Dunlop Uni-Vibe
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Product: Dunlop Uni-Vibe
Price Paid: US $225
Submitted 09/13/2002
at 12:30pm
by Pete Drawbridge
Email: peter at sonicimplants<dot>com
Ease of Use
:
10
Very simple. Choose a depth, speed and overall volume. Not much to it.
Sound Quality
:
7
Does what it's supposed to do, I can't argue with that. What you will not get (at least without judicious use of post-effect EQ)is the warm, swirling atmosphere that made this sound famous. As with all major effects manufacturers, you take your chances when you buy. While you always get (basically) what you're looking for, you will not get the attention to detail and individual components that you find with smaller, more dedicated and passionate companies. I've been using this pedal for about 4 years now and have always found it to be a bit too shrill for my liking. Will you have the same results? Hard to say. You'll have no problem getting the desired effect but overall I find that the sound isn't quite as pleasing as I feel it should be. I'm running a Strat to a Boogie with various (good quality) overdrives, compressors, and the like. My optimal tone is the classic 'overdriven tube amp'sound made famous by (insert name of 60's or 70's guitar hero here).
Reliability
:
10
Never had any problems. Solid enclosure with a tank-like build. Have gigged without a backup for a long time now.
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
Never contacted. Haven't had any need to.
Overall Rating
:
7
Want the Univibe sound? Pick this up. Want that classic Univibe sound with a little more attention to detail and better manufacturing? Drop a few more bucks and visit Fulltone or anyone else who builds a 'Vibe clone and puts a little more heart into it. Understand, my only regret in buying this pedal is that I didn't shell out a little more cake and get a better representation of the 'Univibe sound.'
Product: Dunlop Uni-Vibe
Price Paid: US $215.00
Submitted 07/20/2002
at 03:39pm
by Jimmy Jr.
Email: Jjunior<at>aol dot com
Ease of Use
:
10
If you can deal with a couple of knobs and a switch, you can handle this. Pretty good layout of controls except for the switch/modern-vintage.
Sound Quality
:
7
Not bad for that classic swirl. I put this up against the Fulltone version and the Fulltone sounded a bit richer and responded better to my other effects. I feel the effect should be slightly more prominent though. Using with a Victoria Bassman reissue and a Japanese strat.
Reliability
:
1
It's hard to slam a product especially when I think Dunlops stuff is good. BUT...I too experienced major failure with this unit TWICE. The recommended power supply was used both times and it blew twice. Customer service people informed me they knew of no problems with the Univibe. So to my surprise here on these pages is the documention of the problem! Dunlop must be in deep denial about this problem and the cust. service guy got a little hot when I asked him about these comments on HC. Bottom line: I got it fixed and unloaded it as soon as I could. Don't need the headache. Quality first! profit later! Pay attention! The Japanese do it!
Customer Support
:
1
TERRIBLE and self serving. Avoid this pedal.
Overall Rating
:
1
Avoid this pedal if you are thinking of buying. Go with something else. Consider not buying it preventive maintenence.
Product: Dunlop Uni-Vibe
Price Paid: N/A
Submitted 06/18/2002
at 10:22am
by Andy
Ease of Use
:
9
Sound Quality
:
7
This pedal will get you into the Univibe ballpark, but understand this; It's a tone killer when in bypass. Sounds like an old Univibe for the most part, but somehow slightly off. It sounds a little fluffy and pretty close to the Dunlop Rotovibe. If you like Hendrix, you will smile when you kick this thing on for the first time. Overall, for a non-botique effect, fairly good.
Reliability
:
5
My first one died within 3 days. Got a new one though. My buddy had one that died quickly as well. I think the IC chips are pretty prone to blowing out. Otherwise, I have had few problems.
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
Overall Rating
:
5
Product: Dunlop Uni-Vibe
Price Paid: US $185
Submitted 05/30/2002
at 01:02am
by Sam Powell
Email: powells003<at>hawaii dot rr dot com
Ease of Use
:
9
This is an update to my earlier review, I still give it a 9, simply because I still haven't found a good tweak for the vibrato function. I'm sure someone has, but I sure as hell can't figure it out.
Sound Quality
:
10
Still makes even my cheap solid state gear sound a LOT warmer; almost adds a tube-like feel to solid state, and you can set it for chorus and leave the level and speed all the way down and still get the warmth of that luminescent lamp in this thing. Very nice.
Reliability
:
9
I gave it a 10 previously, but I'm knocking it down to a 9 for one reason. A while back it started cutting out on me when I bumped it (and who doesn't bump a foot pedal; they're made to be stepped on!). I was ready to give up, and was heartbroken because this thing has become the most heavily used tool in my arsenal. HOWEVER: sine I bought mine used at Dan;s guitars in Honolulu Hawaii, and I know that Dan is the coolest guy in the world who is never happier than when he sees a guitarist happy with his gear and tone, he looked at it. It was unbelievable. I don't know why I didn;t think of it myself. One good spritz of contact cleaner in the power supply input ans i's as good as new (I live in the rainforest part of hawaii and things get thick miost dust that you can't always see).
