Sorry I don't actually update this every day, but I do get some awesome emails every day and will put them up whenever I have some time. I will remove the names and locations to protect the innocent :-)
I'm a player/tone freak - vintage Strat, Tele, '59 335, vintage amps set up with NOS tubes, speakers and some great pedals, including Analogman.
The KoT is serious, it's not a fashion pedal like the 99.99% that gets released every week but fundamental. It's part of the royal elite - Strat, Tele, Les Paul, Fender Tweed/BF, Vox AC30, Plexi, vintage tube screamer, original Klon etc. A total bargain in comparison to vintage pedals yet sounds like one and because you buy directly from the manufacturer there are no store margins, plus it's hand built from rare components and not 'Made in China'. You don't see it promoted because stores can't sell it, meaning magazines rarely mention it because of advertising revenues from pedal companies/stores. I kick myself I didn't get on the list years ago wasting time with pretenders. When you know better you do better.
Hello Mike,
I just wanted to shoot you a quick letter about an interesting "Mate" I encountered last night at Black Eyed Sally's Blues Jam. I was sitting in front with my wife waiting for the house band to start and in come these two guys. One looked just like Zakk Wylde! They sit at our table. They said that they were in town working as "Techs" for the Cirque du Soleil ! They have been with the Cirque for about 12 years and have been around the world numerous times!! They have been playing for a long time , don't get much opportunity to play.. (thats why they were there) and haven't been "home"..(New Zealand) in over 7 months!
After the house band plays, I went up and played a bit. I brought a SFVR and "my" pedal...AnalogMan Boss DS-1!
Next they called Andy.....(Zakk) up. He was fumbling around a bit , looking for a tuner and cable. I gave him my tuner and said "just go up and use my stuff" He had a Beautiful Les Paul that he said a Custom Guitar Maker named Gil something makes to Exact vintage specs. He was conservative at first, then just Killed a few blues numbers!! He gets back to the table thanking me profusely then goes....." I loved your AnalogMan pedal!!" He continued... "Oh yeah AnalogMan is well known in New Zealand and everywhere in the world I have been!! He was the first to do that kind of thing you know....starting in Japan......." On and On.......
Anyway.....there you go.......thanks.....Sean
Mark wrote:
Hi my name is Mark. I just received the Analog Man Sun Face BC 109. It is wonderful!
Normally there is the seemingly inevitable disappointment when the sound from from the ad
far surpasses the sound from my fingers.
This time that did not happen.
Whatever you are doing, keep it up. Thanks for a great product. Have a nice day.
Hi-
My name is Chris and I play quite a bit of guitar. I've been using one of your Comprossors for years. It's been on the road all over the country, in the studio, etc. You get the point.
So I was playing a hit on a sailboat called The Nauticat with one of my groups, Stolen Silver, in West Grand Traverse Bay, and as I was packing up my favorite little guy accidentally took the plunge about 25 feet down. (note: I couldn't bring even my mini pedal board because space was so limited, so I brought the comp and a drive in my Mono case compartment. the captain keeps a clean ship, and there was no stopping her once she fell out of my Mono case storage compartment when I opened it to put a cable in that was left out... so she slipped her way off in the great blue unknown).
But lucky for me, the water is quite clear here, and since we were docked at the time I was able to dive down with a mask and look for her on the next clear and calm day, which wasn't for a week or so.
So..... I found her exactly where I thought she was and now have her back on dry land, but there are some obvious problems going on inside. I took the battery out of it immediately after retrieving it and obviously let it dry for days before attempting to try it out, but she won't fire up unless I hold the 9V plug input steady. Then when it does fire up and it is switched "on" (the LED does work, btw) it doesn't make any noise, probably due to the fact that one of the transistors has a broken leg. Can I send it to you guys for repair? I'd like to keep the residue that built up under water on the outside for posterity, but maybe have you guys check out what going on inside and see if it can be fixed?
(we replaced a few broken parts on the board, and the pots, jacks, and switch, and it's running again!)
Hi, Mike:
What's better than finding a box of magic in your mailbox on a sunny Saturday afternoon? "Nuff said" just won't express the good feelings that followed that box into our home; there is something that comes to visit each time we do a call and response with Analogman. It is better to analyze other aspects of work and play; I will let these few words express my feelings of respect and gratitude for the many ways that you help to make our world such a richer and happier place to be.
Thank you for being such a fine man, and for sharing your gifts as an artist and craftsman with so many of us. So long for now,
John, GA
Hey Mike,
Just wanted to give you a shout out.
A thanks. For making such a great pedal.
I've had my KOT version 2 for almost five years now, and my version 4 for a couple.
I bought them when I was struggling to be a musician in NYC.
Right now, I'm on tour with Diana Krall
And I play regularly with Lou Reed as well. And John Zorn.
It' a real diverse range of music. But through it all is my KOT.
