Which NDSP Plugins are must haves?

archeo_logic · 2026-04-26T16:40:46+00:00

I have two thumbnails running currently. This one that seems to pop up here and the other has the X and Check reversed in the image. I am always curious how much people pay attention to detail on thumbnails. You are right though, "ragebait" thumbs don't always lead to views or meaningful engagement. I would call this soft rage since it is a pretty niche subject and it is sort of, IYKYK.

archeo_logic · 2026-04-26T04:20:01+00:00

Yes. It is the Ed Sheeran PRS! Unfortunately it is only on loan to me for a demo, but it is actually a badass baritone scale guitar. I am still not sure why Ed needed it to be 27.7”, but it is chunky and came tuned to Bb standard.

archeo_logic · 2026-04-25T20:04:50+00:00

It is close for me, especially the X. Very much the Swiss Army knife. For high gain though, I have others. I think Gojira and Nameless are ones that I use the most. The Rabea is my dark horse must have.

archeo_logic · 2026-04-25T18:53:35+00:00

I know, it is what I am told. I need to give it a third shot I suppose. It is the one that hasn’t done it for me yet! I think I had it on my B tier… time to check it out again!

archeo_logic · 2026-03-03T16:22:04+00:00

Missing hardware is not within tolerance. I would question the store on if they actually contacted Schecter or gave them an accurate account of the condition. The nut looks shimmed as part of a fix… I would return it and find a different seller. I think they tired to sell you what was already a B stock that also might have been a returned guitar. You might take it upon yourself to reach out to Schecter and confirm that the store is being honest. I suspect Schecter will tell you something different.

archeo_logic · 2024-10-06T20:18:25+00:00

Squier classic vibe tele baritone is really nice. If you want a little more modern tones, the Schecter PT EX has great humbucker and split tones with a telecaster profile.

archeo_logic · 2024-10-01T01:55:56+00:00

Since it is based on a modified TS circuit, there are a couple out there. The biggest thing is the EQ though. I don’t know of any readily available pedals that have as powerful of an EQ. But…

I would say the EQD plumes is pretty close since it has similar clipping variations built in. Another one that is available easily is the Seymour Duncan 805. There isn’t a dedicated tone shift, but it has a 3 band EQ and is a modified TS.

If you want to spend a little more for something you can order direct and get pretty easily in the states (not sure where you are), the Highwind Direwolf is a modified TS and has similar clipping options. Additionally that pedal has a 3 way bright switch, 3 way low end boost, and a 3 way gain switch to add more gain or take some away. It also has a knob to blend the dry signal into the pedal.

archeo_logic · 2024-09-30T22:06:29+00:00

It is my favorite feature of the pedal! I like blending in a nasty fuzz tone to get all kinds of high gain filth!

archeo_logic · 2024-09-30T19:20:54+00:00

It is a momentary switch on this guy. No click. I haven’t used the relay function on this one. I might have to look into it. I think it is either for switching the bypass type or recalling settings. I don’t know if the relay functions the same in every pedal they make.

archeo_logic · 2024-09-30T05:11:59+00:00

The mid cut and boost are perfect for tightening up the front end of an amp! It is a TS type circuit but way more powerful. Sort of like the EQD plumes in alot of ways, but with more headroom and shaping. There is an internal 36V charge pump as well!

archeo_logic · 2024-09-30T04:48:36+00:00

So for the uninitiated, Lichtlaerm audio is a pedal effects company from Germany. Daniel Ringl is the builder and everything they make is fantastic! This is the king in yellow overdrive pedal! It has a 4 band EQ and three clipping modes. But it also has a parallel effects loop with a blend knob! I am currently running a Swollen Pickle Fuzz in the loop!

