JAM RetroVibe review

Colourful Uni-Vibe style stomper

  • £255
  • €329
  • $275
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The JAM RetroVibe's not too big, sounds authentic and has purple chicken head knobs!

MusicRadar Verdict

Authentic sound delivered via the simplest interface.

Pros

  • +

    Handmade in Greece. Simple control layout. Authentic Uni-Vibe-like tones.

Cons

  • -

    Not the most advanced 'Vibe clone we've seen.

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We've seen quite a few Uni-Vibe-style pedals lately, including Korg's up-to-the- minute take on the original with totally redesigned circuitry. By contrast, JAM's take on the 'Vibe goes back to the original sound creation method of using four photocells surrounding a pulsating light source.

"The pedal doesn't lack volume when kicked in and there's an internal trimmer (factory-set to max) to reduce the output"

You don't get the switchable vibrato and chorus modes or treadle-operated adjustment, but, between them, the depth and speed knobs provide plenty of variation.

The pedal doesn't lack volume when kicked in and there's an internal trimmer (factory-set to max) to reduce the output. Another internal trim pot adjusts the maximum intensity.

We'd like to resist the temptation to name-check Hendrix and Trower in a vibe review, but the RetroVibe will sound so familiar if you're a fan of either - not just the modulation but a gloopy reduction in the top end, too.

Trevor Curwen

Trevor Curwen has played guitar for several decades – he's also mimed it on the UK's Top of the Pops. Much of his working life, though, has been spent behind the mixing desk, during which time he has built up a solid collection of the guitars, amps and pedals needed to cover just about any studio session. He writes pedal reviews for Guitarist and has contributed to Total Guitar, MusicRadar and Future Music among others.