Michael

This beauty was my first electric. I bought this guitar when I was 15 year old after many visits to Guitar Center. I love strats, and this one feels great in my hands. It's the California Series, which means it was constructed in the US, and painted and finished in Mexico. I overpaid for it (again, first purchase at Guitar Center before I learned they negotiate more than used car salesmen) and paid around $500. The finish and appointments seem great, and I especially love the neck. I did lower the action a little, but all in all, a very playable guitar. I'll never sell her, but I'm probably just being sentimental.

Before committing to the carbon copy, I did try quite a few different delays. I landed on this one for a few reasons. The first is it sounds great. Although it is a little dark and not the clearest delay out there, I prefer it that way. I usually play rock and blues, and the sound of this delay just meshes with that music incredibly well. Personally, I rarely go beyond a quarter note delay, but the Carbon Copy adds a thickness to my tone that I very much miss if it is absent. The second reason I like this pedal is because of how easy it is to use. Three knobs; mix, regen, and delay. Couple those with a modulation button and you have a very intuitive pedal. This was an important consideration for me given my use of delay, but I can see how some folks may want more features. The MXR Carbon Copy is heavy for its standard-sized case, and feels very robust as I’ve come to expect from all MXR pedals. I’ve owned it for years and it’s been incredibly reliable. The carbon copy is phenomenal. It is my always on pedal, and if you are looking for a simple warm sounding delay, check it out.

The Ramble FX Twin Bender V3 has completely won me over. As someone who’s tried a lot of fuzz pedals over the years, this one strikes an incredible balance between vintage authenticity and modern usability. It nails that iconic Tone Bender vibe, with both the MKII and MK1.5 circuits offering distinct and inspiring tones. The MKII delivers that thick, bold fuzz with loads of sustain, while the MK1.5 is smoother, more dynamic, and cleans up beautifully with your guitar’s volume knob. Having both voicings in one pedal is a game-changer for me. It’s like getting two classic fuzz pedals in one box. The build quality is fantastic. The enclosure feels solid and roadworthy, and I love the attention to detail, like the NOS germanium transistors that give the pedal its warm, organic sound. The soft-click footswitch is a small but thoughtful touch - it’s quiet and effortless to engage, so there’s no worrying about pops or clicks. The knobs feel precise, and the whole thing is just built to last. It’s clear that a lot of care went into the design and construction. What really stands out for me is the bias control. It’s so satisfying to tweak. It gives you everything from spitty, gated fuzz to smooth, sustaining tones. The mid-boost toggle is another favorite feature of mine; it makes sure the pedal cuts through. For a vintage-style fuzz, this pedal is terrific. It’s versatile, easy to use, and most importantly, it sounds absolutely amazing. If you’re after that Tone Bender magic but want something reliable and gig-ready, the Twin Bender V3 is hard to beat.

I don't even want to think about how much crap I have stored on this. If this baby goes down, I'm going to be in a world of hurt. So far, so good. It's relatively cheap for the space and it isn't too intrusive on my desk. Now if I could only get myself to back up more...

This was my first effect pedal. Primarily, I got it because my Fender Frontman 15W amp didn't have very impressive gain. However, I don't own the Frontman anymore and this thing is collecting dust. Anyway, it sounds decent, but not great. It doesn't have the warmth I was hoping for, but it works for 90's style rock and metal with heavier distortion. The build quality is good- the pedal has plenty of heft and feels well-made. It will do the job if you're on a budget or want this very specific sound, but I would instead prefer something like the Big Muff Pi for more versatility and analog warmth.

Very versatile. Can't beat it for the price.

Seems a little glitchy, but it was cheap. It has both a chord and single note mode for tuning, and sometimes it seems to get confused when switching between the two. However, my biggest complaint is it's not a pedal. Even if it was, it would be hard to see the note based on how it is displayed as one light in a spectrum of notes. In hindsight, should have just forked over more and got a Boss (they seem like they are the industry standard for a reason) and I'm constantly reminded of that fact when I see my friends tuning up for a jam session.

The Yamaha THR10 is a magnificent practice amp, I can't help but praise it. The build quality is exceptional. It's compact and sturdy, which is perfect for a home setup. I also dig the aesthetics and it looks great on my bookshelf. In terms of capabilities, the THR10 offers an array of amp models and effects that let me explore various tones without needing a room full of gear. I really like having multiple tonal options at my fingertips. Having said that, some of the effects are hard to combine with how Yamaha built the effects on the dials. The ability to connect it to my computer is a cool, and I sometimes plug into the aux to play along with backing tracks. However, its sound makes the THR10 a gem for home practice. Whether I'm strumming softly or rocking out, the amp sounds great at low-volume levels. It's quiet enough for late-night sessions (with a headphone output) but can still deliver a nice sound. For the money, it's hard to beat.

I love these! Great sound quality, solid build, and yet still very portable. I will say, if you don't care about portability, I would opt for the full over-ear headphones from V-Moda. I went with these, the on-ear M-80s, because I use them on my commute and they travel to work with me every day. They are comfortable and have conformed to my head shape so I can wear them for a few hour before I really start to be bothered by the fact that I'm wearing headphones.