Skip to [ Story Content and jump story attachments ]
Click on the Images
|
Skip to [ End of Music Player Network web site links ]
|
GuitarPlayer.com >> This Month >> Musicians Sound Design British Steel
Musicians Sound Design British Steel
December, 2007
Made in Cologne, Germany, the ironically named British Steel ($200 retail/street price N/A) is a purposeful-looking pedal with a rugged stainless-steel housing that feels brick heavy compared to most pedals of its size. The armor-plate enclosure has an easy access battery compartment, a 2.1mm jack for external power (adapter not included), and a small status LED at the upper right corner. The knurled-metal controls consist of Drive, Volume, and Tone (the latter has a center detent), as well as a Low/High switch that revoices the overdrive circuit for optimal response with humbuckers and single-coils.
The British Steel offers punishing output, and even with the Drive turned down you can get a huge amount of signal boost for overdriving an amp or mitigating line losses when driving long cables. This pedal walks the line between fuzz and distortion, delivering a tough-edged, tight-bottomed distortion sound that’s fairly reminiscent of overdriving a British tube amp with a treble booster. Accordingly, you can get a lot of glassy slice when you nudge the Tone control clockwise from its center position, but the rangy EQ isn’t squeamish about providing creamier textures, as well. Well suited for hard-rock players and old-school metalheads, the British Steel has a lot of the punchy dynamic vibe you expect from a good tube amp.
Kudos Brute force distortion. Massive output. Excellent Tone control range.
Concerns Removable battery hatch cover was quickly lost.
Contact Musicians Sound Design, dist. By Godlyke, (866) 2godlyke; godlyke.com
LESSONS
Whether you're a novice or an expert we've got tutorials from some top pros that are guarnteed to improve your technique.
GEAR
Get in depth views and reviews from our expert testers on a massive range of gear from all the top manufacturers
Guitar Player Merch
Drape yourself in the finest T shirts, hoodies and caps a musician can wear. Check out the Guitar Player online merch store for clothing and more, all done up with the hot GP logo