FUNNY STORY- I just got the brothers overdrive! Every mode I put it in sounded horrible and I thought I got a bad one or my amp hated it. I just kept thinking how it was a waste of money and its a very bad pedal. I was even starting to wonder if there was something wrong with my SG. 10 mins later or so , I finally realized my wah was on . Lol Opps. It sounds great now!! Very Nice Pedal and almost every mode sounds greatl!!!!!
Lol thanks for reply guys. I was really starting to regret my purchase but now I couldnt be happier. Another gem added to my collection. Have a good weekend!! BTW Great pedal forum and playing at Guitcon, I enjoyed both.
It’s true. So that’s leaves the question...if this is the golden age due to advancements in technology and social media and the sharing of knowledge....what’s to come in 10 yrs time? Or 15-20 yrs time? Will that be the golden age? Or just a slight improvement from what we have now? I for one am curious to see. One thing is for sure, it definitely won’t revert and get worse. Things will definitely continue to improve. The last 3-4 years has been a giant leap in guitar and pedal technology and quality.
I've actually realised finally after watching so many TPS videos that the best way of getting a superb drive tone is to just get Daniel to play his Tele through any damn pedal into any damn amp! :)
So I spend ages on RU-vid watching Riverside demos and reviews to convince myself I need it, then I watch this and now I want the Brothers or maybe even the Sunset! They all sound SO good.
TPS. All of everyone involved needs an award. If I make a random purchase and hate it, it's my fault now. Keep up the good work, we appreciate it! Definitely buying a shirt or mug or something TPS!
Gentlemen, greetings from Pakistan. Love your show! You forgot to mention the noise gate that embedded within the Strymon Sunset. The green light that was occasionally came on is what I believe the threshold on the gate. As with most Strymon pedals one can easily access the gate settings too. Best regards.
So here's why I love this show, and please take this in the best way. This is nerdy as hell. I mean, the image of the rock star is one thing, but this is just some guitar nerds playing around with cool stuff, and getting genuinely excited about it. On top of that, you actually know what you're talking about (I assume), and the production value is perfect. It doesn't matter that you're in the UK or US, or even an Aussie. This is universal geek messaging. Cheers.
for me, it’s more about getting a good sound quickly without too many distracting options…and to that end, the Riverside (which I’ve been checking out lately after purchasing my first Strymon pedal recently - a Deco V2) seems like a perfect fit to me. On top of this, it sounded much fatter and more harmonically complex in the short time it got to shine here - well to my ears at least. Thanks for another great video boys! 🙂
I'd like to see you lads do a show on Boss, e.g. your favourite pedals, modded vs non modded, flops, classics, current best buys, etc. Lots of ground there.
I'd like to see a "flops" as well but as good/bad as a pedal may be, there will be some that like/dislike it so I can't imagine the guys wanting to speak ill of a company who's just trying to put something out there for people to enjoy. In essence, if a product isn't to their liking, they just won't cover it rather than putting it on their show and have people leave nasty posts.
I just got in my Brothers pedal... It's super legit. Even better than I was expecting it to be, and I was expecting it to be awesome... Sooooo many possible sounds. And I haven't even started using the dip switches and expression pedal yet!
SOLD!!!! I thought the IC fuzz with the Jfet OD blended slightly toward the jfet would should amazing and it is literally the tone I've been after. So good
Such a good review, awesome episode. I think Chase Bliss wins in terms of analog components, innovation and for being from the great state of Minnesota. However, Sunset wins in terms of versatility. It looks like the Sunset could get all necessary sounds for blues, rock, pop, whereas with the Brothers I think I would need a dedicated TS or K to gig successfully. Finally, I have to agree that the digital sounds are soooo close to analog now *part of my soul dies*
Both of these pedals are great for downsizing the pedalboard while also increasing artistic exploration of guitar gain-structure. I tried both and went with the Sunset because adding a Dunlop X-Mini exp. pedal & Strymon Mini-Switch makes for an extremely enjoyable & intuitive workflow for finding new sounds without having to constantly stop playing to adjust the pedal. 1. Assign any amount of knobs to the heel/toe exp pedal position. 2. Play and find the closest sound you are looking for while adjusting the pedal. 3. Save as the favorite, and reposition the knobs you assigned so the "A" light turns green. Repeat steps 1-3 When you are happy with the sound, take a picture of the Sunset with your cellphone and/or write down the settings in a notebook. Couldn't be an easier workflow to finding new sounds. Seems this might be the Strymon pedal for "I can't be bothered" Mick. ;-)
+Todd Giencke Thanks Todd, glad you like it! I prefer the 'turn the knobs till it sounds good and forget about everything else' approach. Certainly a very capable and good sounding pedal!
