Vertex Effects - Steel String & Ultra Phonix - These Pedals Are Not Leaving My Pedal Board

[@DBroce]

I’ve been adding these pedals to my collection over the last several years, they’re great.

[@CraigRMerriman]

Absolutely great stuff. I'm in the same camp.

[@joshuaschecter]

I got the ultra phonix and it’s great haven’t tried the steel string but I imagine it’s good. Ultra phonix definitely adds a different flavor of drive, for me at least. Happy with my purchase.

[@peteywheatstraws4909]

I picked up a steel string pedal for about $40 a few years ago. I just use it for "punch" and an EQ.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Thanks so much for the video Paul! Sounds incredible! Many thanks to all the Studio Rats ❤️❤️❤️

[@peterholyman489]

Great demo Paul. Very clear explanation on the controls. I'll be checking them out.

[@robert6907]

This video sold me on these pedals. Sounds amazing.

[@nickg2431]

Serendipity I was just looking at the SS pedal and then your video appeared- nice demo ,I may take the plunge!

[@shuaibird.official]

the 30s intro at the beginning has already convinced me to get these two pedals 😂

[@IamMusicNerd]

Vertex makes amazing pedals and buffers.

[@IvorThomas]

Ultraphonix has been my fav ever since I got it. It is darker and richer than my others, which I prefer. I was using it along side my tube screamer, but I didn't think of using the Steel String just as a boost (it's been on the shelf). Question, where in your signal path do you like your compressor?

[@guilletjean-jacques5107]

on m a conseillé de mettre comme suit ; guitare -compresseur-ultra phonix-steel string -earthquaker dispatch master 3 - amplification , j ai joué un temp comme ca , et j ai decidé d inverser l ultra phonix et la steel string , et c est carrement mieux comme ca , je dirais meme que c est comme ca qu il faut l utiliser , mes telecaster sonnent comme jamais , mais il a fallu tattoner pour trouver les bons reglages .

[@steverussell8804]

I can so relate to what you said about the anticipation as you plug in a new pedal for the first 5mins or so - and then realise youve added very little to your sound in reality 😅. How many pedals have made their way onto my board only to be moved on pretty quickly...

[@colsontowingllc3309]

sounding too good dudes!!! steel string never gets turned of for me...everything better when its on

[@allanb1402]

This video just helped Mason sell 2 more pedals lol. These are really underrated kit and sound incredible even in front of a Katana

[@periloustemple8290]

I know this has been out a while, but just wondering: what amp (or amp sim) are you using? I do have both of these, but my Ultra Phonix is 3 knob. I love them both.

[@guilletjean-jacques5107]

superbe video , la question que je me pose , possedant une nobels odr1 , est ce necessaire de prendre l ultra phonix aussi ?

[@ernieb3626]

great video Paul. They really seem different Im going to have to figure out which one to get first:-) You do a good Job with getting the tones across, Thanks and cheers

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers Ernie

[@krameree1969]

Steel String sounds killer..you should demo the Durham Electronics SexDrive, it adds another dimension. I have old and new version, not too far from you so you are welcome to give them a blast..

[@58lp2002]

Great review! I have both, sort of - have the older Ultra, and like the Ultra much more for me. Wonder if the tone on this newer more compact is any different than the older larger one that zI have?

[@gloriaslovechild6496]

They added input gain control is the only change, their video says it was to compensate for lower output pickups to get the same reaction from the pedal as HB or PAF style pickups. I guess that make sense as most Dumble ODS users were all using more vintage PAF pickups and not single coil so much at least at the time they were made for the players. Larry, Robben, all big 335 users when they got their ODS amps for example. I have v1 and v2 and with the input volume control off it sounds the same, or can be dialed the same with a little tweak to the pots. I agree though it makes my Tele sound better than it did with v1 because of that extra control.

[@58lp2002]

@@gloriaslovechild6496 Good explanation.

[@bernardbrennan1612]

Great demo.

[@kimmolingonheimo]

I have 3 VERTEX Dynamic Distortions: great dynamics, ha! ( blows away Boss Blues Drivers at least...), and a LYR SSS(Steels String&Supreme)A great tone thickener/biggener...! just make you to play more...

[@charlesmcbride4097]

Well done, Paul. If it's not an imposition...I'm wondering if you find the 'Steel String' to be as useful for a Les Paul or PRS equivalent. Many thanks.

[@TheStudioRats]

Hi Charles, not at all. Yes it’s just as good with humbucker guitars.

[@bflatbluesband3202]

Insanely great pedals . I got the Ultraphonix and the Nux Steel Singer but i am going to replace the Nux by the Vertex Steel String because the first is more of an overdrive instead of a booster : even at the lowest gain level it produces too much overdrive.

[@paulvsmith]

Would love to see you comparing the steel string against the Gladio SC.

