The Stomp Under Foot Full Powered Halo is a dual gain pedal that puts two drive circuits in one box: a modified, low-gain version of the company's Serenity Overdrive on one side and its Halo Bender distortion on the other. Stomp Under Foot announced it as shipping in August 2017, with a list price of USD 249 plus shipping and taxes1.
The idea behind the pedal is amp-style gain staging. Gearnews's reviewer described it as being about getting close to "smooth, cranked amp-like vintage Fender as well as some heavier Marshall JCM tones", with the overdrive half covering the Fender side and the distortion half the JCM side1.
The two halves
Each side is a complete drive circuit with its own three knobs, laid out mirror-fashion1:
| Side | Circuit | Knobs | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Left | Halo Bender distortion | Volume, Tone, Dist | "far dirtier, JCM-style distortions"1 |
| Right | Modified low-gain Serenity Overdrive | Volume, Tone, Drive | smoother overdrive, tone approaching Fender amps, lighter gain tones1 |
The overdrive side is the gentler of the two. Gearnews describes it as "the smoother overdrive section with a tone approaching Fender amps that offers lighter gain tones"1. The distortion side, based on the Halo Bender, is where the heavier sounds live: "This half will get you into the far dirtier, JCM-style distortions"1.
Running both sides together
The two halves can be used separately or stacked. Combining them, Gearnews writes, adds "a third tone that will let you juice the distortion even further for, say, lead lines"1. In practice that means using the overdrive side as a push into the distortion side, the way a player might stack two separate drive pedals, but within one enclosure.
Build and who makes it
Stomp Under Foot is a US pedal maker, and the Full Powered Halo follows the company's usual approach: "As with all its boxes, this Stomp Under Foot pedal is handmade in the USA by Matt Pasquerella"1. The company's range includes other distortion and fuzz designs such as the Stomp Under Foot Skinner Box, a Rat style pedal, alongside its takes on the Guv'nor and Brit Box circuits and the Motor Honey Superdrive overdrive.
What reviewers said
Gearnews's reviewer, writing at the pedal's 2017 announcement, came away positive on value1:
"This type of boutique pedal building isn't cheap, but I feel that Matt is making a great sounding pedal here for what I think is very reasonable money."
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Questions
Can the Full Powered Halo run both sides at once?
Yes. Gearnews describes the Full Powered Halo as a dual gain pedal whose two halves can be combined. Running them together adds what the reviewer calls a third tone that lets you push the distortion side even further, which he suggests as a way to fatten up lead lines. Each half also works on its own, with its own Volume, Tone and gain control.
Who builds the Stomp Under Foot Full Powered Halo?
The Full Powered Halo is made by Stomp Under Foot, a US guitar pedal maker. According to Gearnews, the pedal is handmade in the USA by Matt Pasquerella, the same builder behind the company's other pedals.
How much does the Full Powered Halo cost?
At its 2017 announcement, the Full Powered Halo carried a list price of USD 249 plus shipping and taxes. Gearnews's reviewer felt that was reasonable money for a boutique pedal of this kind.
Which half of the Full Powered Halo is the overdrive?
The right side is the overdrive half, with knobs labelled Volume, Tone and Drive. Gearnews describes it as the smoother section, with a tone approaching Fender amps and lighter gain sounds. The left side is the distortion half, with Volume, Tone and Dist knobs, covering dirtier JCM style tones.
Is the Full Powered Halo made in the USA?
Yes. Gearnews reports that, as with all Stomp Under Foot pedals, the Full Powered Halo is handmade in the USA by Matt Pasquerella.
Sources (1)
- Stomp Under Foot with new two-in-one Full Powered Halo boutique drive pedal, gearnews.com, 2017-08-22
