software

I was in the guitar shop the other day and was just totally blown away by the pedal I tried there.

It was a Danelectro FAB Distortion D1.

At the Shop I tested it an a Crate amp....but it still sounded Great (j/k crate fans)Anyways,

I took it home (19 US only), and It seems more natural and versatile than the DS-1 that I've been borrowing from my friend, which is really surprising to me. Everything I could ask for in a basic distortion.
Also worth Mentioning...
I got the Arion Tubulator MTE-1 for 10 bucks on ebay and that pedal Is just AMAZING to me...I use it POST Distiontion/OD and I have no idea how well it simulates power tube distortion, but it's VERY interesting for a $10 Pedal.
So what pieces of gear have you found that totally caught you off-guard (good or bad)?

what amp are you playing through at home? I've been considering buying one of those little dudes. Better than a DS-1? Really. It must be fairly decent then.

Those FAB series pedals do sound good, but you might want to look at rehousing it and use a better switch if you can do it. As good as they sound, they're not in the sturdiest of enclosures so who knows how long it will last. I'd rather buy a DS-1 and mod the daylights out of it.

The most recent unexpected good piece of gear was one I put together. Simple design and all and I had an idea of what it would sound like and do but didn't expect it to sound as do what it does as good as it does it.

Bad experiences....played some PRS guitars (USA models) and was not impressed. Didn't feel right, bodies didn't resonate well. About half a dozen of them, all dogs to me. I expected better.

Nightburst, that Bogner you have is the same one I have. There's a similar 'white chassis' model on Ebay right now for $4000! .....including cab, tho.
from : localhost/cgi.ebay.com/Bogner-Ecstasy-1...QQcmdZViewItem

I deleted my post as I felt like showing off. I got it wrong first time I read.

Odd to see one of those Bogners for sale, as they are amazing amps! I would never sell mine. I still want a matching cab even though the Marshall sounds fine.

I have yet to try this new Fab pedal but i do have a few of the full sized Dano FabTone distortion pedals... They seem to only really sound good thru my Peavey Classic series amps... hate it thru my Fender 65 Deluxe... But thru the Peavey's the FABTONE is a great fuzz for over the top solos....

My Roland Cube 30 still continues to surprise/impress me. I just needed a little jam-amp for home, and this thing just keeps sounding great with tons o bass and mojo to move the room. yay!

The FAB pedals are quite good for the money. I would by no means compare it to the DS. The housiings tend to crack too. But for 20 bucks, not bad at all.

The bad monkey is really really good for the price.

guitar toad,

I think you would laugh if I told you....but oh well

Frist I got some pedals to get analoge distortion and overdrive...

Paying into a digitech RP50 !!!MODDELLING TURNED OFF!!! (You'd be surprised how well these things play LIVE!!) I'm Only using it as a stereo splitter / Mod / reverb / delay.

That is put thru a TECHNICS 500 Watt HOME THEATRE STEREO SYSTEM!!! LOL Funny but it sounds great, plus it's cheap way to get a Stereo Setup.

That is placed thru my homemade 4x10 Stereo Cabinet w/ eminence speakers.
Ok, you can see I'm pretty..uh....FRUGAL!! But I get Sweet Loud Sound for LESS THAN $350 Bucks!!!
ErikH : Yes you are right, The switch is questionable. I've actually missed it a few times on the altar and had to quot;improvisequot; my way back into a song. That is never fun.
Who Fan: About the fender, I love Fender Amps, have owned several, and honestly I think those amps are better left as stand-alone. I've just never got pedals or processors to sound right with them.

MGTS: I've tried those Cubes. They seem great! Almost Bought one before I had A Reality check...I own too much stuff as it is. Plus I have a Portable Tube amp.