The Sabbadius Funky Vibe is an analog vibrato pedal that recreates the 1960s Uni-Vibe, the photo-cell chorus/vibrato unit associated with Jimi Hendrix. Sabbadius, an Argentinian builder, makes it in versions based on the 1968 and 1969 Uni-Vibe circuits, and fills it with new-old-stock (NOS) parts: original photocells, Matsushita transistors, vintage capacitors and the bulbs that drive the photo-cell stage12.
RockBoard's PedalPedia says the 68 Funky-Vibe "painstakingly replicates the sound and vibe of an original 1960s Uni-Vibe"1, and Delicious Audio describes the line as "a thoroughly researched Uni-Vibe recreation that captures the 'chewy' sound of the Uni-Vibes Jimi Hendrix played in 1969"3.
A Uni-Vibe recreation built with vintage parts
The original Uni-Vibe used a lamp and photo-cells to sweep a phase-shift circuit, which is what gives that effect its particular swirl. Sabbadius's approach is to build the Funky Vibe with the same kinds of parts the originals used. The maker's page lists "rare components like Matsushita transistors and even NOS bulbs"1, and the Woodstock version's spec goes further: Matsushita 2SC828 transistors in the signal path and 2SC539 in the preamp section, "like in the original"3.
On his demo channel, Pete Thorn highlighted exactly this sourcing:
"he likes to source original photocells transistors capacitors all that good stuff even these bulbs and things like that"5
For a player comparing Uni-Vibe recreations, the parts list is the main story here: photo-cell vibe circuits behave differently depending on the lamp and cell characteristics, and using NOS components is Sabbadius's way of getting at the behavior of a 1960s unit rather than approximating it with modern substitutes15.
The controls: chorus/vibrato and Cancel mode
The Funky Vibe keeps the control layout of the original Uni-Vibe. The central control is the Chorus/Vibrato rocker switch, which selects between the two modes: chorus, the classic Hendrix swirl, and vibrato, a subtler pitch modulation1. On the Woodstock version, the red position down activates Chorus mode and the white position down activates Vibrato mode3. Pete Thorn describes the switch as going between "the sort of modulated chorus sound or the more pitch Bend II type vibrato sound"5.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Chorus/Vibrato rocker switch | Selects Chorus mode (red position down) or Vibrato mode (white position down)13 |
| Speed control | Sets the modulation rate; the Woodstock version's improved Speed function allows slower and faster rates than the original34 |
| Volume control | Sets output level; with Cancel engaged, the active preamp lets it boost into the amplifier5 |
| True bypass footswitch | Turns the effect on and off3 |
| Cancel footswitch | Turns the modulation off while keeping the preamp in the signal path13 |
The Cancel function is the feature that sets the Funky Vibe apart from a straight clone. As the maker puts it15:
"Cancel turns off the effect, but keeps your signal going through the Uni-Vibe's wonderful, warm preamp."1
In practice this gives you two bypass options: true bypass, where the pedal is completely out of the chain when off5, or Cancel, where the vibe effect stops but the preamp stays in line. Pete Thorn's demo explains the second use: with the vibe effect off and the preamp electronics still active, the volume control can push a boost into the amplifier5. The Fillmore East edition describes the same thing as a Pre-Amp mode "with the character and color of the original Uni-Vibe effect," engaged via the Cancel footswitch2.
History and versions: the 68 and 69
Sabbadius builds the Funky Vibe in two circuit versions, named after the years of the original Uni-Vibe they follow. Pete Thorn's 2019 demo covers the 68 version and notes that Sabbadius also makes a 69 version with a slightly different circuit5. The 68 version follows the original vibe pedal that, as Thorn's demo recounts, Jimi Hendrix used at the beginning of his career5.
Beyond the two numbered versions, the line has expanded into named editions:
- Woodstock Funky-Vibe: a version with an improved Speed function allowing slower and faster rates than the original, and a transformer built into the enclosure like the original Uni-Vibe, with a cable cord to connect to the wall34.
- Fillmore East Funky-Vibe (2020 Edition): a mix of the 1968 and 1969 Uni-Vibe versions, built with old vintage photocells; Delicious Audio says it is "said to perfectly capture the 'chewy' sound of the Uni-Vibes Jimi Hendrix played in 1969 and 1970"2.
Sabbadius has also brought the same approach to a smaller format with the Sabbadius Tiny Vibe.
Powering it
Power is where the versions genuinely differ, and it is worth knowing which one you are looking at. The 68 Funky-Vibe is listed by RockBoard's PedalPedia at 2V DC, center negative, with a 200mA current draw1. The Woodstock Funky-Vibe instead has a built-in transformer inside the enclosure, like the original Uni-Vibe, with a wall cable; its output is 14Vac at 200mA, and the input transformer is matched to your region: 120Vac for US orders, 230Vac for Spain3.
The Woodstock version's built-in mains transformer means it plugs into the wall rather than running from a pedalboard power supply, and the input transformer must match your local mains voltage. The version you buy determines how it fits on a pedalboard, so it is worth knowing which one you are getting before planning around it.
What reviewers said
Delicious Audio's coverage of the line has been consistent across the Woodstock and Fillmore East editions and its Uni-Vibe buying guide, all describing the Funky Vibe as capturing the "chewy" sound of the Uni-Vibes Jimi Hendrix played in 1969 and 1970324.
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Questions
Is the Sabbadius Funky Vibe true bypass?
Yes. The Funky Vibe uses a 3PDT true bypass footswitch to turn the effect on and off, so when it is off the signal passes through untouched. A second footswitch handles the Cancel function, which turns the modulation off while keeping the preamp in the signal path.
What does the Cancel mode on the Funky Vibe do?
Cancel turns the vibe effect off but keeps your signal running through the Uni-Vibe-style preamp, which the maker describes as warm. Pete Thorn's demo notes that with the preamp electronics still active, the volume control can be used to push a boost into the amplifier.
What power supply does the Sabbadius Funky Vibe need?
It depends on the version. The 68 Funky-Vibe is listed at 2V DC, center negative, drawing 200mA. The Woodstock Funky-Vibe instead has a transformer built into the enclosure like the original Uni-Vibe, with a wall cable; US units use a 120Vac input transformer and Spanish units a 230Vac one.
Where is the Sabbadius Funky Vibe made?
Sabbadius Electronics is an Argentinian effects maker, and the Funky Vibe line is built in Argentina. Pete Thorn's demo describes the pedals as made by a builder named Nico, who sources original photocells, transistors, capacitors and bulbs for the circuits.
Sources (5)
- 68 Funky-Vibe by Sabbadius, RockBoard PedalPedia, 2026
- Sabbadius Fillmore East Funky-Vibe, 2020 Edition, Delicious Audio, 2020-06-15
- Sabbadius Woodstock Funky-Vibe Uni-Vibe, Delicious Audio, 2021-05-19
- The 9 Best Uni-Vibe Pedals In 2024: A Guide To UniVibe Clones, Delicious Audio (delicious-audio.com), 2024-02-16
- MAGICAL VINTAGE VIBE TONES! SABBADIUS FUNKY VIBE, YouTube (Pete Thorn channel), 2019-09-06
