Aphek Peanut Butter Distortion

One stomp switch; 2 knobs...gain and distortion (smooth counter clockwise; cruchy clockwise)

Fender deluxe Reverb 65 reissue; Blues Pro Jr. Extremely quiet; most OD pedals distort your sound to the point that it kills the tone of your amp which is fine if you have a bad sounding amp; this pedal colors the tone without changing the basic tone of the amp/guitar. I use it with American Standard Strat and Tele; Gibson ES 355; old Stienberger; Washburn Hawk; I play contemporary Christian music now and the pedal is excellent for what I do. I can't crank up an amp like I used to when I played juke joints and smoke pits....

I had problems with a power supply and blew the pedal (my fault)

Both Jeff at Tonefrenzy.com and Greg at Aphek were great. Jeff even called Greg on his own dime when Greg was in the wilds of Australia.

Contempory Christian and gospel; started at 14, will be 55 in a couple of months; Amps: Roland JC120; Peavy 4/10 Classic; Gibson BR-9; Digitech 2112; POD 2.0; Roland ?GP 8; power amps..Carvin,Carver, boards Allen Heath, Soundcraft; EG's, crossovers, numerous JBL speaks, hartke speakers, Dano 12; Ovations E/A; Martin D28...guitar picks...........

Theres 2 knobs - one for matching the volume level with your amp sound, and one for adding crunch.
Real Easy to use.

Les Paul 2003 Standard into the clean channel of a Class A 2x12 combo.
This pedal is fantastic - it is a beutiful crunch pedal when used on its own, and adds superb harmonics/dynamics to a distorted amp sound or when cascaded with another drive pedal.
Definately no tonal change - it just reflects your guitar, amp and speaker configuration (and it does sound like your amp cranked!!).
this pedal provides a sweet sounding crunch to your sound, and is very rosponsive to guitar volume knob changes and picking attack.
I use it mainly to get sounds along the line of Paul Weller, Led Zepplin, Stereophonics, The Verve etc...
All in all a great sounding pedal.
I use it maxed out to get the above type of sounds, if i need more gain or a boost for solo work, i place a RAT distortion box after the peanut butter - this sounds fantastic.
No background noise at all.

Seems to be built very well.
you never know with this kind of stuff - but Greg @ Aphek is a real easy to deal with so if you have any issues it would be easy to sort out!!
I would have no issues using this pedal without a backup.

As mentioned above - I have dealt with greg and he is very helpful (even playing the pedal over the phone so i could get an idea of the sound!!!)
Top notch.

This is a great pedal for Cranked amp crunch, its not a super Hi-Gain sound but i prefer to here my guitar tone so this is ideal. great for blues, rock and even jazz lead playing.
superb tone - superb value.

Two knobs (Less/More and Smooth/Crunchy) and a footswitch, couldn't be easier.

Holy crap. This thing is THE SHIT as far as I'm concerned. I've owned TS808/TS9/TS10, BOSS overdrives, boutique pedals from Fulltone, HBE and others... and none of them sound as natural and real is this little green goober. It doesn't have miles of gain - that's not the point - but at gig levels I had no problem getting nice sustain from the clean channel of a 4x10 Mesa.

To test the pedal's transparency, I ran the Smooth/Crunchy knob at 3 o'clock and the Less/More at around 12 o'clock. With the pedal bypassed and the amp set clean, I played an open A string with my normal picking velocity. Then I engaged the pedal and picked the same string but fairly lightly... the tone was virtually the same, and as clean as the clean channel of the amp! Amazing sensitivity and dynamics. Then I laid into it and was provided with beautiful natural overdrive that simply sounded like the amp was a few notches louder. No compression or mid boost or any of the usual Tube Screamer traits. Again, I say HOLY CRAP!

Upon opening the guts, it reveals fairly normal (dare I say bland) components by today's overbuilt "boutique" standards. The resistors look like something you'd find at Radio Shack. Obviously none of this matters because it sounds terrific!

Only dealt with the builder (Greg) during the eBay sale, but he was courteous and to the point in his emails.