It's something I can depend on night after night.
There's no bells or whistles.
It's just a great great sound.
Thanks again, Mike!
Aram
Hi Mike,
I got my pedal (modded big muff) in the mail today. As soon as i got the package open, i ran to plug it in. What i heard was amazing! I could put the muff in the line without killing my tone and when i turned it on, it sounded better than ever. I love the pedal and it is much better than i imagined! I will definitely do more business with you in the future.
Thanks,
Jack
Ps- Yes i am 13 :)
Well I got my king of tone yesterday and was playing it through my amp while my kids were on the other
side of the basement playing. My oldest daughter comes over and said "wow dad you sound like a rock star."
I said thanks and that I was using my new pedal. She came over and took a look at it and being purple
she was instantly captivated by it. Now she has a little "toy" acoustic guitar. She said to me "daddy
now that I am five can you teach me to play guitar so I can sound like a rock star too."
I laughed a little gave her a hug and said "sure will see what we can do."
Thanks Mike for making me sound like a rock star to my kids.
Jake " a new loyal customer"
Here's a little story i hope you'll enjoy.
My son is six, and for most of his life he's been fascinated with guitar pedals. For a long time, my Fuzz Face was like a person to him.
Recently I bought a Voodoo Lab Sparkle Drive. My son saw my pedal board, with five AnalogMan pedals, four pedals modded by AnalogMan, and a couple other pedals bought through the AnalogMan site. His comment was,
So, Dad, you used to buy Analogman, and now you're into Voodoo Lab.
Then he walked away, letting me know that he was really disgusted by my lack of brand loyalty.
thanks again, karl
I just went to see Mike Gordon play in Madison a couple weeks ago and after the show he stopped in the bar we were at. Everyone seemed to be jocking him and I didn't want to be one of those people. I was wearing my red analogman Tshirt and from across the bar he noticed it, signaled to his shirt and gave me a thumbs up. It was almost more fun than actually meeting him.
Thanks,Hey Mike and crew,
I have a feeling that you've probably received quite a few emails like this, but here ya go anyway.
I recently purchased a KOT V.4 High Gain red side from you with every intention of selling it on ebay. I figured that it's gotta be good and I want to try it, but an easy $200 is an easy $200. So it shows up and I bring it upstairs to try out...that was a mistake, an awesome mistake. The thing sounds amazing. The more I play it, the more I like it. Really does make my Pro Reverb's power tubes sing. It most definitely will not be on ebay anytime soon.
You owe me $200. ;)
Thanks,
J
Hey Mike. I got a really strange offer on my KoT and I just had to share it :)
A few days ago I put up my KoT v4 for sale, I really liked it but I don't use overdrive/boost very often and I needed the money.
Anyhow - here's the really weird part. The person who responded had a familiar name, and after googling I found out that he was one of the representatives for "Sweden Democrats" a political party in Sweden, neonazis who wants to rid Sweden of immigrants because they feel that they cost Sweden money.
He asked if the pedal was still available, so I replied:
Yes the pedal is still available, however I feel that it would be unfair of me to economically burden you with the responsibility of taking care of a foreign guitarpedal.
Suffice it to say, he was very angry.
Best regards
Hope you are doing well.
You worked on a re-issue Ibanez TS9 for me 14 years ago. I am still playing and giging these days, and i still love the pedal and wouldn't use anything else. i play through well maintained vintage fender tube amps.
Inside, this is what i see: 4558D JRC 5205G chip and two resistors that are actual carbon, your sticker, and handwriting on the metal frame: AM 10/96 TS-9-808-B #106-B The serial number is 188499 and it is made in Japan.
Thanks for the many many years of sweet rippin' solo's and many more.
Larry
Thanks for the silver mod on my very old TS9. I finally have a TS9 I can use w/out thinking, sheesh!... this thing sounds like crap. I'm super fussy and don't like most pedals and so I don't use them much. I can actually use this pedal.
I bought it at a guitar center in 1982 and then let my buddys pass it around cuz I couldn't stand a pedal that shrinks your tone when engaged. I got it back last year and the switch was broken. I figured if you fixed it and I still didn't like it I could at least sell it for some cash as it is an old Maxon, one w/a proper chip and if you fix it, it's fixed!. Well......I'm keeping it. I kick it on for a little boost and my tone doesn't disappear. Makes me smile.
You Rock
and finally so does this old green pedal. I'm sending my old TR-2 to
you soon. You guys just know what your doing.
