Aphex 1403 Guitar Xciter

Pretty easy to use. Decide how much you want to shape your high or low end tone, and then blend it into the mix as desired.

It's basically a very easy to use EQ.

I like the way it sounds. Unlike other people in these posts, I found I had best results in front of the amp, not in the FX loop, so be sure to try both.

The most noticeable effect of this unit was to fill out my guitar's bottom end, giving it a fuller sound. Being the only guitarist in a band armed only with a single-coil strat, this was most welcome.

I'm also able to dial this in so that it "sweetens" my top end. However, this is a fine line, I found the threshold between "sweetening" and creating that ice pick to the ears sound was very thin.

What I appreciate most about this pedal, is that it IMPROVES your tone, without HIJACKING it. I've tried EQ pedals in the past, and aside from noise problems, alot of them can make your tone sound artificial and processed (Boss GE-7, I'm looking in your direction). That is not the case with this pedal, it keeps my tube tone sounding real natural, and it's virtually noiseless.

This is a set-it and forget-it pedal, so it should hold up, seeing as how you're not going to be stomping it on and off a bunch. I will mention though, that the input/output jacks don't seem all that sturdy. Overall though, there's no major design flaws or reason to believe it won't hold up.

Haven't had the pleasure.

Like I said, this is basically an idiot-proofed EQ pedal, so it doesn't have a drastic effect on your tone. Best case scenario: you can fill out your guitar's sound and add a little sparkle to it. But in my opinion, if you already have a great amp and guitar, then that's the best kind of pedal!

I use it in the middle of my signal chain after the distortion: Strat->Crybaby->Compressor->TS9->Aphex XCiter->Phaser->Clean boost->Delay->Fender Blues Deluxe

That way I have an EQ available at the BEGINNING (Guitar tone controls) MIDDLE (Aphex Guitar Xciter) and END (Amp Tonestack) of my signal chain.

It's the kind of pedal you don't appreciate until you turn it off. Set your Amp tone first, then your guitar, then your XCiter. Play for awhile, and then turn the XCiter off, it will sound like someone tossed a blanket over your amp.

That's the mark of some good EQ! Very transparent! Great job Aphex!

Play with the knobs to see how they effect the tone and then adjust for the sweet spot.

My favorite pedal for the EFX loop. Here is where I find it does the most for tone improvement. Seems to open up the sound field of my amps when used in the loop. My amps sound better with it on then without it period. Only in the loop though. Putting it in front of the amp does little if anything.

This is the second time mine has broken down. Its a shame the build quality is so bad. The only reason it lasted awhile the second time is cause I babied the crap out of it and powered it with an adapter. That way I didn't kill it sooner by plugging a cable in and out of the input jack running it on battery.

I emailed Aphex about getting the pedal repaired and got no response. Unacceptable customer service. I feel I am being ignored and being ignored is not going to get my pedal fixed. The first time they got back to me although it took a few days. They took care of it. This time nothing. Love the pedal but apparently it no longer has any backing by the company.

When the pedal works it gets a 9 from me. The positive effect it has on my amps make it hard to play without it. I've since replaced it with an M-108 Ten band EQ,a proven and durable pedal. I'm not buying a new xciter knowing the track record, I don't care how much I love the pedal. I wanted to get mine repaired and was willing to pay for that but I guess that is not possible due to the lack of response by Aphex. Product durability kills the overall score. Lack of customer service leaves me shaking my head in disgust.

I really like simple things. For example i have nothing else but a volume control on my instrument. On this little unit it is really easy to set the sound you want, takes about two seconds. The manual is also quite helpful.

Sounds really good for me. For this reason after buying this one we bought all three models for the band (the acoustic and the bass version also). It gives such a depth and openness to the sound that is not possible or very difficult to achieve with normal EQing. We use it on the bass in front of the input now just because the signal level of the effect loop was too high for it and if we switched on the input pad at the back the output level from the Aphex became too low for the SWR Mo's Bass head power amp input. In this way it helps to bring out the fine details in the sound of the instrument itself. With the guitar we tried it through the effect loop and also in front of the input of the amp. Both sounds good although in a different way. But the Bogner ??berschall with an Engl XXL cabinet seems to need very little help. For acoustic guitar this Xciter is a must have in my opinion. In extreme settings the noise level may become little high with all three but i didn't expect it to be exactly like a studio effect processor.

