The TWA FB-01 Distortion is a compact distortion pedal from the Fly Boys series by TWA, short for Totally Wycked Audio. It is voiced for the tight, focused distortion of the Marshall JCM800, and it is discontinued: the maker's product page at Godlyke Distributing carries the notice "SORRY, THIS MODEL HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED"1.
What it does
The FB-01 is a distortion pedal in the Fly Boys mini format. Guitar World's announcement of the series described it as a "Marshall-style Distortion with Drive, Tone and Level controls"3. The three controls cover the usual jobs: Drive sets the amount of distortion, Tone shapes the high end, and Level sets the output volume.
The maker's description goes beyond straight high-gain duty. Godlyke says the pedal "nails the tight, focused distortion tones of one of Rock's most legendary amps, the Marshall JCM800," and adds that it "responds effortlessly to playing dynamics and can create a colorful palette" of semi-saturated tones by adjusting the guitar's volume control1. In practice that means rolling the guitar volume back cleans the pedal up toward an overdriven edge rather than a fixed wall of gain.
What reviewers said
The FB-01 has been discontinued: TWA's own listing for the pedal states "SORRY, THIS MODEL HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED"21. When it was sold new, it carried a list price of $89 in the US, with a street price of $69, and was described as a Marshall-style distortion with Drive, Tone and Level controls3.
Background and availability
The FB-01 was announced in November 2013 as part of Godlyke's introduction of the TWA Fly Boys mini effect pedals, at a list price of $89 and a street price of $69 in the US3. The Fly Boys line included related models such as the TWA FB-05 Metal for heavier sounds. The pedal has since been discontinued by the maker1.
The FB-01 is no longer in production. Figures for price date from its 2013 release and reflect the market at that time.
Videos
Godlyke Inc.
Mike Hermans
Pedal of the Day
Questions
Is the TWA FB-01 Distortion still available?
No. Godlyke Distributing, the maker's product page, marks the FB-01 as discontinued. It was introduced as part of the TWA Fly Boys series of mini pedals, and when new it carried a list price of $89 with a street price of $69, according to Guitar World's 2013 announcement. Used units are the practical route for a player looking for one today.
What kind of distortion is the FB-01 voiced for?
The maker describes it as nailing the tight, focused distortion tones of the Marshall JCM800, one of rock's most legendary amps. Guitar World described it simply as a Marshall-style distortion. Beyond high-gain sounds, the maker says it responds to playing dynamics and can create semi-saturated tones by adjusting the guitar's volume control.
Sources (4)
- FLY BOYS®, Godlyke Distributing, Inc.
- TWA Fly Boys FB-01 Distortion, Pedal of the Day, 2015-08-10
- Godlyke Introduces TWA Fly Boys Mini Effect Pedals, Guitar World, 2013-11-14
- TWA Fly Boys FB-02 Overdrive, Pedal of the Day, 2015-08-11
