a_k_watson's Metal Pedalboard

The Mooer Blues Crab so closely exudes the BluesBreaker vibe that I would probably have to put my big box Marshall BluesBreaker (2023 reissue) side-by-side to be completely sure as to which I was hearing.

Dialling in the Blues Crab is very similar to the BluesBreaker, with the same reknowned volume and gain levels required to achieve unity gain.

The key differences are evident in the slightly harsher higher frequencies of the Blues Crab and its more compressed drive. I personally prefer the more dynamic response and voicing of the BluesBreaker reissue generally but it is honestly down to my personal preference and there are scenarios where I will chose the Blues Crab to get a particular tone and response.

The Blues Crab would be great for a player trying to decide if they like the BluesBreaker 'thing' or only wanting a BluesBreaker vibe occasionally. It definitely provides a perfectly usable variation for players who already have pedals of the category.

Firstly, this is not an overdrive pedal. Secondly, older digital modelling should be considered in the context of the technology of its era. As a modeller from 2005, notably within a stompbox footprint, expect it to perform with the tone and dynamics of 20 year old modelling.

Even with its antiquity, this pedal still provides convincing enough plug and play emulation of classic Clapton tones.

Its digital modelling pedal covers the signal chain through to the mixed sound on specific recordings:

"... Production Modelling was designed to help reproduce the studio and live sounds and effects of an artist as heard on their recordings. This includes modelling the speaker cabinets, microphones with their placements, pre/post effects, and the recording engineer's magic all in one pedal."

"The OUT 2 (MIXER) output has been specially designed to faithfully reproduce Eric’s studio guitar amplifier tones without having to use an amp."

The weakness of the manual is that it does not tell users to set their amp very clean and flat, or to plug into effects return to bypass the colouration of the preamp. It was never intended or suitable for placing in front of overdriven / distorted preamps.

Bypassing the issues of colour from guitar amplifier, cabinet and speaker by instead running it into a studio monitor for almost flat response, it performs as with as much authenticity as other modelling devices (particularly other DigiTech) of its era. The modes clearly recall the songs that they set out to emulate. There will however always be an element of variability in the results coming from the guitar and the player.

If it had Bluesbreakers 'Beano album' and a mid-boost and chorus '24 Nights' or cocked 'Journeyman' settings then it would be quite comprehensive Clapton In A Box. Arguments about which recorded tones are missing or could have been swapped out aside, all settings are usuable as emulations or as platforms for other tunes.

If the price is right, mine certainly being so at £50 in 2020, this is worth a shot for the Clapton aficionado.