Anyway, for all those people who've had this thing quit on them, I recommend first trying a shot of contact cleaner on the power supply input. I'm once again able to drive the wife insane with my bad initation of Robin Trower, though she loves Trower, I just suck ;-). I must admit, she IS blown away by my beefed up high gain riff on Bridge of Sighs.
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
Never dealy with the company, don't have a clue
Overall Rating
:
No Opinion
This is da bomb. The Holy Grail of tone. Old businessmen at Chamber of Commerce breakfasts like that nice pretty swirly organ sound I get when I play my mellow background music for them. Blues jammin' buddies like the throbbing modulation. Metalhead buddies like the thick gobs of underwater tone it adds to high gain jams.
There is no style of music I cannot make sound better with this unit. Maybe another vibe might be a little better, or a little more reliable; I don't know. I just know that I love this unit more than any other guitar device I've ever owned.
Product: Dunlop Uni-Vibe
Price Paid: US around 200.00
Submitted 04/23/2002
at 02:48pm
by Michael(Spectre)
Email: mikenpartz at hotmail<dot>com
Ease of Use
:
10
The first sound I got out of it was cool-Then I adjusted it and it made the hair on the back of my neck stand up-It came with a manual and an option for a foot control-I didnt read the manual, I mean if I cant figure it out, I have no business with it-As far as the foot control goes, I dont need one because I find that I do most everything with one setting-Definitely a re issue-I love it-
Sound Quality
:
10
I use the regular mode, although the vintage mode sounds cool-Its not at all noisy-The effects signal is never weak-I am running the UniVibe through Marshall DSL 50's and 1960 cabinets-I can get all of the Trower/Hendrix/Gilmour sounds and tones that I want-I play Standard Strats only-This set up allows all of the Strat tones to punch through-Im in Heaven!!!
Reliability
:
9
Its well made, and dependable in that sense, but I'll never use it live without a backup-It has quit working a couple of times, for no apparent reason-Just turning it off and back on took care of that-This pedal is an absolute Monster-There is nothing better in my opinion for that balls to the wall Marshall/dreamy/spacey/floating/smooth/pure Trower punching power tone than the Mighty UniVibe-
Customer Support
:
10
I almost took it in to be repaired under warranty until I solved the problem myself-But they were friendly and eager to help me in getting the problem solved(Rockin Robin/Houston)
Overall Rating
:
10
Original blues/rock-I wouldnt do it without the UniVibe-Ive been playing since 1967-My gear consists of Marshall DSL 50 heads, 1960A & B cabinets,MXR Distortion+,MXR Dyna/Comp and the Univibe and Standard issue Strats-If my UniVibe's vanished, I would buy 2 more-I love everything about my UniVibe, all features being equal-I tried the DejaVibe and the Blue Voodoo, both cool in their own right, but a UniVibe theyre not-Just more Marshall's and more black Strats-The UniVibe is the ultimate inspirational tool-I find myself writing around the effect-Creating music that only the UniVibe could do justice-I used to admire the sound, now I live it-PLEASE never stop making them-When I can I'll buy 20 more for spares-
Product: Dunlop Uni-Vibe
Price Paid: US $200+
Submitted 04/22/2002
at 07:56pm
by PoorBob
Email: poorbob<at>bellatlantic dot net
Ease of Use
:
9
The vibrato is almost useless. You don't need the manual it's self explanatory.
Sound Quality
:
5
Strats thru HotRod Deville. It's not noisy but sucks tone big time. When it works it comes close to Jimi / Robin tones. It will ruin any tone you got going unless it's first in line which is rediculous.
Reliability
:
1
NO!! It blew out the first year I had it. Got it fixed then it blew out again.
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
No
Overall Rating
:
3
I bought for the Hendrix band I was in and like I said when it worked I got by on it.I've been playing 25 yrs. I would never but it again.It needs true bypass and a better ac adapter set up it's too flimsy
Product: Dunlop Uni-Vibe
Price Paid: US $225
Submitted 12/24/2001
at 11:39am
by GBlekas
Email: Gblekas at optonline<dot>net
Ease of Use
:
10
easy to use
Sound Quality
:
5
Good
Reliability
:
10
good
Customer Support
:
1
What a joke...When I questioned them on it not being true bypass the customer support gave me an atttitude...Great !!!!! I sold it and moved on to the Voodoo Lab Micro Vibe sold it and moved on up to the Sweet Sound UltraVibe.....So I guess the clown at customer support won the argument...What a moron...Never heard the customer is always right line I guess...
Overall Rating
:
1
DON'T BUY THIS UNIT !!!!!! If you are strapped for cash buy the Voodoo Lab Micro Vibe (which is good for the money or.......................The SWEETSOUND ULTRA VIBE which is the best of all vibes out there....Take my word on this.....
Product: Dunlop Uni-Vibe
Price Paid: US $199
Submitted 12/07/2001
at 12:08pm
by Steve
Email: stephen<dot>chamberlain<dot>b at bayer<dot>com
Ease of Use
:
9
Quite easy to get good sounds out of it. I likethe intentsity setting at about 9 oclock and the volume setting at about 4 (that way there is still some gain left.)
