All guitar pedal creators love effects – it's kind of a job requirement, but we don't think there's anyone that truly loves them as much as Josh Scott of JHS Pedals. His work on the JHS YouTube Channel is essential viewing and now he's done something on a whole new level and created 27 and a half-minute love letter to guitar effects pedals with a full-blown musical. Yes, really.
"Pedals: The Musical, the world’s first ever historically accurate musical comedy" is the billing – and it delivers on all those fronts, featuring Scott and a whole cast of actors and musicians with full production. From the Maestro Fuzz-Tone's opening number (I'm the first / a brand new attraction / the reason Keith Richards can't get satisfaction), the in-jokes come thick and fast.
It's a beautiful, ambitious thing and you need to see it above. We think Scott and his talented cast of actors, dancers and musicians (you can spot Musical Director / guitarist Rhett Shull in the band) should take this on the road when the pandemic permits.
Musicals are a huge undertaking at the best of times but right now … well this is an incredible achievement and the production, supported by Sweetwater, has given artists the chance to work during a particularly channeling time.
There's going to be a live Q&A with the cast later today at the JHS Pedals YouTube channel. For now you can check out an insightful rig tour with Josh Scott and Rhett Shull below.
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Rob is the Reviews Editor for GuitarWorld.com and MusicRadar guitars, so spends most of his waking hours (and beyond) thinking about and trying the latest gear while making sure our reviews team is giving you thorough and honest tests of it. He's worked for guitar mags and sites as a writer and editor for nearly 20 years but still winces at the thought of restringing anything with a Floyd Rose.
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