Independent reviews from www.harmony-central.com
Orange Squeezer
Submitted by Joey Leone
Ease of Use :
This is a copy of the original Orange Squezer plug-in effect made by legendary electronics visionary Dan Armstrong. Of all the series of effects he made in the early 70's (I believe) this was the most popular. Recently more associated with Curt Cobain this effect has been often copied. You plug it into your guitar, toggle the toggle switch and there it is a really useful compressor. No knobs to tweak -- its been done for ya.
They will even reverse the wiring (easy as easy is to do yourself w/ the simple instructions on the back) so you can plug it directly into the amp instead of into the guitar. (my personal choice.)
Blue Clipper
Submitted by Anonymous
Ease of Use :
Basically simple: put it in your (Gibson) guitar, flip the switch and you have a nice overdrive.
Sound Quality :
The tone is really nice. Fat, warm, with beautiful overtones. I know that this is personal taste, but I like it! When turned off, it does not affect your tone too much. I guess it does not have a true by-pass, but the clean signal is not altered. When turned on, it boosts the volume and gets a little noisy. But honestly: ain’t that the desired effect? There is an option to change the loudness settings inside.
Submitted by James
Ease of Use :
Flip the toggle and you're there!
Control the volume on your guitar to harness this bad boy!
Sound Quality :
...I will never give this one up as it has been with me for 30 yrs! It just amazes me with gain and clarity.
Reliability :
I have abused it and it still smiles at me!
Overall Rating :
The best Distortion ever!
Love how it cleans up with the volume knob!
Submitted by Joel Kurdys
Overall Rating :
I've always played rock. When I was 16, in my parents house…overdriving a big tube amp was simply NOT going to happen, so this little gizmo was a perfect present from a loving older brother (Thanks Gary!!) I've play professionally for a lot of years and have too many guitars and effects and umm "stuff". If I found one at a music store I'd definitely buy one, then buy a strat copy and stick the thing inside. There’s just something really kewl about hitting a toggle on your axe and doubling the volume. C'mon you Gibson guys know who you are :)
Red Ranger
Submitted by CHUY
Sound Quality :
I do recommend this gadget for a very powerful, clean sound,what a great sound. I can get a bluesy sound or and a clean boost sound. Remember this is a tone modifier not an overdrive or distortion but if you higher the vol on your amp it will overdrive in a good way not bad. If you’re into clean powerful sound I recommend this item and it does sound very good with all my effects. I don’t need to turn it off, I used it on all the time so no problem there.
Overall Rating :
my style of music is hummm well it can be indi alternative,emo alternative,alternative rock pop,brit rock alternative pop. Well my influences are u2, beatles, radiohead, coldplay, interpool, strokes, gustavo cerati, and others. It does suit my style in every way. I’ve been playing since 1991 so I’m not a beginner. I had tried the bad bob booster but nope it wasn’t what I was looking for so I chose the ranger over the bad bob. I would get another one if lost or stolen or break down. What I love about it is that it makes my sound come alive and with the right settings from your overdrive, amp, distortion or any other kinda pedal this thing works great. My fav. Setting is the "full" for now. I don’t hate anything about this item the only thing i kinda dislike is that is not in a pedal form but putting it in my pedal board it looks cool because it looks different than a pedal so people will wonder what the heck is that!
Product: Dan Armstrong Red Ranger
Submitted by Joel
Sound Quality :
Sound quality is excellent. "Full Range"--another way of saying, "Your original sound, only louder!"--gives the guitar clarity and definition. It's almost like plugging into a high-end parametric EQ and dialing in the optimum frequencies. All I can say is that whatever you put through this box will sound better. Its transparency is unrivaled.
Selecting the "High" boost pulls a Les Paul out of the mud zone. Strats take on a shimmering quality as if played though the bright channel of a Vox AC 30. This is not an ugly bright sound like fingernails on a blackboard--FAR FROM IT. Think of the bright channels of 60's era Marshall, Vox, Laney, Hiwatt; and you'll have the right idea of what this sounds like.
The "low" boost removes top end. This can add girth to a Strat or Tele, but it can be overwhelming. If you use an amp like a blackface Fender with scooped mids, you'll have no problems. With EL34 type amps, on the other hand you will need to use the bright channel or modify the sound with the tone controls.
Overall Rating :
This is one product I need. When I play a clean solo it's hard to hear it over drums, especially if you play in mono. The Red Ranger (with the modifications) helps me to CUT THROUGH AND BE HEARD. It has a great tone that actually enhances your sound, and the "High" and "Low" settings really help. Its transparency is good for overdriving amps, but I have other devices for that. This little box just wants to make things sound good--I use it to make me sound better.
Sound Quality :
It sounds great, not very noisy at all. Very smooth as a compressor should be. The Danny is I believe a more natural sounding comp. than the other often copied Ross Compressor.
Reliability :
This thing is built like a brick sh*thouse. Small and sturdy.
Customer Support :
The boys at Grafton Electronics are only a phone call away.........you can even get to speak to the man himself Kent Armstrong, who is a prime example of the apples not falling far from the tree.
Overall Rating :
I use this effect for clean country rhythm chording, and funk guitars. It really shines on my Rick 12 string and on any guitar equipped w/ weaker pickups. I have been playing professionally for 20+ years. Can’t wait for the floor models which I hear should be out in 2007, they would be as real winner no doubt.
Yes the design is kinda old school, Dan Armstrong also designed that Lucite guitar Keith Richards played. It weighed a ton but sounded great. These replica effects are definitely more studio friendly as I cannot picture myself running around w/ it hanging off my guitar, having said that, it is why I prefer to have it rewired to go directly into my amp.