[@michaelpaul7211]

As usual great video Paul. Was the steel string in front of the ultra phonix?

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers Michael, yes it was

[@jgmain957]

Hi, could you tell me the settings on each pedal for the opening chordal thing with the clean drive and the subsequent Ultraphonix lead thing that you did before talking? I’d like to implement the settings in my two pedals. Thanks!

[@0megalul309]

Another underrated boost/always on pedal is the clones of the ce-1 preamp. Yknow the John Frusciante sound.

[@Rick-5728]

How would the steel string be in the effects loop of a HR DLX?

[@Cluless02]

Pro vid all the way! Thx -

[@ernieb3626]

Oh by the way I really enjoy some of the licks you play. Great Player

[@jafethuerta]

Do you know what the difference is between this silver one (Vertex Steel String) and the black one (Vertex Steel String “slight return”) ? Since they’re both called the same I’m a bit confused. Thanks

[@TheStudioRats]

I don’t I’m afraid, it might be worth sending Mason a messsge to ask.

[@sublyme2157]

In fairness, you make every piece of gear sound amazing :)

[@emmanuelibus]

What's that scale you threw in the beginning? Sounds jazzy and bluesy.

[@SG-4u]

This pedal is okay. I have it. My main critique would be that it costs 8 times more than it's worth. On top of that, the gain and filter knobs are cheap plastic knobs that do not show you the setting they are at. I do not play in a band so the idea of an "always on" pedal makes no sense for me, I'm in a studio 100% of the time. I'd like to be able to see and recall settings and you can't do that with this pedal other than the Level knob. The sound isn't unique, but I do like it and if I were in a blues band or something like that where I play the same tone all night it's a good choice.

[@gilesashley1299]

Very nice.. How would they fair into a boss katana. Great channel by the way.

[@TheStudioRats]

Ill try during the week, the Katana takes pedals really well so I imagine it will work well.

[@xxnycbradxx]

What is the order of the pedals? Was the steel string boosting the Ultraphonix?

[@guilletjean-jacques5107]

j ai acheté les deux , j ai mis la steel string avant l ultra phonix , mais on me dit de faire le contraire , il faut que j essais .

[@xxnycbradxx]

@@guilletjean-jacques5107 Merci. I tried different ways. I finally put the Ultraphonix closer to my guitar input and the steel string closer to the amp. But I’m running the Ultra Phonix with higher drive and the Steel string is about 12 on gain. What settings are you running yours?

[@guilletjean-jacques5107]

@@xxnycbradxx pour l ultra phonix le master est juste au dessus de 12h , le level est a 13h le ratio a 11h et le filter a 14h , pour la steel string le level est a 13h , le level juste en dessous de 12h et le filter a 13h , j ai encore essayé l ordre suivant .....Wampler ego compressor , ultra phonix , steel string et earthquake device dipatch master .......rien a faire ca marche pas pour moi , alors que si j inverse la steel string et l ultra phonix je trouves ca superbe , evidement la steel string reste toujours allumée .

[@xxnycbradxx]

@@guilletjean-jacques5107 That’s basically how I have the Ultra Phonix and Steel String set up 😎. I also have the Wamplet Ego. My chain is Guitar > Ego > Ultra Phonix > Steel String > Wampler Moxie > Front of amp.

[@guilletjean-jacques5107]

@@xxnycbradxx j ai decidé d explorer la meme voie que vous , car beaucoup de monde me conseille de mettre l ultra phonix avant la steel string , et meme the studio rats fait cet ordre la , on m a conseillé aussi de faire ainsi : Wampler ego Nobels ODR1 , ultra phonix , steel string et dispatch v3 , j ai essayé a son faible car je suis en appartement et il est tard , ca semble fonctionné , je verrais demain avec un son un peu plus fort !!

[@Sitiben]

So a year later… are the pedals still on your board?

[@dr7246]

I like the Steel String. However, when I set the switch to “jazz”, I was expecting it to make me play and sound like Julian Lage. But it didn’t.

[@stringtheoryguitars4952]

hmmmm.. maybe it’s defective. Try sending an email

[@Babesyann]

Is your compressor pedal still on?

[@kevinb9050]

What song are those lovely chords from? Anyone? Thank you!

[@VictorEMusique]

is this the pedalboard with the two BluGuitar amps? ME and Iridium?

[@TheStudioRats]

No I’m using a matchless for this video.

[@BradRocker]

Do you feel either of these has any comparison to the Zen Drive? and have either of you used a Zen Drive Past/Present

[@TheStudioRats]

Hey Joe, I’m afraid I’ve never tried one. Another one for the lust

[@BradRocker]

@@TheStudioRats Certainly worth looking into the originals and the re-takes

[@IvorThomas]

There seem to be a variety of Zen drives out there. That would be an epic episode if you could score a sampling.

