The Studio Daydream Handmade Pedals FETBOX Custom V8 Preamp is a compact preamp pedal that simulates the preamp of a boutique 30W tube amp. It gives a player two channels of amp-style voicing in one enclosure: a clean side and a crunch/overdrive side, with a HI GAIN switch for pushing the gain further. Pedal of the Day reviewed it in June 2024.1
Two channels, tube-style voicing
The Custom V8 is built around two channels. Pedal of the Day describes "2 channels of gorgeous tone available at a moment's notice," with channel 2 carrying what the review calls "the finest crunch/overdrive sound." Channel 2 also has an original TREBLE/BASS tone stack, and the review says that with it "you can create a wide range of sounds by adjusting the original TREBLE/BASS."1
The HI GAIN switch sits on top of that. Moving it to the up position increases the gain even more, raising distortion, sustain and low frequencies. Between the channels and the switch, the review says you can "switch between gorgeous clean tone and amp-driving grit in one second."1
For players comparing it to other amp-style gain stages, it sits in the preamp pedal family, with its channel 2 voicing reaching toward overdrive and distortion territory when the HI GAIN switch is up1.
How it relates to the original FETBOX
The Custom V8 is a reborn version of the long-running FETBOX. Pedal of the Day explains that the FETBOX "has been reborn as the FETBOX CUSTOM by significantly changing the circuit structure, in order to make it easier to handle and to" stay faithful to the tube sound. Externally, nothing changes for owners of the older unit: "The exterior operation unit is the same as the old model."1
What reviewers said
Pedal of the Day's reviewer ranked the pedal highly among the maker's outputs1:
"this one has got to be in the top 3 we've played from them so far"
Videos
Pedal of the Day
Questions
What does the HI GAIN switch do on the FETBOX Custom V8?
Moving the HI GAIN switch to the up position increases the gain even more, which raises distortion, sustain and low frequencies. Together with the two channels, it lets you switch between a gorgeous clean tone and amp-driving grit in one second, according to Pedal of the Day's review.
Does the FETBOX Custom V8 have two channels?
Yes. Pedal of the Day describes it as offering 2 channels of gorgeous tone available at a moment's notice. Channel 2 carries the pedal's crunch and overdrive sounds and has its own original TREBLE/BASS tone stack for adjusting the sound.
Is the FETBOX Custom V8 operated the same way as the older FETBOX?
On the outside, yes: Pedal of the Day notes the exterior operation unit is the same as the old model. Inside, the circuit structure was significantly changed from the original FETBOX to make it easier to handle and more faithful to the tube sound.
Sources (1)
- Studio Daydream FETBOX Custom V8 Preamp, Pedal of the Day, 2024-06-06