PEDAL SPECIAL
Fender Lost Highway Phaser
Fender MTG Tube Distortion
EFFECT: PHASER | DISTRIBUTOR: FENDER MUSIC AUSTRALIA | RRP: $299
EFFECT: DISTORTION | DISTRIBUTOR: FENDER MUSIC AUSTRALIA | RRP: $399
RECOMMENDED FOR: Guitar players looking for a psychedelic sound or keys players seeking lush ‘70s sounds.
RECOMMENDED FOR: Players on the hunt for searing, LA-style hot rod distortion that bites off more than it can chew.
VERSATILITY: While focusing on one certain effect, it’s a very versatile phaser. Phase can be tricky to mess with, but the Lost Highway Phaser gives the user plenty of options that won’t affect phase too much if it’s not required. This pedal can be used subtly, albeit invisibly, or roaring and all-encompassingly, eclipsing the tone.
VERSATILITY: Having two distinct drive/distortion circuits in your signal chain is a worthy asset no matter what you’re playing, but the MTG is going to be a winner with alternative and heavy players. However, the extent of toneshaping possibilities offered by the threeband EQ and tight control really lets you tap into a lot of famous gain sounds, and the boost sends them soaring into roaring, cascading fury.
USABILITY: Easy to set up, dial in, and turn on and off. There’s a fast/slow toggle for a bit more expression when required but this isn’t always needed – it’s better to treat it as a ‘heat of the moment’ feature. CONSTRUCTION Well constructed and laid out like all Fender pedals. The knobs, footswitches and toggles are of high quality, there’s a range of routing options available, and it’s finished in an awesome shade of purple.
but also easy to dial in a simple and effective phase sound. BY LEWIS NOKE EDWARDS
OVERALL. A great re-imagination of an effect used for decades by guitarists in all genres. Super easy to use, and there’s options to get very in-depth with your Phaser if you want,
USABILITY: Distortion needs not be a convoluted effect. With the MTG, Fender have stuck to the tried and true, and they’ve made a pedal that rips as a result. It’s easy to get the tone you’re hearing in your head, and although you can’t use the boost function as as a traditional clean bump, the MTG still puts a lot on your plate. CONSTRUCTION: Fender are really going for a boutique approach with these new pedals, and I’m totally here for it. Aside from the appearance, however, it’s inside the MTG what counts the most - this pedal was
actually designed with famed amplifier designer Bruce Egnater, and contains a real new-old stock US made military-grade 6205 preamp tube inside to fuel its raunchy tones. OVERALL: Although I feel like being able to engage the boost function independently would have been useful, it’s cool to see Fender tap into this newer, heavier style of distortion. There’s some big tones on tap with the MTG Tube Distortion - go check it out. BY WILL BREWSTER
Fender The Pinwheel
Fender Reflecting Pool
EFFECT: MODULATION | DISTRIBUTOR: FENDER MUSIC AUSTRALIA | RRP: $469
EFFECT: DELAY/REVERB | DISTRIBUTOR: FENDER MUSIC AUSTRALIA | RRP: $599
RECOMMENDED FOR: Guitarists pursuing rotary speaker sounds using a mono source, keys for the same sound as a mono or stereo input/output, or as a studio effect for stereo signals or mono signals alike.
RECOMMENDED FOR: Guitarists looking for an all-encompassing pedal that handles all manner of time and space modulation.
VERSATILITY: The Pinwheel seemingly does one job, and does it well, but the fact that it includes stereo/mono inputs and outputs makes it a very versatile pedal. There’s an expression pedal input as well which makes for even more effect shaping options. USABILITY: The Pinwheel is instantly usable, featuring an on/off switch and a brake fast/slow switch. Your signal is instantly effected, believably so, that can be tweaked further. CONSTRUCTION: This entire new range of Fender pedals are robustly constructed in square housing to ensure plenty of room for circuitry, in/outs and feet stomping them on and off. OVERALL: A solid pedal that takes a specific sound and gives the user as many routing options as they might need to ensure that the dialled sound (using the many knobs and toggles available) to make that specific sound perfect for its purpose. BY LEWIS NOKE EDWARDS
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VERSATILITY: The Reflecting Pool Delay & Reverb is a mash up of Fender’s two existing offerings: the Mirror Image Delay, and the Marine Layer Reverb. You’ll be spoiled for choice here – there are virtually infinite ways to combine the two sides together to achieve the sound you’re looking for. The Reflecting Pool utilises high quality DSP effects to conjure its complex algorithms, which sound absolutely fantastic in any rig imaginable. Plus, you can even swap the input directions if desired. USABILITY: The controls on this pedal are extremely comprehensive. On the reverb half, you’ve got five modes to choose from: hall, room, shimmer, reverse-gated, and a modulated plate. The extra knob governs the x-factor for the special modes – for instance, the intensity of the cascading octaves in the shimmer setting. The other half of the Reflecting Pool acts as a dual delay, governed by the mix knob. This control allows you to simultaneously dial in both a traditional delay and one separated by subdivisions, leading to some incredibly inspirational sounds.
CONSTRUCTION: The Reflecting Pool is built like a shiny turquoise tank with its solid metal enclosure and brushed aluminium enclosure. The only downside from combining the two existing pedals is the absence of the gorgeous jewel light – but we’ll overlook it this time. OVERALL: We can all agree that reverb and delay are a match made in heaven. Fender has encapsulated this magical union into one of their most creative and innovative pedals yet. BY EDDY LIM
mixdownmag.com.au