Sound Quality
:
9
I'm running it with gibson lp/fender american deluxe strat into a vox wah then the uni-vibe, then a tubeworks real tube driver into a Vox AC15TBX set on clean with a little reverb and no tremolo. Very expressive sounds come out. especially with the wah pedal in front of this device. I don't aim to replicate Hendrix to Trower though I do greatly appreciate their sound. However, I played the main riff to Bridge of Sighs when I first got this thing just to be sure and wow, the sound was THERE. Yikes, I can see why those guys were hooked on this sound (Trower still is, saw him recently in San Francisco). I am more into arrpegiation and chordal things as backdrops so this provides a nice solid dreamscape sound. More Floydish than anything else though are times when I palm mute to get the chunk going. Low noise from the unit and the overall frequency balance is good. the unit does cut the highs a bit but these can be compensated for on the amp.
Reliability
:
No Opinion
This is my first new purchase of Dunlop electronic products so I can't comment on this version (though I see others have complained about the reliability in the past) The photoelectrics are probably the most delicate part of the unit and I'll be traveling with this soon so I'll report if there any problems that arise while on the road. I tend to be careula bout my gear so hopefully it will stand up. The case is built well out of stamped stainless steel and is heavy.
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
Overall Rating
:
9
very cool and worth the money spent to obtain this sound, even though it's "retro" I am certain this sound will be one of the electric guitar sounds that will forever be cool. But nothings is perfect so I give it a 9.
Product: Dunlop Uni-Vibe
Price Paid: N/A
Submitted 10/26/2001
at 01:35am
by Anonymous
Ease of Use
:
10
When it worked it was very simple to operate.
Sound Quality
:
7
Sounded pretty good the few days I had it.
Reliability
:
1
Hunk of junk. Quit working just like everyone said. DON'T BUY THIS PEDAL! If you do you better have backup stuff. Sold it on Ebay after Dunlop fixed it. Worst value/quality I've seen. JUNK.
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
Very troublesome with warranty work
Overall Rating
:
No Opinion
Product: Dunlop Uni-Vibe
Price Paid: US $225
Submitted 10/03/2001
at 04:28pm
by guitargeorge1@prodigy.net
Email: GuitarGeorge1<at>Prodigy dot net
Ease of Use
:
10
Just push a button and it works. Tune in effect volume and speed and that's it.
Sound Quality
:
9
I have used this pedal with and without the foot controller and in either case there is a bit of effect even when the unit is off. There also is some tone lose as this unit is not true by pass. I wish this unit was true bypass and think that is the weakest part of this pedal. It sounds great and natural. I play a custom made strat type guitar, a 57' Strat. and a Gibson Sg through a Vox Wah, two modded TS-9's, a Tech 21 CompTortion pedal, an MXR EQ, a Univibe and an Analog delay. This all goes through a Fender The Twin amp. I play mostly Hendrix, Vaughan, Trower, Winter, Waters, J.Lang, Clapton and Kenny Wayne Shepherd. This set up I am on fire with but like I said i hear the Univibe all the time even when it is off....Why is that ?
Reliability
:
10
No problems here
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
Overall Rating
:
8
I'ld give it a 8 as the on/off problem bothers me
Product: Dunlop Uni-Vibe
Price Paid: US $185
Submitted 09/29/2001
at 01:14am
by Anonymous
Ease of Use
:
9
Not a 10 because I still haven't found a good tweak for the vibrato, and it may be difficult for some to find just that right spot. If you learn not to go too heavy on the level all the time this is one great unit.
Sound Quality
:
10
Playing an Ibanez RG-500 series (no marking on the axe - weird) or an ESP H-300 through a POD 2, or Digitech RP-100, or a Marshall MG 80 RCD. This thing even makes my weal MG sound great. This thing warms up a solid state sound and takes the harsh digital edge off of computer recordings. I don't like to exactly emulate my favorite artists, but prefer to cop bits and pieces of tone. This thing is clearly capable of nailing Hendrix or Trower, but the way I'm using it little bits of each creeps into my sound. I love the Uni-vibe, and am so satisfied with it I'm really not interested in trying other vibe units. I have my sound, why mess with it?
I've had no problem with excessive noise.
The effect is consistently the same at the same settings, and CAN be overwhelming if you crank the level, but that's not a bad thing in and of itself. Sometimes you WANT your tone to be taken over by an effect.
Reliability
:
10
So far so good. I haul it around in a bag with other units and there's no problem whatsoever.
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
Given the reliability of the unit, I doubt I'll ever be able to answer a question about customer support.
Overall Rating
:
No Opinion
I play very in-your-face psychedelic blues rock, metal, blues, and mellow stuff thyat's probably either folk or country with maybe a slight Hawaiian twist to it. This sucker makes the heavy stuff moan and throb with a gogeous liquid crystal watery tone, and makes clean stuff shimmer and swirl with thick, rich, gooey gobs of tone.