Thanks guys off out right now to buy the Sunset.. Tried it yesterday at Absolute Music in Bournemouth. They didn't have the Riverside in stock.. and after your amazing video I'm gonna give it a miss too.. Thanks again for your incredibly informative and unbiased views 👍
The overdrive circuits in the Brothers actually aren't the same on both sides. One side is 3 different circuits designed by Peter Bregman from Resonant Electronic. (Graviton Boost, Manifold Drive, and Acceleron Fuzz) He approached Joel because he thought "If anyone can help me get all 3 of my pedals in one box, and then do something cool with them, it's this guy!" and he and Joel hit it off, so he agreed to work with him on this pedal, and Joel designed the other side to essentially be a good compliment to the three sounds they already had. Hence the Brothers name, because it's essentially Peter's drive circuits in one side, and Joel's in the other, with obvious similarities and differences between them. And an interesting contrast to the Riverside, which, while obviously being it's own thing, is still a Tube Screamer, a Treble Boost, an OCD type thing, etc. (All of which sound incredible of course) Joel was inspired to work on the project in part because the first three drive sounds WEREN'T meant to be another take on the standard OD fare, they were actually chasing the sound of how a particular old amp that Peter had would break up. So while I LOVE my Mobius for a "do all these sounds you've already heard" box, and I expect I'd love a Sunset for that, too, I'm a bit more inspired by the Brothers. Purely on the basis that it feels less like an attempt to put 6 amazing versions of things we've already heard in one box, and more like six sounds that are all a bit something of their own. (Though the Strymon does sound spectacular) (Disclaimer, I do not own any of these products! There was just an 8 minute mini-doc on the Chase Bliss channel about the pedal. Pretty neat if you have the time)
Rob and Lee just did a demo of the Sunset and I thought "no not for me" but after you two demoed it I'm thinking "WOW that's a very cool pedal, I could definitely use that!". Just goes to show how a piece of equipment can sound vastly different depending on all the other parts of the puzzle, and the player.
+Nor'easter Playa Yep. The approach, the production, the inclination... all that stuff. It's really important to watch a variety of vids we think, because we all have our own takes on how to approach it. Thanks for watching!
The Brothers sounds really incredible. Is it overkill? Eye of the beholder, but certainly innovative. You can achieve textures and layers of sound really only capable before via studio techniques. Gets my vote.
Mick & Dan, you guys kill it every time. You also make me laugh... blooper real compilation please?? In all seriousness, I've learned so much from this channel. It's super helpful when you play through two different voiced amplifiers and A/B them. Maybe soon you could do a show on Tweed Amp simulator pedals (Catalinbread no. 5, Wampler '57)?
+Sam Popkin Thanks so much Sam. Mick here. My wife keeps saying we should do blooper vids, but the truth is that we struggle enough already just to get the shows out! In any case, Tweed sounds are very much on the menu.... cheers!
That Pedal Show I was wishing you guys would do a blooper reel too... couldn't someone help you with the editing time constraints, even if it was one every blue moon?
It would be Entertaining to see Outtakes & Bloopers. Its all in good fun. We all know that: You 2 are absolutely Fantastic - and both really good guitar players - too. This is The Best Show on Y.T. ( for me and my interests & passion ).
Wow. The Brothers just seems better and better with each new video I see of it. I wasn't too crazy about it at first but I'm definitely warming up to it.