We just finished a three months tour after buying these pedals and we had no problem using them except one thing. None of them switches off when we disconnect the cable from the input. So the battery is finished in a few days time and it is quite annoying to replace the battery before every second concert or to run the thing on AC adaptor or from phantom power.

I tried to write an email to Aphex about my problem with this thing that it doesn't switch off. Not just once but several times to almost all of the email addresses they list on their website and i DID NOT EVEN GET AN ANSWER to them.

We play metal and it really helps to achieve that thick and agressive sound we want. I know others who use it for other styles and they seemed to be happy too and i play with an acoustic band also One interesting thing for me was when playing through it directly into the mixer with my four string baritone (tuned to G,C,F,Bflat) it sounded like playing through a tube amp with a little compression. Didn't sound like a dry DI guitar sound. It didn't need much EQing, practically nothing, and it still sounded warm, full with lots of clarity and detail. The only complaint is still this stupid thing that it DOES NOT SWITCH OFF. Otherwise i like it a lot.

Simple enough. It has four nobs. Two gain controls for the 'hi' and 'low' boost and two to zero in on the frequencies you want to effect.

This is purely subjective to the amp you're running.

If you are running a 50 watt or larger amp that already has a lot of bass and hi end, you probably won't find the 1403 necessary. I found this was the case when I ran it into my Fender Bassman.

However, running it into a small amp, like a Fender Blues Jr is wonderful. The 1403 can make a small amp sound much bigger and brighter. When I ran it into an old Tiesco Del Ray that has a lot of mid range, but not much else, it added clarity and bottom that just weren't there before.

I use it in line with my other effects and have tried it in several configurations. Where you place it in the chain will of course have a slightly different effect, but at the end of the chain is probably the most logical, especially if you want to use it as a DI.

It's quiet and a great recording tool.

Not built like a Fulltone!

The jacks are weak and the footswitch fails. Hardly a good follow-up for a box that sounds so good, but Amphex really must have cut some corners here.

Shortly after getting mine, I stepped on the switch and got nothing. I leave it on most of the time, but the idea of building these things with faulty switches is bizarre.

The jacks only slightly better. Best to use high quality patch cords with spring loaded grounds to avoid any problems.

Mine is an old unit that I got used, so hopefully Amphex has corrected these problems.

Fortunately, Amphex is great on the customer support level. I mailed mine in they're going to fix it, no charge. I even got to talk to a real human on the phone. Big thumbs up!

I'll give this unit a 6 because of the bad hardware, which is too bad, because it sounds like a 10, but you expect to get more reliability from something that retails just under $150.

On the other hand, this is a great sounding unit, especially with small amps and a must for recording purposes.

HEY GUYS...??AREN'T YOU OVER-RATING THIS LITTLE GUY? TO BEGIN WITH IT'S NOT THAT CHEAP (I PAID LIKE 150.00 USD) AND THE CONSTRUCTION (LEFT ASIDE THE HORRIBLE "DESIGN")SEEMS CHEESY... ALL PLASTIC AND A BADLY MADE PLATE-COVER YOU HAVE TO REMOVE WITH A SCREWDRIVER TO CHANGE BATTERIES... THEN YOU HAVE A COUPLE OF THINKS I REALLY DON'T THING ARE WORKING FINE IN MY UNIT: A HI / LOW GAIN SWITCH AND THE XRL OUTPUT (IT REALLY BRINGS DOWN YOUR SIGNAL AND IS NOT THAT CLEAN)...

