Saturday, September 29, 2007

Why Vintage Tone?


You might be asking yourself "Why Vintage Tone"? We say why not. At Alpha Omega Guitar Effects we are constantly in search of vintage tone. Why? Because some of the best classic electric guitar tones ever heard came from the classic age of Rock and Blues music in the 60's, 70's and early 80's. So why try and emulate this tone? While we know we can't recreate some of the classic guitar rigs of great players, we can recreate some of the classic gear they used. Namely the effects pedals. Why do you think all the big name amplifier company's have reissued their classic vintage gear. Because it is still all about that vintage tone. Marshall and Fender are both in a race to recreate their old vintage amp's. Some are hand-wired some offer vintage circuits. Thats what we are doing too. From the classic Ibenez TS-808, vintage Fuzz Face, Classic MK II Fuzz, Rock'n ProCo Rat, to the Electro Harmonics Big Muff Pie, the vintage DOD 440 envelope filter and others. We are trying to bring affordable vintage tone to your door. There are other boutique builders out there. There are great guitar effects everywhere. So why buy from us? The reasons are numerous but to make it simple: We wanted to offer not just a good variety of products but want to make each one the best, high quality piece of gear for the money. We can't sell at big name manufacturers prices, we don't have that kind of buying power or production capability. We do hunt down the best component we can find. We do hand soldier, wire and assemble each pedal. We do use a high quality printed circuit board, and all components are hand picked and tested for quality. Each aluminum case is hand finished right down to hand polishing the final clear coat. All modifications are done by hand and each pedal is tested before it is shipped. Not just plugged in to see if it works but played for at least an hour to check all components for operation and tone quality.
All Alpha Omega Guitar Effects Pedals are True Bypass, have super bright on-off LED indicators and can be powered from a 9v internal battery and/or an external 9v power supply (standard boss style 2.1mm).

We don't want to compete with the Big Manufactures what we would like to do is let our pedals speak for themselves. Most of our pedals are floating around the Dallas Ft.Worth area but we would like to get them out to the world so players can hear them.
If you read this blog and e-mail us to order a pedal until October 31st, 2007 we will give a 25% discount on our retail prices. Shipping will also be reduced to $5.95 for domestic US shipping until October 31st, 2007. International and shipping to Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico will be higher and quoted separately. Please email for details at ao.heavenlytone@verizon.net
We can invoice through PayPal.

Our retail web site is still under development at http://www.heavenlytone.com/
Thanks again for looking,
Dana @ Alpha Omega Guitar Effects

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Brandon Wyatt Signature Model "Spiritus Sanctus"



We just finished a joint project with Brandon Wyatt the lead guitar player for Ephesus ( http://www.ephesusband.com/ ). Brandon loved the sound of our stock "Spritus Sanctus" overdrive/distortion pedal but we wanted to give him something special. So here it is the Brandon Wyatt Signature Model "Spiritus Sanctus". We did a few modifications to the clipping section and made a few component value changes to better suit Brandon's guitar rig.

Brandon's axe of choice is a Gibson Les Paul Studio with standard electronics.

He plays through a Mesa Boogie Stiletto Ace 2x12 combo. We added some top end frequencies and clarity because of the bass heavy response of the Stiletto. We also changed the clipping section for some added distortion (but not over the top) to work with the EL-34's and closed back speaker box in Brandon's amp. The result, a slightly brighter but grittier sound. Brandon's words when we plugged the final product up was "Man I Want To Marry This Pedal I'm So In Love With It". We gave the pedal the graphic logo of Ephesus and added his name. Brandon wanted the pedal to look aged so we distressed the finish to look like it has been gigging awhile. We will offer this pedal for sale on our new retail web site at http://www.heavenlytone.com/ . The site is up but it will be another week until we have all our products listed for sale. Please look for our huge Grand Opening Sale soon.

Monday, September 10, 2007

So What does Alpha Omega Guitar Effects Offer?

  • As a small custom boutique shop we have searched for what best soot's the average to great guitar player. As a guitar and guitar effects nut myself (average at best player), I like many of you am a "Gearhead". I know, we don't want to admit it but its true we constantly look for some secret weapon to give us that killer tone (we choose the word heavenly tone). Some boutique builders offer one or two pedals, some offer many more. We wanted to offer not just a good variety of products but want to make each one the best, high quality piece of gear we can for the money. We can't sell at big name manufacturers prices, we don't have that kind of buying power or production capability. We do hunt down the best component we can find. We do hand soldier, wire and assemble each pedal. We do use a high quality printed circuit board, and all components are hand picked and tested for quality. Each aluminum case is hand finished right down to hand polishing the final clear coat. All modifications are done by hand and each pedal is tested before it is shipped. Not just plugged in to see if it works but played for at least an hour to check all components.