I really think that Riverside is misunderstood. Just to make it clear, Riverside is more of a preamp/distortion pedal, while Sunset is more of a boost/OD/distortion pedal. More specifically about Sunset, Germanium is like a Klon, Texas is like a Tubescreamer, Hard-Clipping is like a RAT, JFET is like an Echoplex Preamp, etc. Personally I think it would be interesting to compare the Riverside to other preamp/distortion pedals, rather than Overdrive pedals. It can for sure achieve almost anything from modern high-gain to Fender tweed-y tones. Riverside sounds great even as a clean bass preamp, because of the active EQ.
I'm hoping Chase Bliss does another variant of the Brothers that is all classic fuzz circuits. I.E. Tonebender, Octavia, Fuzzface, IC/muff fuzz, gated fuzz, etc.
Octavia and Fuzz Face need to be on different sides, can't put it on the same side or they wont stack. Lots if upset Jimi fans will let them know, I'm sure. heh.
Idk about classic. One of the reasons I like chase bliss pedals is because they're very unique sounding. However it would be nice if you could get more gnarly fuzz with it.
The riverside is the first distortion pedal I heard that actually felt good to play. But the sunset is really such an amazing pedal. it's kind of hard to justify owning both.
You're totally right, Mick! Stereo amps add realism to the recording. I think part of this is the use of two amps. You're now getting a bit of room noise from TWO sources. Yep! Even closely positioned cardioid mics capture some room noise. Start adding your delays and reverbs. Then you're getting even more of that three-dimensional sound in your recording!
After hours "studying gain structure" with the Strymon Sunset with expression pedal & favorite switch I'm still impressed with this pedal. I even bought a fully working '76 Fender Super Twin (six 6L6 180w!) head for a super clean canvas. The take away is: parallel gain pedals is really "a thing" and a feature that is going to advance gain structure. I personally like parallel Ge (Klon Centaur) and JFET (Echoplex EP-3). This combo is pushing my Power Booster clone off my pedalboard for my David Gilmour tones. Mick & Dan you really should do a show on how to do parallel gain with normal pedals.
You guys are VERY clearly having a lot more fun with these vids of late, and I'm definitely having a good time with you! Side Note: You guys promised a second part of that clean tone ep you did, talking about using modulation and stuff, I'd love to see that! Also ambient stuff, droning chords, nice shimmer, stuff like that :)
Brilliant all the way around guys! We (the hellbent for leather crusaders intent u[on discovering our OWN ever elusive guitar tones) are living in the golden age of effects to be sure. Thanks for pointing us (with pin point precision no less) toward the bottomless rabbit holes. Keep these treasure map videos coming. I'm truly appreciative.
Yes, finally both the Riverside and the Sunset in the same video! I thought the Riverside was a preamp, can the Sunset delivers same amount of volume as the Riverside? The diversity of the Sunset really gives me GAS!
Had a chance to try both riverside and sunset side by side just to see if there was a big difference in tones, playability, sensitivity etc. For me it boiled down to being able to match or come ridiculously close to any cool sound I came up with on the sunset with the active eq and mid-push on the riverside. Additionally, I could not get the tone on the riverside to choke or get crapped out using a tele or a strat. The only feature not possible on the riverside is the parallel mode - which is cool - but not worth the sacrifice of losing the active eq. For me, the riverside wins it with its unreal ability to remain open-sounding, even when really compressed (sunset sounded a bit "boxier" if that makes sense). Hate to admit but strymon have made a digital crunch box that I cannot fault, and what's more, it's really a kick-a** pedal! Brothers has a lot of amazing features and the size of the pedal is brilliant, but I'm not convinced of the sounds, especially on the ic-side... maybe better in person? Thanks for this comparison - my dog did not mind the bell :)
Kari Abspoel I really wanted to like the Sunset more because I like the features it offers with the Germanium and the dual overdrives and the Treble Boost. But, every single time I hear the Riverside, especially when Rob Chapman did a demo of the pedal, I come away thinking it is the better of the two. I really like the Riverside and may eventually buy both but I think the Riverside is a better pedal. It’s so hard to choose! Ugh lol 😂
Hmm, was planning on buying the Sunset but I think the Bothers and the Riverside sound more alive. Brothers I think sounds the best just because of the added fuzz.
have you guys ever consider doing a show displaying and explaining the different circuits in pedals such as: FET, JFET, MOSFET, IC, Germanium, etc.. Also class A pedals and how they differ from others? what about different diode pedals as well?
