TO MASON AND FRIENDS OF VERTEX BROADCASTS: You are correct....It should go Univibe INTO fuzz......And as you mentioned the only reason it somewhat worked for Hendrix (Who used it later down his signal path) was because his amps were so "gained out" that the natural amp clipping acted much like it does when we go "Univibe into fuzz" BUT unless you do it like that (use a tube amp turned THAT high up (volume-wise) It wont sound good and sound somewhat "Squishy and phaser-like"..So if you can run 100watt tube heads at that immense volume.....well God bless you..Most of us cant.......BTW This is also why I like to go WAH into FUZZ face (however you must use a "Fuzz friendly buffer (like the Foxrox Wah retrofit...or else you will get the terrible uncontrolled feedback oscillation or a wah sound that is more like "wee-u- wee-u "as opposed to the WOW- WOW we want....(as the fuzz face is EXTREMELY picky as to what you put before it) If you go "Fuzz face into wah you will get a similar "squishy sounding"...somewhat "whimpy" wah sound and it will sound nowhere as good as the wide vowel-like wah sound we have all come to love. Believe me, this info comes after years of experimentation. As always, I'll admit there is no "Right way" or Wrong way" so if you like the "squishy" sound/method by all means do it that way....But the methods I am describing are for those trying to approximate classic Jimi/Trower tones...So if THAT is what you like, you may at least what to try my suggestions....and well, if you dislike what you hear you can always try it the "other ways"...But I'm pretty sure you'll see why I have arrived at these conclusions.....Hope this has been a help to you.....TIM
@@crookedfingers9613 Yes you DO need a true bypass (DPDT) switch in your wah or else you will get the dreaded "tone suck" ....how this works is that when your wah is off/not being used/Bypassed you have it using the "true Bypass switch" BUT when it (the wah is to be used when it is switched from true bypass the small buffer in the "fuzz friendly" wah is switched in so it will keep your fuzz (or at least most of the vintage type fuzzes with high impedance (like the Fuzz face) from squealing/feeding back. I know this sounds counter intuitive because we are ever being told to NOT PUT ANYTHING BUFFERED BEFORE YOUR OLD FUZZ because it will ruin their nice sound....And this IS for the most part TRUE...BUT the "Fuzz friendly" part of a "fuzz friendly wah" is actually a small buffer that counter acts the squealing and weak wah sound that will happen if you don't have this small buffer in your wah. If you need to know EXACTLY what is going on here and why you can go to FoxROX and ask Dave Fox (who sells to small Foxrox wah retro fit kit which makes your wah NOT squeal when you add Fuzz after it...But at the same time this Buffer will not wreck your fuzz tone (that would normally happen if you put anything with a buffer before a old fuzz. TRY to think of it like this: YES there are some overall general rules to obey..and for good reason....BUT here and there there are exceptions where you have to bend (or sometimes even break) these rules in order to get the desired sound.....Hope this helps
Love univibes, I can't live without one available on the pedalboard. Currently I have a Funky Vibe Filmore East, and a true beast called Argenziano Gypsy Vibe (the sound of this thing is practically porn). I've tried all these different configurations. The one I like the most is guitar / Fuzz / Vibe / Overdrive. This way I think I get the best of the fuzz and guitar volume interaction, getting those wonderful Fuzz+Vibe cleaned up tones, when rolling back a little the guitar volume - overdrive always on, playing the role of an overdriven amp (as I only use the clean channel of a Fender tube amp).
