Suhr positions it as an overdrive for a variety of playing styles, with the manual calling it ideal for classic Blues, Jazz, and Rock tones1. On the product page, Suhr says the pedal "responds dynamically to every nuance of your playing, just like the overdrive channel of a tube amplifier," with the volume knob morphing from pushed clean to Classic Rock tones2.
What it does
The pedal takes your instrument's output at its input jack and feeds an amplifier or another effect from its output jack. Connecting a cable to the input jack powers the pedal up, and the footswitch activates the effect and lights the LED1.
In a MusicRadar review, Trevor Curwen described the range the drive and level knobs cover together3:
"Balancing drive and level knobs, the range runs from a clean boost to raunchy driven amp sounds, taking in shades of light crunch along the way."3
The controls and the SMOOTH switch
The front panel has three knobs and a three-position SMOOTH switch.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Drive | Controls the amount of drive from the circuit, from a bluesy crunch to a smooth, sustaining overdrive1 |
| Tone | Shapes the overall tonal response, from warm and smooth to bright and cutting1 |
| Level | Controls the output level, enough to push the front end of a tube amp into natural clipping or add sustain to an already overdriven amp4 |
| SMOOTH switch | Three positions that shape the top-end response1 |
The SMOOTH switch positions:
- Left: A mild high-end roll off, effective for warming up guitars with single-coil pickups1
- Middle: Voiced to produce a natural, open sounding overdrive5
- Right: A more pronounced high-end roll off, excellent for chunky rhythms and violin-like lead tones5
Suhr redesigned the switch for the Reloaded to be more apparent, giving more flexibility to fine tune the top end1. One thing to know: the manual notes the modes have less effect at lower gain and tone settings1.
Power and connections: relay bypass and FX Link
The Shiba Drive Reloaded is true bypass via a relay. Suhr says this allows remote switching and the battery monitor feature, and that the relay produces less popping when switching1.
The FX Link jack, a 1/8 inch connector with a maximum voltage of 3.3V DC, can remotely control the pedal. Shorting between the shield and the tip activates the pedal, and opening the connection turns it off. A shield to ring connection senses an external tap switch1.
A small slide switch sets how the pedal powers up5:
| Position | Behavior |
|---|---|
| Right | Powers up in the ON state |
| Center | Can be switched remotely via the FX Link jack; the state is dictated by the connected footswitch, and powers up OFF if the jack is not used |
| Left | Powers up in the OFF state |
The manual gives two voltage figures: an operating range of 4V to 18V (nominal 9V) and a maximum of 20V DC5. The power connector is 9V DC, center negative, 2.1mm x 5.5mm, and the pedal draws 8mA1. If running it on the internal battery, unplug the cable from the input jack when you finish playing to conserve battery life1.
For USA customers, JST warrants the product free from defects in workmanship for the lifetime of the original retail purchaser, with electronic components such as capacitors, resistors, filters, transformers, jacks and pots covered for 5 years. The lifetime workmanship warranty is limited to the original purchaser registered with JST within 10 days of purchase from an authorized dealer or distributor5.
Related versions
The Reloaded line has since produced two smaller or signature offshoots:
Videos
Suhr Custom
Suhr Custom
Suhr Custom
Questions
Does the Suhr Shiba Drive Reloaded take a battery?
Yes. The manual describes an internal battery, and advises unplugging the cable from the input jack when you finish playing to conserve battery life, since connecting a cable to the input jack powers the pedal up. It also runs on a 9V DC center negative power supply with a 2.1mm x 5.5mm connector, drawing about 8mA.
What is the difference between the Shiba Drive and the Shiba Drive Reloaded?
The Reloaded is a revision of the original Shiba Drive overdrive circuit. Suhr says it spent long hours listening and testing to make the pedal more amp-like, with a tighter low end, focused mids, and 50% more gain than the original Shiba. The SMOOTH switch was also redesigned to be more apparent, giving more flexibility for fine tuning the top end.
What does the FX Link jack do on Suhr pedals?
The FX Link jack remotely controls the pedal. Shorting between the shield and the tip of the 1/8 inch connector activates the pedal, and opening the connection turns it off. A shield to ring connection senses an external tap switch. With the FX Link switch in its center position, the pedal's state is dictated by the connected footswitch.
What is the Shiba Drive Reloaded Mini?
A mini-format version of the Shiba Drive Reloaded announced in July 2018 at a $165 list price. It keeps the Drive, Tone and Level controls and a two-position Smooth switch, but drops the FX Link connector and the battery compartment. Gearnews noted its compact size means more pedals fit on a medium-sized board.
Sources (5)
- Shiba Reloaded copy, Suhr (media.suhr.com), 2022
- Shiba Drive, Suhr (www.suhr.com)
- Suhr Shiba Drive Reloaded review, MusicRadar, 2015-05-04
- ShibaReloadedMini_Manual-1.pdf, Suhr (media.suhr.com), 2022
- Shiba Reloaded copy, Suhr (media.suhr.com), 2022
