The TWA Fly Boys FB-05 Metal is a compact metal distortion pedal from Totally Wycked Audio, the maker usually shortened to TWA. It was built to deliver '80s-style high-gain distortion in one of TWA's small Fly Boys enclosures, with a Lo/Hi Boost switch as its signature control12. The pedal is discontinued: Godlyke's product page carries the notice "SORRY, THIS MODEL HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED" and lists it as sold out1.
What it does
TWA aimed the FB-05 squarely at heavy metal playing. The maker's description leans on the decade that shaped the genre's sound: "The FB-05 conjures up the 1980's in all their excessive glory. Brutal output levels and an absurd amount of gain combine"1. As for what a player gets out of it, TWA puts it this way: "Whether it's tight, break-neck rhythms or shredding solos, the FB-05 pumps out the punishing metal tones you crave"1.
The Boost switch
The pedal's central feature is its Boost switch. TWA describes it as offering "three ways to abuse your amp"1. With the boost off, the maker says the pedal gives "a dark, punchy crunch that's perfect for chunky rhythms"1, with the boosted positions pushing things further into high-gain territory.
Mike B, reviewing the pedal for Pedal of the Day in August 2015, noted that the toggle approach was shared across the line: "As with the FB-02 Overdrive, the FB-05 Metal has a toggle switch that lets you select from a couple different modes"3.
Who makes the Fly Boys pedals
The Fly Boys line is TWA's range of mini pedals, distributed in the United States by Godlyke Distributing. Mike B's review described the FB-05 as "a huge powerhouse in a tiny and shiny enclosure"3, and his verdict on the pedal overall was blunt: "This pedal will turn any amp (well, the ones that can handle it) into a gargantuan heavy metal machine"3.
Every Fly Boys purchase included a free C-BAT/R cable, according to the maker's product page1.
FB-05 Metal vs FB-02 Overdrive
The Fly Boys line included both a distortion and an overdrive, and the two pedals sit at different points on the gain scale143:
| FB-05 Metal | FB-02 Overdrive | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Metal distortion1 | Overdrive4 |
| Character | '80s-style high gain2 | Retains guitar and amp character, responds to picking dynamics4 |
| Mode switch | Lo/Hi Boost toggle2 | Toggle selecting two drive modes5 |
| Status | Discontinued1 | Discontinued4 |
The FB-02's toggle switch drew particular praise from Pedal of the Day: "The FB-02's most impressive control is the small toggle switch located in the top middle of the pedal"5. Players looking for the FB-05's flavor in a current TWA pedal will find the company's later distortion designs, such as the TWA SH9 Scott Henderson Signature Distortion, covered elsewhere on the site, along with the broader range of Distortion Pedals.
Videos
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Godlyke Inc.
Questions
Is the TWA Fly Boys FB-05 Metal discontinued?
Yes. TWA's distributor Godlyke lists the FB-05 Metal as discontinued and sold out, so the pedal is no longer in production. Used examples are the only way to find one, and the same applies to the rest of the Fly Boys line, including the FB-02 Overdrive, which is also marked discontinued on the maker's product page.
Who makes the Fly Boys pedals?
The Fly Boys line is made by Totally Wycked Audio, usually shortened to TWA, and distributed in the United States by Godlyke Distributing. The range consists of compact pedals in small enclosures, of which the FB-05 Metal is the high-gain distortion model.
What does the boost switch do on the FB-05?
The FB-05's Boost switch is a toggle that offers three positions, which the maker describes as three ways to abuse your amp. With the boost off, the pedal delivers what TWA calls a dark, punchy crunch suited to chunky rhythms, while the boosted settings push the gain and output further toward the pedal's '80s metal character.
What is the difference between the FB-05 Metal and the FB-02 Overdrive?
The FB-05 is the metal distortion of the Fly Boys line, aimed at '80s-style high gain, while the FB-02 is the line's overdrive, a lower-gain drive that TWA says retains the character of your guitar and amp and responds to picking dynamics. Both pedals use a small toggle switch to select between modes.
Sources (5)
- FLY BOYS®, Godlyke Distributing, Inc.
- Godlyke Introduces TWA Fly Boys Mini Effect Pedals, Guitar World, 2013-11-14
- TWA Fly Boys FB-05 Metal, Pedal of the Day, 2015-08-14
- FLY BOYS®, Godlyke Distributing, Inc.
- TWA Fly Boys FB-02 Overdrive, Pedal of the Day, 2015-08-11