+Ryan Wolverton This is interesting. Some food for thought here. It's a bit abstract to talk about those things if the rest of the circuit is different as well, but maybe there are ways around that. Cheers and thanks for watching!
Ryan Wolverton If i remember correctly Brian Wampler did a video much like that. He had a bread board with a drive pedal set up and he was able to quickly swap out all of the most popular componets from drive pedals. You should check it out.
Hulk Slayer thank you for the info I'll check it out! It would be pretty cool if Mick and Dan did a show of the history of the different circuit board pedals and how they derived today with all the choices of pedals we know and love.
That Pedal Show thanks for the reply back. I understand where you guys are coming from; it would be cool if you guys came around to doing a show of the history more or less of those different circuits and where they derrived from to show the different and simular characteristics of the circuits. cheers!
love your work guys, proud to be a patreon supporter. the sunset left me totally cold. just wasn't producing tones that grab me, even with mick and his sonic blue. compare that to him going through a common or garden tube screamer into a marshall-style amp and I'm in heaven.
Thanks for the demo gents, love the Chase Bliss Brothers and their whole range, so individual as you mentioned. As for when you said about using two amps, I love using two amps now it gives so much more full sound, I play quite clean and use Gretsch Electromatic which I love playing and sounds great for my style, yeh I don’t have the best amps in the world, I have a Fender Frontmsn 65R which many hate and say a rubbish, I put my pedals through the Frontman then my second amp is a Fender Mustang 3, again many will hate as it’s a modelling amp, I tend to use a Princeton style amp with a bit of Twin 65 Reverb, a bit of ducking delay and sometimes Uni-Vibe as my basic tone used on most songs we play as a band. My overall guitar tone with the mix of both amps to me sounds great and a lovely full all round sound, then I add the odd drive or tape echo through the Frontman when needed and I’m a happy player with the limited gear I have, obviously I wish had a real 65 Twin or other high end amps but utilising the gear I have in the way I do I think you really can get a really good all round tone, playing a stereo guitar rig sounds fantastic giving so much more I don’t think I’ll ever go back to just one amp unless I have to. Thanks again really enjoyed your show and the gear & playing education.
Hah, yes more radio sound props! I like the secondary use for the horn and the ding bell for what's right. "it's essentially two pedals right?" *glances over* Mick - without hesitation or adjusting gaze *ding ding* Lol!! :) I love this show, even just watching trivial basics and pedals that I have no use for it's still entertaining and educational. Pardon my keyboard space bar has a snag. Edit: Aww, I was waiting for a wrong answer so I could get an obnoxious baaaahnk horn:) You should have the camera man/woman ( know your wife filled in last time) be in charge of the horn and bell would make it funnier although that may largely diminish your fun of making noises during the show heh
the Johnson FET in the brothers is absolutely wonderful in the three Gain, the sunset may be the future but for now I am staying with my brobrobrobrother chasesesese blisss is a genius.
This is the perfect threesome comparison. One of these will be my next pedal, most likely the Chase Bliss. The Strymons do sound very good thought. Thanks dudes!
Hi guys! I don't know if this has already be mentioned in the comments, but just a word about the difference between the 2 Strymons. As you said, the Riverside is like an amp overdrive. According to Strymon, it can even be seen as a genuine preamp and you could plug directly into a power amp with it. Theoretically, it's not advised to do so with the Sunset. Cheers!
KOR Not for my taste. Brothers is more aggressive and it does have the fuzz(cool sound, for sure) but I’m not gonna use that for my sound. Sunset takes it.
