While it is true that the classics never die,
they do sometimes get a little past their
prime and begin to smell funny. When that
happens, it’s time to freshen things up and
blow the dust off. This is a truism that can
be applied to many areas in life, including
one’s pedalboard.
Most of us have at least one classic
stompbox on our boards, something
that was probably invented in the ‘60s
or ‘70s, made its mark on a bunch of
genre-defining recordings, and has rested
comfortably on its legendary laurels ever
since. These are pedals that many guitar
players recognize instantly, both by sight
and by ear, and for many of us they define
what an electric guitar should sound like.
In many instances they haven’t changed
much, or at all, since the day of their
release.
Some classics are so perfect that they
just don’t need to change, but this is
rarely true in the world of guitar effects.
The music gear landscape has changed
so much since many of these pedals
were invented that they must adapt or
be outshined by newcomers. Electronic
components have become more reliable
and consistent, power requirements
have been standardized, and ears and
tastes have morphed in dramatic ways.
In general, guitarists also have way more
pedals than they used to, so any product
not designed to live comfortably in the
confines of an expansive pedalboard rig
is doomed to failure. Competition is also
much greater, and the old standbys often
find themselves in direct competition with
new pedals that are little more than clones
with a few modern updates.
The time for resting on laurels has come
to an end. The old-guard manufacturers
have recognized the need to change and
adapt or die a slow death. Recently we
have seen a flurry of releases from the
pioneering companies in our industry
that take the classic sounds and circuits
and revamp them in ways that make them
useful and inspiring for modern guitarists.
Here are a few of our favorite reimagined
reissues of classic guitar effects.
ToneReport.com
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