Danelectro Cool Cat CV-1 Vibe

The MIX knob results in confusing behaviour (to me..), cause it does not just mix but also changes the effect. Speed is speed and intensity is intensity.

At first: with the effect on the signal will get louder in a unacceptable way. I dislike the sound, to me it does not sound kind of organic, i start to feel uncomfortable kind of being out of balance.. not rotating at all but .. well, nope. with speed being adjusted lowest the effect is not really there.

It feels good. Metal case, heavy foot switch..

Never dealt with them.

Not really usable to me, cause the changing signal strenght with effect ON/OFF. Price is good, so what you pay you will get.

Very straightforward. The manual gives 3 sample settings that are decent starting places. I find it's best to keep the "Mix" in the middle, and then trim it back more toward the dry signal if you want it more subtle. It doesn't sound right when it's all, or mostly, wet. Which I think makes sense, since the effect gets it sound by the clash/variance in the dry and effected guitar sound.

The controls are smooth and have a great range of adjustment. I did open it up to change the trim pot for "Intensity" to give it more movement in the lighter range. I often have the Mix and Intensity in the 2 o clock range and rarely use the intensity maxed out, so i wanted more sweep in the lighter settings. It still allows for more intensity than I'd probably use when maxed out.

I give it a 10 for sound, because it lives up the company literature. "Organic, Swampy, Trippy". Exactly what I want in a Vibe. Also, I only use true bypass pedals because I use my straight tone so much. Too many times I've been recording and wondering why the guitar part sounds so muddy...only to realize..."oh I'm still plugged in through the Wah that I used on the last track". I hear it in my live rig too.

I like Vibe because it gives the aspects of modulation I've wanted from Chorus, Flange, and Phase pedals without all the cheese. It definitely colors the tone in a warm way, but it isn't muddy and still sounds like your guitar.

These are the Danelectro pedals I've ever considered buying, due to the metal casings and true bypass. (I also have the Tremolo). The controls are smooth and sturdy.

No rating for now, but I expect it to last as long as any high quality effect.

I like that Danelectro has sound samples on their website, but they aren't that good at showcasing the pedals range of sounds. I chose the CV-1 mostly due to the excellent video review by the guy at Dolphin Street.

Aside from overdrive and analog delay, tremolo is about the only effect I like a lot and use. Other modulations take too much from my sound. But the Cool Cat vibe fits in great with my sound by allowing me more extreme modulation, without overpowering my tone.

***I mostly wrote this review to address the two criticisms out there for this pedal: the volume boost, and the delay in the effect activating after hitting the switch. These are actually the same problem***

Like the Tremolo, there is a volume boost built into the effect to counteract the perceived volume loss due to the modulation. Since the effect starts a full two seconds after switching it on, initially all you hear is the volume boost. Here's how you can tell...play your guitar, with on the pedal. Note the volume boost. Once the effect starts, strum some chords then switch the pedal off while still strumming, you'll hear that your dry tone isn't any quieter than the effected volume.

So basically once the effect starts, there is no volume boost. I realized this while testing the sound when I was adjusting the trim pot.

I'd rather there was no delay, so I'm giving the pedal an 8. Basically because I would replace the pedal if someone came out with a pedal with the same sound and price that didn't have the delay. But I can work around it, and sometimes it's helpful (minus the boost) having the delay. Like if there's a part where I want to switch on the Trem and Vibe at the same time. It's always 2 seconds, I can hit the vibe early and only have the one pedal to hit at the actual song change.

But overall an amazing value and there's nothing about the sound itself that leaves me looking at other vibes. I got a great deal on a new one.

Very easy to be satisfied instantly. You can daydream or be dizzy in a heartbeat. Comes with basic manual and sample settings. Go wild and go crazy.

Using a few Tom Anderson guitars, along with PRS, Stratocaster,Les Paul, and Danelectro. Works well with all. Wide speed range, which gives variety of modulation. Old swamp chorus sounds give you that "feel good" thing. Hendrix and Trower are there at a turn. The is a small volume boost but is cool if you want this effect to be heard and not lost in the mix.

I have had a few of the smaller plastic Dano pedals on and of my pedalboard at various time, and have not had any problems. This medal bom shell is a great addition to exploring new and old sounds we grew up with. The true bypass works good and is strong for gigs. When needed, this sound is there. Thats a good pedal.

