Kev

It was just bizarre. They claimed that something had fried part of the circuit board and basically was unrepairable without replacing the whole PCB, which they didn't have anymore as the pedal was discontinued. After months and months of me chasing a resolution (bearing in mind they possessed my pedal in the US) they eventually just sent the unrepaired pedal back to me with a note saying it was fixed! Obviously, it wasn't in any way fixed, and they didn't really explain at all why they sent it back and said it was repaired, after months of tagging me along and telling me the parts didn't exist anymore to repair. I honestly think they thought I'd go away. After refusing to the fix the pedal and instead replacing with the protostar, they chose to send me an invoice for the difference in cost of rrps, despite all that had gone on. I paid it, without fuss as I appreciated it was betterment etc, but the whole experience was just not good at all. I think the weirdest thing about it all was the fact they thought they were doing me a favour. I sent the pedal to them fully expecting to pay for whatever repair was necessary. If I was expecting free repairs then I would perhaps get the reluctance, but no, just an odd attitude. I have never heard any other complaints, so perhaps it was just something about me they didn't like, who knows! Don't like to publicly talk about stuff like this, but sometimes it's not right to hide opinions I guess.

I didn't have it for long. I had a bad taste in my mouth after a fairly terrible experience of trying to get another WMD filter fixed before they l decided to instead send me the protostar prototype to keep instead. I sold it as I didn't really want it on my board. Feelings when I had it? It was a cool filter with lots of interesting stuff going on with that patch bay, but my overriding feeling was it felt like a pedal designed for guitar, and I felt like a lot of the features of the pedal couldn't be taken advantage of with low frequencies. Not to say it cut low end or anything, in the right settings it didn't at all, but yeah it was overkill for me. I preferred the Super Fatman.

Well, predictably, I now have an Alpha Omega Ultra on order. I was holding off as I am used to using the AO before the B7KU, and doing so would render two of the new features (IR/Headphone) useless. I could upgrade the B7K to B7K V2 and get those features, however the upgrade to an AOU is much more substantial, having all that mid control is V exciting. However, after experimenting with the reverse order, I am getting some wonderful sounds the other way that will only be improved with the additional EQ control of the AOU. So it has been ordered and at least initially will be replacing my AO. I don't use cabinet simulation live, only for recording, so which order I use them in Live is still up for debate. However, for recording this will potentially replace my Omnicabsim. The other possibility here is the AOU replaces the B7KU AND the Omnicabsim, particularly if I experiment with the IR for live use to FoH. Now, the wait begins...

I hate Spectors. Oh.

Warwick Pro Series, Warwick Teambuilt and Masterbuilt are all made in Germany

All valid points

When did I say more expensive makes it better? My post was closer to implying the opposite... I am merely stating that, cloning and patching aside as that is an entirely different ball game, if you want that particular piece of gear, you have to pay for it. They are hugely successful so their pricing structure clearly works, and taking inflation into account their pedals are certainly becoming cheaper and more accessible. Its easy to think that £389 is a lot of money, because it is, but the fact is a B7K was only a fraction less than this when it came out some 8 years ago. That's a whole lot of R&D for the money! Let's compare other pedal manufactures for costs in 2010 and 2018, I think Darkglass are doing very well indeed to keep things more affordable. If you can't afford the big guns, they offer B3K/Omicron/Vintage for around £225....the original B3K from many moons ago was £245 new at Bass Direct... Digital effects are CLEARLY more economical, although I am yet to hear any digital distortion that can hold a candle to analog and iv tried most, however I'd like to hear the Helix. They are otherwise excellent units in the most part and I would be happy to use a cheap digi for modulation, filter etc. But it really isn't a fair comparison, comparing a Zoom multi to Darkglass gear is crazy, they are not in the same market.

A fodera at £10k is a lot of money for a bass that could be built by a local Luthier with very similar materials and specs for maybe £1k. Why buy a ferrari when a fiesta will get you there? Why not buy the cheapest version of everything? This repeated argument is bizarre... Gear costs different because it is different, simples. The market dictates whether its worth it or not, and given the rapid and huge success of Darkglass, its quite clear what the general market thinks. If manufacturers increase their prices without justification or warning, that's a different matter and that pisses me off too. But with Darkglass, do a bit of research and compare the cost of a B7K in 2012 compared to now. Then youll see where I'm coming from.

Insta-update. Apparently the new software allows you to re-assign the distortion switch to switch between Alpha and Omega.

Dingwall copes well with it

I'm surprised by the general move to 3 pickups on the Combustions by Dingwall. They are making it less and less appealing to pay for the Canadian models. The new Comubstion D-Bird is stunning!

This is very true, I did make this comment to Doug when I was speaking with him about it and apparently he couldn't make it work with the current layout and circuit. Still, if you're writing some lines at night and don't want to wake the kids, I can still see a use for it. Plenty of units out there without an aux in.

Having them switchable generates the same argument I had with the amp really, I would have completely different settings for Alpha and Omega so a switch wouldn't be of any use for me. Headphone out has been added to get it in line with other Preamp pedals, sure many will have quite a big use for it.

Budget Warwick from the early nineties, price is crazy as not in the same league as a Pro 1 quality wise but worth an offer.

Thanks for the feedback I love my D800, really disliked the TH500 but am yet to try an AG700. The Mesa seems perfect, but GAS e.t.c.

Chris, Id love to hear why you preferred the TH500 over the D800, particularly as you prefer the AG to the TH. What is your tonal aim?

Gent bought an amp off me recently smooth and easy deal, cheers!

The Super Compact is brighter for sure, very transparent. The 10 inch speakers are more 'coloured' and dark by comparison, sound much more suited to me. The Mesa will sound ace with anything though I'm sure.

They have stuck with those pickup angles?????! Really hope they allow custom config, it just looks awful and spoils what could be a stunning instrument. Still note a huge fan of the knobs either.