Build Your Own Clone Lazy Sprocket

"Exact clone of the Boss SG-1 Slow Gear. It is an envelope volume swell effect that is great for pedal steel licks and violin-like tones."

The 1 to 10 rating system doesn't work for this one. It's a zero until you understand a couple things, then a 10 once you know. This pedal requires certain technique. I'm writing this review because I went from total dissapointment to pure delight within one hour of using this pedal. At first I thought it was defective and was going to return it. I emailed Scott from http://www.axeandyoushallreceive.com
His reply explained everything.
"Hi,
Virtually 90% of the people who order the pedal initially feel the same way. I can assure you that it is functioning correctly. If you have not owned an original slow gear pedal, you have nothing to compare to unfortunately. The slow gear is not a super long swell pedal. Most of the effect comes from developing the correct technique to control the gating effect. The 10% of people who dig it right away are generally those who have owned original slow gear pedals and understand how to harness it.

Brian sets the pedals up for optimal swell, but all guitars react slightly different. There is a trim pot that you can adjust to compensate. The knobs of the pedal will do very little except correct slightly for pickup level between guitars etc. There is a slim operating range. You set them where you get the most swell and leave them for the most part. You will never get big slow swells like a synth out of a slow gear pedal. To get those type of swells you need to move to glitchy cold sounding digital gear unfortunately. The slow gear is a simple analog envelope controlled gate that you can use to duck your attack. The key is that you need to mute the note before the gate starts to shut back off after initial attack is gated and swelled up to volume. Otherwise it will start to stutter slightly. Once you get the hang of it you can do some really neat stuff. It will help somewhat to run a compressor into the front end of the pedal esp. when you are learning to use it.

Take Care,
Scott

I didn't know about the trim pot. That was the whole problem. I opened the pedal, dimed the little trim screw, and got this great sound of notes without pick attack.

Once I found the sweetspot I got exactly what they promised- a no pick attack smooth violin-like sound. Then I added analogue delay, and was really 'cathedrally' It's very cool and inspiring, because you don't have to try hard like when you swell with your volume knob or pedal. The kind of pedal you leave on for a while and experiment. It changes the guitar into a slightly different instrument. The best way to describe it--this is an 'auto-volume' Like a volume knob or pedal going from off-to full-to back off again. It is to a volume pedal what an autowah is to a real wah-wah pedal, exept more worthy of a spot on your pedalboard.
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Full bypass. Meticulously hand wired. I was very impressed when I opened it up. Would you use it on a gig without a backup?
I don't need any pedal enough to warrant bringing a backup.

As you saw in the ease of use section. Fantastic.

I play just about everyting. Been playing almost 30 years. Owned just about everyting. My main rig is a Stratocaster into a Ginelle amp. This actually going to get a permanant spot on my pedalboard, unlike 90% of the pedals I own.