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Average Price: $226

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$150

$601+

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Description

Dive into the sonic universe with the Pigtronix Mothership, an innovative leap in guitar synth pedals. This pedal transforms your guitar into a polyphonic synthesizer, allowing for a myriad of sounds that defy traditional musical boundaries. Whether you're a guitarist, bassist, or experimental musician, the Mothership welcomes all to explore its vast sonic landscapes. Compact and versatile, it's designed to fit seamlessly into any setup, inviting creativity and exploration without overwhelming your pedalboard. Embrace the future of sound with the Pigtronix Mothership.

Key Features:

  • Velocity-sensitive, pitch-tracking for dynamic playability
  • Three-voice analog synthesizer effect for complex sounds
  • Hard sync and pitch modulation via portamento
  • CV/expression control for nuanced performance adjustments
  • Compact chassis for pedalboard-friendly setup

Product specs

Brand Pigtronix
Model Mothership
Finish Green & Purple
Year 2012
Made In United States
Categories Octave and Pitch-Shifting Pedals, Ring Modulator Pedals

FAQs

What type of effects can the Pigtronix Mothership produce?

The Pigtronix Mothership is capable of producing octave and pitch-shifting effects, as well as ring modulation, allowing for a wide range of unique and experimental sounds.

Is the Pigtronix Mothership suitable for live performances?

Yes, the Pigtronix Mothership is designed for live use, offering robust construction and versatile sound-shaping capabilities, making it ideal for dynamic stage performances.

Can the Pigtronix Mothership be used with a bass guitar?

Yes, the Pigtronix Mothership can be used with a bass guitar, providing rich octave and modulation effects that complement the lower frequency range.

Does the Pigtronix Mothership require a specific power supply?

The Pigtronix Mothership requires a standard 18V DC power supply, which is necessary to power its advanced circuitry and deliver optimal performance.

How does the Pigtronix Mothership differ from other guitar synth pedals?

The Pigtronix Mothership stands out with its combination of analog synthesis and pitch modulation, offering unique sound textures not typically found in other guitar synth pedals.

ProGuitarShopDemos

ProGuitarShopDemos

Pigtronix Mothership Analog Guitar Synthesizer

Video thumbnail for Pigtronix Mothership Analog Guitar Synthesizer by ProGuitarShopDemos

Pigtronix Mothership Analog Guitar Synthesizer

ProGuitarShopDemos

ProGuitarShopDemos

Video thumbnail for Pigtronix Mothership Analog Synthesizer by JetCityMusic

Pigtronix Mothership Analog Synthesizer

JetCityMusic

JetCityMusic

Video thumbnail for Pigtronix The Mothership Analog Synthesizer by Pedals and Effects

Pigtronix The Mothership Analog Synthesizer

Pedals and Effects

Pedals and Effects

Video thumbnail for Pigtronix Mothership Analog Synthesizer Makes You Play Guitar Like The Aliens Do by gearwire

Pigtronix Mothership Analog Synthesizer Makes You Play Guitar Like The Aliens Do

gearwire

gearwire

Video thumbnail for Pigtronix - Mothership by Dennis Kayzer

Pigtronix - Mothership

Dennis Kayzer

Dennis Kayzer

Video thumbnail for Pigtronix Mothership Analog Synthesizer Review - BestGuitarEffects.com by Best Guitar Effects

Pigtronix Mothership Analog Synthesizer Review - BestGuitarEffects.com

Best Guitar Effects

Best Guitar Effects

Reviews

PROS

  • Superior analog synth sound compared to predecessors

  • Inbuilt ring modulator produces unique, magical choir sounds

  • Versatile with a wide range of instruments, including vocals

  • Offers an excellent variety of sound variations

  • High-quality build at a good price point

  • Owners Manual provides comprehensive guidance for use

CONS

  • Requires hard playing to trigger correctly, especially with single coils

  • Some may find the sound monotonous over time

  • Significant learning curve due to numerous settings

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Pigtronix Mothership.

Features and functionality

  • The Mothership 2 is monophonic, causing glitchy sounds with chords, requiring single note play for clear tracking.

    Source
  • The Mothership lacks built-in envelope or filter sweeps, requiring additional pedals for modulation or movement.

    Source
  • Sync mode can be chaotic and challenging to use effectively, with some users preferring the regular mode for consistency.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • This pedal excels in producing fat, old-school monosynth sounds and is best suited for lead synth tones rather than subtle effects.

    Source
  • Using an expression pedal with the Mothership 2 allows for easier frequency sweeps, enhancing its sonic capabilities.

    Source
  • Users have found the pedal to be ideal for 70's synth funk and traditional funk/jazz gigs.

    Source
  • Owners using the pedal with a Hot Hand 3 report difficulty achieving desired wobbles and sounds, suggesting limited compatibility for dynamic effects.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners report a steep learning curve, suggesting thinking of it as a separate instrument rather than a typical pedal.

    Source
  • Some users find success by sticking to the neck pickup and experimenting with an octave +1 to unlock unique tones.

    Source
  • The Tune knob's sensitivity is a common complaint, as it easily shifts and drastically alters sound quality.

    Source
  • Owners appreciate its compact design and engineering, though the 18v power requirement can be cumbersome, often solved with a power coupler.

    Source
  • Users suggest creating a cheat sheet of settings from demo videos to recreate specific sounds, highlighting the scarcity of setup guidance available.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Compared to polyphonic pitch-shifters, the Mothership 2 requires adaptation to avoid using chords, which confuse the pedal.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Tracking issues are noted on bass E string notes, even with dynamics knob maxed, though better tracking is reported when using higher notes.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • The pedal was available at a significant discount for $119.99 at Guitar Center, contrasting with its usual price of $280, which some find excessive.

    Source

4.5 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 6 Ratings

5 star
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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Greg Hetson uses Pigtronix Mothership

Greg Hetson

Guitarist

Bad Religion

...
Verified via Photo

Greg Hetson uses a Pigtronix Mothership, according to Pigtronix's website.

See how Pablo Ilabaca uses Pigtronix Mothership

Pablo Ilabaca

Singer, Guitarist

Chancho en Piedra

...
Verified via Photo

During a 2015 performance, Pablo Ilabaca is seen using the Pigtronix Mothership guitar synth pedal, as shown in a user-uploaded photo.

See how Shane Parsons uses Pigtronix Mothership

Shane Parsons

Guitarist

DZ Deathrays

...
Verified via Photo

In this photo of Parsons fiddling with his pedalboard, one of the pedals visible is the Pigtronix Mothership.

See how John Konesky uses Pigtronix Mothership

John Konesky

Guitarist

Tenacious D

...
Verified via Pigtronix

According to the artists section on Pigtronix's website, John uses their Mothership pedal.

See how Jer Coons uses Pigtronix Mothership

Jer Coons

Singer, Guitarist

Madaila

...
Verified via Photo

Visible in this Instagram post by Coons.

Album Usage

The Pigtronix Mothership has been featured on the following albums:

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Pigtronix Mothership, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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