PLUSH FX Pedals (from Fuchs Audio Technology)

Fuchs Audio Technology, maker of boutique tube guitar amplifiers, has introduced a new division called "Plush". The product offering will be a line of pedals called "Plush FX Pedals", which feature three distinct and unique overdrive pedals, a dual-channel overdrive pedal, as well as a tremolo, a compressor and a unique ultra low noise gain boost pedal. I did not get an opportunity to play through any of these pedals at NAMM but what I heard was impressive. If the electronic design is anything like my Fuchs ODS, I’m sure these pedals will be very popular.

I did not know this until this year’s NAMM show but Andy once worked for Plush Electronics in the 70's. He built a reputation as one of the leading repair and modification techs on the East Coast and in 1999, Andy founded Fuchs Audio Technology (lucky for me really since I own one of his ODS guitar amps).

If you keep tabs on The Gear Page, you’ll see that these pedals are starting to generate a pretty good buzz in the guitar community. I’m looking  forward to trying out all these pedals for myself.

Here are some excerpts from the new Plush Pedals brochure.

Keeping in mind the classic Tube Screamer, Fuchs sought out to produce a “TS-style” drive pedal with the 3-knob simplicity of this classic pedal, while refining the overall design to modern boutique standards. It responds well to both picking strength and guitar volume, and, best of all, it feels like a tube amp.

This drive pedal is “two creams in one”. Fuchs gives you two 3-knob channel sets of controls. One is voiced like the stock Cream, and the second is voiced warmer, all under one hood.

Plush Drive was designed for those who want the true tone, response and feel of boutique tube amps like the Dumble, Two-Rock or Fuchs, at a reasonable price. Call it your “Robben in a box”.

Perhaps the closest tone to a boutique tube amp. The Plush Tube Drive was designed for those who want the true tone, response and feel the only a real tube can provide. The Tube Driver features a unique 4-knob circuit, which gives unprecedented control over the most important aspects of your tone.

This is their new gain boost pedal. The Pure Gain gives up to 25db of gain (that’s about a 20 times increase in your guitars output level), with an astoundingly low noise floor. By using selected and matched devices in the circuit, premium parts throughout, they have what they believe may be the quietest gain boost on the market.

Original Ross and Dan Armstrong compressors are about impossible to find and VERY expensive. Designed to meet and exceed these classic standards, their new “optical” compressor is quiet and simple to operate with volume and bias controls that allow you to set your compression from a soft limiting effect to an extremely compressed output.

The Plush tremolo pedal is truly unique. It was designed to emulate the unique sound of the Fender Brown face tremolo, one of the more unique and sought after tremolo tones. Not only does it provide level variation, but the subtle tonal shifts, not unlike a rotating speaker or chorus, unavailable in any other tremolo pedal.

Contact Andy Fuchs or Debra Muller at Fuchs Audio Technologies for more information.

Website: www.fuchsaudiotechnology.com

Myspace Page: Plush Pedals

RJM Music - MasterMind Midid Foot Controller

Ron Menelli, electronics designer, guitar player, and business owner is still passionate about guitars, effects, and amplifiers and how to control them. I met Ron at last year’s NAMM and was immediately impressed by his small line of products that include his latest production product, the new RG-16 8x8 Audio Switcher. See my review on this product HERE!

This year Ron was showing off a prototype MIDI foot controller called the MasterMind. As stated in their pre-release literature, “The MasteMind is the ideal companion to the RG-16 and Amp Gizmo” audio and function switchers. However, it can also work well with any MIDI switcher. I loved the compactness of this controller and it had a few tricks too.

Features include:

•Program Change and Continuous Controller message support

•Controls multiple devices on different MIDI channels

•Includes an input for an external expression pedal

•Stores 125 presets, arranged in 25 banks of 5 presets

•The Function switch can be assigned to send different MIDI messages on a per-preset basis (can be used for bank switching, tap tempo, effects control, etc..)

•Receives phantom power over a 7 pin MIDI cable

•Remote in allows the synchronized use of multiple MasterMind controllers.

It’s a nice little controller and is in-line with the professional standards and clever thinking of the other RGM products. I believe Ron plans to release this product later this year. Keep tabs on his website for updated information.

Also check out RJM’s current line of amp controllers, loop switchers and other unique product offerings including the RG-16, Loop Gizmo  and the Amp Gizmo. Visit the RJM Music website for a full review of this product line.

Website: http://www.rjmmusic.com/

Contact: Ron Menelli

Robert Keeley Electronics - Guitar Pickups

Well, our friends at Robert Keeley Effects are expanding their business into guitar pickups and of all things….road cases. I’m not sure what road cases have to do with electronics but more power to ‘em! The pickups, however, are a natural growth for RKE. As you probably know, RKE design and build some of the finest guitar effect pedals (and mods) in the biz. I’m a huge fan of the compressor pedal and I’ve played several other pedals over the years. I love the tone and professional build quality from these well-designed effects.

AT NAMM, I took time to play through two guitars fitted with their new single coil pickups. One guitar included the Vintage Relic pickups and the other had the Keeley Modern single coils. The vintage pickups were classically voiced single coils. These always sound good to me. However, the Keeley Modern set was most impressive. They maintain a vintage sparkle (not too much though) but had a little more vibe and warmth to them. They felt very, very good and sounded even better. I may try these again soon and refit my Strat.

Their pickup line includes;

VINTAGE RELIC SINGLE COIL (3)

Vintage Relic Design - Alnico II - 3 S-Style pickups. Specific Neck, Middle, and Bridge designs. Round and Warm.

Neo-Vintage SINGLE COILS (3)

Neo-Vintage Design - Alnico V - 3 S-Style pickups. Specific Neck, Middle, and Bridge designs. Vintage Sweetness.

Keeley Modern SINGLE COILS (3)

Keeley Modern Design - Alnico V - 3 S-Style H.O. pickups. Specific Neck, Middle, and Bridge designs. Hot and Very Spirited.

TIFFANY SELCT PICKUPS (3)

TIFFANY SELECT Custom Designs - CALL FOR INTERVIEW FIRST - 3 S-Style pickups. Not available to Keeley Dealers because each set is unique and custom wound.

Go to their website and check them out for yourself.

Website: www.RobertKeeley.com

Transpo Products, Inc. - Transpo Capo

I was impressed! Go to their website for a video demonstration.

Website: www.transpocapo.com

Amps

Guitars

Namm Pics