FENDER’S NEW LINE of Hammertone effects pedals features nine models, all in the same grey-finished 4.375 x 2.375 x 1.375–inch aluminum enclosure, with differently colored “F” logo “witch-hat” knobs derived from Fender’s semi-hollow Starcaster guitar of the mid to late ’70s. Priced at what’s arguably the entry level for roadworthy pedals, the full range includes the utilitarian-monikered Overdrive, Distortion, Fuzz, Metal, Reverb, Delay, Space Delay, Flanger and Chorus. There are no compressor, phaser or tremolo models yet, although rumors of future additions abound. The drive-based pedals are fully analog, while the others use digital processing with analog dry-through.
Other commonalities of the range include true-bypass switching and top-mounted mono input and output jacks either side of the center-negative nine-volt jack (a nine-volt battery can also be used internally). All were tested using a Fender Telecaster with standard single-coil pickups and a Gibson Les Paul with full-size humbuckers into a Friedman Dirty Shirley Mini and 2x12 cab, and a Fender Princeton Reverb Reissue combo.
OVERDRIVE
The Overdrive has four red-capped knobs for gain, level, tone and pre-mid boost. The latter is more fully described
