| Author |
 Topic  |
|
Laurie
Double Platinum Member
Canada
4854 Posts |
 Posted - 10/21/2009 : 16:59:04
|
"If you own a tube amp you need this pedal"
NEW DESCRIPTION: After talking to a few folks, I have found that I guess I'm guilty of being too much of a techie and not enough of a "marketer".
So... what is this pedal? What does it do?
1) It is a super clean booster based on the Boss FA-1 with about 20dB of clean boost when run off 9VDC (much more when run off an external 24V supply). It has useful EQ (high and low) that is "a tribute" to the FA-1's EQ. Put it anywhere in your chain where you need a signal boost - a good place is just in front of a tube amp to get some nice crunch. It is also easy to crank the boost up to the point where you will get some nice JRC4558D opamp distortion (well past the 20dB of clean boost).
2) It is a high impedance driver. If you plug the guitar directly into the HZD Boost, you take the load off the pickups and let the HZD Boost do the driving.
I did an A-B test between a clone of the FA-1 (made with NOS parts) and the HZD Boost pedal. They are very close... the FA-1 is perhaps a little more brittle, and the HZD Boost has a hint more body (the JRC4558D opamp in the HZD Boost gives it just a little more "roundness"). If you always wanted an FA-1 but couldn't justify it, this is the answer!
=========
I'm going to do a small production run of these in November. If you have an interest, shoot me an email and I'll tag one for you.
http://members.shaw.ca/lauriepedals/HZD
Price will be US$105 (or 75 Euros if you are in Europe) - plus shipping at cost (however you want it). Shipping is usually "around $10".
I take PayPal no problem, or we can work something out.
|
Edited by - Laurie on 03/27/2010 05:04:54 |
|
|
zerksies
Double Platinum Member
USA
3406 Posts |
Posted - 10/21/2009 : 17:11:54
|
| what does it sound like |
 |
|
|
Laurie
Double Platinum Member
Canada
4854 Posts |
Posted - 10/21/2009 : 17:15:57
|
quote:
Originally posted by zerksies
what does it sound like
Terrible... don't get one   |
|
|
|
DasBeef
Gold Member
United Kingdom
704 Posts |
Posted - 10/21/2009 : 17:31:46
|
Thought I'd add that I have owned one of each of Laurie's pedals since I scored them in a trade back in August. The sound quality, and build quality of both are excellent. Anyone can fire me a PM asking any questions if they want an independent opinion.
Laurie - You should put up links to your PDF's of the instruction manuals. Especially with the LM-10 so the members can see all the tricks it has up it's sleeve.
Dr. Bob spied that I had the HZD on my board in a different thread. He asked me what I thought of it. Below is a link to that topic, and below that is what I replied.
Other Thread
This pedal, to me sits somewhere in between Fuzz and Distortion when cranked, but it is quite easy to coax a nice overdrive type sound out of it. To my ear it gives a slightly compressed sound. The pedal can be run off of different voltages (up to 24v I think) but I have only had the chance to run it off of 9v. It certainly does add high end sparkle, and is really good for dirty boosts, and pushing my valve amps. I've had more of a chance to play it through my Epi VJ, with a Strat, and as a stand alone pedal, and I was happy with the result. In the above pic, you will see it's near the end of my chain (using this board with my Blackstar HT-5). I've been using it in the board to boost my other pedals, and it does the job brilliantly. I will note that teaming it up with the Biyang Fuzz gives a really good sound. Adds a good bit of high end to the muddy-ish sound I'm getting out of the Fuzz. Also teams up very nicely with the TS9DX. When teaming it up with any of these pedals, it seems to add endless sustain, which is nice! I might even try sticking it after the fuzz when I mess about with the board a bit more. I have had only a limited chance to use this pedal since building the above board with my new amp, as I literally only put the board together the day I posted the pic, and had my first chance to jam it properly today. It was lots of fun!
I will also add that I am looking forward to trying this pedal with a higher voltage supply when I get the chance.
