The TWA Triskelion 2.0 Harmonic Energizer is a filter pedal from TWA that uses what the maker calls vintage synth technology to re-shape the harmonic structure of the input signal, adding punch and clarity. Its specially designed filter can, in TWA's description, create glassy clean tones, boost the midrange for throaty solos, or let you tune your rig to any room for a wall of singing, resonant feedback1.
The circuit is based on the uber-rare Systech Harmonic Energizer, a vintage unit whose best-known user was Frank Zappa1. That lineage is the whole reason the pedal exists, and it shapes what the Triskelion does: rather than a conventional overdrive or wah, it is a bandpass filter with gain, an EQ-shaping tool that can also push into distortion.
Godlyke's product page lists the Triskelion 2.0 as sold out, and its list price is given in pounds sterling (£176.00 GBP), not US dollars1. A MARK 3 version exists and is sold separately1.
The switches: Gain Engage, Gain Select and HP
The Triskelion 2.0 keeps its control surface to a handful of switches, which is in keeping with the vintage unit it copies. From the maker's product page1:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Gain Engage footswitch | Footswitch control of Gain Engage |
| Gain Select switch | Selects between original or attenuated Gain Level |
| HP switch | Extended frequency range |
The Gain Engage footswitch means the gain stage can be kicked in and out mid-song, while the Gain Select switch gives two preset gain levels to choose between, original or attenuated. The HP switch widens the frequency range the filter covers, which changes how drastic the harmonic reshaping comes across1.
Based on the Systech Harmonic Energizer
The Triskelion circuit is based on the uber-rare Systech Harmonic Energizer1, a vintage unit that Premier Guitar has grouped with "the vintage Systech Harmonic Energizer and the modern boutique pedals it inspired" when discussing sought-after filter designs3. Godlyke has also sold B-stock vintage Systech Harmonic Energizer units, underlining how scarce originals are4.
Its most notable advocate was Frank Zappa, who used the Systech for many of his throaty, mid-boosted guitar tones1. That mid-boosted character is what the Triskelion's bandpass filter recreates: sweepable emphasis in the mids with gain behind it, rather than the low-end-heavy curve of a typical EQ pedal.
Dweezil Zappa and the Triskelion
The Zappa connection carries into the present. TWA's product page notes that Frank's son Dweezil Zappa relies on the Triskelion to replicate his father's guitar sounds for the ongoing Zappa Plays Zappa project, and has been known to use three in his live touring rig1. Guitar Interactive Magazine reported the same when the Mk II launched, noting Dweezil "has been known to use as many as three TWA Triskelion's in his touring rig"5.
"Frank's son Dweezil has been known to use as many as three TWATriskelion's in his touring rig."
Versions: TK-01, TK-02 and the 2.0
The Triskelion line has evolved across several versions, and the 2.0 sits at the compact, lower-priced end of it1.
| Version | What the record says |
|---|---|
| TK-01 | Reviewed by Guitar World as a distortion/overdrive pedal with a unique filter EQ6; Delicious Audio described it as operating "more or less as a standard EQ boost/distortion pedal"7 |
| TK-02 Mk II | A booster/filter, a variable-state bandpass filter with adjustable Gain; requires external 9 VDC power with no battery option25 |
| Triskelion 2.0 | Smaller Hammond 1590 chassis, lower price than its big brother, S3 relay-based true bypass1 |
| MARK 3 | Exists and is sold separately1 |
Godlyke's page states the Mk II added changes and upgrades that were not present on the TK-011. On the original TK-01, the distortion could be bypassed with an Engage button so the EQ worked on its own, and a separate Boost button added subtle octave harmonics for what Delicious Audio called a more shimmery tone7. The Mk II moved to an Energize footswitch that turns the Amplitude control on and off5.
The 2.0 then brought the circuit into the smaller, pedalboard-friendly Hammond 1590 chassis at a lower, wallet-friendly price than its big brother1. Players weighing the options can also look at the TWA Triskelion, the TWA TK-02 Triskelion Mk II, and TWA's other filter designs such as the TWA Little Dipper 2.0 and the TWA LF-01 Ladditude.
Videos
ProGuitarShopDemos
Mike Hermans
Brett Kingman
Questions
What is the Systech Harmonic Energizer?
A rare vintage effects unit whose most notable advocate was Frank Zappa, who used it for many of his throaty, mid-boosted guitar tones. TWA's Triskelion circuit is based on this uber-rare original, and Godlyke has also sold B-stock vintage Systech units. Its son Dweezil Zappa uses the Triskelion to replicate those sounds live.
What is the difference between the TK-01 and TK-02 Triskelion?
The TK-02 Triskelion Mk II added changes and upgrades that were not present on the TK-01. The Mk II is described as a variable-state bandpass filter with adjustable Gain, requires external 9 VDC power with no battery option, and adds an Energize footswitch that turns the Amplitude control on and off.
Is the TWA Triskelion true bypass?
The Triskelion 2.0 uses S3 Shortest Send Switching, a relay-based true bypass system. A practical detail for players: the switching defaults to bypass if power is lost, so your signal passes through even when the pedal is unpowered.
Is the Triskelion 2.0 smaller than the original Triskelion?
Yes. The Triskelion 2.0 sits in a smaller, pedalboard-friendly Hammond 1590 size chassis, and TWA describes it as carrying a lower, wallet-friendly price than its big brother, the earlier larger Triskelion.
Does the Triskelion have a Mk III version?
Yes. Godlyke's product page for the Triskelion 2.0 notes that a MARK 3 version exists and is sold separately, so players comparing versions have that option alongside the 2.0.
Sources (7)
- TRISKELION® 2.0, Godlyke Distributing, Inc.
- Godlyke Introduces the TWA Triskelion Mk II, Premier Guitar, 2015-11-06
- ToneConcepts The Distillery Review, Premier Guitar, 2013-09-29
- SYSTECH Harmonic Energizer (B-STOCK), Godlyke Distributing, Inc.
- TWA Releases Triskelion Mk II Harmonic Energizer Booster/Filter, Guitar Interactive Magazine, 2015-11-06
- Review: TWA Triskelion TK-01 Harmonic Energizer, Guitar World, 2011-07-14
- Pedal Review: TWA Triskelion TK-01, Delicious Audio, 2011-12-07
