The TWA Fly Boys FB-02 Overdrive is a compact overdrive pedal from Totally Wycked Audio, distributed in the United States by Godlyke Distributing. It offers two switchable overdrive modes, Warm and Hot, which the maker says give it "a versatile range of dirty tones for a variety of musical styles"1. Guitar World described it at its 2013 introduction as "Classic tube-amp overdrive with Warm and Hot modes"2. Pedal of the Day's reviewer heard "hints of a classic overdrive pedal, the TS-808 from Ibanez" in it3.
Godlyke's product page for the FB-02 carries the notice "SORRY, THIS MODEL HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED"1. The FB-01 Distortion is discontinued as well4.
The Warm and Hot modes
The two modes are the heart of the pedal. According to Godlyke, the Warm setting emulates the legendary "808" overdrive sound and is ideal for use with single coils, as well as for pushing a tube amp over the top1. The Hot setting adds an extra boost of both volume and gain; Pedal of the Day's Mike B described it as "much like a Fender Twin pushed to the limit," with creamy sustain and smooth drive sounds3.
The maker also stresses that both settings "retain the original character of your guitar and amp and respond effortlessly to picking dynamics"1, so the pedal cleans up with the guitar's volume control in either mode.
Controls
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Gain | Sets the amount of overdrive |
| Level | Sets the output volume |
| Tone | Shapes the treble response |
| Mode toggle | Selects the Warm or Hot overdrive mode |
Pedal of the Day noted that the Tone, Level and Gain knobs make up the first part of the pedal's controls, and called the small toggle switch in the top middle of the pedal, which selects the two drive modes, the FB-02's most impressive control3. Like the rest of the Fly Boys line, the FB-02 is housed in a sturdy but lightweight aluminum enclosure3.
FB-02 Overdrive vs FB-01 Distortion
The FB-02 was released alongside the FB-01 Distortion, and the two share a similar control layout but not a similar circuit. Pedal of the Day described the FB-02 as "much like the FB-01 Distortion from yesterday, but features an entirely different inner circuit and tonal quality"3.
| FB-02 Overdrive | FB-01 Distortion | |
|---|---|---|
| Effect type | Overdrive1 | Distortion5 |
| Character | Classic tube-amp overdrive, TS-808 hints32 | Marshall JCM800-style tight, focused distortion23 |
| Controls | Tone, Level, Gain, mode toggle3 | Drive, Tone and Level3 |
| Status | Discontinued1 | Discontinued4 |
Godlyke describes the FB-01 as nailing "the tight, focused distortion tones of one of Rock's most legendary amps, the Marshall JCM800," and says it responds to playing dynamics and can create semi-saturated tones by adjusting the guitar's volume4. Of the FB-01, Pedal of the Day's reviewer wrote that "the tones that it produces will shock and awe you, and make you re-think your current overdrive setup"5. In short: the FB-01 aims at high-gain Marshall-style distortion, while the FB-02 aims at a lower-gain, tube-amp-style overdrive.
Where it sits in TWA's line
The FB-02 was part of the Fly Boys mini pedal series introduced in 2013, listed by Guitar World at $89 list and $69 street in the United States2. Godlyke's page also lists a price of £53.00 GBP1. TWA has continued the 808-style overdrive idea in later designs: the TWA Source Code is a Tube Screamer-style overdrive designed by Susumu Tamura, and the company's other drives include the TWA Hot Sake and the TWA RZ-01 Chemical Z Roy Z Signature Dual Channel Overdrive. For players weighing a TS-style pedal against other classics, the Boss SD-1 vs Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer comparison covers the two pedals the FB-02's circuit nods to, and the overdrive pedal type page sets out the wider field.
Videos
The Tone King
Mike Hermans
gearmanndude
Questions
Is the TWA Fly Boys FB-02 discontinued?
Yes. Godlyke's product page for the FB-02 carries a notice that the model has been discontinued, and the same notice appears on the page for its sibling, the FB-01 Distortion. The pedals were introduced in 2013 as part of the Fly Boys mini pedal line, and used examples are the way players encounter them today.
What is the difference between the Warm and Hot settings on the FB-02?
The Warm setting emulates the classic '808' overdrive sound and is geared toward a warm, tube amp-like tone, ideally paired with single-coil pickups. The Hot setting adds an extra boost of both volume and gain, described as like a Fender Twin pushed to the limit, with creamy sustain and smooth drive sounds.
Who makes the Fly Boys pedals?
The Fly Boys pedals are made by Totally Wycked Audio, usually shortened to TWA, and distributed in the United States by Godlyke Distributing. The line included the FB-02 Overdrive and the FB-01 Distortion, both in small enclosures.
Is the FB-02 good with single-coil pickups?
Both the maker and reviewers point to the Warm setting for single coils. Godlyke describes the Warm setting as ideal for use with single coils, and Pedal of the Day's reviewer wrote that the Warm setting should ideally be paired with single-coil pickups, as it is geared toward a warm and tube amp-like tone.
Sources (5)
- FLY BOYS®, Godlyke Distributing, Inc.
- 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
- FLY BOYS®, Godlyke Distributing, Inc.
- TWA Fly Boys FB-01 Distortion, Pedal of the Day, 2015-08-10
