The TWA TK-02 Triskelion Mk II is a variable-state bandpass filter with adjustable gain, released by Godlyke, Inc. on November 6, 2015 at a $229 street price. Its circuit is based on the rare Systech Harmonic Energizer, and the maker says its filter can create glassy clean tones, boost midrange for throaty solos, or tune a rig to a room for resonant feedback. It is made in the USA and carries a 3-year warranty1.
What it does to your sound
A bandpass filter passes only a chosen slice of the frequency spectrum, which is what gives the Triskelion its range of uses. The filter's Q, meaning how narrow or broad the filtered band is, can be adjusted from very wide to extremely steep, creating what the maker calls harmonic focus in a narrow frequency band1. In practice, that means the pedal can act as a clean boost focused on one part of your tone, a midrange push for solos, or a feedback tool when the filter is tuned to the room.
Controls and switches
Guitar Interactive Magazine's Jonathan Graham described the pedal's controls at release2:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Variant Mass | Adjusts the frequency of the filter2 |
| Amplitude | Adjusts the Gain and output level of the pedal2 |
| Energize footswitch | Turns the Amplitude control on/off2 |
| Internal Classic/Modern DIP switch | Selects between two filter frequency ranges2 |
| Internal Gain DIP switch | Reduces Gain for additional headroom2 |
| Expression pedal input | Outboard control of filter frequency1 |
The two internal DIP switches mean opening the pedal's chassis is part of setting it up: Classic/Modern changes the filter's frequency range, and the Gain switch trims gain when you want more headroom. The Energize footswitch is separate from the pedal's bypass, turning only the Amplitude stage on and off2.
The Triskelion Mk II has no battery option. It requires external 9 VDC power, so it needs a pedalboard power supply output1.
Bypass and expression control
Bypass switching is TWA's proprietary S3, short for "Shortest Send Switching," a relay-based true bypass design1. The expression pedal input lets an outboard expression pedal sweep the filter frequency, which turns the fixed-knob filter into something you can play dynamically, sweeping the focused band across your strings mid-phrase1.
Background and players
The Triskelion circuit is based on the Systech Harmonic Energizer, a pedal the press release describes as uber-rare1. Guitar Interactive Magazine noted that Dweezil Zappa has been known to use as many as three Triskelions in his touring rig2.
Videos
Godlyke Inc.
Godlyke Inc.
Dennis Kayzer
Questions
Does the TWA Triskelion Mk II run on a battery?
No. The Triskelion Mk II requires external 9 VDC power and has no battery option, so plan for a dedicated power supply output or a isolated supply tap on your board rather than expecting to run it from a 9V battery.
Is the Triskelion Mk II true bypass?
Yes. It uses TWA's proprietary S3, or Shortest Send Switching, relay-based true bypass switching, which the maker described at the pedal's 2015 release.
What does the Energize footswitch do?
The Energize footswitch turns the Amplitude control on and off. Since Amplitude adjusts the pedal's gain and output level, the footswitch lets you engage or disengage that gain stage while the pedal stays on.
Can I control the Triskelion Mk II with an expression pedal?
Yes. The Triskelion Mk II has an expression pedal input for outboard control of the filter frequency, so you can sweep the filter with your foot instead of reaching for the knob.
What does the Classic/Modern switch do on the Triskelion?
The internal Classic/Modern DIP switch selects between two filter frequency ranges, changing which part of the spectrum the filter works over.
Where is the TWA Triskelion Mk II made?
The Triskelion Mk II is made in the USA. It was released by Godlyke, Inc. under the TWA name, with the announcement dated November 6, 2015.
Sources (2)
- Godlyke Introduces the TWA Triskelion Mk II, Premier Guitar, 2015-11-06
- TWA Releases Triskelion Mk II Harmonic Energizer Booster/Filter, Guitar Interactive Magazine, 2015-11-06
Dweezil Zappa