@@jimivibes609 Hey friend! we’ve chatted past year directly through the instragram. At that time I was waiting for my Argenziano GV to be built. Man, I love both, but Argenziano is really in a different league. I already spent enough time to get used to both. The main thing I can tell is that the Filmore version makes your overall EQ a bit rounder on the top and bottom ends, in a good way, but it does it. In my experience I can hear it right off the bat when engaging the preamp mode. If you don’t like this, you’ll want truebypass it when not using the effect mode - which for me also has its own rounded character. This is probably due to the fact each FV version is kind of voiced (if I can say that) to a different Hendrix eras or iconic recordings (something like that). There is a great A/B comparison between Filmore and Woodstock versions of FV made by R.J. Ronquilo where you maybe can notice exactely what I’m saying (and confirmed by Nico himself from Sabbadius). The Sabbadius Funky Vibe is no doubt one of the current best units out there, alongside the other two shown in this vid . Its look is very cool, size and features also very useful. But the Argenziano Gypsy Vibe to me is currently the top of the food chain, besides its unpractical size. Well, it’s is a true replica in every sense. Sound is heaven, perfection, natural and gorgeous, as you already know.
I have it after my big muff fuzz I just prefer the thick soupy sound . A little phasery. I’m using the mojovibe and the way it reacts to the fuzz is also a big reason I love it.
Loved Uni-vibe... until listening to Greg Koch using an harmonic tremolo as a fake uni-vibe. Loved it even more. That would be a great video, uni-vibe vs harmonic tremolo... how different are they really?! Loving this videos Mason. Cheers. HM
Sir Henry's site: "order one" no info on product without having to email or pricing on that site. Sir Henry's IG? 404. Looks like a hard pass on this one and given the effort? Nah, I'd look elsewhere.
Effort? The guy is a tech for several of the biggest guitarists and musicians on the planet (KWS, Eric Johnson, DBII, Chris Whipper Layton just to name a few) with full touring schedules. He keeps it low key because he’s on the road most of the year and doesn’t have a lot of time to do pedals but when he does, he makes the best vibes there are. He is the encyclopedia that everyone else here consulted over the course of their journey in making vibes. And if they tell you otherwise, they’re lying. He’s a good person and a good friend and isn’t misleading anyone.
This MUST be one of the Finest and Supremely helpful channels for musicians anywhere. Thank You for your gracious knowledge sharing and high Quality productions Sir Mason.
Great video. I use both a Funky Vibe and the Tinsley. Interestingly enough, I like the Funky Vibe before fuzz, but I like the Tinsley after fuzz. Both such great pedals.
I thought I was crazy running my deja vibe volume maxed and almost no modulation sometimes not at all. Just tried before my Chasebliss preamp mkii, makes the fuzz guitar volume rolled back shine more (that I never liked much as a feature)
What is misunderstood? The video title is somewhat misleading. I was mesmerized by the sound of the Uni-Vibe when I first heard Band of Gypsies way back in the early 70s. Uni-Vibes were impossible to find between the 70s and the early 2000s. I've owned a 3 Vibe pedals over the past 20 years. Roger Mayer VooDoo Vibe, Foxrox Captain Coconut II, Drybell Vibe Machine. The new Sabbadius Vibes are the best I've ever heard. even better than the original Shin-Ei. On the subject of signal chain? Wah and Fuzz before vibe. Overdrive after vibe. As for reverb and delay/echo? Probably best in an effects loop or post vibe. All that said, I think it's great that you're talking about signal path and giving examples of different placements. I'm saving up for a Sabbadius right now. They're not cheap. I may change my signal path after experimenting with it. The cancel button brings a new dimension. Similar to the preamp on the Echo-Plex. A lot of people have bought the newer EP-3 preamps to get that Echo-Plex drive sound. Great sounding Strat BTW. Subscribed.
This is timely. I've been considering finally delving into Vibe. I have two modulators that I like, a custom-shop '74 script-logo Phase 90 and a V4 Deluxe Electric Mistress but I use both very sparingly. Seems like a Vibe could be more integrated. The cancel function seems an added bonus.
