Ladipo Pride and Joy

the usual fare of 3 knobs mounted on a case that is absolutely MASSIVE,it just about squeazes under the lid of my pedal board,the power socket surround on the back isnt cut very neat so ive had to trim it to smarten it up.

my current set is a 57 reissue strat through a pro reverb reissue.ive used this side by side with my fulltone od,the fulltone has a much sweeter drive,it gets me to buddy guy heaven,this p&j seems to fall short, it doesnt nail it for me,my mate has one of the new blackstar pedals which was 40 quid cheaper,i wish id got that instead as i think i believed too many of the earlier reveiws,the p and j isnt that perfect.

the knobs didnt feel that secure so i thought i would tighten them on,they are screwed onto splined shafts! the shafts should be a solid type to use screw knobs,splined shafts are for splined knobs,these are gonna keep coming loose.very poor design.

my experience was uncannily close to a review previous,i waited PATIENTLY for nearly 2 months then asked what was going on,the manufacturer got very moody about it,all this "what a helpfull guy" stuff is made up in my opinion.

for this price,159.99 + 9.99 postage,it should be in a better case with a proper paint job or even powder coated,theres a picture of a have half naked woman on top which is poorly produced and just looks tacky,i like the george and mildred joke,oh yes and by the way there is a wooden block inside,there was no packaging or garantee details,just a bit of paper with a dc plug diag,this isnt a boutique pedal,its an expensive poorly produced pedal.itll be on ebay soon..

Questo pedale lo trovo di facile utilizzo , coi potenziometri si riesce a trovare agevolmente un setup molto soddisfacente e con suoni oserei dire (oltre a SRV e Albert King) molto personali ma di una qualit?? rara per la maggior parte degli overdrive in commercio.
I 3 controlli sono come quelli di un Ibanez 808 (overdrive,tone,level) ed ?? completo di led on/off di colore rosso ben visibile al buio e bypass.

Il mio setup comprende Strato Eric Johnson,Fender hot rod Deluxe versione Texas red con cono Celestion Vintage 30,T-Fuzz,Sweetsound Ultravibe 2,Line 6 DL4,Vox Wha v847.
Per gli amanti di Stevie Ray e Albert King,anche Rory Gallegher volendo, questo pedale ?? (e spero per voi sar??..) una vera e propria delizia per le orecchie ..non oso immaginare se dovesse essere usato con un Fender Super Reverb degli anni 60!!!
La sua caratteristica che lo differenzia da un'altro bel pedale come il ts808 Keeley mod. ?? l'assoluta TRASPARENZA!
Ha un calore ,una pasta sonora fuori dal comune...Io riesco a trovare il tipico suono crunch alla Hendrix!Per intederci lavorando col potenziometro della chitarra si passa dalla ritmica all'assolo di Wind Cries Mary con una facilit?? ed un suono identico all'originale!!
Naturalmente questo pedale ?? silenzioso e non ho constatato problemi di nessun genere neppure ad alti volumi.
Ha molti bassi rimanendo sempre definito e dinamica da paura!!
Me ne accorsi subito ,e non avevo dubbi, che sotto i piedi avevo un oggetto che prendeva vita !!

Il pedale ha una struttura molto solida (dovrebbe essere di alluminio lavorato appositamente per lo scopo),i componenti sono di qualit??,?? pi?? grande e pesante di un 808 ed ha dei robusti piedini in gomma.
Funziona con un alimentatore da 9 volt.
Ha un anno di garanzia.

Che dire?Rhis Ladipo ?? veramente una persona molto cortese disponibilissimo .
Naturalmente si pu?? comprarlo direttamente dal suo sito prendendo contatti direttamente con lui via email.
Grazie Rhis!Mi teneva aggiornato, qualora lo chiedessi, sulla costruzione del pedale dandomi un termine sulla sua definitiva realizzazione.

Io suono rock,blues da pi?? di 10 anni e questo pedale anche se diventasse una rarit?? non lo venderei per nulla al mondo!
Io credo che questo ?? l'overdrive per eccellenza soprattutto per il blues ma ha anche il pregio di avere una riserva di volume notevole da spingersi tranquillamente nell'hard rock pi?? estremo.
Sono sicurissimo che nessuno ne rimarrebbe deluso tanto che pure i vicini saranno contenti di sentirvi suonare!!!

