The SviSound CockedZoid is a distortion, boost and preamp pedal built around Marshall-style high-gain tones, and it is a collaborative signature pedal between Tracii Guns of L.A. Guns and SviSound1. Guitar World's reviewer describes it as a Marshall-in-a-box pedal, and says that when the gain is maxed out, it sounds very much like a boosted Boss SD-1 overdrive into a JCM-8001.
Controls and power
The pedal carries four controls: Level, Tone, Gain and a Mid switch1. It runs on 9V DC or a battery, and Guitar World notes it is powered by a 9V battery or adapter1. Bypass is true bypass, so the signal passes through unaltered when the pedal is off1.
As a signature pedal, the manual ties gain settings to particular L.A. Guns songs: Guitar World notes that you need to be familiar with the band's catalog to hear how Tracii voiced the pedal, as he specifies particular songs as gain settings1.
Using it as a preamp
Beyond its role as a distortion and boost pedal in front of an amp, the CockedZoid can stand in for an amp's front end. Guitar World's reviewer writes that if you wish to use the CockedZoid as a preamplifier, you can also run it into the effects return or power section of an amplifier1.
What the reviewer said
Guitar World's Paul Riario found the pedal's core strength in the quality of its distortion1:
"what stands out is how musically rich and detailed the distortion is without it becoming buzzy or over the top"
He also describes the chassis as ruggedly bulletproof1. SviSound builds its effects in Bulgaria, a detail Pedal of the Day noted in its review of the maker's SimosFuzz2, and the company's range also includes the DistoZoid-3EQ Distortion.
Videos
SviSound
SviSound
The Tone King
Questions
Does the SviSound CockedZoid take a battery?
Yes. Guitar World's review lists the CockedZoid as running on 9V DC or a battery, and notes that the pedal is powered by a 9V battery or adapter. That makes it usable on a pedalboard with a standard supply or on its own with a battery inside the chassis.
Is the CockedZoid true bypass?
Yes. Guitar World's review of the pedal describes true bypass operation, so the pedal passes your guitar's signal straight through when it is switched off.
Can the CockedZoid be used as a preamp?
Guitar World's reviewer says so. If you wish to use the CockedZoid as a preamplifier, he notes that you can run it into the effects return or power section of an amplifier, letting the pedal take the place of the amp's own preamp stage.
Who designed the SviSound CockedZoid?
The CockedZoid is a collaborative signature pedal between Tracii Guns of L.A. Guns and SviSound. Guitar World notes that Tracii voiced the pedal, and that the manual specifies particular L.A. Guns songs as gain settings, so familiarity with the band's catalog helps you hear how he set it up.
Where is the CockedZoid made?
Guitar World's review states that the pedal is made in Varna, Bulgaria. SviSound produces its effects in Bulgaria, and the CockedZoid features what the reviewer calls a ruggedly bulletproof chassis.
Sources (2)
- SviSound CockedZoid review, Guitar World, 2022-06-14
- SviSound SiMosFuzz Silicon MosFet Fuzz, Pedal of the Day, 2017-04-19