    Several emails from people have asking about what products we offer.
    So here is the list:

  • The “Temptation" : A very saturated distortion pedal based on the 1978 ProCo Rat circuit. This little pedal has been described as having a singing “voice like” sound with tons of sustain. The circuit has been modified with an added overdrive selection that will please any tube screamer lover. We even give you a Big Boost selection for added volume as a clean or slightly overdriven boost pedal. $179.99







  • The “Big Delta" : Like Fuzz? We do. Here is a takeoff of the 1971 Electro Harmonics Big Muff Pie. With fuzz from mild to gritty this pedal will send you right into the 1970’s Features include volume, gain and a very usable tone control. Fuzz on.
  • $ 159.99


Get this widget
Share
Track details

The guitar tracks on this sample are through a clean Fender Reissue Blues DeVille 410, with a modified Fender Tele with a Hotrail pickup in the bridge position using the Alpha Omega "Big Delta" as the only effect to front of amp. Mic'd with a Shure SM57. The drums were mic'd the same as in early Led Zeppelin albums.

  • The “Spiritus Sanctus” : The spirit inside your guitar tone. A distortion / overdrive pedal that is very transparent and organic. Two simple knobs: volume and gain. That’s all you need. Your natural guitar and amp tones shine though, we only add the harmonic distortions to bring the spirit alive. Bring your tone spirit out today. $ 129.99

  • The “Creation" : Based on the original Tube screamer TS808, and as great sounding. We even use the original JRC4558 op amp for that mid warmth. We go one step farther and give you three options on tone. First is the original “TS808” tone. Second is a “British Crunch” selection, this gives the added crunch of a vintage overdrive into a British amp. Third a Big Boost option for a simple clean boost or a mild volume boosted overdrive. You be the judge and start “Creating” your own personal tone. Volume, gain and tone controls. $ 179.99

  • The “Scripture” : Phasers are a great way to add depth and warmth to any guitar tone. The Scripture is a vintage script 90 phaser with great depth and rate options. Capable of deep, slow, swooshing airplane sounds to lush phase shifting that's reminiscent of the 60's. The Scripture can cover everything from EVH to Pink Floyd.
    Can be used on clean tones for added depth, in front or behind an overdrive or distortion pedal for added space and warmth. Also works very well with acoustic guitars. Experiment and have fun that’s what they did in the 60’s and 70’s. $139.99

  • The “Four40” : An analog envelope filter based on the vintage Green DOD 440. This is an organic envelope effect featuring the Vactec VTL5C4/2 opto-coupler. It is very responsive to your playing dynamics. The harder you play, the harder the filter hits. This is the circuit that gained popularity after Radiohead used it to record, but it's really a must have for any funk or reggae players or anybody who's just looking for something a little different. $129.99




  • The “Angel Song” : There is no better way to add warmth and depth than with vintage analog chorus. Clean tones will shimmer with added voicing. Added behind a distortion pedal and you are now bigger than life. Many great recordings and live bands have used chorus for added feel and warmth. Use with acoustic guitars for added fullness, body and warmth. You will fall in love with chorus again. Controls include depth and speed. We even made the on/off indicator blink to the rate of the speed control so you can dial in with the tempo of your music. $169.99

  • The “Divine Echo” : Digital delay with analog voicing? What???? Just what it say’s. A digital delay voiced to have the same high end roll off that gave vintage analog delays their warm tone. Ever wanted the simplicity of an analog delay pedal with the versatility of digital delay? Here you go. Add everything from a light reverb to near endless repeats to all out digital spacey sounds. Controls include: DELAY for time between delay repeats up to
    300 ms (600 ms modification available, REPEATS for number of repeats and BLEND to blend the amount of delay signal with incoming signal. The digital delay is capable of over 300ms of delay time. And yes...this delay can self oscillate and yes it is true bypass. $169.99 (600ms modification add $10.00) Note on 600ms Modification: A slight tonal change and some distortion may occur to end repeats at max delay times with this mod. In live band situations this is not noticeable, and some have discribed it as desirable.
    Get this widget | Track details |eSnips Social DNA