The pedal is simple to use and I enjoy the sound.The thing is useful on any setting.The ease of use was expected but the sounds were more than I bargained for.I have an Xotic RC, BB ,vintage TS808. TS9, Cesar Diaz SquareFace, Keeley compressor, Fulltone Octafuzz, and a few others. The point is the Pride and Joy does what all or least most of these fail at. Non-colored,transparent,subtle,responsive-control sensitive overdrive.

I have a 1960 Stratocaster and a 1966 Vibrolux Reverb and the pedal just makes it all sound awesome to me.I have about a dozen other pedals(some same in purpose/concept/design)but none as satisfying.

I do not believe there would be a dependability issue.I would use it without a backup.Rhys was so helpful and kept me informed constantly communicating with me.I cannot imagine the thing failing, it is built like a tank.I asked Rhys for to build a second one anyway,because I want to give it as a gift to my son who enjoys the same music I do.

Rhys was so helpful and kept me informed, constantly communicating with me.I do not believe there would be any issue that we could not resolve easily.I went to his website to begin with at SmoothDeltaJetBlues and I knew there would be a 2-3 week period for building. That was delayed two days for parts and Rhys kept me informed from the beginning. Handbuilt, halfway around the world,WORTH the price and the PATIENCE I invested without a doubt.

Blues music is all there is for me.I know that that sounds restrictive but when every genre,generation and reincarnation is considered,it is a massive-nearly boundless territory.The Pride and Joy is a perfect match.I have been playing since 1980s and this pedal has not turned me into anybody else.I did not expect a magical transformation of "me" into something more than I am but what I got was very nice indeed.I like the sensivity of the controls and all of the useful sounds.Too I do have a nice template to begin with-the Blackface Vibrolux Reverb is as everyone knows a clean amp with a wonderful sound anyway.That's if you like sparkly clean,note clarity and the breakup that many people appreciate.I would buy again if the need arose. The housing is a bit bulky but that is mentioned only because if someone was using a pedalboard it could be troublesome for the space required. It is the size of 2 Tubescreamers but twice as nice as 2 Tubescreamers also.However it is smooth and not as abrasive.

3 standard controls so no problems here, although it is housed in a massive unfinished box so if you are intending to fit it to a pedal board(as i have)beware as it sits above everything else making fast switching between pedals rather tricky.

there a lot of pedals that do what this is hyped to do and i have to say this is NOT the holy grail that previous reveiws imply it is,yes it does the ts8o8 thing(but so does a ts808 & more cheaply)this past week ive gigged twice with it and im tempted to go back to my Crowther Hotcake(again a cheaper option) as to my ears it just does not seem to have "it" like the Hotcake does or even my Trex Moller which has a further boost option. There is a lot of hype attached to this pedal, i was told by Rhys Ladipo himself that this unit will make you sound better because it has the best components available, well it doesent & im sorry Mr Ladipo but there are better units out there.

who knows, cant really say but im lucky to never have had a pedal pack up on me, but there isnt really much to go wrong its just some wires screwed onto a wooden block(yes a wooden block)im not kidding.