Thanks again
You know that feeling you get when you're coming down a big hill and there's no cars in front of you and the light just turned green and there's no police or cars or pedestrians and you can hit the bottom and you have really good suspension and you get that great roller-coaster rush as you fly through at about 45 MPH but you are still in control sort of and then you hit it and there's this great rush and you want to go back and do it again but you need to get somewhere? That, except that you CAN do it again, is how the KoT is to play - oh, and also I want it installed as an artificial heart. I want to be able run either true bypass or have little Darth Vader-like buttons and dials on my chest where I can make my voice have liquid sustain or over-the-top fuzz, or double-stomp-boost, or... okay, I'm dreaming again, but that's what KoT has done to me - I can't say enough about it, or the workmanship you all have poured into it. Job well done from a very satisfied customer!! It is now the heart of my board, even if it legally can't be my heart! AS
Hi Mike,
Hope you had a great weekend.
I was introduced to your mods a few years ago by a friend who purchased one of your TS9/808's. Honestly it didn't floor me at first like some of the other mods I've heard since but where others try to turn their pedals into something different and totally miss the mark, your mod grew on me more and more as I realized what I was hearing, while their's just left me cold. More this and more that and just way too much bass, but where's the tone? Yours is just much more rounded and warmer and stays truer to the original
Your pedal sucks! I can't sound ANYTHING like your soundsample with my Fender solid state chorus amp and Kramer striker..I hate you, and my daddy is going to letterbomb you soon!
I just build the cars son, it's up to you to drive them to Victory.
As always never a disappointment with your pedals. I went crazy trying to decide which Fuzz pedal to buy and listened to quite a few. In the end I went back to you after purchasing a Chorus pedal a couple of years ago. My search is ended and I am so happy I feel like snoopy jumping for joy over his doghouse. Words cannot describe having pedals that just do what they should do and don't sound like toys. Thank you, thank you, thank you. My friends compared their pedals to yours and I can see the envy in their faces at the pure tone. I spent a lot of money buying good equipment and frankly to not spend a few dollars more to get what you need is like slapping yourself in the face.
Thank you.
I've spent years trying to get the right sound out of guitars on the cheap, trying to duplicate that sound. I finally decided to spend $2k on a good tube rig and went shopping. Already had an Amer. Strat. Was ready to buy, but the salesperson pissed me off and I left. Went down the block to another big music store in Houston, and tried a truly amazing little amp. Peavey VK 112, all tube, 1 12" spkr. It was so cheap, $350 after Christmas sale, I could not believe it was worth a darn. Got happy and bought it.
Got on the net and discovered the tube screamer and went ooookay. Bought an OD 9 from you. Ordered Wed, You shipped Thurs. , Got it Mon, Excellent service.
They all came alive for me again. I can't thank you enough, All my favorite rock and rollers come to visit me in my guitar. Effortless, smooth, limitless power out of only 50 watts! Thank you for a good product at a good price with good customer service, will do bus. with you in the future,
Thanx,again, GC
A-B tests with other pedals prove that this just sounds better. ...and when someone with a less experienced ear asks me to tell them the difference, I have no idea what to say... Compressors are like that, I guess. I just like the way this sounds.
with all the technical talk, that's what counts! - mike
I guess I qualify as one of those people who just can't say no to a new pedal. I have never counted them but it's definitely well over a 100. (I have the entire line of zvex, lovetone, fulltone, Klon etc) It's a costly hobby but I consider it as one of my forte's, namely that I have a big palette of guitar sounds. I know that I'm not the new Jimi Hendrix but I have been able to make a good living for almost 15 years as a session guitar player here in Belgium.
I have never been quite able to get a decent fuzz sound. I heard some on records, but I never got THAT sound. I tried everything from cheap Ibanez pedals to the more expensive range like the Fulltones, etc. Some were ok (like the experience by prescription electronics) and some were something quite else (like the amazing fuzz factory) but must were crap and I never found that classic tone.
Up until I got a hold of your sunface this week. I really must congratulate you with this amazing pedal. How it sounds and more importantly, how it reacts to someone's playing. My quest is over; I'm really really happy with this pedal.
By coincidence someone (in Holland) sold me your bi-compressor last weekend second hand. (it looked new, no scratches, no Velcro.) I had the same problems with compression. I kind a like the T-rex because it's real subtle and I like the old BOSS one, kind of, but never found a compressor that I used more that occasionally. Until now. (and you're right, the orange squeezer is really nice!) Two problems solved in one week!
Off course this makes me real curious about your KoT. (pity about the long waiting list) Your book you sent me looks really nice as well. (I just got home from some concerts abroad so I haven't had time to read that much)
I guess I just wanted to tell you to keep doing the amazing work you do. You can be sure that I will tell people about your work. You've made somebody happy over here. :-)
Happy holidays and a great 2007!
Sincerely,
j
P.S This is true. My little dog, Baxter (He's a Llasa Ahspo--looks like an Ewok :) is a music critic. If I play something he DOESN'T like (certain fuzzes, etc), he will leave the room! If I play stuff he likes the sound of, he'll lick the amp, "talk", and roll on his back in front of the amp. He was literally doing the "DYING COCKROACH" while I was playing---so he gives the YJM 4 paws up too! :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)