THE VERY FIRTS DAY I TRIED IT, I INSERTED IT AT THE EFFECTS SEND & RETURN OF MY MIXER AND IT SOUNDED QUITE WELL (REALLY!), BUT I THINK USING IT "AS THE LAST PART OF THE CHAIN" (WHICH BY THE WAY IS PRETTY OBVIOUS AS A POSITION FOR AN EXCITER)DOES NOT SOUND THAT GOOD, IMHO... I'LL TRY IT IN THE LOOP AGAIN, AND TRY TO LEAVE IT RIGHT THERE IF IT WORKS COOL AGAIN (SEE, I DOUBT IT WITH NO REASON JUST BECAUSE IT FEEL SO CHEAP IN YOUR HANDS [SORRY APHEX])...

I'M AFRAID IT COULD BREAK AT ANY GIVEN DAY... SEEMS QUITE POORLY MADE COMPARING WITH BBE PORODUCTS (WHICH BY THE WAY ARE QUITE GOOD IMHO)... AND THE DESIGN WITH POTS HERE AND BACK THERE SEEMS WEAK TO ME...

WELL.... I HOPE THERE IS "SOME SUPPORT" FOR PEOPLE WHO, LIKE MYSELF, DON'T LIVE IN THE USA...

I USE THIS OR BBE WITH EVERY RECORDING SET UP... THIS GOES FOR NYLON TO ELECTROACOUSTIC AND ACOUSTIC GUITARS... ALL ACOUSTIC... HAVENT TRIED IT WITH A KEYBOARD AS THE MANUAL SUGGESTS... I WANT TO CLOSE THIS BY GIVING YOU GUYS THE ADVICE OF CHECKING THE NEW BBE ACOUSTICMAX UNIT (I THINK THAT'S THE NAME OF IT)... THE PRICE IS MORE OR LESS THE SAME BUT IT OFFERS THE BBE PROCESS "PLUS" MANY OTHER GOODIES... DONT WANNA SOUND AS A BBE GUY OR SOMETHING, BUT I JUST CAN'T HELP IT... JUST TAKE THE TIME TO CHECKUP THAT BEAUTY... IT EVEN "LOOKS" GREAT...

It has four knobs: Lo Tune, Lo Blend, Hi Tune, and Hi Blend. Couldn't be simpler.

This pedal is not for everyone. In my opinion, you're either going to love it, hate it, or not know what to make of it. Read the reviews listed below to get a better feel for what i'm trying to say. It can enhance or overwhelm or be neutral.

I have had the unit for three years and it ran great until recently it cut off all sound whenever the footswitch was engaged to turn the unit off. Here's where the customer service of Aphex kicked butt!

I shipped the unit to Aphex for repair. They replaced the footswitch for free and shipped the unit back to me within five days. They provided, at least to me, incredible customer service.

Like I said before, this unit is not for everyone. You need to read the many reviews included below to figure out, if this pedal is for you. What I do know for sure is that Aphex provides excellent customer service.

Low Tune, High Tune, Low Blend, and High Blend.
Very simple, as knobs should be.

I was using this pedal with a Peavey Classic 50 amp. I am now using a Crate V32 Palomino.

Depending on how good or bad your amp sounds will determine how much of an improvement you can get in your sound. I absolutely needed this pedal for my Peavey. With the pedal off, my Peavey sounded dull and lifeless. With the pedal on, my amp turned into a full spectrum raging beast with a really tightened bottom end and crisp highs.

By comparison, my Crate sounds a lot better than my old Peavey, so I don't feel much need to use the Aphex pedal anymore.

The pedal could get some hiss coming through to the amp if the high blend was set to a high level. But I never set the blend knob past 5, so the hiss wasn't an issue for me.

Seems o.k. on dependability. I have noticed that sometimes when using the switch, I get a bunch of static noise instead of clean sound. Cycling the switch again usually fixes the problem.

So it seems the switch is not holding up well.

Never used the support.

Rock and blues player of 15 years.

I don't really use the pedal much anymore. Don't know if I'd get another one if lost or stolen. I think between my Fender and Gibson guitars, along with my current amp, its not a huge necessity anymore.