Well this is where it all fell on its arse.i ordered this unit on ebay from who appears to be Rhys Ladipo` partner for 145 pounds + 9.99 for next day signed for delivery,i had an email to say it would be 2-4 weeks, but they would keep me informed of its progress,so after 3 weeks of nothing i sent an email for progress,its nearly ready was the reply.a further week of nothing passed,so another email sent,it sounds great & will be sent in the next few days with tracking number was the reply,5 days passed so yet another email sent,im finishing the case today(friday) so will post on monday,a week later(pattern starting to build)nothing! email again,i will post it on good friday & you will get it tuesday.guess what? thats right nothing,so i opened a dispute on ebay,then the reply came,its been posted today(monday)it will be with you by the end of the week(although i paid next day delivery)and guess what? nothing,so friday night i got Mr Rhys Ladipo`s number & rang him,he said it had definately been posted & to wait till next wednesday just in case,he did say as ive waited so long he would but a voucher in the box for a discount(how? when its been posted,mmm something fishy)if it hadnt arrived ring back for a refund.so have a guess? so thursday i emailed for a refund,no reply,saturday morning a 2nd hand envelope arrived, it was the pedal, no box just a bit of bubble wrap, the pedal was covered in dust & did not look new at all, one knob was loose and fell off in my hand, i had look inside, the case has been signed to someone called Tom, i.e not me, i felt absolutely sick, ive waited all this time(nearly 3 months) for what appears to be a used pedal,i logged a complaint on ebay and have received a rather brutal response from Mr Ladipo,basically not the most honest person to deal with,it makes me wonder how many of the previous reveiws arent from the man himself.

i wanted this pedal to be the icing on the cake but after all i went through to get it, i feel sick everytime i look at it, considering how much it cost it is in no way worth 145 pounds,there are alot of better units on the market,im lucky that i can afford these things,ive been looking at getting one of these for a few years after watching the reviews build up,maybe ive turned off to it after poor service i received, the case is unfinished,the picture on top deserves to be on the wall in George & Mildred, its components are probably worth 30 pounds tops.consider one of these if you want but try over pedals first i own the crowther hotcake(superior to this)catalinbread scod, trex moller and others, if i knew what i know now the Ladipo Pride & Joy would not have been an option.we guitarists are a strange breed,a pedal not only has to translate what we hear in our heads but looks cool! the cool has been missed off the agenda with this one.

As it's basically a copy of a certain little green pedal it's easy to use, same controls as all the rest, no surprises.

On a 'tone' per pound/dollar basis I'd score this clone between 2 or 3.
There are so many hand made pedals using this circuit on the market today and the 'pride and joy' is a typical example, it's unrealistically priced @ ??140.00 + ??9.99 for second class postage. Even using the very best materials the component parts list would only top out @ around ??25.00 per pedal leaving the maker with a profit per unit of around ??115.00 and as far as I'm concerned that's just pure greed on the manufactures part, no excuses. I really don't see the logic, it's just a clone of a Ts9/808, the build quality is ok but the pedal looks 'cheap', the graphics are very poor quality and realistically the 'sound' is no better than something like the digitech 'bad monkey' and with the genuine Ibanez ts808 reissue currently being offered by some stores in the UK for only ??79.00 it's just doesn't cut it.

No better than any other stomp box BUT beware of loose jack sockets.

Try getting your money back ! you'll be lucky. Send it for repair ?
UK Postage to Lapido via first class = ??4.50 + the cost lapido charges for return of unit via second class postage = ??9.99....
If that sounds like a good deal to you then go for it.

If you're in the market for a real 'Stevie Ray' tone get a Ts808 reissue, shop around and you'll pick one up in the UK for under ??90.00 but if it must be a hand made/boutique pedal go for a USA built HBE Power Screamer @ ??125.00....that's ??125.00 for a hand built unit that has a few 'boutique' extras + a boost option, it's made in the USA, the graphics are top notch, the workmanship is top quality and considering the price you pay for a HBE pedal that's been shipped half way across the world from the USA and had import duty and vat added to the cost (unlike the Lapido) and still manages to provide it's makers with a decent profit, the 'pride and joy' just seems like a total a rip off.

The P&J is very easy to use, only 3 knobs: drive, level and tone just like the good ole' tube screamers. Rhys includes an A4 on which is all you need to know:
His contact details, What type of adapter you would need and basic settings suggestions.

I have the latest Midnight Lightning version

I am using a Fender Stratocaster with Texas Special pickups. I plug it into a Fender Super Reverb 65 reissue. I have no noise issues at any setting. The P&J sounds great at any setting. If you're into SRV/Albert King, put the level to 8 o' clock and drive to the max. Use the tone knob for sweetness. And..... Wham! it's there! Your fingers have to do the rest of course! The sound is much richer, brighter and more powerful than the TS808 reissue that I own as well.

