The Skreddy LZ-129 is what its maker calls an "aggressive vintage dirty boost": a hand-built pedal that takes the circuit of the circa 1969 Univox Uni-Drive and adds a clipping section of Skreddy's own design1. It sits in the dirty boost corner of the boost pedal world, aimed at players who want drive, compression and a touch of distortion from a clean amp rather than a straight clean volume lift.
The Univox Uni-Drive behind the circuit
The pedal's circuit traces back to the Univox Uni-Drive, a pedal from around 1969 that took an unusual physical form. Premier Guitar's review of a Uni-Drive-based design notes that "the original Uni-Drive circuit was actually packed into a rocker enclosure, similar to a wah or volume pedal"31. Instead of stomp switches, the player rocked the unit like a wah.
Its controls were equally unusual. The two controls set the drive level by means of a 6-way rotary switch that acted as a volume control for the incoming signal, and Premier Guitar describes that same "6-way switch that controlled input distortion on the original Uni-Drive"3. In other words, the drive amount was stepped rather than swept with a knob, which is the character Skreddy's design draws on.
What the LZ-129 adds
Skreddy's Marc describes the addition this way:
"a unique clipping section that will help emulate some 'cranked amp' softness, distortion, and compression into a clean amp"
The clipping section is proprietary and amp-like, and the player controls how much of the signal it clips by means of the HEADROOM control1.
As for what that delivers, the maker lists the character of the pedal as1:
- More of that clean-yet-dirty sound
- More power
- More drive
- More responsiveness
- More articulation on high notes
- More distortion on the low notes1
That clean-yet-dirty balance, articulation preserved on top while the low notes break up, is the pitch of the design relative to a plain boost1.
Power, battery and build
Power is straightforward: regular 9v negative ground with no special power requirements, and like all Skreddy Pedals it takes the industry-standard 9v DC plug, 5.5mm barrel x 2.1mm center coax, negative tip1. A 9v battery is not included, though plugging in a power supply disconnects the battery, so a battery can be fitted if the player supplies one1.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Power | Regular 9v negative ground, no special power requirements1 |
| Connector | Industry-standard 9v DC plug, 5.5mm barrel x 2.1mm center coax, negative tip1 |
| Battery | 9v battery not included; power supply plug disconnects the battery1 |
| Build | Built to order, stock status preorder1 |
| Lead time | About 2 weeks; current wait approximately 2 weeks to 1 month1 |
The LZ-129 is built to order. Skreddy Pedals lists a lead time of about 2 weeks, with the current wait time approximately 2 weeks to 1 month, and stock status is preorder1.
Price and availability
The list price is $235 plus shipping, and the maker's site also shows a sale price of $211.50, down from $23512. Because each unit is built to order, the wait runs from about 2 weeks up to a month1.
Questions
What circuit is the Skreddy LZ-129 based on?
Skreddy Pedals describes the LZ-129 as based on the circa 1969 Univox Uni-Drive, which took the form of a volume pedal with a couple of controls on its front. The original circuit was packed into a rocker enclosure similar to a wah or volume pedal, and its 6-way rotary switch acted as a volume control for the incoming signal, setting the drive level. The LZ-129 adds a proprietary, amp-like clipping section on top of that circuit.
Does the Skreddy LZ-129 come with a battery?
No. Skreddy Pedals states that a 9v battery is not included with the LZ-129. The pedal does accept battery power in the sense that plugging in a power supply disconnects the battery, so players who want battery operation need to supply their own 9v battery.
What power supply does the Skreddy LZ-129 need?
The LZ-129 runs on regular 9v negative ground with no special power requirements. Like all Skreddy Pedals, it accepts the industry-standard 9v DC plug, a 5.5mm barrel by 2.1mm center coax connector with a negative tip.
Is the Skreddy LZ-129 built to order?
Yes. Skreddy Pedals builds everything to order. The maker lists a lead time of about 2 weeks, with the current wait time approximately 2 weeks to 1 month, and the pedal is listed with a preorder stock status.
How much does the Skreddy LZ-129 cost?
The list price on the Skreddy Pedals product page is $235 plus shipping. The maker's site also shows a sale price of $211.50, down from $235.
Sources (3)
- Boost | LZ-129 | Skreddy Pedals, Skreddy Pedals
- Boost | Dynamic Mids Enhancer | Skreddy Pedals, Skreddy Pedals
- Creepy Fingers Effects Doomidrive Pedal Review, Premier Guitar, 2010-10-20