My Gear, Pt. 2: You Thought this Madness Was Over

Happy day to all of you reading this blog post today! I'm very happy that you're gracing my page with your clicks, views, and whatnot. I decided to write this blog post for essentially one reason: it's foggy here in Arlington. When it gets foggy, I drink tea. When I drink tea, I write, I share... I blog. All that to say, I feel you should know the "gear" I am sporting these days, and perhaps why I sport it. We'll see how long my tea and my impulse lasts. Here is my gear, part two.

Oh! You noticed the #antigearporn on my picture, did you? Hmmm, maybe you should check out my blog post on #antigearporn. I'll only say this about the subject here- pornography is an incredibly dehumanizing and offensive industry. It normalizes sexualism and violence. #antigearporn combats the internet sensation of (#)gearporn, which normalizes porn itself.

My Pedals

I suppose I should go in order from first to last, and at least maybe explain why I have them in that order.

1) MXR Dyna Comp

• Why I own it: I did need a compressor, and I didn't need my Fireant overdrive (because its sound could almost be considered disrespectfully shrill). I'd rather not spend the money on a Foxpedal Refinery, even though it is incredible. The MXR gets the job done, whether or not I want it to be the pedal leading all my other pedals or not.
• How I use it: To compress my signal (ha!). But really, it does a swell job of compressing my overall signal and making my amp be a bit more present (eat that Vox).
• Pros: Cheap, compresses well, clears signal, cute, red, small
• Cons: Staticy (and I know people say that you just have to expect that from compressors, but I have high expectations), mainstream
• Would I suggest it? No.

2) EHX Soul Food OD

• Why I own it: It's $67, and an incredibly immense slap in the face to the Klon, which just overjoys me.
• How I use it: As an always-on clean boost. I sometimes turn the gain up a bit for some sets. But that is rare. I also utilize the treble control on the Soul Food, which may or may not simply melt your mind.
• Pros: Cheap, Classic OD sound, clean boost, treble boost, volume boost, super compact
• Cons: Doesn't play well with other overdrives (for instance, the Fulltone OCD). Thinking about turning the gain down really low after purchasing my JHS Twin Twelve.
• Would I suggest it? By all means, yes.

3) Fulltone OCD

• Why I own it: The jerks at Guitar Center convinced me to buy it. Like jerks. But really, I do love it. It's very edgy.
• How I use it: Ummmm... As my sole drive pedal. I use it sparingly, as I'm not really a fan of drive in general.
• Pros: Precise, consistent drive, shrill or bassy, from clean boost to muddy distortion
• Cons: Like the Soul Food, does not play well with other drives, or other pedals in general. The OCD is a bit of a show-off.
• Would I suggest it? Depends on my mood. But overall, nah.

4) Ernie Ball VP Jr. (JHS Modded)

• Why I own it: Because I wanted a JHS pedal and I though it counted. On Black Friday last year, I took advantage of the sale they did and sent my pedal in. Wasn't too impressed.
• How I use it: To swell. That's the only purpose in its measly little existence. It makes ambient noises sound more sexy. Bah-boom.
• Pros: It does its job
• Cons: It sucks, JHS wrecked my pedal, it took forever to get to me, doesn't do its job well
• Would I suggest it? No. A resounding no. Get a Goodrich.

5) Joyo Tremolo

• Why I own it: Because my instafriend J.J. Roberts likes his Joyo pedals, and I got inspired. Also, I only spent $25 on the thing. 
• How I use it: As a very choppy trem. I have the depth and rate up way high. I currently have it right after my volume, but I'm thinking about moving it right before my reverb, at the end of the chain.
• Pros: Precise, small, pimpable, light moves with trem
• Cons: Cheaply made, 1/4 inch jacks are unstable.
• Would I suggest it? Yes, but be wise.