[@Dunk0The0Punk]

Both sound really full and lush which amp are you using ?

[@TheStudioRats]

I was using a matchless Independence 35

[@patterry730]

You should consider backing off the verb & delay when demonstrating an overdrive…. Having that halo of effects surrounding the drive really screws up appreciating the actual pedal tone. Hope you back effects off, I like your channel! 🎶✌🏻

[@nathanguy981]

Firstly, yes, these pedals sound great. But unfortunately the idea that they are based on Dumble amps is marketing fantasy. The Ultraphonix is pretty much a clone of the Zendrive, while the SSS Clean Drive is based on a Jack Orman circuit design from the 90s. They are good pedals! I like the SSS so much I built one. But you should take any Dumble hypespeak with a grain of salt.

[@IamMusicNerd]

Possibly. Since every original Dumble was custom built for it's original owner, no two are exactly the same. But Robben Ford said that he let Mason from Vertex use his original Dumble amps to voice the SSS and Phonix pedals off of. So that would seem to support the claim that these pedals are pretty closely related to the original Dumble tone.

[@petrtelensky6828]

4:08

[@jjschulz3472]

The owner of Vertex is a well known charlatan/thief. Please do some more research before promoting his products. I am amazed how he has stayed in business.

[@TheStudioRats]

Hi JJ, I try to judge people on how I find them not from what I read on the internet. Mason came on our live show and was a thoroughly nice guy and was very knowledgeable. This is not a promotional video as I was not paid, I’m giving my honest opinion on some great pedals. All the best P

[@kmichaelp4508]

Isn’t everyone a thief? Is there anything that has not been copied? With that said, I don’t see your point.

[@jjschulz3472]

@@TheStudioRats This is not dome random bad vibes on the internet. This was a very long drawn out situation. He willfully defrauded hundreds. Lied for months, then when cornered threatened legal action against those who exposed him. Then came clean. Because he had no other choice. There are hundreds of pages about all of this. Not just rumors, or accusations. This was just one instance. I respect you guys, like your reviews, and may not have been aware of how serious this was. Lots of great honest people/companies out there, that have not cheated people hundreds of times.

[@colsontowingllc3309]

@@jjschulz3472 duuuuude...this is too old...you guys have no life....even if uncle mase took every rite step you still would fine problem in everything he does...how could he do it better??? this was 10 yrs ago...every buyer got the money back...for real...what could be better than getting all your money back??? problem solved...you think your bank gonna do you like that...they cheat millions and get bail outs...never faced the music...i got more respect for a comeback...stop hatin bro!!!

[@jjschulz3472]

@@kmichaelp4508 This has nothing to do with copying a circuit. Not at all. He bought BBE Wah pedals, rehoused them, changed a few components, then sold them as custom wahs under his own name. Charged hundreds for a handmade custom original wah. Gooped the board so no one could see. Then lied when confronted, numerous times over months. Then threatened with legal letters to those who exposed his fraud. Finally admitted he did it. After months of confrontation publicly on gear forums. Hundreds of pages of him lying over and over. He did it with other pedals also. This was by far his biggest seller, so got the most coverage. If he copied their circuit, no big deal. To use their actual components and call it an original handmade custom is the issue. Clones are par for the course. This is not that. He is not just a cloner.

[@Erickchicas]

Don't support Scammers!!

[@jjschulz3472]

Agreed. Scammer of the highest order.

[@cheffredheurtin3456]

Vertex really rubs me the wrong way

[@oriontonehunt4765]

Sorry to be the one to break this to you, but both of these pedals are stolen designs. Mason has a long history now with ripping off other creators. The SSS is two Jack Orman Mu-amps with a Big Muff tone control. The ultraphonix is a Hermida Zen Drive with the voice control changed to a 3k3 resistor. Literally neither pedal was designed by him in any way shape or form.

[@TheStudioRats]

I’m going to break something back to you, most designs are copied or inspired but something else. If you knew you didn’t like these pedals before, why did you watch this video? I’m getting a little tired of the Vertex FX bashing.

[@oriontonehunt4765]

@@TheStudioRats if you enjoy being defrauded, then good for you - but I put this information out there because he's misrepresenting his product in a way that is not typical of the industry and basically rises to fraud. This is not typical behavior you see from other builders - he's not being "inspired" by anything - he's stealing a schematic and completely misrepresenting its origins. I'm likewise tired of people waving away his behavior as if it is typical. There's a reason he gets dragged by the community. If you want to look like a fool, that's on you - I put it out there so people who aren't privy can make informed decisions and not support a con man. And further to your point that "almost everybody is just copying something else ...." - no, not really. I can point you to an endless well of original designers who are pushing the art forward.