The Stomp Under Foot Mean Green Machine is a hand-wired overdrive pedal loosely based on the original Ibanez TS-808, and Stomp Under Foot's contender in the crowded market for saturated Tube Screamer-style pedals1. It carries the three tried-and-true controls of that design: Level (volume), Gain, and Tone1. Premier Guitar's reviewer described its character as massaging your tone toward a very natural, amp-like break-up while preserving the highs and lows, with a midrange focus and the ability to be very transparent1.
Circuit and controls
The Mean Green Machine follows the Tube Screamer template, and the review says builder Matt Pasquerella stays true to the original by using an RC4558P chip, which the reviewer notes provides a little more gain1. The three controls work as TS players expect: Level sets output volume, Gain sets drive, and Tone shapes the high end1.
The enclosure is finished in British Racing Green sparkle with alpine white knobs1.
"Loosely based on the original Ibanez TS-808, the Mean Green Machine is SUF's contender in the saturated TS clone market."
What reviewers said
Premier Guitar's review, published 11 September 2023, opened with "Let's begin by saying we were impressed," and its overall verdict was that the Mean Green Machine is a high-quality TS clone worth the wait at $1501. The reviewer also pointed to the fine craftsmanship Matt Pasquerella pours into his hand-wired pedals1.
A related DIY board
The Stomp Under Foot Mean Green Machine is loosely based on the original Ibanez TS-808, placing it in the saturated TS clone market21. It carries the three tried-and-true Tube Screamer controls: Level (volume), Gain, and Tone, and Stomp Under Foot describes it as massaging your tone towards a very natural, amp-like break-up while preserving the highs and lows. It is a finished pedal from Stomp Under Foot, coated in a British Racing Green sparkle finish with alpine white knobs, not a bare circuit board for builders.
Premier Guitar's review notes the pedal is subject to backorder waits, with the reviewer's explanation: "Hey, it's a one-man show!"1
For how this design compares with other drives in the family, see Overdrive Pedals and the Boss SD-1 vs Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer comparison. Stomp Under Foot also builds other drives, including the Overdrive 8-Fifty and the Serenity.
Questions
Does the Mean Green Machine use a JRC4558 chip?
Premier Guitar's review says builder Matt Pasquerella stays true to the original and uses an RC4558P chip, which the reviewer notes provides a little more gain. That chip is the kind associated with the classic Tube Screamer design the Mean Green Machine is loosely based on, so players looking for that familiar midrange-focused overdrive character will find the expected part at the heart of the circuit.
Is the Stomp Under Foot Mean Green Machine true bypass?
Yes. Premier Guitar's reviewer describes the pedal as true bypass, and notes that if you choose to run it on a battery, the battery rests comfortably between the housing and the true-bypass switch without rattling. True bypass means the pedal's circuit is removed from your signal chain entirely when the effect is off.
Can the Mean Green Machine run on a battery?
Yes. According to Premier Guitar's review, the pedal supports battery operation, and the battery sits between the housing and the true-bypass switch without rattling. That makes it workable for players who move between boards and small setups without a power supply.
How much does the Mean Green Machine cost?
Premier Guitar's review lists the street price at $150. Note that this is the finished hand-wired pedal from Stomp Under Foot. PedalPCB.com separately sells a DIY project board called the Mean Green Metal Machine, based on the Fortin Modded TS808 Tube Screamer, for $12, which is a build-it-yourself circuit board rather than the completed pedal.
Why is the Mean Green Machine on backorder?
Premier Guitar's review notes the pedal is subject to backorder waits and explains it plainly: it is a one-man show. Matt Pasquerella hand-wires the pedals himself, so supply is limited by one person's build capacity. The reviewer's overall verdict was that it is a high-quality TS clone worth the wait at $150.
Sources (2)
- Stomp Under Foot Mean Green Machine Pedal Review, Premier Guitar, 2011-12-13
- Mean Green Metal Machine, PedalPCB.com
