Zvex Super Duper

- Two Crackle Okay knobs
- Master volume knob for one of the two channels
- LED
- 9 Volt adapter requires modification or replacement bottom plate.
- Hand painted enclosure
- True bypass

UTILIZATION

This is basically two Super Hard Ons stuck in the same enclosure, one with a Master Volume knob. The sound is similar to that of the normal Super Hard On. The only thing changing is you are getting just slightly more ability to change the sound. You can also cascade them both together to get higher gain sounds. Regardless of those few upgrades from the original Super Hard On, the Super Duper is still grossly lacking in terms of flexibility.

SOUND QUALITY

Like previously stated, it sounds like two Super Hard Ons in one box. This can either be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on how you like the sound of the Super Hard On. Personally, I find the SHO to be very bright and hi-fi sounding. It can be a bit overbearing and painful depending on the setup. For what it does, it can good. It could sound a lot better and be a lot more useful with a few more knobs. Maybe even just one knob.

OVERALL OPINION

I have a few problems with this pedal. First off, the price is extremely high. The features are very limited. The sound is decent, but I don't think that it justifies the high price. It is nice to be able to have a Master volume knob on one of the two "pedals". It's also fun to cascade them both together. That being said, at the risk of sounding like a broken record, the price is simply not justified. Even the lower priced version (Vexter series) is way too much money for both terms of functionality as well as sound quality. Many other higher end pedals offer a lot more (in terms of tone and features) for the same or less (sometimes a lot less) money.

The best of both worlds. This is basically two Super Hard On's in one easy box. If you like the features of the original Super Hard on and you think it might be too simple and need a little extra then this is your pedal. The cool thing about this pedal is that it does have two units inside but also a master volume control when you have activated both sides of the box.

* Hand-painted artwork unique to each pedal
* 2 Super Hard On circuits in one
* Channel 1 cascades into Channel 2 for incredibly dangerous amounts of gain
* Master Volume control lets you enjoy the madness at lower volumes



UTILIZATION

Channel 1

Channel 1 is a conventional Super Hard On, with a gain control on the far right and a yellow LED to let you know when it's engaged. If you're familiar with the SHO, you know that it's a very sparkly sounding, high input-impedance preamp with incredible headroom, wide-ranging gain (unity to 60X!), and a maximum volume that will knock out your fillings. Channel one has no Master Volume control, but it's cascaded into Channel 2, which does.

Channel 2 and Master Volume

This channel has the very same circuit as Channel 1, but the bleeder resistor on the output has been replaced with a Master Volume control, allowing you to turn down the output volume even if the gain is cranked. When Channel 2 or both channels are on, the Master Volume is active.

SOUND QUALITY

The sound is great if you need a little extra ummph to your tone or weak guitar pickups. That is what the Super Hard on is for. If you want that plus the option of taking it up another level click the left side and you get an extra cascading overdrive.

This pedal will work great on any guitar or any amp. It is very versatile in that way. I like pushing overdriven high gain amps with this pedal. Try is out with a Super Strat or a Les Paul into a Marshall JMP or JCM 800 and you will get some sweet natural overdriven tones. Try jumping a JMP with the jumper cable and pushing this thing with only one side of the boost and you will get a sweet classic rock tone.

OVERALL OPINION

This is one fantastic pedal, good for multiple purposes. I like clean boost pedals and giving the pedal a click to get some warm clarity is real nice in front of an overdriven amp. at new these units come in at around $320 a pop. That might be a little high some some people but the difference in this pedal when it is clicked on will have you wondering why you didn't do it a lot sooner.

I would recommend this pedal to anyone who needs a great two booster pedal. if this is a little too high in price another good pedal similar to this one is the Draconis Dual Boost from Lizard Leg Effects. That one is about $100 cheaper and is an awesome pedal as well.

The Zvex Super Duper is a two in one booster and overdrive pedal for electric guitar. It's an analog pedal that has the basic make up of 1/4" connections for input and output and requires nine volt power from a battery. It's not rackable as it's a stomp box to be engaged by your foot while you're playing.

UTILIZATION

The make up of the Zvex Super Duper makes it really easy to use. The first and second channels have almost the same circuitry, but the second channel has a master volume knob in addition that gives it all the more gain. Each just has a gain knob as well as the master volume knob that is present in the second channel. It's possible to have each one on or off independently as well as use the two of them together. Each has it's own foot switch. The pedal shouldn't require a manual for use as it's really simple to get the hang of it.

SOUND QUALITY

The sound of the Zvex Super Duper can vary quite a bit, from giving you a really subtle drive boost to full on mayhem. It's possible to get some wild drive sounds out of this, but I really like it for subtle boosting for leads and such. The best part about it has to be it's versatility, as you can do a lot of things in it since it's really got two drives in one. Each of the two channels are somewhat unique, as the master volume knob adds a lot to the second channel. It's when the two of them are engaged together where you really can make some noise...

OVERALL OPINION

The Zvex Super Duper pedal is a really cool one for those who like versatile booster/overdrive pedals. It's super easy to use and it's not at all hard to get a wide collection of different sounds between the two channels. It's also got true bypass so no worries when it's not engaged or at lower volumes. The price isn't cheap but it's about right for a two channel pedal for this type. Probably a bit out of the price range for amateurs, but semi-professionals and professionals definitely need to check this one out.

(Originally written by poufinou/translated from Audiofanzine FR)
The Super Duper 2 in 1 is a preamplifier pedal. It provides the sound of the Super Hard On (SHO). But it's two SHO in series.

The goal of a preamplifier pedal is to boost the signal without coloring it or altering it. It brings more punch to weak signals.

Usual ZVex high-grade construction. Hand-made and hand-painted (including the autograph of the artist, Jason Mylord, and Zack Vex).

Impeccable original finish (and more so if you find a custom finish).

Powered with a 9-volt battery (unscrew the bottom side to get to it). No PSU operation.

Input/output, volume and gain controls for the first SHO and gain control for the second one. Two footswitches for independent control of each SHO.

It's sold with an original cloth bag.

Everything gives away its quality as a handcrafted product.

UTILIZATION

Very easy: just plug in and turn the three controls. It's difficult to find an easier tool.

- Is it easy to get the right sound?

If case you don't know ZVex, every product is a bit special. Turn the controls until you get the sound you like. So yes you get a good sound but not necessarily the sound you were looking for!!! Very intuitive (but not logic).

The user's manual is as original as the product. It's very funny (but useful too).

The only con is the battery. No PSU operation is possible and the housing must be unscrewed to get to the battery!! But it gives you the opportunity to look inside the beast!!

I give it 9/10 because of this non-ecological aspect...

SOUND QUALITY

With only one SHO and a low drive setting, the boost is fully transparent and it brings to life low output pickups.

The sound becomes progressively dirty when you turn the gain up and it ends up being quite saturated.

Note: when you change the drive setting you can hear a crackle noise. Zack mentions several times that it's normal. It's funny but in the beginning lots of people returned their pedals because of this noise!!

The second SHO provides a second booster for a fatter distortion sound.

As a summary, you get two boosters or even three different gain stages.

This pedal is ideal for all vintage amps and guitars.

OVERALL OPINION

If you have a guitar with low output level pickups (a Danelectro for example) or a vintage amp without master volume control (a Fender from the 50's for example),

this pedal will enhance your guitar's signal and it will add a distortion channel to your tube amp without coloring or altering THE precious sound of your guitar+amp combination. It also allows you to add three channels to your single-channel amp.

Handcrafted, high-quality and very original pedal.

The price?? Don't speak about money when you talk art!