Guitarsystems TrebleTool

The Treble Tool is really easy to use since this treble booster has many advantages over others, including the BSM models. It has an impedance adaptor that enables to use it after an active or buffered signal. Other treble boosters hate a buffered signal, but I can feed it with a buffered compressor and a wah without loosing the character that is so special about these Germanium circuits. In my experience, Germanium hates a processed signal, but the manual states it is possible to use it even with wireless devices. Incredible. Besides, there is a on/off LED and a power adapter input with negative centre.The best part is that it has more controls than a standard treble booster, not only the gain, but a tone knob, and what I think it is their best feature, a knob labeled T.M.F. (treble mid full)which gives my strat-like pick-ups a ballsier sound; I thought a fenderish guitar would get too much treble, but this TMF control is a valuable addition, since it widens my range.This control adds more presence to the heavy gauge strings.

El Treble Tool es muy facil de usar ya que tiene ventajas indiscutibles sobre otros treble boosters, incluyendo los BSM. Tiene un adaptador de impedancia que le permite ser usado despu??s de una senal activa o con buffer.Los otros treble boosters odian una senal asi pero a este puedo alimentarlo con un compresor con buffer y wah sin perder el car??cter tan especial de estos circuitos de germanio. En mi experiencia, el germanio odia se??ales procesadas pero el manual indica que es posible incluso usarlo con equipos inal??mbricos. Yo no los uso pero me parece incre??ble! Ademas hay un indicador de LED y un adaptador para eliminador de bater??a con centro negativo. La mejor parte es que tiene mas controles utiles que un teeble booster normal, no solo la ganancia, sino un control de tono y uno llamado T.M.F. (agudo medios completo, o algo asi) que le da a mi guitarra tipo strat un sonido mas lleno. Creia que mi guitarra tipo strat se volveria muy aguda, pero este control es una adicion muy valiosa ya que amplia mi margen sonoro. Este control anade mas presencia a mis cuerdas graves.

The sound is beautiful, as God intended it to be, and in my opinion, the guys in the youtube videos do not make justice to it, It is not a pedal for shredders. You have to let breath the notes and let hang the multiple harmonics that this pedal brings out from the strings. BEAUTIFUL! This pedal really exceded my expectations and I am becoming very snobbish about my sound. My chain: modified Strat copy (believe me, unbelievable)-> Carl Martin Compressor /limiter->Gig FX MegaWah->TrebleTool->AnalogMan Peppermint Fuzz-> Matchless HotBox-> Foxrox Paradox=> Diamond Halo Chorus=>Dunlop M159 Stereo tremolo=> Boss DC-2(adapted for stereo inputs) =>BBE 482i. into a nice homemade tube amp. I haven???t found a nice tube stereo amplifier that sounds as in my head, so, I keep on searching!
The Treble Tool is the best treble booster anywhere! Even better that the BSMs. The Majestic turns out to be a little harsh when used to push up the clean sounds. In my opinion, the Treble tool is a hint better in doing this. It makes the guitar sing and moan all day with a luscious sustain. I already know why treble boosters have been so revered. They can be used to add some spice to distorted tones and to make the clean sounds glisten, all with a responsive touch. Ahh!, and this Treble Tool has a good noise to sound ratio; it is very silent when not playing. I tend to leave it on all the time, even in clean chorusing. It makes the strings go bright, yet never piercing.
I do not like overdrive pedals as they use op-amps, which when pushed produce weird odd harmonics. IMHO that is why Germanium circuits sound better to my ears. They can get a hot clipping feature without being weak or unpleasant.
Besides, this pedal mingles perfectly with my other effects. It is a forgiving lover. I am happy with it. It is one of the few effects which sounds as good as it claims.
El sonido es tan bello como dios manda, y en mi opinion, los tipos en youtube no le hacen justicia, no es un pedal para velocistas. Tienes que dejar repirar las notas y dejar resonar los armonicos que este pedal saca a las cuerdas. HERMOSO! Este pedal excedio todas mis expectativas. Y me estoy volviendo muy quisquilloso respecto a mi sonido. Mi equipo: Copia de strat modificada (creeme, incre??ble) -> Carl Martin Compressor /limiter->Gig FX MegaWah->TrebleTool->AnalogMan Peppermint Fuzz-> Matchless HotBox-> Foxrox Paradox=> Diamond Halo Chorus=>Dunlop M159 Stereo tremolo=> Boss DC-2(adaptado para entradas estereo) =>BBE 482i. a un ampli casero de bulbos. No he encontrado un buen ampli de bulbos stereo pero sigo buscando???