6) Jet City The Flood Analog Delay

• Why I own it: Because I am an impulsive person, I saw a cheap delay on Reverb.com and immediately bought it. Also, I really wanted a slapback-esque sort of delay.
• How I use it: As a short, slapback delay. Here's the twist- I put the feedback up really high, almost to self-oscillation. But the level is quite low, so it blends appropriately with my Timeline and RV-5.
• Pros: It's a quaint, useful, simple delay
• Cons: I've heard awful things about it, it's not actually analog (it's frickin' digital), I can tell it'll fall apart on me eventually unless I love it like I ought
• Would I suggest it? Yep!

7) Danelectro Fab Flange

• See my previous blog post about it. I'd really rather not have to type all that again or think anymore for the rest of this day. Sorry, thanks.

8) This1smyne Mini-Mute

• Why I own it: While I was waiting the 25 years for JHS to return my VP Jr. to me, I needed a volume switch, even if it didn't allow me to do swells. I saw it on Dan's website for only $29, and I immediately knew I needed one.
• How I use it: I have it in between my Timeline and my RV-5, which kills everything I'm playing into except for the reverb. This creates a really cool effect; for instance, on "Great I Am", there is a break between one of the bridges and choruses. Rather than having to click 25,684,457,239,069 switches to properly nail the break, I just step on the Mini-Mute to kill everything. Go buy one.
• Pros: It does exactly what I purchased it to do, durable, incredibly/impossibly small, simple
• Cons: None really. I want myne (haha) to have a stutter option, and Dan does offer that on his website. I'm just cheap.
• Would I suggest it? To quote myself above, "Go buy one."

9) Strymon Timeline

• Why I own it: Because I'm a moron and wanted to have the supafly delay. Also, I had just graduated/turned 18, which means I had some money to spend.
• How I use it: As a delay. Nothing fancy over here. I take advantage of the gain knob on the Timeline, because I don't use much gain in my overall sound. Turning up gain on the Timeline gives it a cool effect.
• Pros: Does everything
• Cons: Does everything, not hipster, costs an arm and a leg
• Would I suggest it? Nope, actually. Go with something less overwhelming, like an El Capistan or Boss DD-20.

10) Boss RV-5

• Why I own it: I was leading with a friend one day, and I absolutely fell in love with his reverb tone. I looked on his board to see it was a Boss RV-5, which shocked me, as I'm not a huge fan of Boss. I had a TC Electronic Hall of Fame at the time. After service, I drove straight to Guitar Center, sold my HOF, and purchased an RV-5. Never been happier.
• How I use it: I have the level just above halfway, and the decay at around 3/4. I use the Mod. setting, and everyone else ought to as well.
• Pros: Great, shimmery reverb, it doesn't get over-saturated and muddy
• Cons: It's Boss, it's decay doesn't go too far (for swells)
• Would I suggest it? Yes, yes, yes, yes.

11) TC Electronic Polytune 2

• Why I own it: I don't really know why. I was at a music store one day and they had it on sale for really cheap. I, like an idiot, purchased one. 
• How I use it: To tune. Go away.
• Pros: None. It's awful and I hate it.
• Cons: EVERYTHING.
• Would I suggest it? Don't get it. It's awful. I hate every bit of it. I should have stuck with my Boss TU-2. In fact, when I have money again, I will be getting a TU-2 again. No human should have to deal with the utter agony of the Polytune

Guitar(s)

• Fender Starcaster Reissue
• B.C. Rich Warbeast (shown to the right)
• Off-brand Telecaster (don't actually know the brand)

Miscellaneous Gear

• Ebow
• Violin Bow
• Rock Slide slides
• Sonic board buddy
• NYC Cases pedalboard
• Fellow Plectrums picks

That's all I'll really say about my gear. I don't feel like amplifiers are a big part of my sound. I have the pedals that I need to warp the amp into what I want it to be. My pedals are cool. I'm happy with my guitar. I'm glad to be a child of the King.

Have any questions? Comment. Or something.

One more thing. On Sunday, I'll be starting a blog specifically for the purpose of the #antigearporn campaign. The blog will give ideas on how to end (#)gearporn, stats on porn and its dangerous side effects, and encouragement to those who want to begin a new trend of true love. Check it out. 

Thanks, y'all!