The Coopersonic Valveslapper is an overdrive and distortion pedal with valves inside it, hand-built in Nottingham by Coopersonic. MusicRadar's reviewer suggested the maker "might not be a name you're familiar with, but that won't last for long," and noted that Arctic Monkeys, Ronnie Wood and producer John Leckie (Stone Roses, Radiohead, The Verve) have all used the pedal1.
The controls: Thrust, Balls, Tits and Ass
The Valveslapper does not use conventional control labels. As MusicRadar put it, "the bods at Coopersonic have opted for the far more amusing Thrust (volume), Balls (bass), Tits (treble) and Ass (gain)"1.
| Control | Function |
|---|---|
| Thrust | Volume |
| Balls | Bass |
| Tits | Treble |
| Ass | Gain |
The gain range is wide. MusicRadar's reviewer found "enough gain in the ass control to go from subtle to searing," and that rolling it past the three-quarters mark takes the Valveslapper into "a fuzzed-out doom machine"1. The EQ section offers 15dB of boost or cut for each band, meaning you can make extreme changes to your tone rather than only gentle shaping1.
For a practical starting point, the reviewer found that "Setting the gain low with Thrust and Balls at 12 o'clock and Tits at one-ish gets a good classic rock tone," and that from there it is a case of rolling back your guitar's volume to clean up the sound1.
What reviewers said
MusicRadar's verdict was that the pedal is "Different, but still useable," with the reviewer adding that "there's no denying its unique innards" and that the amount of gain and EQ on offer proves "the Valveslapper will be suitable for many playing situations"1. The reviewer also reported that Coopersonic reckon the pedal can go from blues to metal1.
The labeling drew a mixed note in the same review: "Whether you see the Valveslapper's labelling as playful or a tad cringe-inducing is a matter of taste," and the downsides column listed "T&A not for everyone!"1.
The control names are the maker's own and are part of the pedal's identity. If the labels matter to you, they are worth seeing before you put the pedal on a board.
If you want to hear where the Valveslapper sits, its gain range overlaps both overdrive pedals and distortion pedals, and its past-three-quarters territory edges toward what fuzz pedals do1.
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Questions
What valves does the Coopersonic Valveslapper use?
The pedal is loaded with 6N2PEV valves, a Russian military spec version of the more common 12AX7. That gives it genuine valve stages inside a pedal format, which is what sets it apart from ordinary solid state overdrives and distortions.
Where is the Coopersonic Valveslapper made?
The Valveslapper is hand-built in Nottingham by Coopersonic, a small maker that MusicRadar noted might not be a familiar name but predicted would not stay that way for long.
How much EQ range does the Valveslapper have?
The EQ section offers 15dB of boost or cut for each band, which MusicRadar said means you can make extreme changes to your tone rather than only gentle shaping.
Can the Valveslapper go from blues to metal?
Yes. MusicRadar reported that Coopersonic reckon the pedal can go from blues to metal, and the reviewer found enough gain in the Ass control to go from subtle to searing, with rolling it past three-quarters taking the pedal into fuzzed-out doom territory.
Who has used the Coopersonic Valveslapper?
Arctic Monkeys, Ronnie Wood and producer John Leckie, whose credits include Stone Roses, Radiohead and The Verve, have all used the pedal, according to MusicRadar.
Sources (1)
- Coopersonic Valveslapper review, MusicRadar, 2010-07-21