Language
Brand Spotlight: Morgan Amplification Guitar Effects Pedals
Morgan Amplification isn't a name you hear often when discussing guitar effects pedals. As their name suggests, the company's main focus is guitar tube amps. But that's not stopping the California-based manufacturer from throwing their expertise into the effects arena. I've always been a fan of effects created by manufacturers who typically dwell in other areas as their pedals tend to feature some unique wrinkles that you might not see with your average stompbox maker, so I was excited to see what Morgan Amplification had to offer. Long story short, they didn't disappoint. Read on for a closer look at the Morgan Fuzz, NKT275 Fuzz, MKII Fuzz and Morgan OD guitar effects pedals.
The original Morgan Amplification guitar effects pedal, the Morgan Fuzz was specifically created for guitar players who typically stay away from fuzz. Maybe they find them a bit too muddy, a little too thin, or simply prefer OD or distortion. Whatever the case, this pedal was made to show you that fuzz deserves a spot on that pedalboard. The Morgan Fuzz is a simple silicon transistor based fuzz that comes with nothing more than two knobs and a footswitch. And while that might seem barebones, it is enough to get some great rock tones. As with many fuzz effects, the Morgan Fuzz truly shines when paired with an amp that is just about to hit its natural overdrive. This allows the pedal to give it that final push and deliver a warm, smooth yet dirty sound that is articulate enough to cut through with ease. It also has amazing touch dynamics, allowing you amp to clean up a bit as you ease of your picking attack or get nice and gritty when you decide to give it more. It's not just for overdriven amps either as the Morgan Fuzz has enough effect to give even the cleanest amp settings a thick layer of full on fuzz with the hit of a switch.
Click here for more information on the Morgan Fuzz electric guitar pedal.
NKT275 transistors are among the most coveted germanium transistors around, known for their rich warm tones and exceptional clean-up when rolling down the volume. They are also the heart behind the sound of the legendary Fuzz Face. But that's not to say that the NKT275 transistors were without problems as they were notoriously inconsistent, as one Fuzz Face might sound great while another one ... not so much. So when you run into a pedal that features an actual NKT275 on its specs sheet, a lot of questions come to mind. In order to recreate the classic sound of the Fuzz Face while delivering a consistent, dependable sound, Morgan Amplification actually tested each transistor for leakage and gain. The end result is the Morgan NKT275 Fuzz, a fuzz pedal with a sound that will satisfy purists while delivering the quality and consistency that modern pedals are known for. All in all, it's perfect for players looking for a classic fuzz sound.
Click here for more information on the Morgan NKT275 Fuzz electric guitar pedal.
If after taking a look at the two pedals above and you're thinking that it simply not enough fuzz for your tastes, then the MKII was made especially for you. In other words, it's a pedal that unabashedly fuzz, through and through. It's fuzz kicked up a notch. Based on the Sola Sound Tone Bender circuit (born from the Maestro Fuzz) and matched with 3 germanium transistors, the Morgan MKII offers truly rich, thick and no holds barred fuzz tone. Think "Spirit In The Sky" or "My My, Hey Hey," and you get what I'm talking about. But what makes the MKII even more unique is the way it breaks up before the fuzz kicks in, giving it a tone that works very well even with clean amp settings. Personally, I found it works especially well as a "set and forget" type of fuzz, using my guitar's own output to dial in the right amount of grit. For players that just can't get enough fuzz, the MKII is an easy recommendation.
Click here for more information on the Morgan MKII Fuzz electric guitar pedal.
Some of the best overdrive pedals around work best when they act as an extension of your existing amp's controls, like an additional channel or extra gain stage. And from my time with the Morgan Overdrive, this pedal feels like just that. Designed to be as transparent as possible, this pedal is able to deliver a hefty amount of gain without adding any unwanted color to your guitar's natural tone. And better yet, if features a smooth yet organic breakup that feels similar to what you get with a good quality tube amp, giving it an extremely sensitive touch response that reacts to your picking attack and playing style. And if that wasn't enough, the Morgan OD also works great as a clean boost. If you're looking to bolster the power of your amp, add some clean tube like feel to your sound or just a nice layer of grit, look no further than the Morgan OD.
Click here for more information on the Morgan Overdrive electric guitar pedal.
