The Scoop on KittycasterFX: Groovy Wizard & Tremdriver
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- čas přidán 5. 09. 2024
- www.kittycaste...
The KittycasterFX Tremdriver is both a high headroom Preamp and Harmonic Tremolo. These circuits are not entirely independent because they share a heart made of 3 JFET gain stages which run at 24 Volts internally from a standard 9V plug. The result is a massive increase in your pedalboard’s headroom and roundness, just like the AC powered preamps aboard the Echoplex in the 70s.
The harmonic tremolo takes two of the stages and runs them in parallel, with one signal handling low frequencies and the other high, except they are 180 deg out of phase. This method of tremolo is still amplitude (volume) modulation but the overlap from panning these two filters can sound swirly at times, considering the oscillator circuit stems from a Univibe circuit. Swishier sounds are dialed in with the LFO bias in lower regions, outlined in black, while choppier peaks live in higher settings.
With the Volume and Gain of the Tremdriver’s preamp, you can push your whole pedalboard into the foreground or really add amp grit and punch with the gain control.
The KittycasterFX Groovy Wizard was designed to conjure up the most beloved qualities of a classic fuzz-- one that cleans up effortlessly and has a wide dynamic range with transparency to let the most nuanced playing through to the amp. To achieve this, the Groovy Wizard uses a hybrid of silicon and germanium transistors and a circuit inspired by a 60s console preamp. The Groovy Wizards punch and wide range of tones comes from the ability for it to run anywhere under 9 to 18 Volts. In fact, opening up the pedal reveals two battery snaps to get there and among the case candy are custom branded KittycasterFX 9V batteries.
Lower voltages from either older batteries or variable DC power supplies provide a bit more softness to the feel along with the warmth of vintage fuzzes. So, experimentation is encouraged as there are a huge range of sweet spots for everyone! Along with Volume and Fuzz, the Presence and Contour help you match this fuzz to your rig by changing the peak frequency and the amount of low end getting to the circuit, a big help if you’re looking to avoid the mud of neck pickups or playing into various amplifiers with different tone stacks.
KittycasterFX are handbuilt in Portland, OR with great attention to detail using top shelf through-hole components for a no compromise approach. For more info on the origin story and many applications of the Groovy Wizard and Tremdriver, check out KittycasterFX.com.
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Website: andydemos.com/
Gear in Video Amp: Fender ‘65 Deluxe Reverb RI and Hamstead 1x12 cab
Guitar: Suhr Classic S (Radioshop HSS Evolution pickups), Nik Huber Twangmeister, Gibson Custom CME Les Paul
Recording Gear: Universal Audio Apollo 8 QUAD, OX Amp Top Box, de Lisle Amp-Speaker Switcher 4x4 Pro Plus, Royer R-121 Mic
Strings: StringJoy Signature 10-46 tinyurl.com/St...
Cables: Sinasoid, Evidence SIS & Revelation Guitar Cables
#Kittycasterfx #Andydemos #Effectspedals
I quit Catalinbread after Howard left. Good to see!
Howards pedals are Art, Echo-Rec is one of the most amazing pedal designs ever, always under the hood goodness, love that he has gone out on his own, Meoooooow, says KittyCaster!
Howard is back, baby!
The gutshot of the groovy wizard is probably one of the nicest gut shots ive ever seen. Incredible
plus, those batteries! dope
I absolutely looooved Catalinbread pedals. I think I owned like 10 at one point, mostly because of Howard’s excellent CZcams videos. Glad to see that he’s back in action!
I got to meet Howard at one of the Namm shows when I was a student at musicians Institute in Hollywood; and told him that I am a proud owner of the dirty little secret mark three. Thank you Andy as well for convincing me to buy it.
Howard is one of very my favorite builders, if not the favorite. it’s so good to see him back! These new pedals look fantastic inside and out, a Groovy Wizard is going to be coming my way soon!
Thanks god! Howard is back! I think he is one of the most outstanding pedal maker’s!
Nice demo, they look and sound fantastic. I hope the Groovy Wizard graphic makes it on a t shirt one day, I'd rock that too.
Seconded!
Yeah, once I realized it was a cat wizard wearing a cloak I wanted one too! 😻
That idea is on the list!
@@kittycasterFX Sweet!:)
@@kittycasterFX Hell yeah! Got a GW on the way...
Howard these are great sounding pedals . Props to you 💯
Good Lord that Groovy Wizard sounds amazing.
Killer killer killer fuzz pedal... It sounds so tamed and dialed in but still has the wildness of a fuzz. Im not sure how to describe it exactly but it is lovely! The pairing of the two pedals is cool as hell as well. It is nice seeing pedals that seemingly are designed with each other in mind.
It really reminds me of the Deep Trip BOG. Check them out if you haven’t before.
@@CorbCorbin I checked it out. It is def another cool variation on the fuzz face and definitely within the same realm as the Wizard. Though, I do find it just a bit softer around the edges, maybe? It could also just be Andy's playing style. I'm not sure. I enjoy the sound of both though. Thanks for the rec.
