Here at Paizo, we understand that our fans, friends, and contributors (and the sizable cadre of folks who combine all three categories) are a little different than most companies' communities. It's not uncommon for Paizo fans to send us pizzas out of the blue as a thank-you gesture, or offer to buy us drinks when they run into us somewhere in the city. (Both of which initially confused us—you're giving us presents for selling you books?—but we aren't complaining.) We've seen a room full of Paizo trivia champions, Paizo cosplay, and a whole darn Paizo theater performance from an extremely talented grade school (and their supremely cool teacher). It's humbling and awesome at the same time.
Tim Hitchcock, however, may have just taken the cake, at least for me personally. You see, a while back, Tim and I were talking about music in the Tuesday-night Paizo Chat. Tim, a musician who retired from touring in order to become a teacher, was asking me about the bass rig I used in my metal and hardcore band, Shadow at Morning, and my opinions on distortion pedals. I said that I thought they were cool, but I'd never gotten around to picking one up.
"Why don't I build you one?" he asked. Apparently Mr. Hitchcock knows a thing or two about electronics.
I wasn't sure what to expect, but it's not every day somebody offers to build you custom gear. I said sure, and promptly forgot about it for about six months.
And then today, I got this in the mail: proof positive that Tim Hitchcock is totally insane, in the best possible sense of the word. (When I originally opened the package, the glowing light made Wes think Tim must have finally had enough and decided to send us a letter bomb.)
Photograph by Christopher Carey. Goblin illustration originally by Kyle Hunter.
Without question (at least until I get it home and plug it in), my favorite part is the little goblin that Tim etched into the steel of the faceplate. (And in case you're wondering, the goblin is referencing the classic Big Muff bass pedal, upon which Tim based the electronics.)
Though Shadow at Morning unfortunately disbanded a few weeks before the pedal's arrival, I'm already in the process of recording with a new project, and you can bet that when we're ready to hit the stage, Tim's phenomenal creation will be front and center...
I find your entire post amazing (and that's an understatement).
Such fan output is just incredible. Come on... a STAGEPLAY??? If someone did a stage play of something I'd wrote I think I would just RETIRE happily. What more to achieve in one's lifetime?
That, is by far, most coolest pedal I have ever seen!
And, I suggested to our acting-group (I'm actor) that hey, I have a cool play called SIX TRIALS OF LARAZOD, lets do this! Unfortunately, our teacher dont agree and we are goig to make some Kalevala-rip off. Geez.
You really did an excellent job, Tim.
That etching must have taken forever to complete.
d20's as knobs...genius.
Do you have any custom pedals for sale?
A Tube Screamer replica would be awesome.
It's not like I have a a pile of tube screamers lying around- well, I do but not for sale. If I do a pedal, its a something I build upon request. I'm not going to lie though, Tube Screamers are a fun build- I can put a lot of tweaks in them. I usually start with a classic 808 circuit and go from there. If you're serious about a build shoot me an e-mail.
I think it's right that the top face is "20". But there's a little part of me that wishes the top face were "11".
I really should've...
Actually, I think the d12 I put inside the pedal as a battery holder might be on 11. I can't remember though. James probably won't find that until he needs to change the battery. The 12 sider is from an old red box set I think. So even though its not a vintage pedal- It has a vintage die.
Actually, I think the d12 I put inside the pedal as a battery holder might be on 11. I can't remember though. James probably won't find that until he needs to change the battery. The 12 sider is from an old red box set I think. So even though its not a vintage pedal- It has a vintage die.
Skill, style and attention to detail? It's wrong. Just pure wrong.
It really does sound excellent... it's the classic Big Muff sound, similar to the tone I used on the bass for the Paizo Fight Song (which will undoubtedly be the subject for another blog post at some point). But needless to say, the pedal sounds as good as it looks, and it's supremely easy to use and tweak.
And as it turns out, I *did* discover the d12... it came loose in shipping, so I took off the back plate to see what was rattling (and to ogle all the wires and things). This just confirms Tim's nerdXcore status.
Things are still pretty busy around here, but the first recording I do using the pedal, I'll be sure to post a link so folks' can behold its majesty!