Seems to do what a BBE pedal does. In fact, when I bought the Aphex, I was searching around for a BBE function in a pedal. BBE recently released their pedal based version of their 442 rack effect, but it wasn't out when I bought the Aphex a few years ago.

I would like the switching to be more silent. Its not a terribly loud pop, so its not that obtrusive. But I guess with a pedal like this, you would leave it on virtually all the time.

this is an update....
easy to use once you get used to it.

still love this peadel, has done wonders for my sound. use on tube amps, i wouldn't bother if you have a solid state, and must must use it in the effects loop.

be carefull not to go too overbord with the big bottom or you will start to drown out the bassist, (unless that is what you want to achieve).

It takes time before you realize just exactly what it is doing for your sound. this is not helped by the volume changes that i get when switching on and off (loud = sounds better)but listen to a recording and you get it. at the end of the day though it won't make a bad amp good so remember that

well this is the major dissapointment right here.
I, ve had it a year and it hasn't moved. I use a wall wart. it just concked out, dead, no nothing, don't know what happend, have to go get it fixed. Its the first time a peadel has broken on me, and even worst it is my favorate. if i can't get it fixed i, will definitly by another enhancer, but i might try a BBE, cos i am not loaded with cash.

I try to get it rapaired... we will see

don't want to play with out it, but wish it didn't break.

I read the last review, and felt the need to return back some for the rest of harmonycentral users.

I am a guitar player that have benefited from user-reviews that were true to the point and that were honest.

Pedals exist that work better for maybe one type of amp,guitar
pickups,music style.
However, there are pedals that seem to work with most rigs and pickup configurations. THis is one great pedal effect which can be use in most rigs. Specially with tube amps.

SOlid state amps owners: You will be taking a risk if you decide to buy this pedal. I personally did feel a small improvement was obtain when I tried it before a Solid State amp.. however the difference is much more noticeable with tube amps.

If you read the manual do keep in mind the important details,on how this pedal works best.
For example the manual advices to use this pedal in the loop section of your amp in order to really appreciate its overall effect.

I for one, use it several months at the end-of my-effects-chain, since it has a true-bypass switch.

BUt after re-reading the manual I tried it in the amp's loop. And it worked better for me this way. Way better!

ANother important factor to take into account is that if your sound is far from being good yet, then this pedal will not totally save you.

THe controls in this tone machine are: Lo-Tune(low tune), Lo-Blend (mixesthe direct sound and effect sound) THIS ARE USE FOR THE BIG BOTTOM EFFECT. Hi Tune, Hi Blend FOR THE AURAL-EXCITER EFFECT(mixes the direct sound and effect sound).

BE CAREFUL HOW YOU SET THE LO-TUNE AND HI-TUNE KNOBS SINCE THIS IS THE TRICKY PART.
THE MANUAL STATES THAT FOR THE LO-TUNE:"Sets the upper frequency limit for bass enhancement.Enhancement OCCURS for all frequencies BELOW THIS POINT."

SO IF YOU SET the LO-TUNE AT TWELVE O'CLOCK, YOU MIGHT THINK THAT YOU ARE COVERING ONLY THE MIDDLE FREQUENCY SPECTRUM OR YOU MIGHT THINK YOU ARE COVERING THE MIDDLE-TO-TOP FREQUENCIES, WHEN TRULY AND ACCORDING TO THE MANUAL, YOU ARE COVERING MIDDLE TO BOTTOM FREQUENCIES SPECTRUM. THAT MIGHT HELP EXPLAIN WHY SOME PLAYERS FIND IT TOO SUBTLE OR TOO EXTREME. YOU HAVE TO REALLY FINE TUNE IT TO WHATEVER FREQUENCIES YOUR ARE LACKING OR WANT TO ACCENTUATE.

We guitar players should take our precautions with ear fatigue,(take a few minutes to rest your ears, try sound checks at moderate volumes or if volume being use is set at high levels, then make short sound checks and do take long ear rests).

