted to
as good. If you are looking for an amp in a box
guitar amps and have been made popular by a
Howell film projector amp and fit it into a stomp
that covers a ton of ground, the 385 by Walrus
few great guitar players. Walrus audio has taken
box. The controls are Volume, Gain, Bass, and
Audio may be the answer.
the sound, feel, and vibe from an old Belle and
Treble. This pedal will color your tone. The bass
www.walrusaudio.com
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Nov Dec 2016
CollectibleGuitar.com