El Treble Tool es el mejor treble booster de todos, incluso mejor que los BSM. El majextic suena un poco aspero en los sonidos limpios. En mi opini??n, el Treble tool hace esta tarea un poco mejor. Hace que la guitarra cante y gima con un delicioso sustain. Ya se porque los treble boosters son tan reverenciados, pueden anadir algo de sabor a sonidos distorsionandos y son muy responsivos, ??ahh! y tiene una buena relaci??n ruido silencio: es muy silencioso cuando no se esta tocando. Suelo dejarlo activado siempre que toco aun con chorus limpio. Anade brillo a las cuerdas, agradablemente.
No me gustan los overdrives ya que cuando distorsionan sus op-amps producen armonicos nones., y creo que pro eso los circuitos de germanio son mejores. Distorsionan sabroso sin ser d??biles o desagradables. Ademas este pedal se mezcla con los demas perfectamente. Es una amante paciente.Estoy feliz con el. Es uno de los pocos efectos que suena tan bien como lo pregonan.

The manufacture of this pedal is perfect, flawless, just as you would expect from the price. Very reliable and with top, top, top-notch components. The only thing I did not like about the construction is that it has black knobs on a black case, which makes it a little hard to read in dark situations. But even the bright blue LED makes it easier to read. I think this pedal is highly dependable though. Up to now, this is the very first pedal that looks as in the pictures! This is a pedal thoroughly crafted by happy people in the Netherlands. Unblemished.

La manufactura de este pedal es perfecta, como lo esperar??as por el precio: muy confiable y con excelentes componentes. Lo ??nico que no me gusta de su contruccion es que tiene perillas negras sobre caja negra lo que lo hace dif??cil de leer en la obscuridad. Pero el LEd brillante salva la situaci??n. Pienso que este pedal es muy confinable. Es el primero que se ve como en las fotos. Es un pedal cuidadosamente elaborado en Holanda por gente feliz. Inmaculado.

The attentions I have had from Ad at Guitar-systems are the best; Ad has been truly patient and understanding. I am sure he and Paul deserve all kinds of recognition. They should be proud. This is the best customer service ever. I am sure that if ther should arise any problem I can count on them.
Las atenciones que me ha brindado Ad en Guitar-systems son las mejores;Ad ha sido realmente paciente y comprensivo. Seguro que Ad y Paul merecen mas reconocimiento por ello. Y deberian de estar orgullosos. La major atencion a clientes que he encontrado. Si hubiera algun problema se que podre contar con ellos.

I have realized that this is an expensive pedal, but I have figured out that, in this case, what you pay for is what you get. I do not regret its price because it is worth much more to me; the sounds you can coax from this pedal are peerless. And the versatility added form the interface is a plus. And the looks. And the uniqueness. This is what overdrives were supposed to do, but in my opinion there is only one way. I have stopped looking for gain pedals from now on. I do not need anything else. Besides, it comes with some kind of certificate in the manual, on the features on the germanium NOS transistor. I felt as I had adopted a kid. I know it it so good to be true, but this is a sincere and honest review.

Se que es un pedal muy caro, pero seguro que lo vale, ya que obtienes lo que pagasNo lamento su precio ya que vale mas para mi. y sus sonidos son incomparables.Y la versatilidad de sus cacateristicas son un bonus. Y su apariencia. Y es algo ??nico.Es lo que los OD se supone que hacen, pero no lo logran. Ya no busco pedales de ganancia nunca mas.Viene con un certificado de autenticidad del transistor New Old Stock de Ge. Como si adoptara a un ni??o. Se que suena demasiado bello para ser cierto, pero es una resena honesta y sincera.

The Trebletool is a treble-booster based on a germanium Transistor.Just plug in and play: wow! "Building" a sound is very easy with three control knobs: gain, tone and TFM (Treble, Mid, Full) control. You don't have to take a lokk at the manual, but if you do, it gives you some good advice.