I played some recordings of myself using the Uni-Vibe thru my POD and Cakewalk Guitar Tracks for my sister's boyfriend, who is the most talented musician I've ever known. He plays the most smokin' blues rock with a spicy cajun feel you'll ever hear, as well as country swing and anything else you want (guitar, fiddle, flute, sax). I'm just a rank amateur. He heard the tone the Univibe gave me and was RAVING about my tone. The Uni-Vibe has made me feel validated as a musician!
Product: Dunlop Uni-Vibe
Price Paid: US $220.00
Submitted 09/29/2001
at 12:31am
by Steven F.
Email: Sfarrio<at>hotmail dot com
Ease of Use
:
10
Couldn't be simpler. The manual is very inadequate with not much info.Very easy to dial in upon firing it up.
Sound Quality
:
7
Pretty good classic sound. The chorus is warm and can thicken up your sound well. Using it with a Hot Rod deluxe. Gilmour is in here , so are a few others.
Reliability
:
2
Well , there seems to be some controversy about the quality of this Dunlop reissue. I have to say mine also quit working one night, luckily I have a backup. I sent it to Dunlop and it took a while but they got it back to me and no problems since. I would say for over 200.00 for this thing NOBODY should have a problem with it. I hope for the future of Dunlop they get the quality processes down. I also had one of the tangs that hold the univibe nameplate on the top of the effect come of and rattle around(which could cause problems internally!) Oh well, everyone will have to take the chance with this one.
Customer Support
:
1
Called them and talked to someone who had NO product knowledge but pretended to. Got a little frustrated with him on the phone so I had to let him think he was right. Not impressed with the customer service.
Overall Rating
:
1
I like the sound, but ultimately I need to depend on my equipment.Bottom line I sold it on Ebay for almost what I paid and bought a Voodoo Lab microvibe(great pedal!) I will leave this pedal for the diehard Dunlop fans.
Product: Dunlop Uni-Vibe
Price Paid: US $220
Submitted 09/27/2001
at 04:29pm
by JRL
Ease of Use
:
9
incredibly easy to use. I have the real thing, this gets the sound, and don't have to worry about replacing it. Three knobs. Very easy.
Sound Quality
:
10
I have had them all. Fulltone, voodoolab, sweetsound, real univox. This one is pound for pound the best (besides the real thing of course). Hendrix, Gilmour etc. Dripping tone. Just gorgeous. Doesn't kill your signal. I'm using a 66 strat, 58 Les Paul, into marshall plexi, hiwatt 100, and orange graphic 120. I realize some might not be able to afford this stuff. I assure you, even with the bare minimum gear, this pedal will sound good. Other pedals cut your signal, or boost unwanted frequencies. Not this one. Very even. Not too trebly, not too bassy. LUSH!
Reliability
:
No Opinion
I have only had this for a few months, but built like a brick sh-t house. Heavy as hell for a pedal. Should last forever. I've seen other reviews on this pedal. Don't let them fool you. This thing is killer.
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
Overall Rating
:
9
if lost I would get another. I've had them all. Not that expensive, but by no means cheap. It is simply inspiring. Not much else to say. Get one.
Product: Dunlop Uni-Vibe
Price Paid: N/A
Submitted 06/12/2001
at 09:08am
by Jeff
Email: jeff_do at hotmail<dot>com
Ease of Use
:
9
Pretty damn easy. 3 knobs (Speed, Volumne, Intensity), 1 switch for chorus/vibrato another for On/Off. I leave the Volume all the way up and only use it on Chorus mode. I adjust Speed and Intensity to my liking. There's an optional foot controller that controls Speed which I used to use but not anymore (it's ok).
Sound Quality
:
9
Awesome. My setup: Guitar -> Uni-vibe -> Memory Man -> Crybaby -> Amp. If you're into vintage, non-digital sound, this is the perfect effect. Think Hendrix' "Machine Gun" or Pink Floyd's "Have a Cigar". So much cooler that normal choruses b/c it's not just a cyclical. My only gripe is that I wish I could get the warble effect faster and more intense. Maybe I'll mod it later...
Reliability
:
6
Had problems with it, but called the repair desk and easily fixed it. Basically if you use the foot controller, the switching and speed knobs can get totally bypassed, but all you have to do to fix it is use a screwdriver and touch the insides of the foot controller jack. Pretty easy to fix (email if you need more help). It was frustrating but I'm glad it works!
Customer Support
:
7
Dunlop has a bad rep, but I called them and talked to repair guys that were helpful and without having to wait on hold. The only bad thing is a non-warrany repair is $50 (compared to Electro-Harmonix which is $15).
Overall Rating
:
9
Love it, exactly what I wanted. One CAVEAT: if you want the vintage sound of the Uni-vibe, get this one NOT THE STEREO CHORUS UV-1SC. The other one is not the real deal.
Product: Dunlop Uni-Vibe
Price Paid: N/A
Submitted 06/02/2001
at 12:04pm
by Anonymous
Ease of Use
:
10
First off the manual that I got is worthless, because it is for a crybaby. Besides that it is very easy to use. You can get some really cool sounds out of it without any problem. Everything is very basic. You have speed, volume, and intensity. How can you go wrong?
