FOREVER CHASING

Another pedal?

Yep.

Years ago, I owned an Ibanez FL9 flanger. I loved that thing, had the best tones, and just to show you how weird I am…I love dialing the speed all the way down and the width way up so when the flange dips, it sounds really sick. Like someone throwing up.

Thank you, Jeff Beck!

I sold that pedal because, well, I needed the money. Since then, I was on a quest for THAT sound. I could have bought another FL9 but wanted to challenge myself. I love the Electro-Harmonix Neo Mistress flanger, have no intention on parting with it. I also have a Mooer E-Lady flanger, and it’s cool but that vibe was missing. I also had an Ibanez Paul Gilbert Airplane Flanger, and while that was wild, it was too big!!

I would listen to demos online and think “Nah”, “Maybe”, “Almost” but then I came cross this RockReady BBD model. Hmmm…one guy made a demo, and my dead goldfish could have done better. Some people simply don’t know how to make a demo video. The two other videos made me think “Okay go for it.” Ordered it through Osiamo Music Gear in NY, got the pedal and those FL9 vibes came back!

Ah heaven!

I immediately replaced the EHX with this pedal. Again, not selling that other pedal because I do like it. Good to have backups in case things go haywire.

Plus the pedal is yellow!!!

So why am I always forever chasing sounds? Much like a lot of musicians, I am never satisfied. There are some pedals that I can’t see replacing but when it comes to things like chorus pedals and such, I hear these sounds in my head. Sometimes I can achieve them, other times no. The longest I owned a pedal, not including my original Boss HM-2 Heavy Metal pedal from 1983, is the DigiTech Whammy 5. I’ve had that since 2011! I’ve swapped out other pedals, and when I think I’m settled…another pedal might sneak up on me.

And no you can’t have my HM-2!

With these gigs coming up starting next Friday (!), it’s best that I make sure all the sounds are ready to roll. Gotta change strings on Pinkie and Universe, as I always bring them to gigs. I like creating a spectacle, whether it’s my sneakers, cables, pedals or strings. I’m just a conduit for the music, simple as that. I was never good at jumping around and making those O-faces like Eddie Van Halen. I’d rather play my guitar. Period.

I may shake my hair around a bit though.