It is also important for real sound evaluations, where the height of your amp speakers ARE.
If your ears are above or on the side of your amp speakers, then you are hearing mostly the bass and mid frequencies. You should place yourself infront of your speakers and at same ears height.

THE HI-TUNE KNOB: WORKS IN THE OPPOSITE WAY AS THE LO-TUNE. FOR EXAMPLE: IF YOU SET IT AT MIDDLE POSITION.. YOU MIGHT BELIEVE THAT IT WILL ENHANCE FROM BOTTOM TO MIDDLE FREQUENCIES..WRONG AGAIN!

THE MANUAL STATES THE FOLLOWING: "HI-TUNE.. Enhancemet occurs for all frequencies ABOVE THIS POINT."

THIS PEDAL DYNAMICALLY ENHANCES YOUR SOUND. IT ALSO MAKES YOUR EFFECTS SOUND MORE CLEAR.IT ALSO GIVES YOU MORE SINGING SUSTAIN. AND NOTE SEPARATION ACCURACY.

I strongly advice ANY Guitar player should strive to obtain a great sound from your amp first,(IT WILL BE YOUR MAIN SOUND FROM THERE) then get the best sound from your guitar and amp only. THIS IS THE SECOND CORNER STONE OF TONE and then fie tune your pedal-effects(leaving both of your amp and guitar as they where,then you will be getting a great guitar-amp sound. If you keep changing you amp or guitar eq'then you are almost blinded for life. Take a stand and then move up.

This pedal is more like "the cherry on top of your sound" or the final tone tweaking that will take you from sounding good to sounding great.

If you place the lo-tune(low tune) or hi-tune into extreme settings, you will get too much high end or too much low end.
If you READ CAREFULLY THE MANUAL OR THIS SECTION OF MY REVIEW YOU SHOULD BE HOME FREE. IF EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS WITH ONLY READING THE MANUAL THEN I WOULD RATE IT WITH A 10. IN MY OPINION: THE MANUAL LACKS SOME EXAMPLES TO FULLY UNDERSTAND THE LOW AND HI-TUNE KNOBS.

Set up.
Gibson Les Paul Custom (original humbuckers), Marshall 100 watts Tsl 122(tube amp). Several boutique effects.

I dont find it noisy. Any noise is most likely produce by amps or distortion devices.

The effect is strong in the way it focuses your sound, making it sound clearer, MORE ALIVE(this are the enhance micro-harmonics that are around the notes you play,) the dynamics are also enhanced meaning you feel the improvement of the attack of your picking.

I believe in finding my unique sound, so this pedal has definetely help me in obtaining it(along with my other personal cable, guitarpicks, tubes, and effect choices).
My clean and distorted sounds are way better. You leave it set and don't need to change it for cleans or for distorted applications.

I highly recommend it along with a good compressor, then you will hear what fine tools these are for sound-shaping. Just like the guitar stars we all admire, they use this type of tools, they spend more money in expensive gear, but this is a pro-quality tool that we are lucky to find these days at a relatively good price.

Yes I can depend on it, but the input jacks should be pampered.
I am trying to decide if I should leave the cables connected all the time or not. However, if money is no problem everyone should carry a backup "just in case".
But I have mine for over three years and have no complaints, it works fine.

Never dealt with them, but I know APHEX is a respected company in studio processors. So if professional players and recording studios use their products.I dont see any troubble in getting their support. I also happen to own a Compressormade by aphex and it is an upgrade of the first one I bought from them.. so they seem to improve in time, that is a good sign of quality and sound vision.

I play rock, metal.(ABOUT 20 YEARS PLAYING). I see it as a good match if you are after clear, defined frequencies.

But if "all you want is noise" look somewhere else.THIS PEDAL DEAD SILENT. ANY NOISE YOU MIGHT EXPERIENCE IS MADE FROM YOUR AMP OR DISTOTION PEDALS. THis PEDAL is for "tone-seeking players" not for beginners, that cannot control there amps equalizations(and that sound like mosquitoes or deranged low-tune hippotamus or are constantly changing cheap gear and have no tone vision of what they really want.)

