Ernesto Janus

Description

I have been using this configuration for some time with my Marshall JVM205c and strats and RG’s with my usual EMG 85/SA/60 configuration, just because it sounds good and heavy, and offers a lot of different textures and tonal balances because of the 6 channels on the amp and the 3 overdrive pedals plus fuzz on the board. The Arion SCH-1 almost never leaves my board because it gives that defined mid clearness of a subtle analog chorus sound that really keeps the JVM from sounding too thick and heavy, because it is one hell of a thick sounding macho amp, and the SCH-1 adds a delicate touch and a better note separation, which is an asset with EMG’s, because they sound very defined. Also I play with delay almost all the time, and switch reverb on and off rather than delay, my delay pedal is in tap tempo mode all the time and is switched on and off together with the chorus by switching the effects loop of the amp on/off (which is part of the MIDI programs set for the amp, controlled through the amp footswitch).

My wah of choice is still the Dunlop original Crybaby, extreme and brutal as it is, I love it. My compressor of choice is the T-Rex CompNova, just because it’s one of the nicest sounding compressors around. The overdrive section consists of a Valvette Custom Drive, for which I use various settings as it’s a rather versatile drive pedal, a Marshall Guv’Nor (original black striped version) which I use to induce a bit more hotrodded JCM800 2204 effect into the clean orange channel of my JVM, or to provide metal lead into the the overdrive channel, and of course an Ibanez TS-9, which is an original first edition of that model, and which provides smooth lead boost or metal thickness, and it’s just so consitent in getting exactly the right leadtones and cream at gigs that I think there is not really a substitute for it together with a marshall. I also use a fuzz, and am using the boss FZ-5 more and more just because it is consitent and doesn’t ruin the sound of the guitar in the mix at all, while at the same time delivering multiple fuzz sounds and being noisefree. The trick to making the FZ-5 sound thick is to really crank the volume on it, then it sounds great. My tuner of choice is the TU-3, just because it’s the fastest and easiest tuner in existence.

The board is powered by either 8 AA NiMH battery pack or by a Burkey Flatliner, with all pedals daisy chained for minimum noise. Total noise of the board is very very low, especially with the EMG’s in my guitars, and the pedaltrain junior board is just a great practical, safe and lightweight solution. Everything and then some fits in the pedaltrain softcase for easy portability.

Want your pedalboard featured here and have other people rate and comment on it? Then get in touch! Send your picture and information to pedalboards(AT)dirtbox.net