Sound Quality
:
9
I am running an old Ibanez Artist through a bunch of effects, then into a Marshall TSL 100, So it's pretty noisy, but that pedal alone is relatively quiet. It has a very unique sound. It doesn't have the same sound as a flanger, chorus, or phaser set really fast. It sounds like a true leslie cabinet, which if you don't know has a horn and driver spinning around separately. It is well known that Jimi Hendrix and Pink Floyd used this effect. Fuel used this pedal on the song sunburn.
Reliability
:
No Opinion
I haven't had my univibe very long, but I haven't had any problem with it yet.
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
Never dealt with them
Overall Rating
:
8
This pedal has a sound all its own. It sounds like a univibe, and nothing else. This is not a practical pedal for someone on a tight budget. But, if you are an fx junky it's definitely one worth having.
Product: Dunlop Uni-Vibe
Price Paid: US $150.00
Submitted 05/02/2001
at 11:36pm
by Anonymous
Ease of Use
:
9
I don't understand all the negativity towards this pedal. The uni-vibe to me should be a staple in every guitar players case. With easy to understand controls and a variety of sounds, it has taken my guitar playing o another level.
Sound Quality
:
8
I have an assortment of guitars but I normally play a fender strat with gold lace sensor pick ups, with a dunlop crybaby, danelectro daddy-o , and dunlop uni-vibe. I have only had one problem with the uni-vibe the entire time I have had it. I use all of these through a fender blues deville. I am a blues player. And the one thing that I have learned over the years is that you must first gain a knowledge of your abilities, the guitar's strenghts and weaknesses, and the effects that you are using and how they change all of that. I have heard alot of bad things about the univibe and the sound range and quality but for me it has met and exceeded all expectations. The range of the pedal is excellent. On the type of bands that I play with we play alot of muddy waters, howling wolf, hendrix, clapton, and etc. this has been able to give me the warmth for a clapton blues tune and two seconds later the ability to play something rocking like lenny kravitz. The comments that I've read about poor sound quality come from players who don't understand what a pedal is for or just don't know how to play. Period!
Reliability
:
10
I have been playing for 15 yrs. I have bought alot of pedals and this one has lasted 4 yrs without replacement and I use it on all my gigs. It has been serviced once in that time period and if it can hold up to the kind of abuse I give. It can hold up to anything. I have a terrible habit of jumping onto pedals during shows and it hasn't failed yet and I'm sure it probably won't.
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
I've never had to use customer support.
Overall Rating
:
10
I play the blues. I could not have dreamed of owning a pedal which allowed me to do so much. In the fifteen yrs, I now have 6 guitars (3 fenders, 3 washburns) and with all of these guitars I use the same three pedals; daddy-O, wah, and univibe. I have used an assortment of different pedals, and don't get me wrong there are some very good pedals out there but I always seem to come back to the same three. I have tried digitech and compared it to the sound of my setup and hated it. It sounds to artifical to me. I found something that works and I'm sticking with it. And in the words of a friend of mind (who by the way has played with B.B. King and George Benson), "if you've got all of those pedals on the floor, where are you gonna dance". I guess what I'm trying to say is for the money and ability of the univibe why do you need anything else. Oh and before I forget, I want everyone else out there who plays guitar to remember that you don't buy the pedal to make sounds or to make your guitar sound better, only you can don that. If you understand how pedals work and how they work together, you will find that the list of pedals that you buy will get smaller and smaller.
Product: Dunlop Uni-Vibe
Price Paid: $160 (Sing $)
Submitted 04/25/2001
at 11:54am
by Robert Bartholomew
Ease of Use
:
9
This pedal is very simple to use, no probs here but just how important is it to hear and feel that authentic 60's 'crunch' every time you step on the footswitch?
Sound Quality
:
8
I'm playing a Berketa 'Riff' strat (Aust. custom made guitar) through an assortment of effects pedals, into a Fender Hot Rod Delux 112. I brought Uni-vibe into the effects chain in anticipation of performing some Steve Lukather instruemental pieces and perhaps the odd Hendrix tune. Whilst our band never got around to this material I got to enjoy practising with this unit, exploring its warm thick chorus and rotary speaker effect. This unit definitely has its own strong character - the chorusing rotary speaker effect if used with subtlety is a fabulous way of embellishing a howling sustained guitar solo. But, like a lot of effects that fall into the category of being 'highly distinctive' in character, this is a pedal that just won't get used much in my musical repertoir. Even Lukather himself admits to only its occaisional use, and if anyone would know how to exploit it, it would have to be him - he's a full on effects freak
Reliability
:
2
Well, many of the reviews before me have covered what I am going to say...again. For all its great sound, historical hype, and robust construction, this is one lousy piece of hardware.
The first one I ever tried (in Australia) failed to work - brand new unit; in the shop we all had a shot at trying to get it going but with no success.
