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Post by matty6strings on Jun 2, 2011 22:25:46 GMT -7
I have another smaller Pedal Train mini that houses a MXR phase90, Boss CE-2 chorus which will be running in a loop. Probably get a flanger sometime as well. Oddly, I have my GCB95-F Wah at the far left of the small board so I can hook it up directly to the spare power cable. The Keeley Looper on the top right will run out to them when Its all ready to get hooked up. I need to build a few more cables to complete it. Anyway, big shout out to the maker of the Badgerplex! My GOD! Its absolutely fantastic. I loved my SRZ before but with that thing engaged (which it is going to be, always) its unreal. Dynamic, chewy, shimmery, punchy, articulate, GIRTHY. The list does not end. Check it out on Google. I also put on the Hall of Fame stereo reverb from TC Electronics. I've revamped my amp set up. Still going to run the Remedy with the SRZ but now the SRZ will be set fairly clean so the efx don't get washy with all the gain in the SRZ. Wah - Tuner - Keeley Bypass Looper - AC Booster - Wampler - Badgerplex. I punch the front end of both amps with the Badgerplex and that in itself if quite a sound. It runs after the OD's and looper. A bit more break up, well, a lot on the bridge pick up but remains nearly sparkling clean on every other pick up config I use. Just roll the volume down on the axe and away you go. Then, I use either the Wampler Black 65 or the go to AC Booster. Or both. Whatever sound I want is down there. I'm so happy with it all finally. Just need to finish that smaller board and get it all cabled up. So out of the OD pedals it splits at the Radial Twin Cities ABY, one line to DD7 #1 - Remedy, the other to DD7#2 to SRZ. The DD7's are each connected to a tap tempo FS-5U but one is set to analog and the other set to 800ms for a nice stereo ping pong effect. The SRZ gets 2 repeats and the Remedy will get 3 at a quieter setting. Each of the DD7's feeds into the stereo Reverb and from they go to their respective amps. I just got the board together today and my buddy has my Remedy. Once I get it all up and running I'll be in heaven, Im sure and I can't wait.
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Post by bradtfw on Jun 3, 2011 12:06:27 GMT -7
You've got me interested in the Badgerplex.
I've been looking for a nice boost/preamp/buffer for the first position on my board. I thought about a hi-fi clean boost or something like the Flying Dragon, but I've never had an Echoplex Preamp pedal and would like to give one a try.
What can you tell me about it? Ever try the Xotic EP?
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Post by matty6strings on Jun 5, 2011 17:29:42 GMT -7
Brad, go out of your way to find one. The ep booster is nice and small and packs one hell of a whallop in terms of volume boost. The idea, though similar, is not the same with the Badgerplex. It incorporates the same chip that was found in the preamp section of the echoplex (I believe). My buddy has an original that we're going to demo back and forth soon so I hope to post results of that finding. Anyway, the Badgerplex runs at 12 or 18 V, I run at 12 and power with the Voodoo Labs pedal power II plus at the appropriate voltage. I simply crank the dial up as high as it goes and the tone just gets amped right up. DOES NOT CHANGE the tone, just "amps it up" with some degree of measureable volume boost. To me, the EP has a desireable tonal character that is not transparent but delivers an incredible volume boost. My buddy runs one on his board into his Ghia and loves it BUT, its barely on and only used to boost the signal enough to get through the boards pedals. See Crabby (his board has changed some but still close to current) - ztalk.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=fx&action=display&thread=3614&page=40 Anyway, I asked him today which he'd prefer to have on his board now that he has experienced both and to my surprise, he chose the Badgerplex. I'll email him and see if he'd chime in here.
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Post by matty6strings on Jun 5, 2011 17:35:26 GMT -7
By the way, Crabby helped me rework my whole board the other day.
Looks like I'll just build a smaller "jam" board as I've been able to get 12 pedals (not including my wah) onto the stereo pedalboard.
I'll put up a revised pick hopefully tomorrow. I sure hope to be able to create a decent sounding video clip soon. You guys may think I'm crazy to run my set up the way I do but it sure is fun and sounds out of this world!
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Post by bradtfw on Jun 6, 2011 5:58:42 GMT -7
Thanks for the information. I'm going to give the Badgerplex a try. I emailed the builder and he said it would be about a 2 week build time.
The unit is $146 + $7 shipping. I think we've all gotten used to $150± pricetag, so I'm even more excited that it won't hurt too much.
Looking forward to seeing your new board.
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Post by mtlrecords on Jun 6, 2011 6:05:52 GMT -7
Badgerplex looks so cool. I have a Fulltone EP-1 on my board (which I like very much), but I might try a Badgerplex soon and compare.
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Post by pcns on Jun 6, 2011 6:12:14 GMT -7
nicely laid out, as I continue my pedal board search, I like what I have seem from the pedal train boards Todd
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Post by bradtfw on Jun 16, 2011 6:30:52 GMT -7
I've got a Badgerplex coming my way. I'll let you all know how I like it with my Gibson RO and Remedy. I'm thinking that it is just the thing I need for my Les Paul.
