The Mr. Black GilaMondo Electric Lizard is an 8-stage phaser pedal in a Special Edition "Electric Lizard" finish, built by Mr. Black in Portland, Oregon1. Mr. Black describes it as "one syrupy phase-shift modulator employing a full eight stages of ooey-gooey phase-shifting swirl"1. What sets it apart from a standard phaser is its Bonus knob, which recycles the outputs of the phase-shift stages back into the network, and its Cobra Tone mode, a fixed phase-shift setting that works like a cocked wah1.
Controls and the Bonus knob
The GilaMondo's control set centers on the interaction between the Width control and the Bonus knob. With the Width control set anywhere above minimum, the Bonus knob acts as an enhancer and intensifier, recycling the outputs of the phase-shift stages back into the phase-shift network's input at three discrete nodes1. Mr. Black describes the range this opens up: at minimum Bonus settings you get "a lush and heavenly swirl, while at maximum settings the Bonus knob spawns a throaty and vocal tone"1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Width | Sets modulation depth; at minimum it fully disables the LFO1 |
| Bonus (Width above minimum) | Enhancer/intensifier, recycling phase-shift outputs back into the network at three discrete nodes1 |
| Bonus (Width at minimum) | Fixed phase-shift control, the Cobra Tone1 |
The LFO itself covers a very wide range of cycle speeds, approximately 0.125Hz to 12Hz1.
The Cobra Tone
Setting the Width control at minimum fully disables the LFO and "parks" the phase-shift network's central point, which Mr. Black compares to tuning the phase-shifter like a cocked wah, but stronger and more pronounced1. This fixed phase-shift mode is what Mr. Black calls the Cobra Tone, and the company says it "sounds phenomenal after distortion or fuzz"1. In other words, the pedal doubles as a fixed filter, not just a moving phaser.
Power, bypass and connections
The GilaMondo is true-bypass, so your dry signal passes through untouched when the pedal is off1. Power comes from a 9V DC supply with a 2.1mm negative center-pin barrel jack, or from an internal 9V battery that is not included1. Current draw is under 60mA, and Mr. Black recommends a supply rated for at least 100mA1.
The 100mA recommendation means a supply sized for small analog pedals may not be the best match. Check your power brick's per-output rating before daisy-chaining the GilaMondo with several other digital pedals.
The pedal handles a 3V peak-to-peak maximum input signal, which Mr. Black calls high input headroom1. The company says that headroom means "you can safely and happily use this phase-shifter with your electric guitar, bass guitar, keyboard, and synth"1. Input impedance is approximately 500KΩ and output impedance approximately 2KΩ1.
In an effects loop
Mr. Black suggests trying the GilaMondo in your amplifier's effects loop, if available, for an even more intense effect than placing it in front of the amp1. The 3V peak-to-peak input headroom is what makes this practical, since effects-loop signal levels can run hotter than a guitar's output1.
Price and where it fits
The GilaMondo Electric Lizard carries a regular price of $219.95, with a listed sale price of $199.951. It is built in Portland, Oregon1, and its compact footprint of 2.4" x 4.5" x 1.8" keeps it practical for smaller boards1. Players comparing it within the Mr. Black line can also look at the Mr. Black GilaMondo standard model and the Mr. Black Twin-Lazers dual phaser.
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Questions
Is the Mr. Black GilaMondo true bypass?
Yes. Mr. Black lists the GilaMondo Electric Lizard as a true-bypass pedal, so with the effect switched off your signal passes through without active circuitry in the path. It runs on 9V DC with a negative center pin, or on an internal 9V battery, which is not included.
How much current does the GilaMondo draw?
Mr. Black specifies a current draw of under 60mA, and recommends a power supply rated for at least 100mA. Power comes in through a 2.1mm barrel jack with a negative center pin at 9V DC, or through an internal 9V battery that is not included with the pedal.
What is the Cobra Tone on the GilaMondo?
The Cobra Tone is the GilaMondo's fixed phase-shift mode. You get there by turning the Width control to minimum, which disables the LFO and parks the phase-shift network's central point, tuning the shifter like a cocked wah but stronger and more pronounced. Mr. Black says it sounds phenomenal after distortion or fuzz.
Can the GilaMondo be used in an effects loop?
Yes. Mr. Black suggests trying the GilaMondo in your amplifier's effects loop, if available, for an even more intense effect than running it in front of the amp. Its 3V peak-to-peak input headroom also means it handles line-level sources such as keyboards and synths safely.
Where is the Mr. Black GilaMondo made?
Mr. Black builds the GilaMondo Electric Lizard in Portland, Oregon, where the company is based. The Electric Lizard is a Special Edition finish of the GilaMondo 8-stage phase shifter, listed at a regular price of $219.95.
Sources (1)
- GilaMondo Electric Lizard, Mr. Black