Have talked with the Dano people at the NAMM show. Very nice and professional. Great people with a great product!

I'm a worship leader at our church. Music can be from hymm to rock, to country (sometimes). We incorporate different sounds and effects when needed. I've been playing for 35 years. My amps are Dr.Z and Mesa Boogie. Guitars are Tom Anderson (2), PRS CE 24, Gibson Les Paul, Fender Strat, Danelectro U-2, and McPherson acoustic. Too many pedals and effects. They change alot. If lost/stolen, I'd get another Vibe. Wishes for this pedal would be a volume knob, but work around it.

Pretty easy to use. Three pots and an internal trim pot that they don't mention in the manual. (Dano is really bad about that). Not difficult to get a good sound. The internal trim pot controls the brightness of the lamp, the basis for the effect, and therefore the intensity of the effect. I wish there was a regular volume knob instead of, or in addition to the mix knob. Depending on where you put it in your chain there can be a volume boost, but only a slight one.

Tried it with my Epiphone LP through my Crate V Series 5112. The sound is very organic and vintage vibe. It's definitely an improvement over the Chicken Salad, which I also own. The speed range is greater, allowing for faster modulation, which is the main reason I started looking for another vibe over the CS. Between the mix, speed and intensity you can get most vibe sounds from it, even some primitive chorus sounds as well. Nice and smooth not harsh. Having said that it does add a bit of a sparkle to the top end.

Just bought it, but it seems better built than most other Dano effects. Finally a major manufacturer is starting to put 3PDT switches in their effects for True Bypass.

Never dealt with them.

I play a lot of classic rock influenced alt-rock. This pedal adds a new dimension to my playing. It's a great little pedal. I'd replace it as soon as possible if it was lost or stolen. This is probably the best vibe you'll find for under $60.

Easy - 3 knobs and 1 switch. The knobs are clearly labeled on the top of the pedal, but are located on the back. So you can't tweak them while playing (not a big deal to me).

There's a simple little manual included. It actually coveres all of the Cool Cat pedals. They all look pretty easy to use.

I'm using it with a Fender Strat or Epiphone SG through either a Fender Champ or Lab Series L5 amp. It sounds good with any combination of guitar and amp, but like most vibes, I think it likes single coil pickups better.

It does the typical Jimi Hendrix, Robin Trower and David Gilmour vibe sounds well. It works well before or after distortion. The speed goes from very slow to very fast.

My favorite vibe used to be the Dano Chicken Salad (an amazing little hunk of cheap plastic). But I did an A/B test, and this one sounds better. The Cool Cat's high-end sounds a little more detailed to me. I've also tried the Rocktron Vertigo Vibe, Dunlop Univibe reissue and Rotovibe. The Cool Cat sounds as good, if not better than all of them. I'm sure a Fulltone or other boutique vibe may sound better, but I'm not about to spend the $200 - $300 to find out.

Now for the nitpicking. . . First, there's a split-second pause from when you hit the switch to when the effect kicks in. Not long, but it's noticable. Second (and worse), it boosts the volume when it's on. This bugs me. I find myself unconsciously reaching for the guitar's volume knob when I turn it on. It's an effect that stands out. It doesn't NEED a volume boost. So I'm docking it 2 points for these quirks. But don't get me wrong, the vibe effect itself is great.

Well. My old plastic Dano vibe has held up for a few years now. The new one has a metal case, so I'm expecting it to last.

Dano has made a big deal about the true bypass switching on the Cool Cats. I'm not a fanatic about true bypass, BUT the switch feels very solid. It takes some pressure to push it (unlike the old Dano switches that felt limp). And it makes a very solid-sounding click (like an EH pedal).

I'm probably not going to gig with it. My gig setup is a Pod XT live through a tube power amp and 4x12 cab. I don't like to mess with individual pedals on stage. But I have a bunch of analog pedals at home that I record with. And this is going to have a place of honor in that setups.

NA

I've been playing for over 20 years, and have used everything from pro gear to the cheapest imaginable junk. (Kay pedals, anyone?)

This pedal sounds as good or better than any vibe I've tried, and looks like it will hold up. If it were lost or stolen, I could get by with my trusty old Chicken Salad vibe. But I'm thrilled Dano finally decided to upgrade their pedals with heavy-duty cases.

It loses points for the slight delay and volume boost, but for my purposes, they don't matter much.