Dredge-Tone Angler

Three knob, smaller MXR-sized stompbox: Level, Tone and "Dredge," which is a relatively low gain boost control. The thing is, people buying these expecting a convetional overdrive aren't going to get full-bore clipping and harmonics from this circuit, so they may dime the Dredge and think something's amiss- this isn't a Tube Screamer.

Given that it's not a true-bypass pedal, the signal fidelity is actually very good. Dredge advertises that the circuit features a line-driver stage, I'm assuming that's why the bandwidth remains intact as the battery fades.

This box is really a very basic booster with treble handling reminiscent of Vox top boosting, albeit without bass attenuation or the full-bore Vox "sizzle." It can produce a very substantial volume boost, though the intrinsic signal distortion never passes a very basic "crunch." It's actually remarkable, how much this sounds like a low gain tube amp run at top volume when the gain is topped out. Perhaps the best way to think of it is as a high-fidelity treble booster, a fairhaired grandchild of the Dallas Rangemaster. It compares favorably to the Fulltone and Austone products I've tried.

The pots are typical of mass-produced pedals, and the circuit components aren't anything unique. The pcb is secured to the chassis, the switch is a Carling. I don't imagine this box is going to last the way the original script MXR product has, but I'm not expecting failure on stage anytime soon.

One substantial issue: the tone control is located close enough to the stomp switch that it's going to take some abuse on stage, and I suspect that pot will be the first thing to go.

Haven't dealt with Dredge.

I've used this box with a Telecaster and Les Paul Custom, it produces very clear signal boosting with a subtle range of compression artifacts and clipping as the gain is boosted. It works in front of pre-CBS Fender heads and a Vox AC/30TBX with excellent results for traditional rock, blues, country, etc. I enjoy using it, the signal handling is excellent, though with some reservations about build quality.

Three knobs - Duh?

My rig is this: 2000 Spector CRFM5 > DBX 160X > Boss TU2 > EBS Octabass > (early block logo) MXR Phase 90 > Dredge-Tone Angler > Ampeg SVT II Pro > Ampeg SVT 8x10. All I can say is KILLER! I had been searching for the sound that I get when I turn off the SVT II Pro and keep hitting strings as the tubes wind down - the Angler gives me this! I have tried most overdrives out there for bass and they all suck (haven't tried the new EBS Black Label Multidrive but will so I can compare). I definately recommend this pedal.

No problems - a workhorse.

A-1!!! Any time I had a problem I emailed John and he offered to take care of it no charge.

I have been playing for 25 years and this thing ROCKS! I play everything from AC/DC to ZZ Top. If it were "got quit" I would definately buy another one - it is my "secret weapon"

a well-behaved 3-knob twinkie-sized pedal capable of small seismic disturbances

sounds a bit like a cross between prescription depth-charge and matchless hotbox (no tube needed), but punchier and easier to control the transition from mild boost to earthquake. it does not have the (mostly unnoticable) octave-up effect of the depthcharge/brassmaster. the sound is warm, tight, consistently excellent.

seems more solidly constructed than my previous #1 pedal, the prescription depthcharge, but time will tell.

owner is a nice guy & is very responsive. 1-year warantee; i doubt they'd charge much for a repair after the warantee expires, though

I got this when my depth-charge temporarily went on the fritz. the depth-charge revived itself before the angler arrived, so i used it to record. the angler is at least as good a pedal as the depth-charge, & is housed in a nice, unassuming mxr-sized box with a quieter paint-job. like the fish, it's deep and autoluminescent (sonically speaking, pardon the synesthesia. I like it very, very much