December 1999

GUYATONE MICRO EFFECTS

By Stephen Patt

Not to be outdone, another manufacturer has gone for the smallest effect known to man, and won. From Godlyke Distributing in the wilds of New Joisey come the Guyatone Micro Effects. Not only are they well-designed and affordable, they aren't too available if you only shop at the Big Boys - distribution tends to be through small, individually-owned guitar shops, where the company can develop a relationship with the stores and their customers. Prices are more than reasonable, ranging from the diminutive Wah Rocker at a list of $90 to the Micro Delay, the world's smallest delay, at $130. Aside from good pricing and nice packaging (tiny, rounded rectangles of colored metal, with a rubber underside), the sounds are better than I expected.

The purple WR-2 Wah Rocker is an envelope-controlled filter that possesses subtlety: It's Threshold and Decay knobs really work, and the glints of wah are indeed biting, musical, and highly usable. Noise factor is minimal, switching is silent, and the durable little box produces a great triggered wah sound, all at a reasonable price.

The MD-2 Micro Digital Delay is the most expensive of all the Guyatone devices and perhaps the most utilitarian. After all, we all need a little delay at some time or another, whether it's for Scotty Moore-style slapback, doubling a recorded track, or just experimentation. This tiny blue square, barely 3" x 4", hacks delay times of 30 to 800 milliseconds cleanly, without any digital brittle harshness. Controls are again simple, comprising delay times, effect mix, and feedback. At its price list it's quite good; discounted you can't beat it.

For those of us who can honestly say that they don't need stereo chorusing, the MC-3 Micro Chorus fits the bill admirably. This eggshell-blue rectangle has not only lush, thick chorusing that accelerates into the Leslie zone with its top speed, but a bit of a bass boost that provides a nice emphasis to the swirl. Very reasonable at a list of $100, and highly flexible when you play around with it - I was especially impressed with its slow chorus setting on arpeggiated chords. Felt like I was back listening to Yes at the Academy of music, I did!

Rounding out the Guyatone experience is a pair of overdrive devices that really make you stand out from the crowd - the red and orange (respectively) HD-2 Harmonic Distortion and the TZ-2 Fuzz. For retro square-wave sounds similar to the old Maestro or Univox devices, this little guy delivers an aggressive, in your face snarl that sounds quite authentic, especially when your neighbors start beating on the ceiling with sledgehammers to shut you up! But seriously, it's small, it's orange, and it's annoying (I guess you can tell I never did fall in love with "fizz tone"). It does deliver as promised, and at a list of $90, you can afford it. Did I mention the hint of upper octave? Sure I did!

Then there's my personal pick, the HD-2 Harmonic Distortion box that delivers complex thick harmonics with a lovely singing quality, perfect for single-note work and chording - very fat, very hip. I like it, especially at $80 list. Eventually you may see these pedals at Guitar Center and the like. But for now, scout local hangouts, or call the kind folk at Godlyke for your closest outlet.