brighter ones.
Unlike so many standard,
no-nonsense fuzz pedals
on the market, the Imperial
offers a king’s ransom of
control over the mid-range
frequencies. SolidGoldFX
incorporated a threeway toggle switch with
which three mid-range
equalization modes can be
chosen: Boost, Scoop, and
Flatten. The Scoop mode
lent the fuzz a larger, more
compressed sound, whereas
Boost tended to make the
pedal seem louder. The
Flatten mode worked just
as promised, seemingly
emphasizing no particularly
frequencies, yet the pedal
retained the enormous,
high-compression sound.
Unfortunately, the toggle
switch is tiny and was
a bit difficult to adjust.
During testing, it seemed
that quick adjustments
were out of the question.
Moreover, this writer tended
to accidentally bump and
adjust the Volume and Fuzz
knobs while flipping the
toggle switch. The result: a
totally different, unintended
sound! A bigger toggle in a
different spot would have
been a better idea, but as
far as possible changes go,
it’s really the only concern
that arose during testing.
WHAT WE LIKE
The Imperial would make
an excellent standard fuzz
for someone’s pedal board,
while offering a bit more
value than the original given
the Imperial’s added midrange EQ switch. One might
say that it would add a regal
touch to one’s tone. And—
unlike that king of the road,
a genuine Cadillac—it won’t
take up too much room
on your pedalboard, and
it won’t guzzle electricity
the way those classic cars
guzzled gasoline. Also, it
won’t startle you as might
the real men in black. It truly
is the King of Kings.
CONCERNS
Smooth, fat, enormous,
compressed fuzz. Mid
Boost, Scoop, and Flatten
settings.
The three-way “Mids”
toggle switch was,
frankly, a little too small
for convenient and quick
adjustments. Its placement
also presents a challenge