I play different Les Pauls , Strats and PRS directly into the Trebletool and from there into my Koch Multitone I amp, which is connected to a clubcab, which I bought from Paul Lenders too. The effects are made by my tc electronic g-force. I switch it with my midiboard. Noise? Not loud enough to talk about. The Trebletool is always on. It gives your tone a punch, that it seems to explode a millisecond before you play. The guys in my band gave me confirmation about this. My sound is my own after 40 years of playing, with a constant relation of bass, middle and a little bit more of highs. I never had this excellent tone before. Great thing and thanks to Paul.

I have no doubt, that it will work for a long time, because it's really strong build.

Paul Lenders called me back from Netherlands to Germany. He was very experienced and patient. He simply is a nice guy.

I play music with a rock attitude with influences from blues. I love Steve Lukather (his playing, mostly not his sound). Don't dare to steel my Trebletool (haha)! If it were stolen, I would buy I knew one at once, no doubt. I love everything about my Trebletool. Comparing it to my custom made trebletool (build by one of Uli Kurtinat's former employees),it sounds much more transparent and the tone is much more faster.

The Trebletool is a modern take on the treble booster.

It sounds good at almost any setting providing cut and shimmer to your guitar tone but still retaining the original sonic characteristics of you tone.

My previous Treble booster (homemade) had one sound the Treble tool has at least two different tone I can get out of it so it is very flexible.

It can also be used after a buffer which I think is unique for a treble booster although I use mine unbuffered and connected directly to my guitar.

The manual is excellent.

My guitars are a G&L ASAT special and a Gibson Les Paul Standard with harmonic designs z90 pickups, the G&L is stock and is my favorite.

My chain is guitar ->trebletool->EHX micropog in TB loop->Blackstone appliances overdrive->eventide timefactor to amp. The amp is a Vox AC 15 Heritage and I use an Ultimate attenuator.

The Trebletool is extremely quiet for being a treble booster that uses a germanium transistor. It is also free of any interference - quite extraordinary.

I use the Treble tool in two setting one to give a bit of hair and shimmer to my cleanish sound (usually use this for riffs and choruses) and the second setting is too send the amp into overdrive. The overdrive has a transparency to the note that is wonderful.

I play original music - influences are 80??s and 90??s indie guitar rock bands.

Seems extremely well built with almost military robustness.
The stompswitch used is extremely rugged and not at all similar to most stompswtiches commonly used on effectspedals.

I do gig with it and without having a backup.

I have had several communications with both the owner of guitarsystems and the designer of the pedal and both have been curteous and quick to respond and well as being very friendlyand knowledgeable.

Paul Lender builds professional guitar effects control systems and definately know what he is talking about.

I have been playing for over 20 years. The treble tool is invaluble to me although if it were stolen or lost I would look into trying to get Paul to build me one so that I could get two different settings on it with two switches - I would not even contemplate using another manufacturers treble booster (with the possible exception of a cornish, but I'd never be able to afford one).

There is actually nothing with this pedal that I dislike or I think could be improved, it is amazing and it adds an invaluble boost and professional shimmer to my sound.

It's a modernised treble booster with extra control. Basically you can turn the gain, treble and tmf controls to wherever you want and it sounds good. The tmf rotary moves it from treble boost to mid boost to full range boost. The instructions sent with it were exemplary but are not really needed as it always sounds good in whatever setting you use it.

I use the trebletool with a G&L ASAT special ->treble tool-> blackstone appliances->eventide timefactor-> Vox AC15 heritage top and 1x12cab with an ultimate attenuator. The Vox is breaking up with my guitar volume on 9 and clean at 4.
I have built several germanium trebleboosters myself that sound great - the trebletool is light years better - more versatile and yet quieter. The trebletool can also be used with active pickups and after another pedal which is unique for the trebletool as traditional treble boosters react with the guitar pickups only.

The trebletool can anything a tradional TB can do but with all the variations - i use two (sometimes three) different settings in our band and it always gives me a clearer more powerfull cutting sound.

I must really stress how quiet the trebletool is plus that it can be used after other pedals if you want it too (switchable active/passive operation) there is NO other germanium treble booster on the market that can do this. It pushes a semi overdriven amplifier into raw meaty overdrive - with clarity.

