Tech 21 Splits the XXL Stomp Box - one for Guitar and one for Bass
Stomp
Posted 2005-02-03
After Tech 21’s recently successful new/old-stock reissue of their XXL pedal, which debuted in early 1995 and ceased production in late 2000, the company has chosen to make two separate versions --one for guitar and one for bass. Why? Because players such as Jason Newsted and Rob Trujillo discovered the original XXL (with an engine-turn stainless steel plate) made an excellent companion to Tech 21’s SansAmp Bass Driver DI and made it an integral part of their rig. At the same time, some guitar players considered the XXL a little too over-the-top.
The restructured guitar version features a very musical Tone control that shifts the center frequency of the high cut from 10kH to 1kH, which maintains the mid-range without getting muddy. The Bass Edition features a level-compensated Tone control. At maximum it’s flat. As you go towards the mid point, it boosts the low end, compensating for the drop-out typically associated with effects not specifically voiced for bass. Decreasing from the mid point cuts highs, without changing the output level. The Bass Edition is still an excellent companion to the SansAmp Bass Driver DI, especially for those times when considerably more gain is desired.
The Warp control influences the ratio of odd and even harmonics to achieve a spectrum of traditional distortion, classic tube amp overdrive, and vintage fuzz tones. Prior to the XXL’s initial introduction, no other stomp box ever provided this kind of control. Extreme settings work particularly well with individual notes, making them smoother, fatter, thicker. Oversaturating the unit causes notes to “sag” and constrict, then dilate and enlarge. Sustaining a note will cause it to “sing.”
The XXLs are operable with an optional 9V DC power supply (Model #DC2), or 9V battery. Manufactured in the U.S.A. MSRP: $125.00. Contact Tech 21, Inc., 790 Bloomfield Avenue, Clifton, NJ 07012. Tel: 973-777-6996. Fax: 973-777-9899. E-mail: info@tech21nyc.com. Website: www.tech21nyc.com.
