DigiTech Whammy Pedal with MIDI Control

Let me preface this review with the fact that first and foremost I don't like too much 80's music. That being said, I do like the bands most have mentioned here. Rage, Audioslave, Radiohead, The White Stripes, and on and on. So I decided to buy this little guy the other day after very briefly trying it out. I was immediately floored by how easy it was to use, and to make sound good. Not to mention IMMEDIATELY recordable. Most of the draw backs that people seem to mention about it, is that its hard to get the 'just right' sound they want. Well I don't think that is a problem with the machine, more a problem with the musician. If you know very basic music theory, you'll know how to set the melodies to sound pleasing, almost instantly. Another reason I bought this, is cause I own a few guitars that are stoptails, and need to be able to play any of my songs with any of my guitars, and some have solos using the whammy, so this pedal makes sure I can do that across all my guitars. It has been a huge hit with everyone I've shown it to. The price is often scary to some, but if you have the money, its well worth it. The only 'problem' I had, was I had to recalibrate the pedal when I first bought it. But this really wasn't a problem at all, it took about 30 seconds and then sounded awesome again. All in all, this is one of those rare pedals for me, that INSPIRES me to play something... And I love it!

So I returned two of them and gave up, but still gave it 3 stars. It is a really neat pedal. The effects are great, and even the drop tune is useable. The first one I got, the pedal stuck and didn't move smoothly throughout the range of motion. I took it back, got another one, and no problems. Until it started not returning to the right tone. I recalibrated it (something Digitech provides good instructions for, but says shouldn't need to be done), and it worked great again. Until it needed to be recalibrated again. So after a couple times doing that, and having it work for a few days, I figured it wasn't worth fighting with it. So I took it back. But I was sad to see it go. If Digitech can work out some of the bugs with this pedal, I would consider getting another one in the future.

This pedal is really is a versatile pedal. I bought it because I always thought Jack White's squeaky, high pitched, grimey solos were absolutely amazing and i wanted to try it for myself. This pedal definitely delivers when you are going for that sound. Its also great if you're trying experimental rock and want to be really original. Its only major fault would have to be that it can sound very digital. Playing chords while using it makes them all fluxuate and it really is a terrible, digital sound (but it is kind of cool if your going for a Sonic Youth-esq experimental sound). Also, it is heavy and made of metal which I prefer because it usually means it sturdy and reliable but for some reason it seems a little weak. Other than that, it works perfectly well. I really wish I could've given it a 5 but that digital sound is not what I'm looking for so it'll have to be a 4.

Sounded good initially for what I wanted which was just an octave down sound but then only a few weeks after I bought it new the calibration on the pedal came off an then instead of being an octave down, it now only sounds permanently detuned. I'm going to just buy a regular octave pedal. Also, I agree that the other effects sound very digital, grating, squeaky and not musical. Pedal could be very cool if A) they fix the pedal motion part and make it more sturdy. B) get the annoying digital sound out of the harmonies.

this pedal is truely amazing. i got it on new years and i started messing with it making all sorts of sounds i would recommend anyone who is inspired by tom morello to buy this and start making your own sounds and songs. seven outta five :)

One of the best pedals never maded... i love it!!!