Chase Bliss discontinues five LDR pedals in UK and EU
August 1, 2024 · 2 sources
Chase Bliss announced in late August 2024 that it would discontinue the sale of five pedals in the UK and EU, effective immediately, to comply with newly in-place market access requirements1. The pedals affected are the original MKI Condor, the dual delay Thermae, the ambient reverb Dark World, the Warped Vinyl HiFi and the Preamp MkII1. The company's first signature pedal, the Billy Strings Wombtone, is US-only for the same reason1.
Each of the five pedals contains a light-dependent resistor, also known as a vactrol, which is an essential part of its circuit, and traces of cadmium sulfide were found in the LDR1. Chase Bliss founder Joel Korte told Guitar World that the photoresistors require cadmium sulfide to work and that RoHS laws restrict products using components that contain it2. He said the company was contacted by a government agency in the UK, and that from what he could tell the brands affected so far are UK-based, plus Chase Bliss2.
"It would be a big undertaking. though, and would require significant resources in redesigning the pedals from the ground up."
Korte said it is possible the pedals could return without vactrols, and that he would monitor the market once US stock runs out, but that redesigning them from the ground up would be a big undertaking2. He also said most recent releases and products in development do not use LDRs2.
The Wombtone is a dynamic phaser that Chase Bliss calls an "EnvoloPhaser," with the phase altered differently depending on the dynamics of the input signal1. It has a three-way switch for two, four and six stages; Feed, Rate, Volume and Mix controls; a ModuShape section with Depth and Form controls plus two dials for the front and back halves of the modulation wave; three side switches for the envelope follower's release time and sensitivity; and dip switches on top1. It is available only in the US for $399, with preorders open at announcement and first shipments expected within two weeks1. Chase Bliss stated the region-locked pedal is a one-off and future pedals will be available worldwide again1.
The sources differ on one name: Gearnews lists the original MKI Condor1, while Guitar World lists the Condor HiFi2.
Sources (2)
- Chase Bliss Billy Strings Wombtone: U.S. only signature Phaser, gearnews.com
- “There's so much we are working on, I'd rather keep my eyes forward. We'll ultimately emerge stronger”: Why Chase Bliss has been forced to discontinue 5 of its finest pedals – and what it means for the firm's future | Guitar World, guitarworld.com