And finally, here is the pic of it sitting in on my board...
 |
|
|
|
Laurie
Double Platinum Member
Canada
4854 Posts |
|
|
Laurie
Double Platinum Member
Canada
4854 Posts |
Posted - 11/03/2009 : 21:32:49
|
Just checked out the "RC Booster" pedal. The HZD looks to my eye to be a pretty good substitute... for about half the price.
(plus it's based on the Boss FA-1...  ) |
Edited by - Laurie on 11/03/2009 21:33:23 |
|
|
|
hateandwar
Gold Member
Australia
524 Posts |
Posted - 11/08/2009 : 13:44:09
|
| Hey mate, im pretty sure you can put me down for one of these beautys! |
|
|
|
Laurie
Double Platinum Member
Canada
4854 Posts |
Posted - 11/08/2009 : 17:02:30
|
quote:
Originally posted by hateandwar
Hey mate, im pretty sure you can put me down for one of these beautys!
Right you are! THanks! THe "mini production run" is... in production as I write this. Will let everyone know once they are done. |
|
|
|
hateandwar
Gold Member
Australia
524 Posts |
Posted - 11/08/2009 : 21:01:04
|
| No worries mate! Im pretty much buying this for when I buy a tube amp, start of next year - ish. So don't hurry haha! |
|
|
|
FRANZONI
Double Platinum Member
Ireland
3543 Posts |
Posted - 11/09/2009 : 19:23:26
|
I've ordered one as well to replace the CS-3...looking foward to having it push my twintube valve overdrive pedal into meltdown.... ....thanks for the review DasBeef.... |
|
|
|
Laurie
Double Platinum Member
Canada
4854 Posts |
Posted - 11/15/2009 : 01:52:10
|
I've been fortunate to receive quite a bit of interest and a bunch of orders, so I decided last week to get the printed circuit boards made by a specialist. My hand-made ones are fine, but they take a lot of time to etch and drill, plus I wanted the pedal to be even more professional.
There will now be even more HZD's available in a couple of weeks if anyone else wants one
If you own a tube amp, you need this pedal! 
|
Edited by - Laurie on 11/15/2009 02:10:52 |
|
|
|
natthu
Gold Member
Australia
756 Posts |
Posted - 11/15/2009 : 02:00:54
|
| Hey Laurie, I have a tube amp... so I guess I need a HZD (plus I am a bit of a completionist) so please add one to my order! Cheers. |
|
|
|
Laurie
Double Platinum Member
Canada
4854 Posts |
Posted - 11/15/2009 : 02:10:28
|
quote:
Originally posted by natthu
Hey Laurie, I have a tube amp... so I guess I need a HZD (plus I am a bit of a completionist) so please add one to my order! Cheers.
Thank you kindly - done! I will hand deliver it to Australia next month |
|
|
|
Laurie
Double Platinum Member
Canada
4854 Posts |
Posted - 11/25/2009 : 20:46:49
|
Pics of the production pedal below
For those folks waiting for one, they will be ready to ship by the end of the week. For the pedals being delivered to Australia, they will be sent Australia Post or hand-delivered in a couple of weeks (I'll be in contact).
|
|
|
|
DasBeef
Gold Member
United Kingdom
704 Posts |
Posted - 11/25/2009 : 21:26:18
|
| WOW! They are looking really really good Laurie. Still, I'm happy with my original 'silver screw' model. Maybe it'll become a collectors piece via this forum! Yak! |
|
|
|
Laurie
Double Platinum Member
Canada
4854 Posts |
Posted - 11/25/2009 : 21:34:48
|
quote:
Originally posted by DasBeef
WOW! They are looking really really good Laurie. Still, I'm happy with my original 'silver screw' model. Maybe it'll become a collectors piece via this forum! Yak!
Thanks mate! The one you have is electrically/tone-wise identical to the new ones.
I've just made a few mechanical changes to make them easier to build, and a few cosmetic upgrades... My thanks to all who contributed to solving my dilemma about what to call this thing
|
|
|
|
Topic |
|
FS: the "HZD Boost" - a tribute to the FA-1
