The best acoustic hybrid pedal i’ve ever had. This thing has been a game changer for me both live and in the studio and it’s definitely a part of my sound. I’m about to finally buy a second one to plug a Shure green bullet into for distorted vocals. It works great with that as well being able to blend /dry and keep feedback out.
Well, I stumbled on this video and thought a distortion pedal for an acoustic is ridiculous. I figured the video would say the same, and I'd get a good laugh. Instead, I watched the video and ended up really digging the sound and totally giving my respect to the pedal and your playing. Excellent job, sir.
Thank you for the info! I already ordered the Smolder and I really appreciate your very practical demonstration and review. A second camera would help us see the knobs as you turn them. And as for multi-effects for acoustics, I just got a TC Electronics Plethora X5. I got it for the acoustic because I already had TC digital pedals that worked well with acoustic. I think because it's all digital it doesn't cause feedback, and it has tons of modulation options and combinations. Add that to your drive pedals and other favorite pedals and call it good.
Wow Aaron, this sounds great! I have tried many many OD pedals on my acoustic like AC Booster, Black Box, etc, but this one might do the trick for my duo. What model of Martin are you playing there? It looks nice and small. I need one of those too! haha
@@aaronshortmusic Hey Aaron! Guess what?! I just picked up a new GPC-16E like yours! I didn't realize it until I just re-read this note from you and saw that's the exact model of the one I just picked up from Guitar Center. haha I also got the smoldering pedal! Man, how fun is that thing! I have tried about 39 different OD and boost pedals for my acoustic over the years to use with my Guitar Romantica duo - Black Box 2 and Xotic RC Booster being the best so far, but this Fender gadget does it right! It's very horn-like isn't it, which I love! We're like twins now! (unintentional, I'm not gay.. haha) oh, and I am now an "all in" Martin guy. It sounds so much more "authentic" than my Eastman or my Breedlove, and they are spectacular, but not as organic and warm.
Very good review. I like the way you emphasize that it will add both layers and a different kind of sound, not an attempt to emulate authentic electric tones, but great tones nevertheless. Am very seriously considering buying one b/c of your video. Thx for your work!
Hi Aaron. I’ve been using the smolder with my Martin HD28 in a live band setting and enjoying the overdrive sound but still contemplating a Cole Clark Fat Lady 2 HUM. Would the FL2 Hum offer much more tonal versatilty or ease of use in a gig? Wondering if I should make the investment.
Thanks Aaron, great review, as always. Quick question: I know you also use the Voiceprint and I am wondering what is the setup with the Fender Overdrive. Are you putting it in the send/return or in series after the LRBaggs?
Great video! Just ordered one. I’m a solo acoustic act and also use the beatbuddy drum pedal so this will really expand my sound on choruses and allow me to rock up the set a little more. 🤘
Hey Aaron what a great review. I’m a loop artist in London doing 6 gigs a week and I have OCD and Wampler Tumnus. They great but this sounds amazing. I am buying a Fender Acoustasonic Strat and was thinking of adding this baby to it. Would you say it a good combo. Would love to see you gig where about a are you based
Awesome review, thanks! I just added a Schatten HFN Passive pickup under the bridge of my acoustic guitar, and I'm having a devil of a time finding a distortion pedal that doesn't sound totally tinny and full of feedback. Do you think this will work in an acoustic guitar that doesn't have a preamp/pickup system already installed?
Hey Aaron, thanks for your review! Great work, super helpful. I purchased one today but the switch produces a loud popping noise every time its pressed. Just wondering if yours does or if youve heard of anyone else's doin the same? Cheers!
Yes that’s normal. You won’t hear it on stage. If you are using it for recording then you could have someone replace the switch with a ‘silent’ switch.
@@aaronshortmusic thanks for the quick reply! It's got the normal click switch sound which is totally fine but the popping noise is actually really loud through my pa speakers. It sounds like someone is unplugging a jack every time I press the pedal. You never had anything like that did you?
@@andijoseph Yes I do. It’s incredible for its size and weight. I don’t use it at my solo shows but whenever I have a duo gig or need more inputs I take it with me.
@@aaronshortmusic I have one too, I use it in the ski resorts when I hop from bar to bar. It’s a quick setup. You know how they recommend setting input level to hit that centre line, well when using an SM58beta, even with the gain/attenuation knob set to zero on the back, the level almost peaks, have you found the same thing?
@@aaronshortmusic don't even use a cabinet simulator?do you mean I can distort my guitar directly in the system? a dream! sorry i don't know if you mentioned it in the video but my english is not that good
@@aaronshortmusic thanks Aaron. Great videos, I’m trying to put together my own acoustic guitar pedal board for solo gigs. I’m using the TC helicon harmony singer, boss ge7, boss super chorus & I want to include the fender preverb and smolder OD & a delay of some sort. Maybe you could do video on your preferred acoustic rig pedalboard options.. would be a good one 🕺
I would put it before. The TC VL3x has a 'guitar thru' which is an even better way. It will be fine in front of your TC Play Acoustic but may interfere with your harmonies if the sound is heavily distorted.
No it should not. As with any effect with volume you don’t want to push your amp louder than it is designed or clip the input but the fact it is creating the distortion effect will not damage your speaker at normal volumes. The effect comes from the pedal, not your amp.
@@aaronshortmusic what have you tried? Right now I’m just using the Lucy dreamer by jam pedals along with my soundhole. I definitely need a cab sim. Considering the Neunaber neuron to be honest
@@empathysgone96 Just the usual tube screamer etc. You can also use a modeler like the Line 6 Helix but I like what Fender did with this pedal. I find it very easy to get a good sound.
@@aaronshortmusic maybe I just didn’t give it enough of a chance. On the fence right now. Little edge going to the Neunaber neuron because of their rep but your selling me the fender pretty good too mate
hey Duncan- I bought an old Randall RB100 solid state bass amp- master volume, a gain/volume 4 eq knob or 9 band eq by toggle choice. I have a mahogany Martin d-15 with a fishman gold saddle pick up. the real honey comb in the set up is a fishman preamp, oh Lord how sweet the preamp makes things! Also can adjust some feedback out with the preamp. I recently added a skyverb mini pedal for reverb. The thing sounds amazing, the clean tone sparkles like crazy. My music store cousin told me about any organ or bass amp makes an acoustic sound great. For comparison, I have a peavy classic 30 amp and the acoustic sounds like boo-boo through it no matter how I set it. Get a preamp! Good luck brother!
Hi there I have a acoustic guitar with a LR Baggs anthem pro and it has a very low output would you recommend this pedal so I can have more volume and would it sound good Thanks David
Hi David! The Anthem and Anthem Pro both have less gain (about 8db) than the Anthem SL. I have never found this to be a practical issue you just simply need to increase the input gain on whatever you plug into. This pedal would do the job but it is really designed as an overdrive pedal. If you really need more gain then I would advise you to get a preamp (maybe with some EQ for tone shaping). Fender make the ‘Preverb’ pedal and I will be posting a review of it very soon.
@@aaronshortmusic Hi Aaron thank you for your reply Yes that's what l looking for something with more volume I was around at my mate's joint the other day and my volume on my guitar was flat out on full So would you recommend preverb for more volume control Thanks David 🇦🇺👍
@@aaronshortmusic Hi there Aaron it's me again I can see that you did a review off the stageman would that be good choice for me or is the fender a bit better Thanks David 🇦🇺👍
I've been playing almost 25 years and never knew this was something anyone wanted - even as someone who's done not a few solo acoustic gigs. Completely useless pedal, IMO, but great review, regardless.