The Sabbadius Woodstock Funky-Vibe is a Uni-Vibe style pedal built in Argentina1. It uses Matsushita 2SC828 transistors in the signal path and 2SC539 in the pre-amp section, which the maker says matches the original1. The pedal has a Volume knob that sets the output volume, and a premium quality 3PDT true bypass footswitch turns the effect on and off1. It belongs to the broader family of chorus pedals and vibrato pedals that trace their lineage to the Uni-Vibe.
Controls and switching
The pedal features three knobs, which set volume, intensity, and speed1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Volume | Sets the output volume1 |
| Intensity | Sets the depth of the effect1 |
| Speed | Sets the rate; improved to reach slower and faster rates than the original Uni-Vibe1 |
Two footswitches sit on the pedal: one activates the effect for true bypass, using a premium quality 3PDT switch to turn the effect on and off, and the other is the CANCEL function1. A dedicated expression pedal jack, a 1/4-inch Amphenol output jack, lets you control the effect's speed with your foot; the expression pedal is not included1. This kind of real-time speed control over an expression pedal is a feature many modern Uni-Vibe pedals offer2.
The Woodstock Funky-Vibe uses a premium quality 3PDT true bypass footswitch to turn the effect on and off, so the signal passes through untouched when the effect is off1. It sits in an aluminum enclosure measuring 182mm long by 115mm wide by 60mm high, weighing approximately 925 grams1. Inside, the signal path uses Matsushita 2SC828 transistors with a 2SC539 in the pre-amp section, as in the original circuit1.
How it differs from the original Uni-Vibe
The Woodstock edition is a thoroughly researched recreation rather than a straight copy. The transistors used are the Matsushita 2sC828 for the signal path and 2sC539 for the pre-amp section, the same types as in the original1. Where it departs from the 1960s circuit, it does so deliberately: it features an improved Speed function that allows for slower and faster rates than the original, and it uses 7mm custom-made CdS photocells made exclusively for Sabbadius, which increases the intensity of the effect1. Delicious Audio's buying guide sums it up: "The Funky-Vibe Woodstock edition improves the effect's intensity and delivers both faster and slower speed rates"3.
The Woodstock is one of several versions in the Funky-Vibe line. Sabbadius also offers the Fillmore East Funky-Vibe, 2020 Edition1.
What reviewers have said
Delicious Audio's coverage is the main published write-up of the Woodstock edition. Paolo De Gregorio describes it as "a thoroughly researched Uni-Vibe recreation that captures the 'chewy' sound of the Uni-Vibes Jimi Hendrix played in 1969"1.
Videos
SABBADIUS Electronics
R.J. Ronquillo
Jamie Morrissey
Questions
Is the Sabbadius Woodstock Funky-Vibe fully analog?
Yes. Delicious Audio's product page describes the Woodstock Funky-Vibe as a 100% analog circuit, built with Matsushita 2sC828 transistors in the signal path and 2sC539 transistors in the pre-amp section, the same transistor types as the original Uni-Vibe. The Woodstock version also uses 7mm custom-made CdS photocells made exclusively for Sabbadius, which the maker says increases the intensity of the effect.
Can I control the Funky-Vibe speed with an expression pedal?
Yes. The Woodstock Funky-Vibe has a dedicated 1/4-inch expression pedal jack (an Amphenol connector) that lets you control the effect's speed with your foot. The expression pedal itself is not included, so you will need to supply your own. Many modern Uni-Vibe pedals offer this kind of expression pedal compatibility for real-time control of parameters such as speed.
What does the CANCEL footswitch do?
The Woodstock Funky-Vibe carries two footswitches. One is a premium quality 3PDT true bypass switch that turns the effect on and off. The other is the CANCEL switch, a second footswitch that sits alongside the bypass switch on the pedal's face.
What is the difference between the Woodstock edition and the original Uni-Vibe?
The Woodstock edition is a thoroughly researched recreation of the Uni-Vibe, but it goes beyond the original in two ways. It features an improved Speed function that allows for slower and faster rates than the original unit, and it uses 7mm custom-made CdS photocells made exclusively for Sabbadius, which increases the intensity of the effect. Delicious Audio notes the Woodstock edition improves the effect's intensity and delivers both faster and slower speed rates.
Sources (3)
- Sabbadius Woodstock Funky-Vibe Uni-Vibe, Delicious Audio, 2021-05-19
- The Swirl Start of the Univibe vintage guitar pedal, tru-fi.com
- The 9 Best Uni-Vibe Pedals In 2024: A Guide To UniVibe Clones, Delicious Audio (delicious-audio.com), 2024-02-16
