IndyGuitarist Blender Custom

It's a Fuzz, so hard can it be right? Wrong. This effect has a lot of unique (some great) tones that will take a while for you to discover. But when you find those right ones make sure that you right them down on the back of the owner's manual so you won't forget them. The manual is pretty basic and gives you the usual settings but I would suggest making this pedal all your own and that means discovering all of it's ins and outs yourself.

Also, you have 4 knobs, 2 switches, true-bypass, 9V outlet. A little more gizmos then your average fuzz box but still the same.

I'm currently using the Blender with my '51 Fender P-Bass reissue and my current chain looks like this: ProCo Vintage Rat ---> Fender Blender --->MXR Phase 90 ---> Fender Bassman 100w. I'd say that the Fender Blender for all of the hype is incredibly quiet. No sound bleeds through and when you want it on it does it's thing. However, these reissues have a massive volume drop if you do not use the Tone Boost switch. This limits the pedal to only having the Octavia effect on whcih can hinder how you can use this pedal.

However, I think I found a solution to this problem which will now make the Fender Blender custom the effect it was meant to be. I've recently had my Blender Volume modded by indyguitarist and when I got it back...well, all I can say is how perfect the changes were. The standard volume is now WAY louder (but in a good way & just like I requested) then before and I still have the option of going higher if need be with the Tone Boost. I can also get a decent germanium fuzz tone without the octave being present or vice versa.

I got to admit that for a one-off mod Brian (owner of indyguitarist) was an excellent communicator, asked a fair price, and did exactly what I asked for. I know he also mentioned that he could switch the jacks to a more normal positioning and add a LED.

There may be a bigger market out there for thoise of you who bought a Fender Blender Custom and then realized the volume just wasn't there and they needed something more. You guys should definately contact indyguitarist for this issue and trust me you won't be disappointed. Without having this volume mod done, I would have given this pedal a 3, maybe.

This is a fairly large pedal that seems to be made of steel or something sturdy like that. The knobs are all recessed to prevent any unexpected tweaks, the switches seem to be very sturdy with no popping, etc.

Since this is a re-issue, yeah I would gig without a back up but if it was a $400. original I may have second thoughts. Also, if you're gigging with these remember to bring enough cable to compensate for the reversed jacks.

I've never had to deal with Fender but since they're a major corportation I'm sure one of their help desk people would be more then willing to assist me.

As for Brain at indyguitarist he is probably one of the best communicators I've come across when it comes to modding pedals. He will contact each step of the way to ensure that exactly what you want done is done and he will respond fairly quickly. Great guy and great modification.

Overall, I'd say that the Fender Blender Custom reissue is a decent effect with lots of potential. IF you can get that whole volume thing modded like I did it will make this effect a mainstay on your board. It will become a Germanium fuzz with the option of Octavia and not vice versa. This effect has become the true distortion voice I've been searching for all along. It sounds great with metal and alt-rock but can also hold it's own (with the proper settings) in some R&B and old-school rock & roll.

I've had a lot of dirt boxes over the years, including Big Muffs (too muddy with my bass), Creamy Dreamers(all gain with no definition), DS-1s(there's a reason there $30.), and Rats(hard to get a good fuzz out of it but wonderful for slight OD) and all I can say is that nothing can compare to a Germanium fuzz. That organic distortion is what I've always wanted and now with the Octavia feature, I have two great effects in one pedal...which frees up space on my board.

I would suggest to Fender that even though they want to hold true to the "vinatge vibe" they should seriously consider switching the jacks so that the pedal is more compatable with other effects, and adding a LED for On/Off and Tone Boost On/Off.

If it were lost or stolen, especially after having it custom modded, I would hunt the SOB, tear off their arm, and beat them to death with it. No seriously, I would buy another one and send it immediately to Brian at indyguitarist.