In Praise of Hardwire

[monquixote]

I bought a Hardwire Valve Distortion from Trotter of this Parish and I must say I'm rather impressed.



Not only does it sound rather excellent, but it really gives the impression that it was designed by a group of engineers and musicians for professional musicians not a load of marketing focus group types trying to make something bullshitty for teenage metallers.

It seems like they took all the good points of Boss like bomb proof construction (if anything it looks more solid), a big switch, tool free access, recessed knobs, decent price and combined them with lots of boutique features like true bypass, 15v circuit that only requires a 9v adapter, low noise and then added some of their own like auto bypass on low volts and stomp lock.

I also like the fact that it bucks the trend of having a cute name and graphics. It's just a Distortion rather than a "Sonic flame ninja".

I think I could gladly have a whole board full of them (if they did a wah).

EDIT: Also why don't all ODs have a bass control!

[Bidley]

Yeah, Digitech are right on the money with this range. The only flaw I can possibly think of is the model codes are confusing - Valve Distortion = SC-2?

[monquixote]

I was puzzled by that but I think they are named after the mode switch settings

Saturated & Crunch SC1
Classic & Modified CM1
Tight and Loose TL1

Why they did that is anyones guess.

[Bidley]

Well I'll be damned, you're right an' all! Good spot.

[daveyh]

I've had the tube OD and the metal dist, both awesome.

[jdbwales]

I think they are named after the mode switch settings

Saturated & Crunch SC1
Classic & Modified CM1
Tight and Loose TL1

I always wondered why they had the designations they did - nice one!

The Hardwire chorus is the best chorus pedal in existence, in my opinion. Bloody love it. So clear, detailed and versatile.

I'm also a fan of the distortions, the overdrive and the delay. I don't currently need them on my board but I'd happily gig them if I needed to.

[monquixote]

I'm also a fan of the distortions, the overdrive and the delay. I don't currently need them on my board but I'd happily gig them if I needed to.

I'm too in love with the Nova Mod to consider any other chorus pedals, but I quite fancy the Delay.

How do you think it stacks up to the TC?

[ICBM]

Flimsy PCB-mounted pots and slightly too much use of SMT makes them a bit more fragile than Boss and more difficult to repair, but Boss are beginning to lose their absolute reliability shine a bit as well.

I've liked the sounds of the ones I've heard so far, though.

[BucketheadRules]

The TL-2 provides my main metal tone. It's a frigging wonderful pedal, so versatile.

And also, in a world of fizzy-sounding Boss Metal Zones and so on, it's the only metal box I've come across that sounds more like an amp than a pedal.

[monquixote]

Flimsy PCB-mounted pots and slightly too much use of SMT makes them a bit more fragile than Boss and more difficult to repair, but Boss are beginning to lose their absolute reliability shine a bit as well.

I've liked the sounds of the ones I've heard so far, though.

Interesting to know.

They certainly feel tougher than a Boss pedal, but the PCB pots are a bit of a let down on kit aimed at pros.