I purchased my unit in Singapore, while working in Asia. It worked fine for about 2 months, when the oscillator function died - well not exactly died; I was able to resuscitate it by shaking it around a bit, switching the power on and off a few times, then it would kick in again. This ritual continued for only couple of weeks until it worked no more. On a further trip to Singapore I returned it to the distributor. Surprisingly, they got it going again so I collected it the next day with an accompanying explanation that it was just a loose component that needed 'pushing in', and returned home with this 2kg worth of junk in my arms. Two weeks later it failed again however this time, not even an electric charge (with band members 'standing clear') could revive this dead beast. Again it accompanied me to Singapore where it was handed back to the distributor for repair. As there is no one in South-East Asia that can fix this pedal, and because of its weight, it was sent back to the USA by ship over 6 months ago where it remains, hopefully in the hands of its creator - to be resurected and returned to Singapore some time this century. Is that enough???
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
Can't say yet - however, any music equipment bought in Asia has got pathetic customer support; it's the nature of the place - it's about selling things, not fixing it - that's why we take the risk and buy gear when we're passing through there - almost no duty; instead of paying the outrageous prices we have to put up with in Australia for this kind of rubbish.
Overall Rating
:
3
Regrettably I can't give this pedal a good overall rating as reliability of equipment in this business is paramount. There must be a dozen better, more reliable units around than this. Furthermore, I find it hard to justify carrying around such a heavy, unnecessarily large and potentially expensive pedal which is likely to get only occaisional use.
My Uni-vibe purchased in 1999 was actually made ( as I recall) in 1984 according to the inspection stamp on the circuit board when I opened it up. If Jim Dunlop admit to having had recalls, then what help is this when there are possibly thousands of these defective units that have been exported from the US?? We, on the other side of the world, do not want your shitty hardware dumped into our music stores, thanks very much!
As for those people hell-bent on pursuing this unit for its sweet sound and effects, find out from Jim Dunlop what the period of manufacture is during which they identified these potentially faulty units and get the retailer to open up the pedal and check its inspection date. Secondly, make sure you get this pedal at a substantial discount cause I reckon it is more than likely going to end up being used as a door stop. Thirdly, confirm you access to technical support.
Finally, if the manufacturer ever does do something about improving the quality and reliability of the Uni-vibe, let's hope they make the output in stereo, speed up the vibrato, and reduce its size and outrageous weight - what pedal needs to be made of 1mm stainless steel plate? I mean, we're not all burning and smashing our guitars on stage are we??? Can't you hear Hendrix calling from the grave saying 'it was the only groovy pedal they had in the shop at the time man...I was just trying it out for fun...sorry to put you through all this...how was I to know that one day 'retro' was going to be cool'
If this pedal ever finds its way home, I'll cross my fingers and use it - but I have this horrible gut feeling this is one 'boomerang' that aint' never going to come back.
Product: Dunlop Uni-Vibe
Price Paid: US $250$ w/pedal
Submitted 12/07/2000
at 02:17pm
by Dan
Email: dansch19<at>netzero dot net
Ease of Use
:
9
Its pretty strait forward. Controls for Speed, Volume, and Intensity. It has an input, an out, a pedal out for real time pedal control, and a switch for vintage or modern sound. It is not battery powered. It requires its own power supply and use of any other will cause it to malfunction an need repair so be warned.
Sound Quality
:
9
I use Mesa amps Fender Gibson and PRS guitars with various effects.
As far as noise I dont find the unit particularly noisy. I guess its about average there.
You should know the drill. Jimi (machine Gun), Pink Floyd (Dark side of the moon) they live in this effect. I love this effect. I will say that it is one dimentional in the sense that the only use for it is the Univibe sound and if you dont like it theres nothing else you can do with it but I like it. It doesnt sound like a leslie in particular but has a very distinct and to me a great sound. The UV is defenitly alot more colorfull and thicker than the Rotovibe.
The best sound in my opinion is to set the depth all the way up and the speed all the way down. That gives you the settings for the guitar sound on Dark side of the Moon. If you want Jimi you need the foot controller. It also does a great job of fattening up your sound while being unnoticed. To achieve this set it so the intensity is ALL the way down. The speed wont make a difference becouse you cant here it really but switch the unit off and on and see what just having it on at 0 intesity does for your sound. I cant really call it a chorus sound but it does wonderes for a clean sound when its set like that.
the only difference I can see in the Vintage/Modern switch is the effect is a little deeper and fatter in modern. In vintage its a little more trebely. Vintage does a better job of nailing The Dark Side of the Moon sound. I use it mostly in modern.
The foot controller is cool but I wish the bypass switch was at the top like on the Wah pedals so you press the pedal down and switch it off. On the UV pedal the bypass switch kickes in automatically when you put all the way back. Its a little anoyiong when you wanna play around with slow speeds or set the speed as slow as possible with the pedal and you keep switching it on and off by accident because you leaned back too far.
It deffenitly goes in the Special effects pile and not in the main effects (unless you REALLY love this effect). I was turned on to it by machine Gun. When I had it and started using it it sounded real familiar and then I heard some Floyd and there it was. I was extra happy. I love that floyd DSOTM sound for rythm guitar.
All and all try one out before you buy it becouse like I said, it sounds like a Univibe only and that may not be for everybody. If you want a real feel for the sound in action Dunlop has sample sounds on there website or you can listen to Breath, Breath reprise, and Us And Them from Dark Side or Machine gun to hear the sounds that made it famous.