  • The “Mark II” : The Ultimate Fuzz for “Zeppelin” fans. This is the same circuit that made Jimmy Page’s tone, well, so Led Zeppelin. A true 3 Germanium transistor Vintage fuzz. We use only matched and tested ( meaning expensive) Ge transistors for that rich but musical fuzz that gave Led Zeppelin their sound. We take it one step further and go true bypass and add an on/off LED, and give you an external bias knob for more control over your the tone of those Ge transistors (new feature not pictured).
    $179.99 Note: This is a positive ground pedal just like the original. You can power this pedal from a 9v internal battery or from a stand alone standard 9v power adapter. It must not be daisychained to other negative ground pedals beacause damage may occur to the pedal.


  • We are always in the R&D phase, so new pedals are coming. We want to offer some of the best vintage replica pedals available. Not just a sound-alike but a true version of the highly sought after original. We also want to be versital and modern so most of our pedals offer a modification or addon not found on the original. All are true bypass and all use the boss standard 9v power adapter as well as a 9v internal battery.
  • Shipping is $7.95 flat within the continental United States. Please email us for shipping outside the continental US. If you Email us and mention this blog and you will receive a 20% discount on all orders. We will invoice thru PayPal until our retail web site is finished. Please email: Dana at ao.heavenlytone@verizon.net to order.
  • If the pedal you order is out of stock it will take up to 3 weeks to build and ship your pedal to you. Trust us they are worth the wait.
For all our pedals we are working on sound clips an pictures. We will post them when avaliable.
THANKS FOR LOOKING AND DON'T FORGET TO VOTE IN OUR POLL.

Sunday, September 9, 2007

Meet "Ephesus" the band!

Based out of Dallas Ft.Worth, TX - This is Ephesus

What a great group of guy's. Not only great musicians but great friends.. Koodo's to Daniel, Brandon and Justin. You guys ROCK. Thanks for letting me sit in as your bass player from time to time. Every band needs an old fart bass player.
Go to http://www.ephesusband.com/ to visit their web site.

Daniel is the lead singer and acoustic guitar player for Ephesus. He writes all the bands original songs and lyrics. Daniel plays an Alvarez acoustic. What a heart for God. This kid only wants to serve thought the gifts God has given him. Daniel currently owns his own business and attends college in Denton, TX.

Here are the lyrics to Katrina written by Daniel:

Katrina
The devastation of a multitude
I see the sorrow in her frail eyes
How do you tell one so young
Her mom's not coming home tonight
Her dad tries to speak but she already knows
Her little heart shattered the darkness exposed
To bring the light back to just that one soul
Makes all of heaven rejoice and you'll always know
You can't rebuild a city with just one smile
But you've rekindled the flame and sparked hope inside a child
To bring the light back to just that one soul
Makes all of heaven rejoice and you'll always know
You can't rebuild a city with just one smile
But you've rekindled the flame and sparked hope inside a child

Brandon is the lead electric for Ephesus. He plays a Gibson Les Paul Studio through a Mesa Boogie Stiletto Ace 2x12 combo. He uses several Alpha Omega Guitar Effects Pedals including the "Temptation" and "Sanctus Spiritus" pedals. Brandon works full time for Hillside Community Church in Keller, TX in graphics design and video. Brandon is pursuing a career in technical arts including setting up his own recording and production studio.








Justin is Ephesus's drummer.

This kid kicks butt on the drums. What a great kid too.
He even lets the old guy play bass. Justin just started college and wants to pursue a occupation in music and live sound production.


That's me. I'm the old bass player. Yes, its true your only as young as those around you let you feel (and act). I really love these guys. Great friends, outstanding musicians and all dedicated to, and blessed by God. They work really hard to promote Christ through their original christian music.









Saturday, September 8, 2007

Tone that Inspires! (The tone of Stevie Ray Vaughan)

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at PhotobucketDo you like Stevie Ray Vaughan's music and Tone? We dig him at Alpha Omega Guitar Effects . We can't promise you will play like the late Master Stevie but we can help you recreate his tone. We have a pedal based on the original vintage Ibenez TS808 Tubescreamer. Yes, its the original vintage circuit and we even use the JRC4558 Ic chip just like the original, (but we add some very cool extras). Stevie Ray made the TS808 popular, but if he were still here I think he would buy one of our pedals. I will post pictures and details about our "Creation" pedal in the next few post. Until then please enjoy the sounds of Master Stevie.
God Bless,
Dana @ Alpha Omega Guitar Effects

Get this widget Share Track details
Did You vote in our Poll?
See the side bar>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Also check out the sound clip of our "Big Delta" vintage fuzz pedal>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Friday, September 7, 2007

The "Spritus Sanctus" distortion / overdrive pedal


Today's featured pedal is our "spritus Sanctus" distortion. This little box is the spirit inside your guitar tone. A distortion / overdrive pedal that is very transparent and organic.
Two simple knobs:

Baptize = volume and Testify = gain.

