[Summary] A thorough explanation of recommended Suhr effects pedals! Features, reviews, and sound demos

It is a guitar brand that everyone aspires to, and its effects are also very popular.

Suhr

These effects pedals, which incorporate vacuum tube amplifier design, circuits, and technology, have been a key component of many guitarists' pedal boards since they were first released.

Let's take a look at some of Suhr's recommended effects, their features, and their sounds!

Suhr / Brand History and Philosophy

Founded in California in 1997 by John Suhr, Suhr is a high-end brand that combines the craftsmanship cultivated at the Fender Custom Shop with the latest CNC processing and PLEK treatment, and boasts a precision tolerance of ±0.01 mm despite being handmade.

From the design stage to the electronic circuits, we are committed to in-house development, and we select all materials, wiring, and paint based on the criterion of "being musical." While we offer guitars, amps, and effects under one brand, they all share a common tone philosophy of high resolution and warm sound.

After manufacturing, an experienced master builder performs the final setup on each guitar, and the guitar is shipped after undergoing a quality inspection equivalent to a lifetime warranty. Furthermore, with a wide range of custom orders available, the guitar continues to be chosen as a "lifetime item" by professionals and intermediate players alike.

Suhr | Effects Features

Suhr first introduced its effects pedals in the late 2000s.

At the time, boutique effects pedals were just starting to become popular, and the company was already well-known as a guitar and amp brand when it entered the effects pedal market.

What makes this effect pedal unique is that the amplifier design and circuits have been carefully considered and crafted from the development stage onwards.

Specifically, it has distortion that expresses the nuances of the amplifier, and a design that brings out the maximum appeal when combined with an amplifier.

Another key point is that many effects pedals are equipped with an FX Link function that allows them to be controlled externally.

Suhr | Recommended Effects Summary

Suhr / Riot Reloaded・Mini

The Riot Reloaded is a more powerful version of the Riot. Its gain has been increased by 30%, and as its name suggests, it is as ferocious as if the Riot had been reloaded.

While the basic sound character follows the original version, the increased distortion makes it possible to cover the hard rock to heavy metal range. In addition to the modern, thick and rich distortion, the harmonic content is rich and the sustain is improved, making the freedom of solos even more prominent.

Like the original, it has excellent noise processing and is easy to use, making it an ideal unit for guitarists who love the Riot sound but want a little more distortion.

Mini

Suhr / Shiba Drive Reloaded・Mini

Shiba Drive is a hidden gem of an overdrive pedal from Suhr. It has a tube screamer-like character with a moderately raised midrange, and features a high-fidelity sound with clear contours for each sound.

The distortion range is wide, and it can be used from a clean boost to a solid distortion on its own. The three-stage smooth switch allows you to adjust the high-frequency output, allowing you to freely produce anything from a lustrous lead tone to a crisp rhythm tone.

Because it produces surprisingly little noise and is easy to use, it has also been described as "an excellent OD that is sure to score 100 or more points out of 90," making it an overdrive that beginners are unlikely to fail with even if it's their first pedal.

Mini

Suhr / Eclipse

Eclipse is a 2-channel overdrive/distortion pedal. Each channel has independent gain, level, and 3-band EQ, allowing you to instantly switch between two types of distortion sounds, such as clean and lead tones.

The sound quality is as vivid as if you were playing a tube amp, expressing the player's nuances without leaving anything out. In addition, the gain range is wide and can cover from crunch to hard distortion, and the 3-band EQ on each channel and the overall "Voice" knob allow you to adjust the distortion to your ideal with any amp.

Its flexibility and high sound quality"The birth of the ultimate driving pedal"It has been praised as being versatile and is a versatile machine that can be used in any genre.

Suhr / Koko Boost Reloaded

Koko Boost Reloaded is a standard 2-in-1 booster for increasing the volume of guitar solos and pushing amp distortion. Its greatest feature is that it can be used as both a clean boost (increases the volume without changing the tone) and a midrange boost (raises the midrange to bring out the solo).

In addition, the mid boost can be selected from three different frequency bands, allowing you to control it as you wish, such as "clear mids" or "thick mids" according to the guitar and style of the song. Despite the powerful amplification of +3dB, the sound quality is transparent, and it is evaluated as being able to give a higher level of drive without losing the characteristics of a tube amp.

This is a versatile boost pedal that can be used for a wide range of purposes, from creating a more prominent sound for solos to leaving it on all the time to increase the sound pressure.

Suhr / Rufus Reloaded

Rufus Reloaded Fuzz is an updated model of the aforementioned Rufus Fuzz that adds an octave fuzz function. In normal fuzz mode, you can get a wide range of fuzz sounds just like before, but the biggest feature is that you can switch to octave mode, which adds harmonics one octave higher in the high range by pressing and holding the foot switch.

This octave effect is highly refined and tuned to have a uniform effect at any position on the fingerboard, allowing you to reproduce the sound of Jimi Hendrix's "Band of Gypsys" with just one finger. Of course, the 3-band EQ is also inherited, so the flexibility of sound creation is still intact. This is a powerful fuzz pedal that can be used as a normal fuzz + an octave fuzz when needed.

Suhr / Woodshed Comp

The Woodshed Comp is a next-generation compressor developed as a signature model for virtuoso guitarist Andy Wood. Its biggest feature is that it uses a feed-forward type compression circuit, which boasts an extremely transparent and open sound quality compared to conventional compressors (feedback type).

In fact, no matter how strongly you compress it, it maintains a clear outline and natural tone, so you can extend the sustain without losing the brilliance of the sound. Another point is that the headroom is very large, and if you increase the gain, it functions as a clean booster.

Developed by Andy himself with the desire to "maintain the basic tone even with different amps and venues," this is a reliable pedal that enhances sound pressure and sustained sounds while preserving the quality of the original sound, even in harsh environments.

Suhr / Buffer

The Suhr Buffer is a line driver that boasts "zero degradation in sound quality." The high impedance input protects the high frequencies of the pickup, and the low impedance output ensures no drop in high frequencies even with cables running tens of meters.

The ISO output is transformer isolated and phase inverted, allowing noiseless distribution to two amplifiers. In addition, the 2–9 V boost design provides ample headroom when driven at 18 V, and even strong picking sounds are not clouded. The compact body fits behind the Pedaltrain Jr., and it supports the feet of professionals as a standard "black child" on tour boards.

Summary | Take your sound to the next level with Suhr effects that "make the most of the original sound"

Suhr pedals are so well-made that it's said that "just leaving them on will improve the sound," giving you the experience of "definitely improving the sound quality without changing it."

If you want to bring out 100% of your guitar's potential, try a Suhr pedal. The moment the sound becomes clear, you'll feel the joy of being able to concentrate on your performance.