Reliability
:
5
Ive had a small problem so far. One day it stopped working on me. I talked to several techs I know then I talked to a tech at Dunlop and I think I may have used a power source other than the one provided by accident. This completely disables it from functioning and a repair is necessary to get it working again.
Alot of people talk about problems theyve had with it and its very possible a large percentage of them are caused by this. I think for the money i should get a pedal that isnt so testy but i will admit I didnt heed the manual and all in all it was my fault.
Im giving it a low rating becouse, although I agree it was my fault that this happened, for 300$ I shouldnt have to deal with this business. I also feel very shaky with it when gigging. I feel I have to be very carefull now.
Customer Support
:
9
Alot of people complain about the customer service at Dunlop but i have to say so far (Im not done dealing with them as I have just sent it to be repaired today) Im very pleased. I called and talked to a tech who explained what to do and told me he would repair it for free even though I was passed the warrenty by 6 months. He was good to talk to unlike the people some other reviewers got. I may have to post a retraction if the repair takes a LONG time (he told me 4 weeks)or if the job isnt done right but for now I have alot of faith and confidence in Dunlop.
Overall Rating
:
8
I play ALOT of different kinds of music. Ive been playin for maybe 10 years. If it was lost or stolen Id put off buying it for a while and maybe turn to eBay but I defenitly love this effect and will always use it. Ive been lusting after this sound for a long time but it is a little pricey for what it is. I have to say when all is said and done i probly only use it in 5% of my music but I love the sound of that 5%. Its very specialized so a part has to call for it to justify using it moreso than a Phase or Flanger.
Product: Dunlop Uni-Vibe
Price Paid: US $229
Submitted 08/11/2000
at 06:59am
by Dave
Email: Pjones<at>clemson dot edu
Ease of Use
:
7
Really easy to use 3 knobs. Manual was lacking. It can be a little hard to get a good sound if you don't have the guitar-amp-pedal knobs set right.
Sound Quality
:
8
I mainly play a Epiphone Sheraton II through a Fender Blues Deville & an Electar tube 30. I have a THD Hotplate on the Deville. The Chorus part of the pedal adds such a thick sound that is so good if you are into good tone of the past. The Vibrato part of the pedal is fair I am big into string bending and vibrato and string bending just don't go together in my opinion. Hendrix sounds are easy to get, but to get Gov't Mule or Allman brothers is a little harder.
Reliability
:
5
I feel like I could depend on it, but I would not put it in every song because you can't aford a back-up.
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
Overall Rating
:
10
I play a lot of blues and progressive blues (Warren Haynes, Gov't Mule,Etc..). I have been playing for 12 years. I would not buy another one if it got stoled. Thats a chunk of change. Tone wise I love it though. I checked out several others that all sounded wimpy. Man this thing is lush.
Product: Dunlop Uni-Vibe
Price Paid: US $195
Submitted 05/20/2000
at 06:32pm
by Anonymous
Ease of Use
:
10
It simple. three nobes.The manual dosnt say much but it dosnt have to .
Sound Quality
:
9
Ive got a fender strat and ronland amp. In just a few minetes i was able to get the hendrix sound.
Reliability
:
8
Ive only had it for a week. But it looks like a tank.
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
havent delt with them.
Overall Rating
:
10
I play alot of hendrix and it fits right in there. Its great. I love it. It meets my standerds.
Product: Dunlop Uni-Vibe
Price Paid: US $175.00
Submitted 05/16/2000
at 11:10pm
by Trey McCay
Email: tmccay<at>bellsouth dot net
Ease of Use
:
8
Easy to "use" but WAY TOO THICK. The "mix" control manages to always have too much of this great sound in your signal. If it were more subtle, I would use it quite alot. Now--and without the Rotovibe I prefer over this--it gets used maybe once in a set. Given that, it's a breeze to "work."
Sound Quality
:
7
This efect is beyond the sound of any amp--and I use too many to list, as with guitars. It is the "univibe" sound although mine has too much of it! But then again I'm getting older. The noise that is present is unique and desireable. The tone is great (especially with the "vintage" switch). I still prefer the RotoVibe's sound.
Reliability
:
8
See my review on the RotoVibe and the 48 hours I was able to enjoy it. This unit has been without failure for the three months I've had it and will hopefully hold up--as it will be used as a backup to the RV when I get it fixed. Outer box is a tank.
Customer Support
:
5
These guys aren't about chatting. Cut. Dry. Not bad, just down to biz.
Overall Rating
:
7
I play 70's influenced original modern rock. This effect has a definite place in my sound but needs to be more subtle for my tastes. For the "over the top" crowd, you can't beat it. For the "I just wanna play like Jimmy/Trower/SRV" crowd, well you just have to do it. Me, I want the thickness this pedal offers with the subtlety of a BOSS chorus on like 30% wet--mild, subtle, reinforcing.
Product: Dunlop Uni-Vibe
Price Paid: US $185 (included expression pedal&cord)
Submitted 10/24/1999
at 05:27pm
by Anonymous
Ease of Use
:
10
Very simple to use.