You should see the on/off switch - its not the usual s3p2w switch one sees one effects pedal its like something something from a tank completely different and super robust but very smooth in operation.

The entire pedal just reeks of military style construction

Paul and Ad re very communicative and helpful - I took a chance on this pedal as it is not well known but I was impressed by their professionalism and willingness to help me find my sound.

This thing its like all the treble boosters in the world collected in one box. like I said earlier i build tb's myself but the treble tool can do it all and very quietly. I can get three different sounds out of this and its *just* a treble boooster.

It will emasculate your valve amplifier.

I play and write original songs sort of U2/Depeche/the church/the cult/sex pistols/the godfathers/the chameleons type of stuff and this pedal great but I believe that it would add power and clarity to any type of music.

I have been playing since John Peel did was a DJ on radio caroline.

I compared it to a BSM treble booster - more versatile and quieter.

The only thing it lacks is a talent button.

The TrebleTool is based on the Dallas Arbiter Rangemaster. It is extended with features to overcome the shortcomings of the original Rangemaster.
The TrebleTool is more flexible than a standard Treblebooster and can be used with any guitar/amp combination, even with active elements (EMG, Wireless & loop systems) up front without getting thin and shrill. With the T.M.F. adjustement you can go from treble up to full range boost.

The good thing about the TrebleTool is that it articulates and enhances your amp /guitar combination, it does not alter the character. It makes your tubeamp sound as if it was just "re-tubed". The best setup is a clean or crunch setting of your amp, letting the TrebleTool saturate the amp. In this way you will get a lot of control on the dynamics of your setup. Turning back you guitar volume knob will clean up your sound without loosing treble and dynamics.
The use of a power adapter does not change the sound and does not induce any noise.

The Tool is build to last, no fragile components used. The PL true bypass switch is very robust and will last more than a lifetime. The pots feel very solid.

Not needed

I play blues and rock. It fits both styles and really enhances my playing. I would definite buy another if it were stolen.
The price is not low but when you look at the features and the sound quality it's really worth it.

Very easy to handle; a great sound within a few seconds

Since many years I've been looking for the ultimate sound, using all kind of distortions and overdrives butt, untill now, I never was satisfied; I want my lead sound to be just like my rythmsound, more balls butt no ****** up my basic sound and that is exactly what this treble tool does for me. I used with a JCM 800 + 900 for a nice big balls vintage sound.

No troubles at all

Ask the man anything: he can do it, build it, program it.

Try before you die!

The PL Guitarsystems Treble Tool is honestly the most amazing pedal I've come across in the past ten years. It's tone is huge and it works more than fine with the volume on your guitar, going from clean to overdriven at the same volume. It effects every amplifier in a different but very positive way and gives lots of bottom as well. The tone knob (TMF?) is a great feature to adjust the body of the boost. Once I turn on this pedal I find it quite hard to go back to others, cause they all seem to be lousy. No matter wether you boost a clean amp or a crunchy one, the TT is always adding a lot of sound, crunch, dirt, dynamics, power what ever you want to call it.
The Treble Tool is a monster and a must have! Worth every cent, just like all the stuff from PL!

This pedal is very easy to use: 3 knobs (Gain, Tone and a range knob, indicaded as T.M.F. - Treble, Midboost and Fullboost), a hell of an on/off switch (The PaulSwitch - not even an elephant can break this one) and a smaller switch on the right side of the pedal. This last one is for players who use active pickups. Since I am a "passive" player, I do not need this switch. Put the pedal between your favorite axe and (tube)amp and turn the knobs. Very hard to not get a good sound of this pedal. And of course: it's true bypass.
The pedal comes with a manual, but when a got mine the manual was still in print. I saw the pre-print and can only say it adds useful info.

