The story: an Indonesian pedal maker
GFI System is a boutique pedal brand from Jakarta, Indonesia, with Henry Widjaja as its head4. The company describes itself as a small business1, and its focus is on pedals, with news and updates centered on new pedals and restocks156.
GFI's early reputation was built on digital time-based effects. The Specular Tempus, a combined delay and reverb pedal based on the company's earlier Clockworks Delay and Specular Reverb, drew press attention in 2017 as "a cool, boutique-ish delay and reverb pedal from Indonesia"2. Reviewers had already taken notice: Pedal of the Day reviewed the Clockwork Delay and the Specular2 Reverb in 2016, calling the Specular2's stereo sound incredible7.
A timeline of the company's early years:
GFI System's identity as a maker rests on a few verifiable points: it is a small business1, it is based in Indonesia135, and it builds pedals135. Press coverage in 2017 highlighted its digital effect devices, noting that the Indonesian manufacturer had "caused a bit of a sensation in the pedal business with its digital effect devices"2.
Henry Widjaja, founder, and the team
Henry Widjaja founded GFI System and heads the boutique pedal brand from Jakarta, Indonesia4. GFI System describes itself as a small business1, and its output is centered on pedals15.
The pedal range
GFI System's current lineup covers several effect families. Highlights from the maker's own pages56:
| Pedal | Type | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Skylar | Reverb | Multi-mode stereo digital reverb in a compact enclosure8 |
| Orca Delay | Delay | Four GFI System delay algorithms in a compact pedal9 |
| Jonassus | Overdrive | Dual-channel overdrive pedal10 |
| Rossie | Filter | Dynamic multi-filter pedal combining three tone-enriching filter effects11 |
| Enieqma | EQ | Equalization capabilities in a pedal format12 |
| Duophony | Blender | A take on the parallel blender pedal, with configurable heel and toe expression values13 |
| Triple Switch | Utility | Three momentary, normally-opened switch contacts for remote control14 |
Several pedals share a practical design approach: a multi-purpose jack for an expression or tap-tempo pedal appears on both the Skylar and the Orca89, and the Orca is described by the maker as straightforward and easy to use9.
The Skylar, reviewed
The Skylar is the company's compact reverb, described by Delicious Audio as "a studio-quality, streamlined, multi-mode, stereo digital reverb" in a small form factor15. Its two footswitches handle on/off and tap tempo, but also navigate presets and engage a momentary Ramp effect15. A multi-purpose jack connects an expression pedal or tap-tempo pedal for expressive control over the reverb parameters8.
Delicious Audio's verdict, published 22 January 2024:
"This is a more 'curated' reverb pedal than your classic do-it-all reverb workstation, but still, a useful and great-sounding device"
The same article placed the Skylar in the site's roundup of best stereo reverb pedals15.
Artists and endorsement
GFI System runs an official artist endorsement and sponsorship program that offers discounts on pedals. The company is direct about its limits116:
"We are a small business and do not pay artists/musicians to use our products. We do have an official artist endorsement"
In other words, artists who join the program get a discount rather than a sponsorship check, which is common among small independent makers.
Contacting GFI System
For artist and endorsement inquiries, GFI System lists artist@gfisystem.com on its artists page1. The company also publishes newsletters with news on new pedals, restocks and voucher codes5.
The range (16)
News
Questions
Where is GFI System based?
GFI System is based in Indonesia. Press coverage has described the company as an Indonesian manufacturer whose pedals, including the Specular Tempus delay and reverb, are made in Indonesia.
Who founded GFI System?
Henry Widjaja founded GFI System. He quit his university teaching job in 2010 to build pedals full time, and as the business grew he brought in Jonas and Jesse to handle marketing and business.
What is the GFI System Skylar?
The Skylar is a studio-quality, streamlined, multi-mode stereo digital reverb pedal in a small form factor. Delicious Audio called it a more curated reverb pedal than a do-it-all reverb workstation, but a useful and great-sounding device likely to inspire for a long time.
Does GFI System have an artist program?
Yes. GFI System runs an official artist endorsement and sponsorship program that offers discounts on pedals. The company states it is a small business and does not pay artists or musicians to use its products.
How do I contact GFI System?
For artist and endorsement inquiries, GFI System lists the email address artist@gfisystem.com on its artists page. The company also publishes newsletters covering new pedals, restocks and voucher codes.
Sources (16)
- Artists - GFI System, GFI System
- Jef's Pedal Round-up this week: Spitfire VT-1 preamp and Specular Tempus delay/reverb, gearnews.com, 2017-10-29
- GFI System Solis Ventus Delay/Reverb, Delicious Audio, 2026-07-06
- Meet GFI System, one of Asia's top boutique pedal builders, Guitar.com, 2020-01-29
- GFI System, GFI System
- GFI System, GFI System
- GFI System Specular 2 Reverb, Pedal of the Day, 2016-03-15
- Skylar Reverb, GFI System
- Orca Delay, GFI System
- Jonassus, GFI System
- Rossie Filter, GFI System
- Enieqma, GFI System
- Duophony, GFI System (gfisystem.com)
- Triple Switch, GFI System
- GFI Skylar Stereo Reverb, Delicious Audio, 2024-01-22
- [Support & FAQs