Sherlock Amplifiers V3 Distortion Pedal
Subscribe
X

Subscribe to Mixdown Magazine

Sherlock Amplifiers V3 Distortion Pedal

V3Pedal-8459.jpg

This isn’t just some transistorised simulation of an amp channel though, the V3 has three 12AX7 valves at the heart of its sound (two configured as common anode amplifiers and a third configured as common cathode amplifies 
and used a tone stack driver). The two channels have full controls for volume, middle, treble, bass and gain. The channels are rhythm and lead, accessible via a channel footswitch. There’s also a Bypass switch (true bypass so when you stomp on it the pedal circuit is completely out of your signal chain). Power is via a supplied adaptor – no batteries for this one.

 

The two channels are quite different to each other. Rhythm is more open and amp-like, and not quite as high-gain, while lead is more compressed and saturated. The rhythm channel is incredibly responsive: you can do the tube amp trick of dialling in your rhythm gain with the guitar’s volume at about 6, then back it off for a cleaner tone or turn it up for solos. There’s a great sense of depth and note separation to open chords and a satisfying crunch on power chords. This channel can also be coaxed into a nice jangly alternative sound or a harder-hitting heavy rock distortion. 
The lead channel is no less toneful, though in a different way. It’s great for sustaining melodies and high-speed leads, and while it’ll dish out monstrous extreme metal and djent rhythm tones, it’ll also give you a harmonically alive blues-rock lead sound. It’s not as flexible as the rhythm channel in terms of dynamics – turn the gain up past a certain point and there’s no going back – but it makes up for it with tonal sculptability.


 

This is a really great pedal for taking true control over your sound, whether you’re using it with a tube amp or if you want
 to add some real tube growl to a modelling amplifier. It doesn’t get bogged down in too many controls or options, it simply gets down to business in giving you a pair of very flexible valve amp tones with which to find your personal sound. 

 

For more details, head to sherlockamps.com.