[lespaul3013]

Whats the deal with the Jekyll and Hyde?...I've heard good and bad things about it, my friend played the Son of Hyde pedal and he said it sounded digital and thin.

Whereas it seems to be very popular on this forum, what are some pros and cons of it??

Thanks in advance for all the help!

[jamforchrist123]

I've had three of them throughout the years (all three versions).

To me, it has always been a very very solid overdrive/distortion.

Pros: Sounds good, the old versions look really cool, lots of versatility, basically indestructible, GREAT customer service, and I'm pretty sure it's a christian company.

Cons: For some reason they put the distortion before the overdrive which bothered me, I think the newest version looks weird, and it's hard to find a good sound combining the two.

To me, the pros for sure weigh out the cons. I seem to keep selling them thinking I've found something I like better, then end up buying one again. I personally would recommend them.

[BillSPrestonEsq]

Originally Posted by lespaul3013

Whats the deal with the Jekyll and Hyde?...I've heard good and bad things about it, my friend played the Son of Hyde pedal and he said it sounded digital and thin.

Whereas it seems to be very popular on this forum, what are some pros and cons of it??

Thanks in advance for all the help!

Saying it sounded "digital" is silly. It is analog, not digital.

It was never quite my cup of tea.

[thesteve]

Originally Posted by lespaul3013

Whats the deal with the Jekyll and Hyde?...I've heard good and bad things about it, my friend played the Son of Hyde pedal and he said it sounded digital and thin.

That's a really odd review. When I had a J&H, the biggest issue that I had with the Hyde side of the pedal was that I always felt it was really heavy on the mid/low end and I wanted more treble.

[Rainer.]

Originally Posted by BillSPrestonEsq

Saying it sounded "digital" is silly. It is analog, not digital.

It was never quite my cup of tea.

That's not to say some analog pedals don't sound harsh and thin, like bad digital distortion... 'cause some real cheapies do.

[Ax]

I'm not a fan. I think the big draw is you get two better than average pedals in one box. I don't find them to be amazing, and as separate pedals they're better than average but less than boutique, but it takes up so much less space on your board than having two independent pedals.

[BillSPrestonEsq]

Originally Posted by Rainer.

That's not to say some analog pedals don't sound harsh and thin, like bad digital distortion... 'cause some real cheapies do.

Yes, but usually I hear the term thrown around by people who want to elevate themselves above digital gear, but yet... I can think of very few comparisons between a hyde and a digital box.

And really, unless you are discussing actual digital distortion, there is not a "digital" sound persay that I am aware of. I hear the term thrown around, I just don't think it has a good frame of reference.

[Rainer.]

Originally Posted by BillSPrestonEsq

And really, unless you are discussing actual digital distortion, there is not a "digital" sound persay that I am aware of. I hear the term thrown around, I just don't think it has a good frame of reference.

I'm thinking a lo-bit sort of tone, which I've incidentally been looking for a pedal that does that sound for a while. The closest I've found is this:
HEXE Guitar Electronics

But not entirely sure where I could find it.

[BillSPrestonEsq]

Originally Posted by Rainer.

I'm thinking a lo-bit sort of tone, which I've incidentally been looking for a pedal that does that sound for a while. The closest I've found is this:
HEXE Guitar Electronics

But not entirely sure where I could find it.

something like a voltage starved fuzz? Kind of that 8 bit sound?

[Rainer.]

Originally Posted by BillSPrestonEsq

something like a voltage starved fuzz? Kind of that 8 bit sound?

Fo' sho'.

[thesteve]

Originally Posted by Rainer.

I'm thinking a lo-bit sort of tone, which I've incidentally been looking for a pedal that does that sound for a while. The closest I've found is this:
HEXE Guitar Electronics

But not entirely sure where I could find it.

I feel like Devi Ever has something along the lines of a bit crusher pedal, but I can't recall which one.

[lespaul3013]

Thanks for all the feedback!

[akaukal]

Originally Posted by thesteve

I feel like Devi Ever has something along the lines of a bit crusher pedal, but I can't recall which one.

I believe this is it: devi ever : fx - bit : legend of fuzz

Cool device.

[AudioAUnderdog]

I've had one (old version) for years and I like it, it's still the distortion pedal I keep coming back to. In my opinion it sounds the best with both side engaged. I don't think it sounds thin at all though, even with the sides engaged independently of each other. If anything it has a very warm tone with lots of bass and mid range. There is a bass boost and a sharp/blunt switch on it so it's extremely versatile. It can go from a light overdrive which is nearly just a clean boost to full on metal distortion, which is why it's still on my pedalboard.

There's a really good video on youtube where a guy takes the old and new versions of the Jekyll and Hyde and demos them side by side. The audio is decent (despite what it says) and so is the playing, so if you want a good idea of what they sound like then check it out.

YouTube - Visual Sound Jekyll & Hyde Version 1 & V 2 guitar effects pedal shootout w Tele & Jaguar Twin

And here's a demo of the Son of Hyde.

YouTube - Visual Sound Son of Hyde Distortion guitar effects pedal demo w Tele & Jaguar Twin Amp

And I'm sure there are tons more youtube demos if you look. It's not the same as in person, but it's better than nothing.

[lespaul3013]

Thanks!