There are several factors to listen to in any guitar-sound. Any sound is good as long as it enhances your playing. But when most of the time people tell you that "your sound sucks", IT PROBALBLY DOES...

I love the harmonics it produces making your sound clearer...,"I am not saying high notes only as dive harmonics", this pedal blends with your sound, it becomes part of your sound,it makes your attack clearer, note sustain is ALSO ENHANCE.. I HAD FORGOTTEN TO MENTION THIS.. YOU GET BETTER SUSTAIN ALSO. THAT IS ANOTHER OF ITS STRONG QUALITIES.IT IS TRUE IT ADDS ABOUT 2 DECIBELS TO YOUR VOLUME, BUT THE SOUND IT PRODUCES IS NOT OBTAINABLE WITH EQUALIZERS.. THIS BEAUTY IS DYNAMIC AND IN MY EXPERIENCE EQUALIZERS ARE "FROZEN" "ANTI DYNAMIC" TOOLS.

IF I HAD THE MONEY, I WOULD KEEP THIS AT A SAFE IN THE BANK. WITH 24 HOUR SURVEILLANCE.AND RAMBO TO WATCH OVER IT.
BUT IF SOMEONE STOLE IT ("AND TAKE RAMBO OUT"), OF COURSE I WOULD BUY IT, NO HESITATION.. IT IS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF MY SOUND.

IN COMPARISON WITH OTHER PRODUCTS APHEX IS TH PIONEER IN AURAL EXCITER TECHONOLOGY AND the BIG BOTTOM FEATURE TO COMPLEMENTED IT.
I GOT THE OPINION OF SEVERAL STUDIO TECHNICIANS AND APHEX BECAME MY CLEAR OPTION.
IT HELPS ME MAKE MUSIC.
IT DOES NOT GET IN THE WAY.. QUITE CONTRARY IT CLEARS THE WAY INTO SOUNDING PRO-ALL THE TIME.
BEST OF LUCK IN YOUR TONE SEARCH. JUST WANTED TO GIVE BACK TO ALL OF YOU AT THIS SITE.
KEEP THE REVIEWS AS PRECISE AS POSSIBLE.

As easy as it gets. Put in a bit of audible effect, set the the frequency band desired, then adjust the level. But what happens then...

No use for this garbage, either live or at home. Turn up the treble knob on your amp and voila: about the same damn thing. All hype, you should know just from the stupid graphics on the unit that this is a Micky Mouse design. I use a GIbson SG Standard (stock) into a bunch of boss pedals (CS-2, GE-7, LS-2, PH-1, BF-2, PH-2) into Randall RG100ES (RIP Dimebag), then out of the loop th more Boss stuff (psm-5, CH-2, PQ-4, and now EH-2 instead of Aphex) Changes your sound; not tansparent at all. NOT SUBTLE, just ugly if you use lots of distortion and play moderately fast. May be OK for lead punch but a EQ or any other type of boost will do as well. Settings must be set so low it's useless. For $140 I got an old Boss Enhancer AND equaliser GE-7 on Ebay (with change and styling at that). This may be Ok to save a crappy recording (on a cassette 4-track recorder, for example): put this on the output of your guitar track for mixdown and extract some new harmonics from the unit to lively up the take. I give this category a 2 only because of this use.

Don't even think about it - EVEN WORSE THAN THE SOUND. Mine came with a faulty switch (would cut sound if I turn effect off; needed to kick it for the signal to noisily return. FOUR screws to change the battery (awful), jacks not bolted to the casing, but directly soldered to the PC board...WHAT?!

Screw 'em. For making such a shitty products I do not want to speak to such people.

The term "MADE IN AMERICA" means nothing if the work was performed by entry-level trainees at minimum wage and the designs drawn up by the building janitor. If I saw it for $40 at a garage sale I might deal them doen to $30 and use it as a gadget for recording.