Product: Hartman LM308N Turbo
Price Paid: UNKNOWN
Submitted
02/19/2008
at
11:52pm
by
Frank
Ease of Use
:
10
This an upgraded version of a ProCo Turbo Rat. Very easy to use and comes with a easy to follow pamphlet explanation of the pedal's controls and their functions. To put it simply,this is a true bypass version of a Turbo Rat with a LM308N op amp chip for extra high end.
Sound Quality
:
10
I'm going say something I say in every effects review and that's this.Start off with a great amp where it does not make a difference to you if you have a pedal or not. Then add a pedal because that pedal is a different color or texture.Well I make my own amps so that's what I use,But this would sound tits through any amp ecspecially something like an old Bassman Head. Jeff Beck is a tone freak and has for the past 20+ years has been using a Rat pedal.If Jeff himself stepped on this pedal,tone would take on a whole new meaning. Could you get a Jeff Beck sound out of this? Yes but I like most players am not Jeff Beck when we play so get your own great sound and yes this pedal will inspire you to do so. I'm big into Tommy Bolin which calls for more of a raw Fuzz Face sound but the Duane Allman sound which I love could be had here,Hendrix is more like the Bolin thing raw Fuzz. Warren Haynes is here in someway's which is nice but I do me and hate minics and clones. Too describe the differnce between this version and the standard LM308 is this. A Rat is tighter and has more fizz sizzle like a JMP 50 Marshall no a Rat is not a Marshall sound I'm giving you something to go by. The Turbo is more JTM 45 with the Rectifire tube thing that breaths. (Turbo )= Soft and (Rat)= Hard not that either is better just different.
Reliability
:
10
The layout is superb and the build quality is Capita Tu Tu capita or Head of Head so yes without a back up I would travel.
Customer Support
:
10
Call Theo and see he is the most "go out of your way kinda guy to please you person" Returns calls and emails.
Overall Rating
:
10
Big into Rock,Blues and Jazz and this has a place in them all for me. I've been playing on and off for longer then I care to mention. I have owned tons of gear and some gear that belonged to famous musicians who are no longer with us. I have some great pedals and I don't mean the Keeleys and Analog Dude stuff I mean Menatones,Nick Greer,Frantone and the Hartman stuff so I am well versed in gear. Theo gives you his take on what he tinks a Rat sould sound like with true transparent sound. It's late and I'm tired so any wrong spelling or type o's please forgive.