Just had it for a couple of weeks, so I can't really tell just yet.
But it's built very sturdy. If I have to make any negative comment on the pedal it would be the casing. It's a bit big for what it does and could use a bit more finishing touch, it's a bit "industrial". On the other hand, this thing won't break either ;)

I would use it without a backup, hard to imagine that it would break down.

Rhys is a very cordial and patient guy. The build time of my P&J took quite a while. So I bugged Rhys quite frequently by mail, sorry Rhys;) He was always kind and explained what he was doing. He only lets the P&J leave his hands when he is absolutely convinced of the quality. Guys, it's worth the wait!

I had no trouble with it yet, I am absolutely positive that Rhys would do an excellent support. One sign of this is the "life long warranty"

I have been playing the Blues for 18 years now. Steve Ray Vaughan is my hero and I have been searching for a sound that has the power that Stevie had. Th eP&J is the pedal if you're playing blues and rock. If you want to go metal, this is not your pedal imho.
I also own a Gibson ES-335 dot reissue, did not try that one out yet...

If it were stolen I would definately buy it again.
I compared it to a TS9 and TS808 reissue because I own these products. They are now lying around my desk somewhere. The P&J is in my gig bag.

This is a Pride and Joy Gold Edition "Midnight Lightning".

Three dial controls; Overdrive, Tone and Level; Footswitch; 1/4" input and output jacks and 9v DC power and LED. 9v internal battery and 4 screws to access. Nothing to get confused with here!

American Deluxe Ash strat with rosewood fingerboard and noiseless pickups; American blonde ash maple neck telecaster. Fender Champ.
This pedal runs very quiet. You can get a wide variety of useable tones with just subtle changes. The overdrive is really nice as there's good sustain, plenty of separation with chord work and no mush. Plenty of level if your like to wind it up but that'd be missing the point. Interacts with your guitar's controls. Instant SRV or Hendrix!

It's a big pedal but thats not a bad thing. The controls are set away from the controls so you're least likely to accidentally knock it off a setting. The controls themseves are aluminium with a notch to give some indication of where they are set. Four glued on rubber feet. It's built like a tank so I can't imagine it failing.

These pedals are hand built so be prepared to wait but its worth it and in the meantime if you've any questions an e-mail to Rhys will get you a prompt reply :)

I've been playing guitar for nearly 30 years. I'm mostly into indie rock and rock / blues. Rhys Ladipo's Pride and Joy is one of those things I wish I'd had from the start. I'd have saved a mint! I'd certainly keep it in my effects chain. To be honest there's little else I'd use as it doesn't suck tone and is a wonderful smooth overdrive. The tone control is especially sweet. It's definately worth spending time testing how the controls interact.

On receiving the P & J in the post within minutes I'm hitting 'Wheels of Fire' tone with no effort (on an American series standard strat, too)...
Jimi, Stevie are all there too with a bit of judicious twiddling...
I tried out the P&J last w/end. It was a small pub gig and not one where we can crank it up but the pedal is a big big improvement over what I have been using to get a good sound at lower volumes - have both the standard TS9 re-issue and the Keeley modded TS808 with mixed results but the P & J blows them away...
I seem to think I have more 'freedom' in what I am able to do - whatever sound I am looking for is there as it seems to make everything 'more alive' and certainly more 'touch sensitive' eg it is touch sensitive without the annoying barks and clunks and whistles you always seem to get with touch sensitive amps. It is almost as if the P & J has a 'brain' of its own and is deciding what to sonically emphasise and what to discard.

The P & J is much smoother, creamier and more 'stable' sounding than the standard Tube Screamers which sound weak, nasal and harsh by comparison. The standard TS9 re-issue I have was seriously 'weak sounding' against the other two....the Pride and Joy matched my Keeley 808 modplus for gain but was infinitely sweeter and more musical-sounding with lots of juicy mids....which is my thang....

Very solid and well made. Box is on the large side for a Tube Screamer clone and consequently takes up more real estate on my pedal board than its predecessor but it has its own individual identity and looks good.
The components are all top grade and I don't think it would ever 'conk out' on me or need servicing. I'd love a spare but I don't think I'd ever need it....