That’s all you need. Your natural guitar and amp tones shine though, we only add the harmonic distortions to bring the your tone spirit alive.


Price is $129.99 plus $7.95 flat rate shipping within the continental United States. Please email us for shipping outside the continental US. If you Email us and mention this blog you will receive a 20% discount on all orders. We will invoice thru PayPal until our retail web site is finished.
Please email: Dana at ao.heavenlytone@verizon.net to order
Don't forget to vote in our poll.

Thursday, September 6, 2007

New Poll..........................

Did you take our new poll?

Look on the sidebar.

What effects pedals do you use most often?

We want to know so we can build the best possible effects pedals for you the players. We offer 11 pedals in our line but will always be doing R&D for new pedals. Just let us know what you like and would like to have. Some pedals will take time to perfect. We will not turn out a pedal unless it meets our high standards of quality and tone. After all if it doesn't sound great why build it.

Tuesday, September 4, 2007

Digital Delay with analog voicing? You bet. The Alpha Omega "Divine Echo"

Todays highlight is our Alpha Omega "Divine Echo" Digital Delay pedal. This little pedal will make you believe in delay again.

A digital delay voiced to have the same high end roll off that gave vintage analog delays their warm tone. The expensive BBD (bucket brigade delay) chips they used were not the secret...it was their high frequency filter. This filter rolls off a little high end with each repeat and creates the atmospheric effect of each repeat traveling farther and farther away. Most digital delays were unable to recreate this desired effect. The "Divine Echo" digital delay pedal is capable of up to 300ms of delay time and can be easily modified for longer delay times up to 600ms. And, yes...this delay self oscillates and yes it is true bypass. You can get everything from mellow reverb to sweet slapback to almost endless repeats. The Choice is yours.
Get this widget | Track details |eSnips Social DNA




Note: At this time we do not offer tap tempo for this pedal

Controls:
Delay = Delay time up to 300ms (600ms with Mod)
Repeats = Number of repeat echos
Blend = Amount of delay effect blended with the incoming signal
Price is $169.99 (add $10.00 for 600ms mod) plus $7.95 flat rate shipping within the continental United States. Please email us for shipping outside the continental US. If you Email us and mention this blog you will receive a 20% discount on all orders. We will invoice thru PayPal until our retail web site is finished.
Please email: Dana at ao.heavenlytone@verizon.net to order
Don't forget to vote in our poll.

Note on 600ms Modification: ( add $10.00 to pedal price)
Slight tonal change and some distortion may occur to end repeats at max delay times
with this mod. In live band situations this is not noticeable, and some have discribed it as desirable.

Sunday, September 2, 2007

Alpha Omega "Vintage Line" Guitar pedals. The "Temptation" Distortion pedal



Just wanted to add a few more pictures of our Vintage Line of Guitar Effects Pedals.
This is our "Temptation" Pedal.
A very saturated distortion pedal based on the 1978 ProCo Rat circuit. This little pedal has been described as having a singing “vocal like” sound with tons of sustain and harmonics. The circuit has been modified with an added overdrive selection that will please any tube screamer lover. We even give you a Big Boost selection for added volume as a clean or slightly overdriven boost pedal. This pedal is hand built and hand finished. It features True Bypass switching, an internal 9v power supply and an external 9v input, Super bright red on/off Led, only top shelf components and awesome tone.
Control are:
Good = Volume
VS = Tone
Evil = Gain
Rat Icon = Rat Distortion circuit
Speaker Icon = Big Boost circuit
Tube Icon = Overdrive circuit

Price is $179.99 plus $7.95 flat rate shipping within the continental United States. Please email us for shipping outside the continental US. If you Email us and mention this blog you will receive a 20% discount on all orders. We will invoice thru PayPal until our retail web site is finished.

Please email: Dana at ao.heavenlytone@verizon.net to order
Don't forget to vote in our Poll.