The Sabbadius Fillmore East Funky-Vibe, 2020 Edition is a Uni-Vibe style pedal from Sabbadius Electronics, an Argentinian stompbox manufacturer. It is a chorus/vibrato effect in the Uni-Vibe family, the classic modulation pedal that, as Guitar World's Trevor Curwen put it, was "spawned in the 1960s with a distinctive sound of its own"12. Delicious Audio reported that the pedal "is said to perfectly capture the 'chewy' sound of the Uni-Vibes Jimi Hendrix played in 1969 and 1970"2.
Where it comes from
The Uni-Vibe is a classic modulation effect pedal, and modern Univibe pedals come in compact, pedalboard-friendly enclosures, as tru-fi.com's history of the effect notes3. The Fillmore East is Sabbadius's 2020 Edition of its Funky-Vibe, and Delicious Audio added it to its roundup of the best Uni-Vibe pedals when it was announced in June 20202.
Controls and the Cancel footswitch
The pedal carries the same controls as an original Uni-Vibe, including the Chorus/Vibrato switch2.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Speed | Sets modulation speed; on the original Uni-Vibe this was controlled exclusively by a separate pedal2 |
| Chorus/Vibrato switch | Selects between the two modes, as on an original Uni-Vibe2 |
| Cancel footswitch | Engages Pre-Amp mode, with the character and color of the original Uni-Vibe effect2 |
| Second footswitch | Regular on/off operation2 |
The Cancel footswitch is the feature that sets the pedal apart from a straightforward copy: engaging it "allows you to use the pedal as a Pre-Amp with the character and color of the original Uni-Vibe effect"2.
Photocells and the vintage approach
The Fillmore East uses Custom Made Photocells (CdS) made exclusively for Sabbadius, with attention paid to matching the resistance and response in LUX of old vintage photocells2. In a Uni-Vibe, those light-dependent components are central to the circuit's character, which is why the choice of photocells matters to players chasing the original sound.
What reviewers said
Delicious Audio's Paolo De Gregorio described the 2020 Edition as capturing the "chewy" sound of the Uni-Vibes Hendrix played in 1969 and 19702.
Videos
SABBADIUS Electronics
R.J. Ronquillo
Nathan Butler
Questions
What does the Cancel footswitch do on the Sabbadius Funky-Vibe?
The Cancel footswitch lets you use the pedal as a preamp with the character and color of the original Uni-Vibe effect. In that mode the modulation is taken out of the picture while the pedal's preamp voicing stays in the signal path. The pedal has two footswitches in total: one for regular on/off operation and the other, Cancel, for this preamp mode.
Does the Sabbadius Funky-Vibe have a speed knob?
Yes. The 2020 Edition Fillmore East has a Speed knob on the pedal itself. On the original Uni-Vibe, speed was controlled exclusively by a separate foot pedal, so having it as a knob on top is a practical difference for pedalboard use.
Which Uni-Vibe versions is the Fillmore East Funky-Vibe based on?
According to Delicious Audio, this version is a mix of the 1968 and 1969 Uni-Vibe circuits, and the Fillmore East adds old vintage photocells on top of that. It carries the same controls as an original Uni-Vibe, including the Chorus/Vibrato switch.
Can the Funky-Vibe be used as a preamp?
Yes. Engaging the Cancel footswitch allows you to use the pedal as a preamp with the character and color of the original Uni-Vibe effect, per Delicious Audio's write-up of the 2020 Edition.
What are CdS photocells in a Uni-Vibe pedal?
CdS photocells are the light-sensitive components a Uni-Vibe uses to create its modulation. The Fillmore East uses custom made photocells made exclusively for Sabbadius, built to match the resistance and response in LUX of old vintage photocells, which is central to how the pedal pursues an authentic Uni-Vibe character.
Sources (3)
- J Rockett Uni-Verb review, Guitar World, 2022-11-01
- Sabbadius Fillmore East Funky-Vibe, 2020 Edition, Delicious Audio, 2020-06-15
- The Swirl Start of the Univibe vintage guitar pedal, tru-fi.com
