Tokai TXC-1 Exciter

Not so easy to set up, three knobs with no directly recognizable effects. I just tinkered around and found out what they do that way. If you just pluck softly on a string and then turn a knobs on the TXC, it doesn't sound really different at all. But if you strum or pluck hard the sound difference is really big.

Admittedly I have no manual for the TXC-1, so I have to rely on try and error. I am working in the software industry, so I'm used to work that way ;-)

I'll give it a 9 nevertheless, since you can't go very wrong by turning the knobs. The effects are subtle so you tend to turn it "fully on".

I use it for my Strat-clone. I always wanted a device to make my Strat sound brighter and with more high pitch power. The Exciter does that nicely. It can add just slightly more highs or even make the Strat cut like a knife. It also adds some hiss, but thats not from the TXC, just the increase in treble makes the hiss more audible.

I can set all 3 controls to "full" and then use the tone pots of the Strat to dampen the treble. Without the TXC the tone pots are pretty much useless on my guitar, they muffle the already muffled sound
too much. With the TXC I can use the pots during play to modify the sound. The Exciter is more or less always "on" now.

Up to now this device works like a charm, even after disassembling and cleaning it thoroughly. Otherwise no problems with this device yet. It seems to be 20-some years old, so for that it works still fine.

No idea. Is there still support?

But I'd love to have a manual with it, just for completeness' sake.

I just have a Strat-alike and - as I said above - it always sounded too muffled to me. Since this is a Strat-clone this is probably not changeable within the guitar itself, seems to come from the pickups. For single coils I'd expect more of a bite.

I play through either a Marshall Shredmaster or a Danelectro Pastrami OD or through my newest device, an RP200 effects processor and then into a 30W Ibanez GX30 (ever heard of those I wonder?). The TXC helps me to "correct" a deficiency (or is it just my impression) of my Strat
and additionally it boosts the sound.

The TXC gives the guitar an adjustable loudness boost in a selectable frequency range without any overdrive or distortion. For my special case (not enough bite) the TXC is an ideal effect, which greatly enhances the sound spectrum of the guitar. It would also be a perfect stompbox for "one stomp" lead and solo sounds.

For that money I'd rebuy it anytime. It is some kind of a semiparametric one-frequency equalizer with the additional possibility to mix the dry-signal and the effect-signal. So it could be replaced by an EQ directly after the guitar, but this would cost much more and be not as easy to use.

Very easy to use, it sounds good always.

This is a great effects unit which can really add lot of clarity and punch to any setup. Put this after a distortion pedal and watch out! It will really blow you away.

you know it!

This thing just makes everything sound good, and it has that hidden brilliant feature of sounding amazing with a distortion pedal. Tried fuzz faces, tone benders, z vex, and it makes them all go crazy.

Three knobs, find a setting and stick with it.

Using a Warmoth chambered mahogany body VW with a carved maple top through a Peavey Ultra 112.
No noise to speak of, at least no noisier than any other pedal.

No problems with it so far. I've used it a couple times with no backup.

The pedal gives a good "live" sound to the signal no matter what style I'm playing at the time. I've never had to change my settings, even when I change tones at the amp.
A Japan-made pedal, it was NOS when I rcently bought it. If I could find it again for under $25, I'd definitely get another one if it was stolen or broken.

I am using the Tokai EXCITER pedal with electric bass and upright bass. The Exciter acts as a low-filter, so stomping it gives you a singing, clear solo voice that is great for melodies or riffs, because it can cut through better. It has three controls: a frequency control that determines what range of high-mid to high frequency is boosted, a bright control that allows you to control upper partials, and an excellent dry-exciter mix knob that allows you to choose any mix between the dry and effect sound.

It is this dry-exciter mix knob that gives this pedal a great value. You can add a subtle touch of highs by setting it at a low level, or turn it all the way to effect for a singing, clear lead sound.

I am using the Exciter with a BOSS bass equalizer and an Ibanez bass stack overdrive/preamp unit. The Exciter can be used after equalizers or overdrive units for an aggressive metal lead bass sound.

The Exciter is a reliable, solid unit, set in a die-cast metal case with a non-slip rubber bottom. Battery access is easy, and a large LED indicates when the effect is turned on. The footswitch is rubberized on the footplate so your foot won't slip.

I play jazz and alternative rock, so having instant access to a clear solo sound is important. My Peavey Dyna-Bass and handcarved Panormo upright both sound good with the Exciter for solos. However, the upright bass is harder to get a good sound with. Since transducers like the Fishman have a very high, nasal tone, you cannot use a high-enhancer pedal like the Exciter unless you first process out a lot of the highs and high-mids with an EQ pedal.
If the Exciter was stolen, I would try to find another "instant-solo sound" pedal, like an aural enhancer unit. The best feature about the Exciter is the mixer knob that allows you to determine how how much the effect will be applied. However, it is curious that there is not a level control knob. If it had a level knob, you could set it higher for solos, so you would get both increased volume and a clear, singing solo sound. The TXC-1 really helps you make music, though, because when its time for that melody line or that bass solo, just one footstomp turns your rumbling low bass sound into a high, very present solo tone that gives clear articulation of every little vibrato or bend.