Colorsound

Colorsound

Also known as: Coloursound, Color Sound, Colorsound by Sola Sound

Unclaimed

Colorsound is a British effects pedal brand created in 1967 by brothers Larry and Joe Macari in London. The pedals were manufactured by Sola Sound, another Macari-owned company, and sold through the family's legendary Macari's Musical Exchange shop on Denmark Street in Soho. The name "Colorsound" came from the concept of housing each type of effect in a different-colored enclosure. Key designer...

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Colorsound is a British effects pedal brand created in 1967 by brothers Larry and Joe Macari in London. The pedals were manufactured by Sola Sound, another Macari-owned company, and sold through the family's legendary Macari's Musical Exchange shop on Denmark Street in Soho. The name "Colorsound" came from the concept of housing each type of effect in a different-colored enclosure. Key designer Gary Hurst, who had previously created the Tone Bender fuzz circuit for Sola Sound, designed many of the brand's most iconic circuits, including the Power Boost — one of the first overdrive pedals ever made.

Colorsound is best known for the Tone Bender fuzz (produced in several iterations including the MK I, MK II, MK IV, Supa Tonebender, and Jumbo), the Power Boost, and the Overdriver. The lineup also includes the Wah Wah (designed by Dick Denney), the Octivider, Ring Modulator, and Tremolo. These pedals helped define the sound of 1960s and 1970s British rock. Jimmy Page used the Tone Bender on Led Zeppelin's debut album, David Gilmour employed the Power Boost and Overdriver extensively throughout Pink Floyd's classic era, Jeff Beck favored the Overdriver for its dynamic response, and Pete Townshend and Mick Ronson were early adopters of the Tone Bender.

The original Colorsound range had largely disappeared from the market by 1979, but the Macari family revived the brand in the late 1990s with handmade reissues faithful to the original circuits. The brand is now operated by Anthony and Steve Macari from their London shops on Denmark Street and Charing Cross Road, where they continue to produce Tone Benders and other classic Colorsound designs.

Colorsound has 46 products cataloged on Equipboard, including Fuzz Effects Pedals, Overdrive Effects Pedals, and Multi Effects Pedals. Their gear is featured by 57 artists, with the strongest followings in Rock, Pop, and Electronic. Notable users include Steve Hackett, Grant Nicholas, and David Gilmour.

Artists Who Use Colorsound

Steve Hackett uses 3 Colorsound products

Steve Hackett

Guitarist · Genesis

Grant Nicholas uses 3 Colorsound products

Grant Nicholas

Singer, Guitarist · Feeder

David Gilmour uses 2 Colorsound products

David Gilmour

Guitarist · Pink Floyd

Jonny Buckland uses 2 Colorsound products

Jonny Buckland

Guitarist · Coldplay

Mick Taylor uses 2 Colorsound products

Mick Taylor

Guitarist · The Rolling Stones

Joff Oddie uses 2 Colorsound products

Joff Oddie

Guitarist · Wolf Alice

Sek Loso uses 2 Colorsound products

Sek Loso

Singer, Guitarist · Loso

Masonna uses 2 Colorsound products

Masonna

Composer, Music Producer · Acid Eater

Noel Gallagher uses 1 Colorsound product

Noel Gallagher

Singer, Guitarist · Oasis

Billy Corgan uses 1 Colorsound product

Billy Corgan

Singer, Guitarist · The Smashing Pumpkins

Kevin Shields uses 1 Colorsound product

Kevin Shields

Singer, Guitarist · My Bloody Valentine

Justin Chancellor uses 1 Colorsound product

Justin Chancellor

Bassist · Tool

Prince uses 1 Colorsound product

Prince

Singer, Guitarist · Prince

Matt Pike uses 1 Colorsound product

Matt Pike

Guitarist · Sleep

Jeff Beck uses 1 Colorsound product

Jeff Beck

Guitarist · Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes

Jerry Garcia uses 1 Colorsound product

Jerry Garcia

Singer, Guitarist · Grateful Dead

Joe Perry uses 1 Colorsound product

Joe Perry

Guitarist · Hollywood Vampires

Rory Gallagher uses 1 Colorsound product

Rory Gallagher

Singer, Guitarist · Taste

Marc Bolan uses 1 Colorsound product

Marc Bolan

Singer, Guitarist · T. Rex

Stuart Braithwaite uses 1 Colorsound product

Stuart Braithwaite

Singer, Guitarist · Mogwai

Community setups featuring Colorsound

Show yours
shahar_levy

shahar_levy

Gear IQ 194

jimmarchi1

jimmarchi1

Gear IQ 40997

lucasnearing

lucasnearing

Gear IQ 135

lidbo

lidbo

Gear IQ 96

artbarsnstripes

artbarsnstripes

Gear IQ 655

S

stjames3410

Gear IQ 69

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