What sets Foxgear apart in its own descriptions is construction: the maker says its pedals keep the signal path 100% analog, use non-SMD components in the audio path, Wima capacitors, real Alpha 16mm pots and non-plastic trimmers, and switch with a true bypass relay1.
The story: from Gurus to Foxgear
The Echosex family began under the Gurus name, and Gurus partnered with Baroni Labs to launch a more affordable range as Foxgear back in 20173. Foxgear carried the Echosex line forward, including compact versions such as the Echosex Baby and the T7E Baby. When the Steve Lukather signature Echosex 3 was announced, Gurus/Foxgear said it would be donating part of the proceeds of the Luke's Signature Echosex 3 to support charity2.
The Gurus and Foxgear names appear together in press coverage of the Echosex line. Premier Guitar refers to the maker of the Steve Lukather Echosex 3 as Gurus/Foxgear2, so players comparing the original Gurus Echosex pedals and the Foxgear compact versions are looking at one shared family.
The wider Foxgear range grew quickly around 2019:
The Rainbow keeps its signal path 100% analog, with digital reverb processing1. The Multitune uses relay-assisted true bypass with gold pin relays4.
Known for: analog signal paths and relay true bypass
Foxgear's stated design approach is to keep the analog signal path intact even in pedals with digital processing. The Rainbow is the clearest example: it is based on the Spin Semiconductor DSP FV-1, the same chip used in many boutique pedals, for its reverb processing, but Foxgear says the signal path stays 100% analog, with audio capacitors (no SMD) in the signal path and a true bypass relay1.
The bypass switching deserves a note for players comparing pedals. True bypass means that when the pedal is off, the signal passes through without touching the pedal's electronics. Many pedals instead use buffered bypass, and some makers, like TC Electronic and Strymon, offer pedals with switchable buffered or true-bypass options5. Foxgear's approach is a relay-based true bypass: the Rainbow uses Panasonic golden pin relays in its bypass circuit1. Other makers take the same relay route:
- Fishman, whose AFX pedals use a relay-switched true bypass that essentially removes the pedal's electronics from the signal path when the footswitch is pressed6
- Xotic, whose XW-2 uses a relay-based true bypass switch7
- Alexander Pedals, whose pedals are true-bypass using a soft-touch footswitch and a latching relay8
The Steve Lukather Echosex 3 signature delay
The flagship of the line is the Steve Lukather Echosex 3, a signature delay for Lukather. Premier Guitar describes it as an Echorec-style echo with simple use simulating only one Echorec playback head that can be adjusted in delay time2, with the Echo control setting the delay time from 35ms to 730ms9. A 12AU7 preamp tube sits exposed at the heart of the pedal, adding warmth to the effected signal, and the Age Of Damage control replicates the natural warble and modulation that comes with worn-out rubber parts in the original machines3. The reviewer found it covers nearly all bases well, from short slapbacks for rhythmic shuffles to longer delays for soaring leads3. Lukather has used the Echosex on his songs in the studio and live, with Toto and Ringo Starr, and Gurus/Foxgear is donating part of the proceeds of the signature pedal to charity2.
Lukather's own words carry the endorsement:
"The Echosex 3° is the most important and used piece of gear i have, it's always ON and it's big part of my sound."
Premier Guitar reports he has used the Echosex on all of his songs in studio and live, with Toto and Ringo Starr2. Gurus/Foxgear also donates part of the proceeds of the signature pedal to charity2.
The range (11)
| Type | Pedals |
|---|---|
| Boost | Foxgear QBoost |
| Delay | FoxGear Echoes Delay, Foxgear Echosex Baby, Foxgear Steve Lukather Echosex 3, Foxgear T7E Baby |
| Multi-effects | FoxGear Anubi Ambient, Foxgear XYZ Waves |
| Preamp | Foxgear Plex 55 |
| Reverb | FoxGear Rainbow |
| Tremolo | Foxgear Knee Trembler |
| Tuner | FoxGear Multitune |
News
Questions
Is Foxgear the same company as Gurus?
The two names are closely linked. Premier Guitar's coverage of the Steve Lukather Echosex 3 refers to the maker as Gurus/Foxgear, and the Echosex line began as a Gurus product before Foxgear released compact versions. The companies share the Echosex family and its Binson Echorec-inspired circuit.
Are Foxgear pedals true bypass?
Yes. Foxgear pedals use a true bypass relay circuit, and the Rainbow's bypass specifically uses Panasonic golden pin relays. This is the same relay-based approach other makers such as Fishman, Xotic and Alexander Pedals use, where a relay physically removes the pedal's electronics from the signal path when bypassed.
What is the difference between the Echosex Baby and the Echosex 3?
The Echosex Baby is the compact, tubeless version of the Gurus Echosex 2 delay, with five controls and a delay time range of 60ms to 780ms. The Steve Lukather Echosex 3 is a larger signature edition of the Echosex 3, a Binson Echorec emulator with Lukather's settings marked, a redesigned power section and tap tempo, priced at $429.
Does the Foxgear Multitune tune all strings at once?
Yes. The Multitune is a polyphonic tuner pedal, meaning it detects all strings at once rather than one at a time. It also works as a chromatic tuner, uses DSP note detection, shows sharps and flats, and handles open tunings. It launched at $89.
Sources (9)
- FoxGear Presents the Rainbow Digital Reverb, Premier Guitar, 2019-06-21
- Steve Lukather Echosex 3: Foxgear's Latest Signature, Premier Guitar, 2023-03-08
- Gurus Echosex 3º Steve Lukather Delay review, MusicRadar, 2023-03-22
- Foxgear Presents the Multitune Polyphonic Tuner, Premier Guitar, 2019-10-03
- UNDERSTANDING BUFFERS, JHS Pedals
- Fishman AFX Pedals True Bypass, Fishman
- XW-2 MB Manual_front, Xotic Effects, 2024
- FAQ - Alexander, Alexander Pedals
- Foxgear launches the Gurus Echosex 3º Steve Lukather Signature pedal, the “always-on” Echorec emulator that gives the Toto guitarist his secret sauce, Guitar World, 2023-03-23