This would have to be one of the best, if not the best straight-forward natural-sounding overdrives out there. It's also one of the least expensive. If Fulltone built this it would be twice the price. If Landgraff built this it would be four times the price! I think my search has finally ended!

Simple. Less/More control is volume and Smooth/Crunchy is amount of drive.

I use this with vintage single channel tube amps. I have been playing for 25 years and have owned almost all overdrive and distortion pedals out there. I have to honestly say this is the best. It really sounds like your amp turned up. It is amazing, I was really floored after playing around with it. Some of the other distortion pedals are good, but this is the sound of your amp cranked - a bit less compression. Isn't that the point to overdrive pedals to begin with - I have realized after years of playing that this is it. This pedal also reacts really well with changes on the guitar volume. Basically, if you have a crap amp, this pedal won't do you any good. But if you have a good tube amp, go do yourself a favor and pick one up. I am no longer neurotic about my tone!! This is by the way, the only review I have ever left on HC.

Looks like it is built like the best of them.

I have not dealt with Aphek directly. I bought this at www.tonefrenzy.com (great site). Jeff is great, very responsive and friendly and know a ton about guitars, amps and pedals.

For $129 shipped, nothing beats this. I have been looking for a pedal like this for years. Believe the hype, you won't need another distortion/overdrive if you buy this unless for very specialized applications. I would replace it in a minute. I was almost at the point of using a two amp set up and now I don't feel I have to!

Very easy to get a great sound. Just make sure you keep the gain between 75 and 100%. Bellow that it gets a bit muddy. I thought it was a good manual, but after reading other peoples comments about it having a blend control (which it doesn't), mabey it isn't. The controls are fairly standard. Gain (smooth-crunchy) and output volume (less-more).

I play a strat and a 335 into a '63 bassman. The pedal is very quiet, even for an overdrive. I run it on full, 90% of the time. Perfect! It sounds almost exactly the same as when I crank my amp.

There was a problem with the Fulltone 3PDT switch. It cut out intermittently. Greg (the designer) was helpful in trouble shooting the problem. I ended up having to send it back to Australia, but it was back in 2 weeks and has been perfect ever since.

See above

This pedal is the best for 'natural' overdrive. I've been playing for over 10 years. I've owned heaps of gear, including a HUGE collection of od and distortions. I've now sold all of my other dirt boxes, as I just don't need them any more. If it were stolen, I'd replace it in an instant. I think I might buy a spare anyway. THIS THING JUST DOESN'T SOUND LIKE A PEDAL!!! I can't believe that someone has finally made a box that sounds this good and that not many people seem to own one. I think there is one major problem with it....... it doesn't cost enough! I think if they doubled the price they'd sell a lot more. People would take it more seriously.

Two knobs....Ko Ko the Gorilla could work this thing.

I'm running an '81 strat through a Trademark 60 amp. It's very quiet. I also have a Maxon 808 and Ibanez TS-9 modded by Robert Keeley using a "baked mod" (3X the overdrive). Since the TS-9 is modded it's much easier to compare this to the Maxon 808 which is also in the same price range.
I was pleasantly surprised by the warmth of the Peanut Butter pedal. Definetly a smoother sound over the Maxon though they're both very good pedals. I think you can get a slight bit more overdrive out of the Maxon when it's cranked but it's negligable at best. When you crank the PB pedal all the way it should provide plenty of warm overdrive and sustain for just about any blues, country or rock player UNLESS you want that 80's rock sound...then you you should be using a Marshall amp and "distortion" box anyway.
After playing for 33 years I found out recently through articles on HC that the key is two have TWO units like a TS-9 and Peanut Butter (or Maxon 808) and use one set for a lighter crunch and send that into another with a heavier setting. This, my friends, is the door to nirvana. You'll get a nice even overdrive with tons of sustain and most importantly you get incredible harmonics out of this set up. The Peanut Butter running into my TS-9 gives does an awesome job at this. Get yourself into this setup and never look back.