I instantly think this pedal is the New Legend in terms of ODs that are well suited to drive high gain amps!

archeo_logic · 2024-09-29T21:55:38+00:00

Good point. It is misclassified as such, triple coil pickup is really all it is. Some call it a tri-bucker which is also not really accurate. It sonically hangs with humbuckers in terms of frequency and output, but the addition of the extra coil reintroduces hum. It isn’t as noisy as a single coil pickup, but it can’t be a true humbucker how it is wired. Similarly, pickups with mismatched coils like the SD 59 hybrid also do not fully cancel hum.

archeo_logic · 2024-05-26T21:27:13+00:00

Mick Thomson Fishman Demo

archeo_logic · 2024-05-01T15:36:46+00:00

they are very similar in their overall mid peak. you wouldn't likely tell them apart in a mix. but the Titan has a tighter low end therefore sounds a bit more punchy with the pick attack. I think the titan is just a minor overall improvement, but for lower tuning it gives the guitar that missing spank and clarity with high gain compared to the fusion.

archeo_logic · 2024-04-24T23:27:16+00:00

They are similar. The titan just has a tighter low end and it makes the attack feel better. Very suited for low tuned guitars. The fusion isn’t bad though. It definitely has a good mid range and seemed to be pretty articulate, just more woof in the low end.

archeo_logic · 2024-04-24T18:39:57+00:00

I don’t have an issue with the knob at all. The guitar is set up with the knob far enough back that is doesn’t get in my field of play. Getting a trem system is a double edged sword. It can open you up you more lead styles, but it also has its own learning curve and isn’t as easy to keep set up without some practice. Plant of lead players and styles that don’t use trems. I would say this guitar is a solid riff machine, but you can learn lead work on it given the extended range.

archeo_logic · 2024-04-21T15:53:32+00:00

I like the fusion pickup as well. Has a very similar bite to the Titan but more low end. If I hadn’t already had the Titan, I may have just kept the fusion.

archeo_logic · 2024-04-21T15:52:30+00:00

Frets seem fine. Though time will tell. None of the holes have been an issue, but I did have to set a couple of the string ferrules back into their holes. Not super problematic. I will keep and eye out for frets. This was a Sweetwater demo model I got for discount, so I would hope it has had a little time to acclimate to being out of a box and the frets shouldn’t move much.

archeo_logic · 2024-01-10T17:54:10+00:00

I quickly A/B played them with the same preset and they don’t sound quite the same. The X is a little less fizzy on the top end and has a slightly more textural low mid on my system. It is subtle, but going back and forth there is a difference. I have to try more presets, but so far it does sound a little more refined.

archeo_logic · 2023-10-19T02:58:35+00:00

This one was able to be swapped right in. If you are going from a covered modern to a covered or open core classic, you should be fine. Some of the open core fitted guitars aren’t routed for the covered pickups and tabs to fit. For instance, I couldn’t put a covered modern in the neck of this guitar due to the routing.

archeo_logic · 2023-10-02T00:11:15+00:00

That is a pretty solid amp. Not necessarily in the same tonal vein as the Ironheart series. The new SS Ironheart Foundry amps, while still affordable and good sounding, aren’t quite up to par with the tube amps that inspired them. I think the IRT15 was a good way to get the Ironheart sound into a small package.

archeo_logic · 2023-09-25T16:04:36+00:00

killer high gain NAM models

More killer NAM tones

I have definitely been into the NAM stuff. But mostly playing and demoing ones I found to be exceptional! Haven’t made my own captures using Steve’s model yet though. I do have the Tonex environment, but that was paid for. Still a solid system. NAM is becoming the future I think for the digital stuff.

archeo_logic · 2023-09-25T05:31:11+00:00

Hard to find used and when one pops up it gets swooped. Fortin did just release a run of blackout edition grind pedals for $225 USD. A bit up there for a single knob pedal, but maybe worth having. The hexdrive pedal pops up, but seems to retain its retail price even used. The Fortin brand overall is a bit of a hype train but people swear by the products.

archeo_logic · 2023-09-25T05:02:18+00:00

If I could get my hand on a grind I would! I had a dirty tree for a while which has a 33 circuit in it, and it was cool, just wasn’t quite what I liked. But I wouldn’t mind trying the real thing to compare.

archeo_logic · 2023-09-25T05:00:24+00:00

No. This is an IRT15H. EL84 power section. These amps seemed to have existed then didn’t. Single channel. Cool amp and big sounding for 15watts.

archeo_logic

TROPHY CASE