AFter watching this video, I'm definitely going to try putting my vibe pedal first in front of my gain pedals. I LOVE vibe sounds, but I'm always slightly disappointed when I kick it on. I've been putting it after my gain pedals simply because it's a modulation pedal, and I was following the standard rule of thumb about modulation after gain, and before delays. But I love the way it sounded here, in front in the chain. I'm definitely gonna change things up. Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Univibes are essentially phase shifters. But where the distribution of phase shift in a typical 4-stager results in somewhat focussed and deep notches, the distribution of phase shift in a Univibe results in broad shallow dips. This has two byproducts. One is that it is less obtrusive, by not providing resonant notches one feels compelled to pay attention to. There's a reason why people often confuse harmonic tremolo with Univibes, and the reason is that neither *demand* your attention. They both provide a pleasing "animation" that *supplements* the melody of what you're playing, rather than insisting that you pay as much attention to the up and down movement as you do to the notes. As a result, you can leave them on without the "okay, *enough* already!" annoyance that would accompany a phaser or regular tremolo. The other byproduct, and the reason for placing it *before* a clipping device, is that the broad shallow dips move large sections of the frequency spectrum closer to, and away from, the clipping threshold. As a result, it doesn't filter the distortion, the way a phaser does, as much as move around which *parts* of your signal (and solo) are generating harmonic content. I like to think of it as being like additive synthesis. One last thing I'll note is that, despite really being a 4-stage phase-shifter, feedback/regeneration does diddley squat for vibes, even though it can give a phaser a much stronger character. Again, that's a function of the phase shift being more focussed in a true phaser. As well, vibes NEVER have the ability to sweep as slow as many phasers do. Th reason is that the shallow dips it produces can become imperceptible if they move too slowly. This is in contrast to a phaser where adding some feedback to a really slow sweep makes for a very dramatic sound.
@@ImYourOverlord Thanks. When I compare a Vibe to a phaser, it's not simply as an analogy. They really *ARE* 4-stage phasers. Indeed, one can easily approximate a Univibe with almost any 4-stage phaser by swapping out the capacitors in the phase-shift stages for other values. I say "approximate" because a not-so-small aspect of the prototypic vibe pedal is that it uses a light source (bulb or LED) and photocells to do the sweeping, and also preshapes the LFO waveform, making it more sinusoidal. So, while one can get the re-distribution of phase shift in such a phaser-to-vibe conversion, as described here, the *feel* of the sweep will be different, unless there is a wholesale change to the LFO circuit.
Great thread. For exploratory purposes, I would like a video exploring the Moog Murf 105 with univibe in mind. Use of that particular circuit has remained a mystery to the world - but can be used as an expansion of the univibe circuit. It seems like a stone unturned.
@@chilidogcowboy At your suggestion, I decided to look for a schematic for the MuRF, to get to understand a little more about it. To my great surprise, there are links to all the Moogerfooger pedal schematics on the Madbean site. I'll need to spend more time with it, but at first blush, the MuRF has more in common with a vocoder than with a Univibe, but further study is needed.
That was a great video with awesome playing! I have a Sabbadius ‘68 Funky Vibe with NOS (larger) photocells. It is quite an amazing pedal. I like it before a slightly distorted Marshall… or at least closest to the guitar and then Fuzz and OD Just like you’d demonstrated.
This not pertaining to this video but I purchased a quantity of Mogami cable and forgot the 90° cable ends you mentioned that were very stable on pedal boards.
I've recently started using the Univibe simulation in my Digitech Expression Factory and I've noticed how in full heel position (no effect) there's a nice punchy boost to the signal. It's second in line after a compressor.
I've got a modded Moen MO-VB2 Shaky Jimi, and it sounds friggen great. First in the chain, before my fuzz face--it can't do the cancel thing, but i guess i could turn the deph all the way down.
I have a BBE Soul Vibe…a poor man’s Univibe I guess…. I’ve always had it as the very last pedal in the chain, using a four cable fx loop. And I’ve never liked it…. I will give your suggestions a try!
Man sweet sounds and tone on this episode! Other than Jimi using it, I was like nah, it's not my vibe. But these all sounded great in every position. Nice playing too Mason!