Why Are Germanium Transistors So Popular?[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_4382" align="alignleft" width="150"]
TSVG Angry Jeff Fuzz Guitar Effects Review[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_5699" align="alignleft" width="150"]
Breaking Down Effects: Distortion Versus Fuzz[/caption]
Morgan Fuzz
The original Morgan Amplification guitar effects pedal, the Morgan Fuzz was specifically created for guitar players who typically stay away from fuzz. Maybe they find them a bit too muddy, a little too thin, or simply prefer OD or distortion. Whatever the case, this pedal was made to show you that fuzz deserves a spot on that pedalboard. The Morgan Fuzz is a simple silicon transistor based fuzz that comes with nothing more than two knobs and a footswitch. And while that might seem barebones, it is enough to get some great rock tones. As with many fuzz effects, the Morgan Fuzz truly shines when paired with an amp that is just about to hit its natural overdrive. This allows the pedal to give it that final push and deliver a warm, smooth yet dirty sound that is articulate enough to cut through with ease. It also has amazing touch dynamics, allowing you amp to clean up a bit as you ease of your picking attack or get nice and gritty when you decide to give it more. It's not just for overdriven amps either as the Morgan Fuzz has enough effect to give even the cleanest amp settings a thick layer of full on fuzz with the hit of a switch.
Click here for more information on the Morgan Fuzz electric guitar pedal.
Morgan NKT275 Fuzz
NKT275 transistors are among the most coveted germanium transistors around, known for their rich warm tones and exceptional clean-up when rolling down the volume. They are also the heart behind the sound of the legendary Fuzz Face. But that's not to say that the NKT275 transistors were without problems as they were notoriously inconsistent, as one Fuzz Face might sound great while another one ... not so much. So when you run into a pedal that features an actual NKT275 on its specs sheet, a lot of questions come to mind. In order to recreate the classic sound of the Fuzz Face while delivering a consistent, dependable sound, Morgan Amplification actually tested each transistor for leakage and gain. The end result is the Morgan NKT275 Fuzz, a fuzz pedal with a sound that will satisfy purists while delivering the quality and consistency that modern pedals are known for. All in all, it's perfect for players looking for a classic fuzz sound.
Click here for more information on the Morgan NKT275 Fuzz electric guitar pedal.
Morgan MKII Fuzz
If after taking a look at the two pedals above and you're thinking that it simply not enough fuzz for your tastes, then the MKII was made especially for you. In other words, it's a pedal that unabashedly fuzz, through and through. It's fuzz kicked up a notch. Based on the Sola Sound Tone Bender circuit (born from the Maestro Fuzz) and matched with 3 germanium transistors, the Morgan MKII offers truly rich, thick and no holds barred fuzz tone. Think "Spirit In The Sky" or "My My, Hey Hey," and you get what I'm talking about. But what makes the MKII even more unique is the way it breaks up before the fuzz kicks in, giving it a tone that works very well even with clean amp settings. Personally, I found it works especially well as a "set and forget" type of fuzz, using my guitar's own output to dial in the right amount of grit. For players that just can't get enough fuzz, the MKII is an easy recommendation.
Click here for more information on the Morgan MKII Fuzz electric guitar pedal.
Morgan Overdrive
Some of the best overdrive pedals around work best when they act as an extension of your existing amp's controls, like an additional channel or extra gain stage. And from my time with the Morgan Overdrive, this pedal feels like just that. Designed to be as transparent as possible, this pedal is able to deliver a hefty amount of gain without adding any unwanted color to your guitar's natural tone. And better yet, if features a smooth yet organic breakup that feels similar to what you get with a good quality tube amp, giving it an extremely sensitive touch response that reacts to your picking attack and playing style. And if that wasn't enough, the Morgan OD also works great as a clean boost. If you're looking to bolster the power of your amp, add some clean tube like feel to your sound or just a nice layer of grit, look no further than the Morgan OD.
Click here for more information on the Morgan Overdrive electric guitar pedal.
Final Thoughts ...
While they might not be a household name among guitarists, Morgan Amplification certainly knows how to build a damn good pedal. Like Seymour Duncan and other manufacturers before them, the pedals above prove that just because effects aren't the main focus of Morgan Amplification doesn't mean they can create stompboxes that can go toe to toe with the best of them. Even if you're not in the market for a fuzz or OD, the quality and features of the pedals above are high enough you owe it to your tone to take a listen. You never know, they could be exactly what your sound was missing! If you have any questions regarding the purchase of Morgan Amplification effects pedal or any other piece of gear we carry, don't hesitate to chat with one of our friendly PAL pros by using the live chat feature below or by calling us toll-free at 1 877-671-2200!Your Turn to Sound Off!
Have you ever used a Morgan pedal before? What are your thoughts?Let us know in the comment section below!
Other Stories You Might Like ...
[caption id="attachment_7410" align="alignleft" width="150"] Why Are Germanium Transistors So Popular?[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_4382" align="alignleft" width="150"] TSVG Angry Jeff Fuzz Guitar Effects Review[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_5699" align="alignleft" width="150"] Breaking Down Effects: Distortion Versus Fuzz[/caption]