A while back you guys did a special show for Guitarist magazine where you discussed different applications of overdriven to three industry standard amp types. I still go back to those videos because hearing pedals through different amp types gave me a better idea of how these pedals will work in application. Along the same lines, I would put forward the idea that you get a bassist and drummer in a room and show how these pedals sound in an actual band context. While I cynically suspect many pedal nerds are bedroom warriors (bass on amp cranked to make it sound "warm" and "huge"), the nuances of tone between a Sunset, Riverside, KOT, TS or Klone might become less important when compared to the kind of presence these pedals give a rig in the context of a band. Watching Dan with Tin Spirits in videos tells me more about his use of pedals than isolated demonstrations. I know this is not a practical expectation on a regular basis, but what about a "That Pedal Show Special" along these lines? BTW the Tokyo videos of Tin Spirits seem to make a great comparison of a pedal approach and a more "straight into the amp" approach (Mr Gregory); or perhaps Dan can correct me on this? Still a great episode with some excellent playing as always guys.
Aw come on Mick, lots of good things come in pink... ;-) That out of the way, we really are in a golden age of pedals. Wow. I'd lean toward the Brothers pedal because the audio path is all analog, but the Strymon line does some amazing things in the digital domain. Thanks for a brilliant show. LMAO with the bell and horn bit... :-)
I've always had concerns about digital pedals and their interaction with an amps input, I've never thought digital sounded real (read analog) but that Sunset sounded incredible and it seems to work well with the front end of an amp. My question now. When will strymon roll it all (Sunset, big sky, timeline, mobius etc) up and put out a multi FX unit that can fit front end and back of the amp (4 cable) with MIDI foot switching capability and frankly wipe the floor with the competition.......and at the same time empty our bank accounts of an great deal of cash? Great video guys, very interesting
that little blink that you didn’t understand on the sunset is telling you you’ve hit the fav setting. COMPARE MODE As knob and switch settings are adjusted with the FAVORITE engaged, the LED temporarily changes from RED to GREEN when the current position is identical to the saved favorite.
Just to note, the Sunset and Riverside are fully Midi controllable and have 300 preset slots selectable through Midi. Also, the expression pedal configuration is much easier with the Strymon pedals. Unlike the Brothers pedal where the heel/toe always go from max/min (or vise versa) to knob position, the Strymon pedals can be configured to operate on a specified range. I.e. heel position can be 50% gain, 60% tone and toe can be 90% gain 40% tone.
I can appreciate this. I also hav a few Strymon pedals... but part of me REALLY wants to order the brothers because it also does fuzz. And I intend to control either via Midi.
Weirdly I still think the Riverside is missing something even next to the Sunset. Maybe stick a 12AX7 into the output stage or something (anything) to make it sound less synthetic. The sunset is an improvement so maybe a firmware or microcode update could fix the Riverside. Or maybe just stack an OCD, a tumnus and an EP booster...... The brothers definitely shades it here though for me. Good show as ever. Cheers
I really really enjoy this show! Great playing, great sound and a lot of very real and educational stuff. You guys know what you're talking about! I'd love a show about underrated pedals like the MXR Distortion III. For some months I've been discovering very high quality stuff from Germany like the Vahlbruch Jewel Drive or the Orion Motor Fuzz - maybe you could do a Kraut-show
Perhaps it wasn't Dan's but I think he commented on it in a recent DantheGigRig video. It was the sickest thing but I might be talking out of my back side!
"...The one thing from chase bliss that just gives it the edge". I don't know Dan. Feels like an understatement to me, mate. Being able to save 122 presets that capture every detail of the pedal, including the dip switch locations seems like a huge edge! Especially when you could control this and a couple of big Strymons with a $150 midi controller from Disaster Area Designs. Just my thoughts though.
Yes!! more Chase Bliss stuff please!! Would love to see you guys shoot it out against the old Memory Man (maybe against the new memory man models as well!) and demo some of the classic settings of the memory man on both!!
Great show..always love the show. For me…neither pedal did it. I think the twakability is fab but those pedals never gave me that sweetness of say a Lovepedal or a Rockett etc. Still..loving the shows :)
Yeah I pretty much agree Lovepedal and Kingtone handle my of needs Basically cause they take my sound and make it better so a one knob CoT works fantastic and the less knobs the better in my humble opinion
Would love to see a video focusing on cheap/budget pedal lines (Behringer, Digi, Danelectro etc. or anything in a plastic box that looks like garbage), finding needles amongst haystacks if you will.