My pedalboard consists of a klon, lenny boost, ts mini, and modded univibe/phase 90..... would the "correct" order be vibe-klon-ts-lenny? Sorry fairly new to the pedal game. Thanks for all the great videos and advice
@@gregmize01 i have an mdv-3 (dejavibe) and a tech21 rotochoir. however, i don't use either of them for hendrix/trower sounds, and i don't currently own any single coil guitars. i love those guys, don't get me wrong, it's just not what i am doing. the only thing i use the rotochoir for is to add a specific sort of chime/shimmer to clean-ish chords when i pick through them. the dejavibe i use differently. a good example would be gov't mule's "thorazine shuffle"
There is no right or wrong with placement. I like my modulation after delay and reverb, it’s the last effect on my boards. I use clean amps with good headroom and get my dirt from pedals, everything in front of the amp.
Because it uses an optical sensor, true univibe pedals are one of the hardest effects to replicate in a multi effects unit. However, I found that you can get pretty close in a Quad Cortex or GT1000 by stacking a 4 stage phaser with a vibrato or rotary effect, and a light chorus. It’s not exact, but close enough for most.
Depends on the Vibe - the way some are tuned, if they have selectable pre-amp, or if they have a volume control. The ones with volume controls can be used to push your amp’s front end or using a transparent OD after. I still think Fuzz should go as close to possible as first in the chain after guitar.
I have my Funky Vibe 69 after fuzz and wah, but before tuner/input buffer (Polytune 3). I have all the distortions/overdrives at the end of the chain and I love using the Cancel feature to boost the drives.
I think the Tuner should come after all these pedals. Wah, Vibe, Fuzz should be ideal. Wah and Vibe won't generally be used together anyway so the order of them won't matter.
@@VertexEffectsInc I tried the Vibe 1st and it sounds great, especially when using the Cancel feature to boost the Fuzz. I put the wah after the fuzz because I like the sound of the wah after the fuzz when using wah and fuzz together, and then the tuner after. Thanks for the tips!
You sound like Hendrix and Robin Trower. They do sound different and I don’t think RT was trying to imitate Jimmy. One of my favorite vids from you Mason.
@@VertexEffectsInc it is an important topic, since wah tends to diminish the intensity of the effect that is before it in the chain. Indeed to reduce the frequency range (and so the range of harmonics) is its function. My wah kills my Vibe or Fuzz tones when I put it after them. I use Vibe-Wah-Fuzz but it has its cons.
Thing is nobody but .05% of us can tell the difference between a Univibe and a 4-stage phaser that has depth control and the correct asymmetric sine LFO shape. The vibrato isn't particularly special or desirable. Two of my phasers do this : the Empress (too stiff/sterile) and Whetstone (very nice),
I like it before my fuzz and od. But I’m usually playing my amps a bit cleaner. Jimi uses it all gained up on Machine Gun. I might try switching the order like Jimi if I’m cranking a Marshall and then adding fuzz.
I also use a clean amp, that's the reason I use the OD always on after the vibe, when using the combo fuzz into vibe. Without the OD engaged you get the fuzz/vibe upper harmonics too harsh and shrill, not cool for me. So that's when the OD plays its overdriven amp role. Dont max the fuzz knob (dont need max gain with something already overdriven), roll back guitar volume just a little and hear that classic beautiful fuzz/vibe shiny cleanup tones. You don't reach exactly this when fuzz is after vibe (all seems to be just overdrives to me). I love both Hendrix and Trower tones (but love vibe for everything not just Hendrix/Trower), I can get both worlds this way since Trower uses the overdrives after vibe, turn of the fuzz then you have it (I use a 2nd overdrive with little more gain for Trower actually).
A sneaky-cool place to put a Uni-Vibe.... in the effects loop of your delay pedal. It adds some flavour without overwhelming and making everything sound like Band of Gypsys.
I discovered, by accident, the preamp on my cheap MXR Univibe and I only use it for this because it's the best boost I have run across so far. It's so bright and subtle. It really brings the signal to life. It's an always on with some guitars.