Rhys Lapido is a rare find in these days of generally poor customer service from music stores and dealers.
He answers every query, no matter how trivial and is always polite and helpful and adds a personal touch.
The nature of his pedals means that they are hand-built, to exacting specifications and consequently there will be small delay occasionally. However, the wait is well worth it and Rhys won't ever send anything out that has not been finished and tested properly.
I am sure there would be no variation in standard in a series of these pedals due to his first-class care and attention whereas I have often found tremendous differences in the quality of mass-produced store-bought items.

The main thing for me (being a Santana man) is the 'softness' and 'velvetiness' of the distortion...all the tube screamer types I've tried (including much praised tru-bypass mod-plus versions.. da de da de da etc) would strip paint off the walls with their harshness and brittleness in the tone...but this is different. It is like comparing real dairy cream to semi-skimmed milk...
The P7J definitely has an extra dimension to the sound...it seems to work with me rather than cause me problems. The sound is clearer, yet more driven and, despite the better distortion, seems much more 'articulate'. I feel there is more of 'me' coming through.
Since getting the P & J I am discovering a confidence in my playing that I was beginning to doubt I had before. I would always be 'half-worrying' about my sound and what the next solo would sound like as I felt I was always having to wrestle with my gear to get a good tone. Now with the P & J - 'seriously good tone' is always there - on instant access, whenever I need it...indeed I am tempted to leave it on all the time as I think my Strats could do with a little something 'extra' in most situations (a bit like Clapton's strat's built-in 'mid-boost' )....
Unless you can afford a Dumble etc...the Pride and Joy will seriously sort out your tone for not much money...
It is a superb piece of work and I am very very happy with it.

This pedal is realy easy to use. only 3 knobs. you can put it in any
position and it still sounds great. You can turn the knobs with your
toes if you want to.

I can get the sound of Stevie ray vaughan with this pedal. No other
pedal can get this beautifull sound. don't look any further or any
longer for other blues overdrives cause this is the one. I use a
Stieve ray Vaughan Fender and it sounds great with the pride and joy.

The P&J isn't noisy at all on any setting. I like the fact that it
has true bypass. the pedal doesn't affect the sound of your
guitar/amplifier at all.

I use a Dynacord Eminent 1 Amp, wich sounds a little different than
a modern amps. It sounds like a Fender and Marshall in one Amp.

You can really depent on this pedal. Hit it whit a hammer a 1000 times and it still lives. you certainly not need a backup if you use
this pedal.

I never dealt with the builder of this pedal, and probably never have to. If it ever breaks......... than you used the pedal not for guitar playing i think.

I compared this pedal with the famous ts-808 and a ts-9, but the ts-808 is really empty. you don't get a real stevie sound from it. The ts-9 was even worse. I think that if stevie still lived, he would buy the P&J, no doubt about that.

I play al kinds of music but my heart belongs to Stevie ray vaughan and jimi hendrix. I think that Rhys Ladipo took a piece from stevie's soul and put it in this pedal. The Pride and joy gives me inspiration, it really improves my guitar playing.

But for now, i'm going to play guitar.

''she's my sweet little baby, she's my Pride and Joy''

Very easy to get a great sound. Simple design with very broad tone choices. Mine was made spring of 2006 right after he custom made one for Buddy Guy. He told me the changes he made in design for Buddy were the best ever so he stuck with them for all future models.

Classic Blues Rock sounds better than any pedal I have ever heard. Completely transparent. Using it with a Fender Rivera 1x12 Concert and it sings at any level

Built like a Tank, no issues. No Back up needed

Rhys Ladipo is a great and gracious guy. He really strives to get the best out of his custom designs. No upgrade needed.

For you guys who think modded TS-808's and TS-9's are tops, you have not heard what this pedal can do. Boutique pedals are common and several claim to give the SRV sound but none can do it like this pedal does. Next time your shopping for a Tube Screamer do yourself a favor and spend it on the Pride and Joy. You'll have no regrets and your freinds who own Tube Screamers will have to look up and just wish they could get that tone and clarity out of their pedal that you'll get with ease.