This week on Guitar Gear Gems, we look at the new Jack White signature La Grotte spring reverb pedal, which has just been announced and is due out later this month. Then we have a peek at the new Xotic Effects XW-2 wah pedal. Finally, we look at the work of James Tyler, the respected guitar luthier who has died aged 72.
La Grotte
Jack White’s latest collaboration with Anasound, the Third Man x Anasound LA Grotte Reverb Pedal, is a stompbox that blends retro audio-electrical technology with modern design. This unique pedal offers an unconventional approach to reverb.
Cavernous Spring Reverb
The 100% analogue pedal features three mechanical springs, providing a rich, immersive reverb tone. Inspired by the Tampco Tone Oven, the onboard preamp offers two-band EQ and ample headroom, ensuring versatility and flexibility. Independent volume settings for wet and dry signals allow precise reverb blend control.
A limited edition yellow version is also coming. Both are due at the end of September and are available to preorder.
MSRP – GBP 300 / GBP 350
XW-2
The XW-2 is Xotic Effects’ newly updated wah pedal, which updates their very popular XW-1 pedal.
This compact metallic blue wah is 20% smaller than traditional wah pedals, so it takes up less space on your pedalboard.
Hardware Features
The pedal has a self-lubricating nylon bushing pivot and an adjustable rocker tension, allowing it to work smoothly and be set up to the user’s preference.
Xotic has used a gold contact true bypass relay switching system to make the pedal play nicely with other effects. It also uses a custom-wound inductor and potentiometer to give it a throaty wah voicing and more.
If you like wah pedals, then these look like ones you should check out.
MSRP – USD 220
Legendary Guitar Luthier James Tyler Passes Away at 72
Renowned guitar luthier and designer James Tyler, known for his high-end instruments that shaped the LA studio sound of the 1980s, passed away at 72.
His family announced the news on August 29th, 2024.
SuperStrat
Tyler’s meticulous craftsmanship and innovative designs made him a go-to for many LA session players, including Dean Parks, Dann Huff, Michael Landau, and David Williams. His guitars played a pivotal role in the evolution of the era’s Superstrat arms race, and his influence can be heard on countless hit recordings.
Tyler began his career as a repairman at Norman’s Rare Guitars in LA before launching his own shop in 1980. His forward-thinking modifications and high-performance builds quickly gained a reputation among demanding session players, and his guitars were featured on hits by artists like James Taylor, Cher, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Stevie Nicks, Donna Summer, and Michael Jackson.
In 2022, Tyler retired, leaving his company under the guidance of his daughter Sarah and General Manager Rich Renken. His family has since announced their intention to establish a foundation in his honour to support aspiring musicians.
This is a massive loss for the guitar community, and anyone who has ever played or seen his work will know just how gifted a luthier he was.
To donate to the James Tyler Foundation, please visit GoFundMe
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