It's built very solidly. My only concern is that is has the older style on/off button. You know....the kind that make a loud pop like they old MXR boxes had. Don't know how long it'll last but I've gotten used to the quieter buttons so maybe it's just a mental thing on my part. The hand-painting of each pedal is a cool idea since no two are identical. Plus I like having some from Australia. No worries mate!

Bought mine for Jeff D at Tonefrenzy.com Jeff's a good dude and got my pedal to me quickly even though he had a slight accident and broke his arm the week I ordered mine. No problems with Jeff. I've never dealt with Aphek or Tonefrenzy before this.

I play contemporary country, classic rock and blues. Been playing 33 years. If this was stolen I'd get another one toot suite. The only two thing I "might" change on this pedal are the on/off switch and maybe the bulb. I really like the bright blue bulbs that Keeley puts in his mods. You know how guys are....more light! big fire! arr arr!

Dead easy to use, two knobs vol. & smooth/crunch, which basically controls the amount of distortion, the one sheet that comes with it explains the idea behind the design of the pedal.

I use a Fender strat with Fralin pups into a Marshall 50 watt plexi re-issue & Marshall greenback loaded 4x12" as this setup is really loud, I seldom get the chance to crank the amp without soundmen freakin'! My main reason for the purchase of this pedal, was that it can get the sound of a cranked amp..whatever the amp, and do so very convincingly, even feedback on any notes! if thats your thing, but no fizzy distortion.

When the pedal arrived the input nut on the jacksocket fell off! on further investigation i found that the pc board mounted jacjsocket was not lined up with the hole in the case. I had to dis asemble everything and file the hole so the nut would fit the socket. I have had no more problems, and would gig without a backup.

I play in a Hendrix type band and for me this pedal is a must, I have a Vox Wah into A Foxrox CC2 then into the peanutbutter then a Dan echo.If it was stolen I would replace straight away no prob.It is invaluable to my setup, and although it seems really light and flimsy once its on a pedal board I can't see any problems with it.I have used Boss:Fulltone:Roger Mayer:Ibanez: effects Yamaha and Line 6 digital modeling amps, and still not found the meaty poweramp distortion that this little green box provides! Oh! yeah! I hate the colour Green!

Very easy. Two knobs one for output [more/less] and one to shape the tone of the overdrive [smooth/crunchy]. This knob gives you smoother darker breakup or brighter crunchier breakup.

The tone of this pedal is equal to the tone of your amp. It seriously sounds like your amp cranked. I even did comparisions by turning up my amp then back down and switching the Peanut Butter on. The sound is exact IMO. You just have to find the unity tone on the smooth/crunchy knob. It can also sound brighter or slightly darker if you want but still sounds just like your amp cranked. There is no "gain" control on this pedal it's basically one level but it is SUPER dynamic. You pick lightly you get clean tones you dig in hard and it breaks up hard. Just like your amp cranked. It's true bypass with led and AC jack. This is my favorite pedal. If gives me what i have always wanted in a pedal. I can never turn my amp up enough to get that tone but now i dont have to. I would highly recomend this to anti-overdrive pedal snobs as well. It is very unpedal like. Also works very well with other od/boost pedals in front of it. Consider this pedal as part of your amp. There is no added compresson or eqing. If your amp naturaly compresses more when you turn it up so will it with this box. It has full freq. All your bass mids treble stay the same. I like this pedal so much i have two already and wouldnt be suprised to order more. I suspect that it will catch on some time and ofcourse price and availbilty with go up and up.

This is unknown as this is a newer product in the US. I have only had it a short while as well. Seems pretty solid. The case it a bit lighter than some pedals i have had. The switch is a 3pdt of unknown origin. Its not your standard blue switch but these are hand made in Australia so parts will very some. Pots are full size Alpha. Paint job is very hand painted in look. Does seem to chip easily but what i care about is whats inside and the tone. So this is relavent really.