Sound Quality
:
No Opinion
I play a Heritage hollowbody thru a '65 Twin Reverb. I also use a Roland Space Echo. Sounds good but not functional for the music I play. Too thick for my taste. I think I would rather have a Leslie speaker. Expression pedal controls speed well
Reliability
:
10
This pedal withstood the heat of a fire(not direct flame.) Some of the screws on the bottom are rusted a bit from water being used to put out fire. This pedal is filthy from ashes and debris but it still works fine and so does the adaptor,even though the cord is a bit melted. The only problem is that I have to use the expression pedal to get chorus/tremelo sound. Not sure if it was this way before the fire or not because I have always used the expresson pedal. Good design to be able to withstand the heat that it did.
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
N/A
Overall Rating
:
No Opinion
I would not buy any Uni-Vibe because I haven't found a setting that fits my music.
Product: Dunlop Uni-Vibe
Price Paid: US $200 used
Submitted 06/25/1999
at 07:53pm
by Chris Ranck
Ease of Use
:
7
Pretty easy, 3 knobs and an expression pedal to slowly roll over until you find what you're looking for, which is a rotary speaker (Leslie) sound.
Sound Quality
:
8
With a U.S. strat and a Fender tube amp, I "nailed" (and I put that in quotes because I can't nail Hendrix/SRV tones seeing as I am neither SRV nor Hendrix) Little Wing and House Burning Down with the chorus and New Rising Sun with the vibrato. This pedal does a good job capturing some of Jimi's tones, but it can't teach you to play like he did.
The chorus isn't a conventional one at all, it phases even at the lowest speed settings. You get an amazing electric organ like sound, but you really can't be subtle with it. Vibrato is very nice, very subtle and it enhances your tone. Foot-variable speed really helps.
Due to its nature (rotary speaker), the chorus takes a bit of an edge off your hi's, which really affects leads for me.
I give it an 8 in this category because it's a darn cool sound, but not something I can use 30-50% of the time I play.
Reliability
:
No Opinion
Read some of these reviews. I'm rather afraid.
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
Once again, read what other people have said.
Overall Rating
:
5
You have to ask yourself one question before buying this item: Do I really need a rotary speaker sound? Is that really an essential part of my playing? After owning this for 5 days, I'm returning it because the answer's no. If it were $70, then I can see keeping a pedal I can use on some songs, but for $200 I need something I can incorporate into the blues and funk I mostly play but tame enough I can play in Church without scaring everyone.
Don't get me wrong, this is a damn good pedal at what it does, but my musical needs involve a conventional chours (one that doesn't phase) and tremolo, not vibrato. I'm returning this unit and picking up two boss pedals to do likewise
Product: Dunlop Uni-Vibe
Price Paid: US $200
Submitted 04/26/1999
at 05:37pm
by Eric (The Master)
Ease of Use
:
10
Very simple to use. Just mess with it and you'll find what settings you like.
Sound Quality
:
9
Im using my Blue Voodoo Cab with an IbanezRG520 (Thats the metal axe) and yamaha pacifica(strat copy for the blues stuff though i would like a nice american strat balh blah blah. I also use boss phaser and distortion and a dunlop wah and digitech whammy/wah. I can get everything from SRV, Kenny Wayne Shepard, Hendrix and whatnot. Also some kind of korn sounds not that i like them a whole lot.
Reliability
:
10
Well it hasn't broken yet. Seems very reliable too me. A backup? Man the thing was 200 bucks a backup i think not.
Overall Rating
:
10
This pedal is great for when i start breaking out the hendrix riffs and just about any blues stuff. I love everything about this thing except the price. I haven't tried out any other related products cause i knew this one was great. Id like to hear the DEja Vibe but that costs too much. If you think Hendrix is God you'll buy it just like me.
Product: Dunlop Uni-Vibe
Price Paid: US $200
Submitted 03/11/1999
at 12:40pm
by blake sticker, 15
Ease of Use
:
8
i bought my first a couple of months ago. the only thing i don't like is the extra wires for the adapter and the control pedal.
Sound Quality
:
10
i have an old strat i usually play through a Fender deluxe 112. when i use an od pedal and set the intensity on about a third you get that cool rotational speaker effect like kenny wayne shepherd uses and when you turn it on vibrato with the control pedal all the way back you get the coolest sound. with an od edal it is like a bright but not to bright sound. Kenny Wayne i think uses this too. I wouldn't recomend playing lead on the chorus with control pedal of. When it oscilates it gets queit and loud as it does so. It kinda messes up your lead. Pop it back to the vibrato and you got a sweet sound. perfect for rithym and lets you pick out lead notes very cleanly.
Reliability
:
10
very sturdy. i would use the vibrato effect and turn up the pedal volume. Just turn the speed all the way back.
Overall Rating
:
No Opinion
i play blues generally. i kind of throw in a jazz and hendrix style twist. The uni-vibe with the rotational speaker effect is perfect. i would defenitely by it again. The pedal is my main sound. i do wish you could run a by pass with the control pedal plugged in. Pedal is very helpful. You can get more sounds than you think out of this pedal.
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