Wish Howard great success! Awesome pedals, killer demo!
Howard is a tone circuit wizard. Great stuff!
You make any pedal legit!
It’s your playing and presentation son!!
Much love!
Coool pedals too !
Thanks so much! 👊👊
Damn! Very cool pedals and on point playing from Andy as always.
I got my wizard a month or so ago,really musical box.Using ir volume knob in use it can be a fuzz,distortion, or overdrive.I swear.I LOVE THIS THING THE MOST BABY.
Howard needs to do a full Roland Re-201 pedal
Awesome demo! Love playing my groovy wizard everyday!
It went by so fast ... but that tone at 20:23, the way it balances the tone before and after it yum!
Andy. Sounds. Tunes. Just too damn good.
Sound and look great! Killer demo, Andy!
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks!!
Nice stuff the fuzz is for me love it thanks for showin
Andy sounds wonderful as usual.
have no need for anymore pedals... but want to grab... cause Howard.
love my groovy wizard!! thanks 😊 trem driver on tha list ✌️ ☮️ no more war
That kitty looks familiar. Did the KatzenKönig just lose it's crown to the Wizard? Groovy, man! No rat is safe with that kitty on the prowl! That Groovy Wizard is sure to put a spell on you. :-)
Great sounding pedals - and the always great Andy.
These are up there with the Wiggler as the best out-of-amp tremolos. Very nice. And they play well together. Thanks.
the depths would lile to have a word with you
Howard Gee is great ………and put out 2 pedals…….so What else is there?
Really nice Fuzz Face circuit. Reminds me of the Deep Trip BOG, with how it sounds and even the shape and tone shaping.
Love your demo of that BOG. Was the Wizard similar?
Tremdriver is a cool pedal too. Be great to have in a studio to add a unique sound to a track, or inspire in general.
I second this question!
I have both BOG and groovy wizard, some similarities but GW is more overdrive/fuzz, BOG is a very versatile FF , I have both on my board , GW for overdrive that cleans up great , BOG for all out fuzz faceness
Cool Pedals!!!
It is AWESOME!!!
a Bias Control would have put it over the Top IMO
I’ve been wondering when these would be on. I can tell you had some personal investment in these. Love those riffs!
Really nice sound. His trem reminds me of the Catalanbread Pareidolia Harmonic Mesmerizer as far as the sound of effect goes. But both the demoed pedals are running on the pretty expensive side for what they are. Which I suppose is to be expected when you’re looking at boutique pedals these days. Truth is, pedal pricing has gone completely insane all across the board over the last seven or so years. But so it goes.
Need a Groovy Wizard T, sayin
What us that light blue T-style guitar with the angled bridge?
That’s a Baritone I’m borrowing from Hybrid Guitar Co. Really fun, 25.5-28” scale. I used it in the last demo for Anasounds.
The scoop! I get it! Cause of cat turds!
Andy, what does your pedal board look like these days? Any additions?
Must have
399$…bruh.
Andy
Love your stuff
Anytime you wanna jam hit up super secret band
Come to the goodfoot on Sunday
Eldridge gravy and ssb 🤫🤫🤘🤘🤘
Keep up the killer reviews
You are a bastion of the Pdx and guitar community
Thanks man
@@kodykindhart5644 thank you Kody! 👊👊
Pretty nice demo as usual! the pedals are "meh" specially considering the insane price for such a generic sound.
Dang. They are expensive. But when you consider that Howard has been perfecting these for years, the price is fair. Did you see the intervals? The sound, to my ears, is definitely not “meh”
@@T-Hawkeyes If you like them that's all that matters, I have expensive pedals so the price is not the issue per se, its just that (to me) it doesn't offer anything special and at that price range the competition is very tough, so many great pedal builders out there.
@@T-Hawkeyes
Check out the Sitek Fuzzy Face. Has similar tone shaping ability, and the circuit is built to be able to place it anywhere in a chain. No wah problems. Also, the BOG from Deep Trip is very similar to the Groovy Wizard.
The Tremdriver is cool, but there are better Harmonic Trems, and Trems in general for that price.
At $399, Id much rather get the Collision Devices The Ranch Drive-Tremolo, at $250, which has a killer drive circuit, with a lot of headroom.
The Supro Harmonic Trem, has a great Drive circuit as well.
Or for a Bias and Harmonic Trem, the Harmonius Monk, Subdecay Vagabond, Flower Pedals Dandelio.
@@Erickchicas
Yeah, I’m really not understanding why they Tremdriver is $399.
I’ve gotten used to some of these tweakable and even vintage Fuzz Face circuits getting to be near $300 now, but there as you mentioned; there are many builders with pedals built just as well or better, for less, or more “normal” prices.
until you've played a Groovy Wizard, you won't understand. it is far from another Fuzz Face clone, it tightens up into a high gain distortion. its the best sounding fuzz for hum buckers I have ever played. its an amazing build. money well spent.