Bearfoot FX USA Tourbox: Slight Return/High Gain

[drbob1]

There's about to be a new USA toubox with the high gain versions of the 3 drive pedals:

DynaRed Hot
HoneyBeest
4 Knob Model H

It should ship to me late this week and then on to the rest of the group from then. I still have 15 names from the first tourbox that were missed, so they're getting first chance at it (listed below in no particular order). I'll accept another 5 for this first go round, PM me with an address and I'll get you signed up. We'd kind of prefer folks that have been around TGP for a while and have built up some posts/credibility. Thanks!

Updated list for the correct order:

drbob1-----------------reviewed
branbolio---------------reviewed
Hugo Da Rosa----------reviewed
grckl-------had
thesooze---reviewed
tinkercity---had
Whiskey N Beans---reviewed
Abandoned---asked to be removed and I forgot, thanks for taking care of the box!!!
MasterEvan07---had
stratguy23---reviewed
musica23---reviewed
ajoel32-asked to be bypassed...
mdclark58---had
jakethesnake---had
AaronSS
Mr. Limbic
guitarpkr67
melven62
Mmolterax
Delayed Delay

 

[Whiskey N Beans]

Thanks for handling this Bob, and for thinking of those of us who missed the boat on the low gain box recently. Can't wait to try them all.

 

[drbob1]

3 spots left...

 

[Abandoned]

Woohoo I got on it! then I can do a thorough examination of how the bee and Beest compare since I already have a bee.

 

[stratguy23]

I'm excited for this! I am really interested in trying all these high gain Bearfoots (feet?). Thanks for managing this drbob!

 

[thesooze]

Stoked! Thanks so much.

 

[Delayed Delay]

Boom.

Giants suck btw

 

[Abandoned]

Boom.

Giants suck btw

There winning though... Lol.
And I can't help it... And I'm not gonna lie, I really enjoy it when Tom Brady gets sacked.

 

[stratguy23]

Giants suck btw

What's that make the Pats then

I really enjoy it when Tom Brady gets sacked.

Me too! Giants have a great D Line!

 

[Mr. Limbic]

Thanks for including me...I've wanted to try these for awhile!

 

[drbob1]

Well, I heard from Donner today that the pedals are ready

I should have them some time next week, then on to the rest of the tour. We still have openings for 3 folks, if anyone else is interested. Just to remind, this is the 3 higher gain pedals:

Honeybeest
DynaRed Hot
Model H 4 Knob

 

[MasterEvan07]

Excellent!
I've had an HBOD, currently have a 3 knob Model H and have always wanted to try the DynaRed Hot!

This should be most educational, thank you very much!

 

[drbob1]

Well, the tourbox is on its way. It arrived here today for the first visit. I've got to say the new cosmetics are nice, especially the ghost flames on the Dyna Red Hot. I don't currently have any of the lower gain BF pedals so comparisons with the originals are from memory...

HoneyBeest: This is the basic HoneyBee tone with a bit of added gain and the addition of a Pregain knob. The pregain knob emphasizes the upper mids and highs pre-overdrive, the changes in EQ it presents are less dramatic than having the EQ after the gain. Sort of like the knobs on a non-master Marshall: they change the character of the distortion without changing the treble content as much as a Fender tone knob. Overall a very flexible and open overdrive, a little "more" than the Honeybee but obviously very related. It's not noisy and cleans up nicely when the guitar is turned down. Gain range is sufficient to use it as a nearly clean boost with the gain knob down and the Pregain counter clockwise.

DynaRed Hot: this is the prize of the litter to my ears. Perhaps as much because of simplicity. It takes the gain of the Honeybeest up a notch, with a simple post distortion EQ. Also "open" in the sense of letting the guitar and amp shine thru. Decay of notes is smooth, and turning down cleans it up despite being fairly high gain. It's a bit "toothier" than the Honeybee/Beest, with a little more edge to the distortion, especially with the treble cranked. There's also a bit more hiss, but it's not a problem at these gain levels. Interestingly, it most closely matches the gain and EQ range of my big box rat than any of the other pedals, although when cranked it lets more of the guitar's tone shine thru, the Rat gets a little boxy. Both DRH and HBT stack well with other pedals (I used a Rat and a Bluesbreaker), before or after.

I'm less sure what to say about the 4 knob H. It definitely adds EQ flexibility and gain to the regular Model H, but I feel like it may have lost a little something in the translation. It's still a great, high gain overdrive, but there's a bit more noise, and the decay of notes, especially when the guitar is turned down, is a bit crackly or harsh. It doesn't clean up completely when the gain knob is off. Don't get me wrong, it's a great sounding distortion, I just wonder if the Model H wasn't perfect the way it was before? I'd love to hear how some high gain/metal guys feel about it, because I'm wondering if it wasn't targeted for them and I'm just not playing much that way now?

I absolutely appreciate the chance to try these out. If I were going to buy one of them tomorrow, it'd be the DynaRed Hot, and if I were going to buy two BF Drives it'd be the DRH and the original HoneyBee.

 

[drbob1]

First post edited so people can keep with the progress. On to Hawaii tonight or tomorrow!

 

[melven62]

So here's my thoughts. I was able to play them through my Bassman RI this evening at home and through my AC15TB last night at band practice.

Honey Beest: As soon as I began playing last night at band practice remembered how touch responsive my HBOD I had was and how much I loved that. Being able to leave it on and clean up/dirty up with my volume was so nice and if I need more I would kick in my Timmy. I do have to say I believe it sounds not as clear as my HBOD I had last year if I remember correctly. I preferred the sound of the HBOD if my memory is correct. This still sounds great though, I let my friend both the HBeest and the MH last night and he enjoyed both. I did note it to make my guitar sound smaller like a Supro or some small tweed amp.

Model H: This pedal was really cool, had a really nice rock sound too it. A ton of gain, too much for my use and taste even with it on 0. I'd really like about half of the gain it currently has. The pedal has a huge bass thump to it, like a 4x12 cab.

DRD Hot: I really didn't like it. Super distorted and fuzzy and nasty, not very pleasant to my ears. I find myself to favor tones in the low-medium gain range though.

MGMV: I really dug this. Cool vibe sound and the enhancement to the clean tone was amazing. Best "boost tone enhancer" I've used. Awesome character to it.

What pedal would fall between the HBeest and the MH? That's what I'd like. Something that has more gain than the Beest with the pregain down (not a huge fan of the pregain for rhythm) and the MH with the drive all the down. I want something that doesn't squash my tone quite like the HBeest but also doesn't give it quite as much lowend balls and hugeness as the H? Is this the EGDM?

 

[PerFusionist]

Can I get in on this?

Edit: PM'd

 

[musica23]

Thanks, drbob1! Just saw my name on the list and am ready to rock those high gainers!

 

[Blue Bee]

Demo video coming soon!

I'll be packing 'em up tomorrow...sure wish I had more time to spend with these, so many amazing tones in this box

 

[Abandoned]

I'm off the list now but I posted my review if the Beest, including a comparison to the HBOD here:

https://www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?threads/1028229&page=7

 

[Blue Bee]