The BB Preamp is Andy Timmons signature pedal by Xotic Effects and offers smoother, warmer and more compressed tone than the standard BB Preamp pedal with even richer  harmonics. Housed in a durable orange metallic paint, the pedal itself looks great and has a real boutique feel about it.

If you want to get that Andy Timmons sound then this pedal really is essential. It will give you a wonderful array of overdrive tones and is probably one of our favourite effects pedals. It’s worth pointing out however that even though the pedal can be driven really hard it’s not a distortion pedal so if your looking for more gain this probably isn’t the pedal for you. If you love playing classic rock and blues then this pedal will be perfect though!

The following text is taken from the BB Preamp page on the Xotic FX website.

• The BB Preamp offers a wide variety of sounds. It’s capable of a 30dB+ clean boost with an adjustable ±15dB two band active EQ which adds a wide range of harmonic content to your ideal sound.
• The BB also utilizes a pre-gain stage which allows the Pedal to go from a very pristine clean to a very smooth,compressed, overdriven sound.
• True bypass for eliminating any signal interference when switched off.
  Can be used with AC adaptor (optional) or 9V Battery.

Visit the Xotic FX website for more details about this killer pedal.

Vox Joe Satriani Ice9 Overdrive Pedal has only recently been announced at Musikmesse 2010 but already looks set to become a firm favourite with rock guitarists everywhere.

Loaded with personality, the Ice 9 overdrive pedal is VOX’s fourth in a series of effect pedals created in collaboration between world-renowned guitarist Joe Satriani. The new VOX Ice 9 Overdrive combines the best of Joe’s favorite vintage and modern distortion effects into one versatile pedal.

Features/Specifications:

• Controls: Gain Knob, Tone Knob, Bass Knob, Volume Knob; On/Off Switch, ‘More’ Switch, Vintage/Modern Switch
• In/Outputs: 1/4″ Input, 1/4″ Output, AC power input
• Dimensions: 143(W) x 121(D) x 57.5(H)mm/5.63″ (W) x 4.76″(D) x 14.61″(H)
• Weight: 600g (excluding batteries)/1.32 lbs.
• Power: One 9V Battery (included) or AC adapter (not included)

Dual Voice Dexterity
The Vintage / Modern voice switch provides access to two totally different overdrive voices; each is designed to Joe’s exacting specifications using carefully selected components.

Superior Sound Shaping
While most overdrives simply offer a single EQ knob, the Ice 9 is voiced with both a custom Tone control and an extra a Bass response knob. The Bass control adds extra bottom to the sound before it enters the drive stage, delivering dynamic low-end response.

The Substance of Style
Each pedal in the VOX / Joe Satriani Series was built to be best in its class, with enough flexibility to express both Joe’s – and your own – individual, signature tone. Power comes from a single 9 Volt battery (an optional AC adapter is available). True to Joe’s design, the Ice 9 features a durable metal case, a dazzling paint job, plus easy-to-read, chicken-head knobs.

Prices: TBA

VOX Ice 9 Official Product Introduction

Extensive EQ controls, with Bass, Mid, sweepable Mid-Freq and Treble knobs let you sculpt your tone with fiendish precision. The additional Scoop switch provides an instant high and low frequency boost that’ll rumble the room while also adding clarity. Available from MXR, the world leader in analog pedal technology.

Whilst this pedal might not offer anything massively innovative it does offer stiff competition for other metal distortion pedals such as the Boss Metal Zone and the Electro Harmonix Metal Muff at a price that is very reasonable.

Price: £99 (approx $175)

MXR Fullbore Metal Video Review

The Zoom GR2 Richie Kotzen Signature Model

When it comes to digital multi effects Zoom along with Line6 are the market leaders. The G2 was particularly successful however this signature model from Richie Kotzen really stands out from the crowd and features some unique presets not included in the original pedal.

The Zoom G2R Richie Kotzen Signature guitar multi-effects processor pedal is a Zoom G2 that has been loaded with 40 factory presets designed by guitarist Richie Kotzen. 20 presets are optimized for live gigging, and 20 presets are optimized for recording. The Zoom G2R guitar mulit-effects pedal package includes a custom poster, patch list, specially designed pick and a greeting card from Richie Kotzen.

Guitar floor type mulit-effects are designed to perform plugged into a guitar amp. Modelling processors sound best recording on your computer DAW. The Zoom G2R guitar mulit-effects pedal fills both roles with two algorithms, one for live performances and one for recording. Now the sound you created in practice or in the studio can be brought on stage, or the tones you worked out during a gig can be used while recording. 20 pairs of similar sounding and similar named effects are optimized respectively for use with a guitar amp on stage or for recording with a DAW’s software.

The Zoom G2R guitar effects pedal uses a 96kHz sampling rate, 24-bit A/D/A conversion, and 32-bit DSP architecture to ensure accurate reproduction. Nine effects modules are included, dynamics, ambience, drive, modulation, harmonized pitch shifter, delays, tremolo, six-band eq, and cabinet simulator with choice of mic positions offering 54 types of effects with the latest modelling technology.

Because of the speed of Zoom’s ZFX-3 processing chip, the annoying interval when switching patches is reduced to 0.005 seconds in the Zoom G2R. When changing from rhythm to lead, you no longer need to press the switch slightly in advance, simply push the foot switch and start playing the solo phrase.

16 Classic Amp and Stompbox Models

16 classic amps and stomp box are modelled on the Zoom G2:

Fender Twin Reverb 65, VOX AC30/6TB, Roland Jazz Chorus, Marshall JCM800, Fender Tweed Deluxe 53, Mesa Boogie Mark III, Marshall JCM2000, Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier, Peavey 5150 Stack, Boss OD-1 Overdrive Pedal, Marshall Guv’nor Overdrive Pedal, Matchless Hot Box, Dallas Arbiter Fuzz Face Pedal, Boss MT-2 Distortion Pedal, Zoom Extreme Distortion, and Zoom Digital Fuzz. All are editable via three rotary knobs controlling three different parameters at the same time, and delay time and modulation rate are controllable via the Tap key input.

Richie Kotzen Video Demo of the Zoom G2R

When you think of reverb effects pedals it’s normally hard to get excited but when you check out this review from Music Radar you’ll see just how incredible this effects pedal is. From atmospheric spaggeti western effects to the innovative infinite reverb effect this pedal provides an enormous range of reverb effects that most guitarists will find irresistable.

Specification:

• 24-bit A/D and D/A converters
• True stereo inputs and outputs
• Eight programmable reverb styles with the ability to load and save
• Tap Tempo to set pre-delay section
• Damping/Tone control available for each reverb mode
• Grail Spring, Accu Spring, Hall, Room, Plate, Reverse, Grail Flerb, Echo modes
• Hold tap tempo for infinite reverb

The Ibanez Tube Screamer

Could this be the Holy Grail of Tube Screamers? The Ibanez TS808 Vintage Tube Screamer Reissue is now available due to popular demand. This is the overdrive pedal that vintage gear hunters are always hoping to find. The 2004 TS808 reissue features the same famous square footswitch and the warm tones of the JRC4558 chip used in most of the original TS808s.

So if you struggling to find that perfect vintage overdriven tone then this is the pedal for you. Prices are around $170.