What I dislike about univibe is that it instantly makes you sound like Hendrix... basically it's Hendrix signature sound and it's kind of sucks because it's an awesome sound but that Hendrix badge is what ruins its implementation in your original music imho. So it's kind of love/hate 50/50 relationships.
I'd just like to say while I don't always agree with your opinions on better tone, it's subjective after all, I do always find your videos instructive and interesting.
Idk the man who invented both the Univibe and the fy-6 also made the psychedelic companion a combination of both circuit which put the vibe after the fuzz, so people do what you want with the effects each are different and no there’s need to do exactly as Hendrix did to sound good
Put it after the guitar, before the fuzz and overdrive/distortion pedals (no effects loop). You could put wah before it (probably won't matter since it's not something used at the same time as the vibe).
I have an analogman Block logo envelope filter. Looking at a Univibe sometime in the near future.Any recommendations on which one I should be looking at and where in the signal chain it should go in relation to the envelope filter?
I love my danelectro cool cat vibe, I run the BBE soul vibe as well. I’m the only dude I know with 2 vibes on the board. I use the cool cat on my church board too
What about in the effect loop? I think I liked the first in the chain sound before everything else but I guess like nearly all pedals there is no definitive way of doing it😏🤘
most inventions are not used the way it was aimed at in the first place, as long as it does the « job » and you are a happy person….but i get your drift
Hey Mason, great lesson on uni-vibe placement. Getting the J. Rocket uni-verb pedal. Looking 4word 2 that. A bit pricey but, well worth it!! Thanks again dude. Take care!!!!
Solderless cables, telcasters with strat headstocks, headstock tuners, univibes in the efx loop, oh the humanity. BTW, i'm afraid we need u to release that fuzz, sir.
Same with flangers 🤷🏽♂️ When someone use flangers, they have the jet sound in mind (like barracuda). But a 4 knob flangers can sound as ANY other modulation (or almost, depends on the type of flanger). But guitarist are like: "ugh, regen? Intensity?... No for me"
Good video but Jimi Hendrix always put his vibe last and look what we got. Machine gun. Star spangled banner and he had ultimate throb. I have tried most vibes out there for years and believe it or not the good vibes pedal has the most gain and throb. Don't believe me there is a video on RU-vid called EHX good vibes and Shin ei real vibe. You can't tell the difference. So I am back to my good vibes pedal. Aloha. This might save you a lot of money 🤑
It's a constant source of amazement to me, how many ways there are to get the Uni-Vibe completely wrong. Ironic, since the Uni-Vibe was an attempt at a Leslie that went horribly right. It's kinda hard to get it to NOT sound like a phaser, because that's what it is; it's just that the wobble meeds to be a lot more lopsided than a typical phaser. That's where most faux U-vibes go wrong. I've only ever heard one unit that actually sounded like Jimi's and it was hand built by a Japanese enthusiast who's not in the pedal business. The pedals demonstrated here are definitely close enough for government work. Personally, my feeling is that the Wah goes first in the chain, unless there's an Octavio/Octavia in the mix.
Great video and nice breakdown! Either a Shin-Ei / Honey “Vibe Bro” or the smaller “Vibe 2” will get the same or similar. Nico also makes excellent clone with the Funky Vibe as per your demonstration.
What about the MXR Uni-Vibe? I have a Analog Man Sun Face, will putting a "cheaper" uni-vibe like that work differently since it really isn't built like the true Vibe?
After 30 years of playing guitar I finally figured out where in the chain it belongs, I put it in between two gain pedals, the first gain works excellent when the univibe is in high speed and the post gain works excellent when it's in low, done, finished, no more tripping
Stanley Miller (millstap) is a Jimi’s expert that has been recommending that over the years. He mentioned your video in his RU-vid channel and thats how I came to that option for the first time. I have a 68 Funky Vibe but never considered nor heard about using it first in the chain. But I tried it and it gives me a more clean effect, with more throb and low end which is precisely what I like from a vibe. So after seen your video I changed forever my vibe position. Thank you so much.
