MusicRadar Verdict
An amp expander/booster of the highest order. Looks cool too, huh?
Pros
- +
Can transform an amp and expand your tonal options.
Cons
- -
Expensive.
MusicRadar's got your back
Jon Dickinson is the man behind those wonderfully mad aluminium-cased amps used by Muse's Matt Bellamy and Squeeze founder Chris Difford, among others. Dickinson also makes an all-valve overdrive pedal called the D1, which combines similar audiophile- grade electronics with recognisable design and bomb-proof build quality.
Originally, D1s were available only with point to point hand-wired circuits; however, increasing demand has prompted Dickinson to make them more efficiently, resulting in this production D1 version.
Sounds
The production D1 uses a printed circuit board and swaps rotary switches for standard pots, but is otherwise similar, with the same stainless steel casing, custom-milled aluminium knobs and two 12AX7s. There are controls for gain, tone, boost level and output, with a second footswitch for the D1's boost function.
In use, the D1 provides exceptionalclarityandlow-noise performance, combined with some wicked overdrive effects - there's a slight hint of fuzz at higher gain settings, which is instant ZZ Top with a decent Les Paul plugged in.
It's far from cheap, but the D1 has a rare ability to transform a so-so amp into something quite special. Lowernon-boosted settings add valve warmth and dynamics with a particular presence that makes a guitar part sit nicely in a mix, while the overdrive sounds are a match for other top valve products.
If you own a classic non-master valve amp, the D1 could be just the pedal partner you need to add class and versatility.
Now might be the best time to buy the Arturia Astrolab because you'll get V Collection X for absolutely free
Four of our highest-rated electronic drum sets are on sale this Black Friday, with reductions of up to $400
"It's undoubtedly the slickest, most refined ‘DAW-in-a-box’ on the market": Ableton's standalone, MPE-equipped Push 3 is discounted by $499 this Black Friday