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Post by limenine on Apr 19, 2015 9:41:11 GMT -7
So is there anything not on youtube?
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Post by limenine on Apr 19, 2015 9:53:09 GMT -7
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Smashies
Junior Member
Karate Explosion
Posts: 59
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Post by Smashies on Apr 20, 2015 6:11:58 GMT -7
Okie dokie, tone soldiers. The results are in, and they're very, very pleasing. To begin, when it comes to putting to text the sounds I'm getting, there are not that many surprises. For instance, it is not surprising, and goes with conventional wisdom, that the Beano does sound much, much better when applied to an already-cooking amp.
It definitely does push and drive the mid-high frequencies (when the switch is in the middle/conventional position) while keeping the low end relatively intact. I hypothesized that this fact would be very useful with alnico speakers, which tend to get muddy and loose in the low end when driven too hard. I am very happy to report that the Beano drives my amp and speakers beautifully in the mid-to-high range while the low end does not get to the point of muddiness. However, beforehand, I was concerned that the low end might be too quiet and drowned out, thus causing notes to lose their percussion, or "punch", and also lose some growl.
THIS is where I AM (very pleasantly) surprised. The Beano seems to actually ADD punch to single notes and growl to chords and it is distinctly coming from the low-mid end of the EQ. I cannot ascertain this quality of the pedal through any YouTube video.
Another area that I should not be surprised about, but am nonetheless, is how the pedal responds to the volume knob. It cleans up very well when backing off the volume knob, but not as dramatically as many fuzz pedals. Keep in mind, though, that a treble booster is described as "fuzz-lite", and I see where people are coming from when it comes to the volume knob. The biggest surprise was how dramatic the difference is between 9 and 10 on the volume knob--bigger change in gain and tone than I would anticipate (about as dramatic as a change from 6/7 to 10 on other op-amp or FET-based drive pedals). This quality I also cannot hear in any YouTube video.
This is definitely not what you would call a "transparent" boost. However, it definitely doesn't transform the sound of your amp to something that it is not like many amp-in-a-box pedals. It is a complimentary pedal to an already driven amp--that's the best way I can describe it. It doesn't just drive the mid-high frequencies in the way most OD pedals would (if you're looking for a boost to simply drive those frequencies in a transparent way, I might suggest a Suhr Koko Boost). It adds its own character that I cannot describe in text. However, just because I see it as "indescribable" doesn't mean I think it's something that everyone will like. What I AM saying is that for those users of the Maz 18 who use their amp as more than just a clean pedal platform and enjoy its driven sound sans-pedals--those users should at least give a treble booster a try.
Note: I only tried the Beano while powered via adapter, although the battery operation is what Mike prefers. I also did not delve too much into the other two modes of the Beano ('mid' and 'low'); I generally stayed in the middle position and tinkered with the single gain knob from 0 to cranked. However, what I've got so far makes this the best (by my preferences) drive pedal I've ever played through my Maz 18 NR combo w/ a Celestion Blue. Yes, better than a Timmy. Yes, better than a KoT. Yes, better than a KTR (although the Beano stacks VERY WELL with the KTR, but that's another story).
Welp, that's my .02. If y'all have any questions, fire away!
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Post by rckline on Apr 20, 2015 6:45:08 GMT -7
I tried to tell you, but you are much more talented than I with a pen. Perhaps I should have left it at "indescribable". I agree, it is one of the best pedals with a MAZ18, it seems to match so well. I absolutely LOVE aNaLoGmAn!!! I like to stack the Beano with a Maxon OD808. Fun.
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Post by rckline on Jun 2, 2015 9:58:33 GMT -7
Jext Telez is almost ready to release their new Rangemaster-style Treble Booster. I haven't heard it yet, but if it matches the rest of JT's amazing work, this will be the shiznit..
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