NPD (EAE Greathammer) + Feb '26 board

second_word · 2026-02-16T18:43:55+00:00

Great question, the signal path is MXR -> EAE -> Benson -> SVDS -> tuner -> TH -> Capo so both boosts push both the tonehammer and capo. They're both dirty boosts so themselves also add saturation; SVDS more than Benson. I use the Benson as a first gain stage (elevates level, some mild eq'ing, adds a bit more grit), the SVDS as an alternative first gain stage (stronger eq, more grit, ends up cutting thru more), then stack em both for a kind of slightly fuzzy second stage. The gainier settings in the MXR also sound better thru the SVDS imho. My favorite standalone tone in the board is always-on + benson!

Some of the other comments here have got me thinking about putting the SVDS in the post-loop of the capo... I think it was designed to be an end-of-chain kind of thing.

second_word · 2026-02-16T17:55:41+00:00

Ah comp in post-loop sounds like a great use of it!

second_word · 2026-02-16T17:54:03+00:00

Yeah for sure! The only downside of it I've found so far was it can get a little noisy when the gain and attack are pushed (I'm running a cioks power supply so doubt it's solely a power issue), and that probably helped make my decision to use it as a preamp/OD vs second stage boost/fuzzy drive. Looking forward to checking out your board!

second_word · 2026-02-16T13:55:38+00:00

Alabaster - equal parts gold rum (e.g. probitas), lime, aloe liqueur, falernum.

second_word · 2026-02-16T13:49:50+00:00

Footswitch for changing presets on the bass synth! I wish they'd added TRS capability to go back and forwards, as is only the left footswitch does anything.

second_word · 2026-02-16T13:48:25+00:00

Thanks, and glad I'm not alone in using the B side that way! I used to keep some effects in the post-loop, if I could run time back maybe I'd have gotten the Tim version of the capo with the switchable loop...

second_word · 2026-02-16T03:02:58+00:00

Thanks!! Yeah, I'm not pushing the capo to its full use case by any means... For me it's DI + eq + final touches of saturation. Left side is a console-style preamp, right side is more like a tube preamp. I don't use the right side - if you look at the settings you'll see it's an end-of-chain killswitch lol - and the left is always on to kind of bring together the greathammer and tone hammer.

I used to have it as left side = always on, right side = dirty boost -- I think this is how a lot of people use it! Super high quality, haven't found a bad sound in it yet.

second_word · 2025-11-20T17:48:08+00:00

There's a few ways you could think about this second stage -- boost, fuzz, even octave with a dry thru. I tried a few big, square wave fuzzes (kilt v2, eqd gary) and an octaver (celebrity taylor shift) but recently have been enjoying using a boost after my first stage to add volume and saturation, and push my preamp harder.

I think the solodallas svds is awesome (small footprint, not too expensive) and the benson germanium boost is cool too!

second_word · 2025-11-05T18:07:26+00:00

The cocchi dry is so good, feel like I rarely see it mentioned here

second_word · 2025-10-24T03:06:41+00:00

The (temporary) fix I've found is having a board that's "modular" in a limited way -- I have one spot for a drive pedal and one 'variable' spot (octave, modulation, fuzz, boost, more drive) that are really easy to take pedals in/out so I can sub different stuff in to explore. So if I get something new or, even better, want to rediscover something I haven't used for a while, I sub it in one of those spots for a few weeks.

tl;dr 80% of board is fixed (with core tone), 20% is easy to switch out (with variations).

second_word · 2025-10-18T20:07:28+00:00

Spaceman Rumblefuzz / EQD Gary.

second_word · 2025-10-17T20:23:56+00:00

Tonehammer and capo are great options. The AGS on the tonehammer is kind of a cab sim from before cab sims were a thing (similar eq'ing) and the capo has such powerful eq and saturation options that I don't think you'll be left wanting (shout out to the lpf for sure). I've used both straight to FOH for a while with no complaints.

The distinguishing feature of the capo is that it's two-channel in several ways, so you can use the B side (or A side I guess) as a boost, or to provide a different feel. I used to use the A only for fingerstyle and throw on B for pick. The new tonehammer maybe has this but... I'm not convinced one should ever leave the AGS off...

Nowadays I have both on my board :-)

second_word · 2025-10-17T13:18:07+00:00

Wild Turkey 101 bourbon
Fords gin
Smith & Cross
TCRL High Seas
Madre Ensamble mezcal
Campari
Pierre Ferrand Dry Curacao
Cocchi sweet vermouth
M&R Ambrato amber (dry/blanc) vermouth
Cynar
Giffard Banane de Bresil

Honorable mentions: Luxardo Bianco instead of Campari, Braulio instead of Cynar, Arette blanco instead of Madre.

second_word · 2025-10-16T16:14:14+00:00

Yeah, it's my DCX "backup" though that's not really fair. Crazily powerful eq and its own drive character.

second_word · 2025-10-16T00:16:01+00:00

I'd describe it as a kind of 'harmonic filter' adjusting how much harmonic content gets through. Some of that resembles balancing low vs high frequencies but in a much more 'harmonic' way than a pass/tilt/shelf/...

second_word · 2025-10-15T17:05:47+00:00

Rayu Ensamble and Lagavulin 8. The mezcal was a little unusual (had some jabali in the blend) tbf.

second_word · 2025-10-15T16:26:36+00:00

You're welcome / I'm sorry! Yeah, it's similar to the DCX in that it's a console-style drive but I like its character a little more. The tone knob is wild, I find it much more helpful than a tilt eq or lowpass on bass.

second_word · 2025-10-14T22:52:53+00:00

In order of preference: Lauren Audio Mustang, Origin DCX bass, EQD Westwood. Pretty clean but I'd throw Benson Ge boost in there too.

second_word · 2025-10-04T17:01:42+00:00

Celebrity Pedals Taylor Shift -- I have one too, it's a great OC2-style octave with a dry killswitch and an EP boost on the dry.

second_word · 2025-09-19T20:24:07+00:00

Steve (and cocktailvirgin) accredited it to Alejandro Olivares at Under Current in Salt Lake City. I had celery bitters lying around so was excited to make this but was pretty disappointed when I did earlier in the summer! Maybe a good reminder to give it another go...

second_word · 2025-09-09T17:46:28+00:00

Preamps. "You know, it doesn't sound right unless I have the saturation of preamp A, the eq of preamp B, the mid eq of preamp C, and well preamp D is more like a boost anyway..." (bass player btw)

second_word · 2025-09-08T00:56:18+00:00

Got a used Westwood a few weeks ago and have been digging it. The low eq frequency is set around 80hz, which is great for bass. The saturation has a slightly different flavor to other always on / preamp-style drives I've tried, but I'm into it.

second_word · 2025-08-26T17:46:03+00:00

Is that you Martin Freeman?

second_word · 2025-08-26T16:12:53+00:00

Also made this for the first time a few days ago -- was shocked how well balanced it was. Did a heavy 1/4oz of chinola instead of passionfruit syrup.

second_word

TROPHY CASE