This pedal is - like any other treble booster - based on the famous Dallas Arbiter Rangemaster and is build around a specialy selected Germanium transistor. I never had the chance to hear an original D.A.R. but I am sure the TrebleTool is good competition.
I used to use hightech gear but found out a couple of years ago that it is so much better for my sound to play as basic as possible. I mainly play rock (Thin Lizzy) and love the fact that I have to work on my guitar to get a good sound. My setups are very simple: for rock it's a Les Paul, the TrebleTool, a RMC3 wahpedal and then straight into where this all belongs: a 100 watt '79 JMP Marshall head. I use the TrebleTool for that little extra which you normally only get with the master volume after noon. Very useful lead tone here that cut's through without the knife! For more all around top 100 music it's a strat or telecaster with Suhr singlecoils, straight into the TrebleTool, a Keeley Fuzzhead, RMC3 wah, RetroSonic Phaser, Mojo Vibe, Keeley modded DD-3 into a 100 watt VHT Pittbull head.
My settings in both setups are: Gain 2, Tone 3, T.M.F.: 1.
I use it in a different way than most people: mine is allways on. I do the cleanup with the volume knob on my guitar - VERY nice cleanup here!!!
I also own a Keeley Java Boost, which also sounds great, but does sound just a little bit too nice to my taste. There is a very little dirty edge on the TrebleTool which makes it sound very musical to my ears (and to the ears of many people who allready tried this pedal!). I did also compare this pedal to several BSM trebleboosters (which also sound great but are very noisy) but everytime I got back to the TrebleTool. In higher gain positions there is only a little hiss when it's on, but it's less than the Keeley!
The TrebleTool interacts very good with other pedals. Since I have several different pedals (which I mostly only use in tha house) I had the chance to see how it interacts with other pedal-setups. Not a single problem here! Place this pedal before a Keeley Fuzzhead and get nothing but tone heaven!!!
Also a nice feature is the "RF input interference suppression." No radio stations over my amp anymore. same as the Battery low indication: the battery seems to last forever, but when the indicator starts flashing you can still use it without any loss of tone for the rest of your gig!

Is the Pope Catholic? Everyone who knows Paul Lenders' work knows it lasts forever (don't tell your wife after the purchase - only before it!) I own it since November 2007 and did several gigs and rehearsals with it - no problems here! A had the honor to use the prototype for this pedal several months before I got my final one.
It is the main key to my sound, so it's important to have it with me all the time. Since it's build by Paul Lenders and his mate Ad van Dongen it's military-proof! So yes: I use it without a backup.

Paul and Ad are very - very - nice people to work with. There is not a single problem (concerning musical ones) they don't have a working solution for. They always take the time to listen and because of their excellent expertise you always get useful information. Hint: for a nice coffee you go to Paul, for a nice pint of Guinness you go to Ad!

I've been playing for over 20 years now, mainly rock and top-100 style, and have allways been searching for the ultimate tone (don't we all). When it comes to tone I always have been jealous about those people who can say after one stroke on their strings that the piece of gear they are testing is good or bad. I belong to the population who need more time to really get into new equipment. I need at least a couple of gigs to tell you if I like or dislike a piece of new gear. I can tell you this one passed the extreme GeeJee-test!
I would not tell you this pedal it THE mojo regarding tone - there is still work for you to do (like beat the hell out of your guitar) but it surely can help you a lot to achieve your goal a lot easier! I am sure it helped me! This is a keeper for sure!
If this nice piece of gear would have been stolen or lost there is only one solution (after informing your Insurance compagny): give Paul a ring and get a new one asap!
Isn't there anything I dislike about this pedal? Yes there is - but it is not even worth to spoil words on it... well... ok then: the little knob on the right side of the pedal (for active/passive guitars) does get switched on very easily. Too easily to my taste. To solve this problem I am building a new pedalboard right now so there is not a chance I accidentely push it. But when you pick it up sometimes the switch is pushed, which you hear right away when playing (it looses treble when playing passive guitars).
A nice little detail: Ad's alias is printed between the Gain and Tone knob: N.E.R.D.. These initials stand for "Nerd Effect Research and Development". What's in a name... Ad did all the soldering inside the pedal and it looks very good!
The last thing I would like to share is that I know that Paul and Ad did put lots and lots of blood, sweat and tears into this pedal. Every part has been tested and tested again and every little aspect that is disliked about "the other" treble boosters are banned (as long as it is better for the pedal and the tone it's producing).

I am sure there are people out there who will say: "another treblebooster?" That's the World was waiting for - another treblebooster?). To those people I can only say one thing: do yourself a big favour and try it. After that we talk again!