Have had no contact with the builder but Jeff at Tonefrenzy is top notch. I had excellent serive!!! I appreciate good customer service. Jeff reply to emails in a timely manner and is very helpful. His drescription of the pedal on his site is dead on. www.tonefrenzy.com

IMO this is the best value around for tone. Great price awesome pedal!!! I could not be happier with this box. It is very refreshing to play an OD pedal that is dynamic and sounds like me amp [DR. Z KT-45] Which i paid good money for. Also i can hear my guitars and pups like never before. You can now have that clean sound you want and the cranked tone. Musicians Rejoice!!! I dont know how they did this all in a pedal?? This guy is truely a genious. I will state that for lead tones this may not suit you but all you need is a boost/fuzz/overdrive in front to push it over the top. Hope this has helped future buyers of the pedal. Take Care!!!

pretty simple.two knobs.the less/more knob is a blend knob.the smooth/crunchy is the amount of grit.i don't remember if it had a manual or not.i just pluged it in.it's an overdrive,if you need a manual,you have other problems then overdrive.one cool part jeff told me about was the fact that this pedal is based on powertube distortion.the difference between battery use and addaptor use is simulier to tube vs. solid state rectifiers respectivly.cool concept& noticable.

lots of guitars,lets stick to the basic les paul/strat.amps used marshall/matchless/ampeg15w. several pedals ods/phasers/fuzz/octave/ect.
no more noise then normal for a drive type pedal.much less then a fuzz.this is my favorite drive pedal so far.have had (fulldrive2&dist.pro,keeley&analogman ts9 & ds1's,mxr distortion II,option 5,maxon,Rx,bixonics,matchless hotbox,bla bla )very cool.no eq change to my ear.i know this sounds cliche,but it realy does just sound like my amp crancked.it seems to me that the signal to boost rate is much more at lwr vol.but at band level the amount of boost is perfect.i set my marshall for dirty clean(stones type)& use the vol. on the guitar for realy clean the PB is used for crancked amp sound,allout OD.then i use a boost or fuzz for over the top stuff & leads.works very well.inside of 2 chords the first day i had it very one in my band(including the drummer who could care less ) said "thats the best one you've had yet"& they were right.with their being only a blend & grit knob i was worried about no vol. control.but i havn't found myself looking for it once.it sounds equaly as good w/ every guitar/amp/effect i tried.even if i have my fuzz on then turn on the PB.it doesn't change the tone of my fuzz.just adds.never had that before. after all the money i sent on drive pedals.i figuired @ 130 buck & 2 day to check it out,what do i got to loose.and i couldn't be happier.i sold all my other overdrivers.VERY COOL PEDAL.

no problems yet.
i don't go anywhere without a back up.that has nothing to do with the pedal though.

havn't had to use support yet.but jeff at tonefrenzy was very cool in the purchasing prosses & assured me if i had any problems or was unssatisfied in any way that he would refund my money in full.very fair,very nice guy.(cool web site too)

i play blues,rock,ect. in many different forms.i think this pedal would be liked buy even jazz guys looking for a little bit or a metal guy for a medeium tone.this will not do the sub zero metal thing.does GREAT sabbath though.been playing for 18 yrs.i would deffiently get another if it were lost/stolen.why not at$129.
GREAT PEDAL.

Very simple, two knobs and a footswitch. Even my grandmother could operate this. Comes with a very informative info sheet, explaining the background of the designer and why some things sound better than others.

I'm using a Gold Top Les Paul, with two Seymour Duncan vintage P90s into a Fender Vibro-King combo. Very quiet pedal. It always sounds great. It eats the pre-amp overdrive of the amp for breakfast. I've cranked the output a couple of times, but it's too loud for most of the clubs I play. This pedal duplicates that sound really well. The rest of my band now love me, as I'm now happy with my tone at (almost) any volume.

I haven't had it for that long, but I can't see why there would be any problems. It's very well made.

I play rock. This pedal is perfect. I've been playing for about 6 years. I'd definitely replace it if it was stolen or lost. I love everything about it. It has a particularly cool, green LED and is hand painted. No more of that mass produced crap for me. I've used heaps of overdrives over the years. Fulltone, Hotcake, Tubescreamers etc. This kills them all. I just wish I had this 5 years ago. I could have saved a lot of money. Then again, if I'd had this first, I might not have appreciated how good it really is.