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Post by matty6strings on Jun 16, 2011 8:45:04 GMT -7
My experience with it has been awesome. First I set up my amps with "just the right tone" then add just enough gain to give you a tad more than a sound with some hair around the edges. Not out right distorted or overdriven. Then, turn on the Badgerplex at full. May I introduce you to your new favorite sound. Vintage reflections with your personal flavourings. Its just a riot! Roll off the guitar volume and it cleans right up without losing volume. yeah baby, its the shizzle dizzle, yo.
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Post by bradtfw on Jun 16, 2011 11:49:02 GMT -7
My experience with it has been awesome. First I set up my amps with "just the right tone" then add just enough gain to give you a tad more than a sound with some hair around the edges. Not out right distorted or overdriven. Then, turn on the Badgerplex at full. May I introduce you to your new favorite sound. Vintage reflections with your personal flavourings. Its just a riot! Roll off the guitar volume and it cleans right up without losing volume. yeah baby, its the shizzle dizzle, yo. You make it all sound so good. I'm excited to try it. My LP definitely benefits from an "always on" boost/preamp. I use my Barber Launch Pad now, but I've been wanting to try an Echoplex preamp for some time now.
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Post by bradtfw on Jun 21, 2011 7:27:35 GMT -7
I received my Badgerplex and I've had some time to get acquainted. I must say that it sounds good. With the buffer on it is bright and clear, slightly gritty, and about as noisy as any OD. With the buffer off (and no buffer in my line) it sounds as dark as my line does without a buffer. This says to me that the output impedance must be pretty high in normal mode. I've found that I like turning the buffer off and using my Launch Pad as the buffer last in line. It also sounds good with the buffer on and the Launch Pad off. If I'm being honest, I don't find it to be extremely useful since I already have a boost/buffer. I think that the Launch Pad is more hi-fi and sounds like it isn't changing my tone. However, the Badgerplex is brighter, which is nice for my LP. Long story short, I may not have needed this box. I'll give it some time...
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Post by matty6strings on Jun 24, 2011 10:23:19 GMT -7
I know what you mean. Thanks for the honest review. fwiw, I don't use the buffer in it. I leave that thing on and cranked and forget about it all together. Pretty much don't think about it anymore and rarely give it a second thought. That is, until I turn it off. Bonus for me is that both the Remedy and SRZ really like it. ;D I re-did my board and finished my grab n go mini. Pics to come in a bit.
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Post by matty6strings on Jun 24, 2011 10:37:56 GMT -7
Here's the mini "grab n go" bare essentials for me:
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Post by matty6strings on Jun 24, 2011 10:44:31 GMT -7
...and here's the revised board which now incorporates the CE 2 and MXR Phaser. I'm an addict to that sound, what can I say? Just realized that the pic shows an old TS9 which belongs to bigben. I put it on the board to try it instead of the Wampler black 65. The Wampler may find its new home on the mini board along with the Bad Monkey. I have come to really like what the Visual Sound Comp 66 compressor can do. I have never been a comp guy by this thing is a lot of fun. Might bring it onto my "big board" in place of that TS9 for kicks.
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Post by bradtfw on Jun 24, 2011 12:19:23 GMT -7
Well here is the deal... When I use the buffer on the Badgerplex it is pleasantly bright with a ton of presence and great "band-cutting" frequencies. When I turn the buffer off I find that it does nothing for me in a completely true-bypass line.
I've got it on my board and I have a couple of shows this weekend... I'll see how it does in the live mix.
With the buffer on, this box has a real unique quality and I'm going to hold on to it for awhile. Also, it makes my Wampler Faux Tape Echo sound great!
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Post by matty6strings on Jun 24, 2011 16:59:18 GMT -7
Awesome! I hope it works out well for you in a live environment Brad. So far it seems that it may have been an unnecessary addition for you -unless you discover otherwise this weekend.
Looking forward to your update. Have a great couple of shows.
M
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Post by bradtfw on Jun 27, 2011 7:45:59 GMT -7
Awesome! I hope it works out well for you in a live environment Brad. So far it seems that it may have been an unnecessary addition for you -unless you discover otherwise this weekend. Looking forward to your update. Have a great couple of shows. M I found a scenario that I liked this weekend. I ran my launch pad at the end of my line with the level slightly boosted, then I turned-off the Badgerplex buffer and ran that at about 75%. I kept both on at all times and I was happy with the results. I'll report more soon, but it does have something that my other boosts don't have and I'm going keep it.
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Post by zed on Jul 1, 2011 7:22:35 GMT -7
I'm liking my Dr Scientist Cleanness. It's a booster/buffer. I run it last in my chain into the front of the amp. Highly tweakable.
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Post by bradtfw on Jul 1, 2011 8:08:59 GMT -7
I'm liking my Dr Scientist Cleanness. It's a booster/buffer. I run it last in my chain into the front of the amp. Highly tweakable. I like running a boost/buff last in the signal chain. The input of the amp will get the same impedance regardless of what is engaged. I haven't tried the Dr. Scientist unit, but I've heard great things.
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Post by mrstrum on Sept 19, 2011 21:17:09 GMT -7
I didn't need to buy mine either but on top of sounding great, it is a really cool looking pedal too.
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