Alongside Maxon, Godlyke served as exclusive distributor of product lines including EMMA Electronic of Denmark, plus its own TWA, Power-All, Power-Grip and Pivot-All brands1. Its artist roster included players such as Zakk DeBono, who described Maxon pedals as his number one go-to4.
The story: from Maxon distributor to its own pedals
Godlyke, Inc. was founded in October of 1998 by life-long friends and musicians Kevin Bolembach and George Schwab1. The company built its name as a distributor, and its exclusive distribution lines included EMMA Electronic of Denmark alongside its own TWA, Power-All, Power-Grip and Pivot-All products1. Kevin Bolembach, one of the founders, was quoted in a 2004 Better Guitar review of the Maxon PH350 explaining the pedal's photocoupler design, described as being "of Godlyke (Maxon's US distributor)"6.
Through the 2010s Godlyke announced Maxon releases to the American market, including the seven-pedal Fuzz Elements fuzz line in 2014 and the OD808X Overdrive Extreme the same year. The 2019 40th Anniversary OD808-40, a 400-unit limited edition modified by Susumu Tamura in collaboration with Godlyke, spun off into the Custom Shop collaborations below.
The split from Maxon
In 2021 Godlyke and Maxon parted ways. Godlyke states plainly that it "is no longer Maxon's Distributor and will no longer be receiving inventory from Maxon Japan"73. The split ended the arrangement that made Godlyke the North American source for Maxon pedals, though Godlyke's own product pages for Maxon items remain as listings for remaining and B-stock stock.
Known for Maxon Custom Shop mods and the Providence line
One program that defined Godlyke's identity beyond straight distribution was its Custom Shop collaboration with outside designers. Godlyke collaborated with master pedal engineer Robert Keeley on the limited-edition Maxon 40th Anniversary OD808-40K, a Keeley-modified version of the OD808 overdrive2. The pedal was made by Maxon, with Godlyke announcing its release2.
Godlyke's reach as a distributor also extended to its own product lines. Beyond the brands it carried, the company distributed its own TWA line as well as Power-All, Power-Grip and Pivot-All products1. Its warranty coverage applied to North and South America only, unless otherwise specified1.
The founders: Kevin Bolembach and George Schwab
Godlyke was founded in October 1998 by Kevin Bolembach and George Schwab, described as lifelong friends and musicians1. Bolembach's technical voice appears in the press record: in a 2004 Better Guitar review of the Maxon PH350 Rotary Phaser, he was cited explaining the pedal's photocoupler design6.
Brands Godlyke distributes
Godlyke's distribution roster, as it states it, includes:
- EMMA Electronic (Denmark)1
- TWA, its own brand, including filter pedals such as the Little Dipper Mk II and Triskelion Mk II18
- Power-All, Power-Grip and Pivot-All, its own accessory lines1
Godlyke also released its own hardware, such as the Wahsabi wah pedal9 and the ELECTRA 650RPC Remote Pedal Control, which could control up to four guitar effects from a small remote unit10.
The ELECTRA 650RPC was offered as new-old-stock B-stock, described by Godlyke as "Pretty much new in the box," with the possibility of signs of use and very minor cosmetic damage, box included. It is now sold out10.
Support and warranty
Godlyke's warranty coverage applies to North and South America only, unless otherwise specified1. For repairs and questions, Godlyke gives its contact as info@godlyke.com5.
Pedals from the brands Godlyke has distributed carry their makers' own warranty terms, which differ from brand to brand:
| Maker | Warranty |
|---|---|
| Wilson Effects | One year, parts and labor, on all pedals111213 |
| Alexander Pedals | One year from date of purchase, fully transferrable; maker pays return shipping on warranty repairs14 |
| Browne Amplification | Two years non-transferable for pedals sold in the USA; one year non-transferable outside the USA, proof of purchase required15 |
| ZVEX (hand painted pedals) | Lifetime warranty |
The range (5)
| Type | Pedals |
|---|---|
| Delay | Godlyke Providence DLY-4 Chrono Delay |
| Overdrive | Godlyke Source Code SC-01, Godlyke Tamura-Mod Level Boost TS9TMB, Godlyke Tamura-modded TS808 TubeScreamer, Godlyke TS808-TMv.2 |
News
Questions
Is Godlyke still the US distributor for Maxon?
No. Godlyke, Inc. is no longer Maxon's distributor and no longer receives inventory from Maxon Japan. The split was announced in 2021, ending a relationship that went back to Godlyke's early years as Maxon's North American source for pedals like the OD808.
Who makes Providence pedals?
Providence pedals are made by Providence, a Japanese effects brand. Godlyke, Inc. distributed the Providence line in the Americas, including pedals such as the Silky Drive SLD-1F overdrive, and announced releases like the DLY-4 Chrono Delay in 2011.
Where is Godlyke located?
Godlyke, Inc. is a United States company, founded in October 1998 by Kevin Bolembach and George Schwab. Its warranty coverage applies to North and South America, which reflects the territory its distribution business served.
Does the Godlyke warranty cover pedals bought outside the Americas?
No. Godlyke's warranty coverage applies to North and South America only, unless otherwise specified. Pedals sold internationally may carry different terms from the maker, for example Browne Amplification pedals sold outside the USA carry a one-year non-transferable warranty instead of the two-year US warranty.
How do I contact Godlyke for repairs?
Godlyke gives its contact email as info@godlyke.com and invites questions by email. For pedals from the brands it distributes, warranty terms are set by each maker, so repairs for those brands go through the maker's own process.
Is the Godlyke Electra remote pedal control still available?
No. The Godlyke ELECTRA 650RPC Remote Pedal Control, which controls up to four guitar effects from a small remote, was offered as new-old-stock B-stock and is now sold out at Godlyke's store.
Sources (15)
- About | Godlyke Distributing Inc. - Godlyke Distributing, Inc., Godlyke Distributing, Inc.
- Maxon 40th Anniversary Keeley Modified Overdrive OD808-40K #375 (B-STO, Godlyke Distributing, Inc.
- “Who better to mod the mod than the engineer who designed the circuit in the first place”: Original Tube Screamer designer Susumu Tamura just overhauled one of the most popular Ibanez TS9 mods, Guitar World, 2024-03-20
- OVERDRIVE (OD808), Godlyke Distributing, Inc.
- WAHSABI™, Godlyke Distributing, Inc.
- Maxon PH350 Rotary Phaser, Better Guitar (republished on maxonfx.com by Godlyke, Inc.), 2004
- SUPER SONIC DISTORTION (SSD-9), Godlyke, Inc. (maxonfx.com)
- TWA Releases Little Dipper MK II, Guitar Interactive Magazine, 2014-09-18
- ELECTRA 650RPC Remote Pedal Control (B-STOCK), Godlyke Distributing, Inc.
- ELECTRA 650RPC Remote Pedal Control (B-Stock), Godlyke Distributing
- Mordant | Wilson Effects, Wilson Effects
- Boost | Wilson Effects, Wilson Effects
- BC109 | Wilson Effects, Wilson Effects
- FAQ - Alexander, Alexander Pedals
- SSHAC_V1_Manual, Browne Amplification, 2024-12