In a crowded market of spectacular effects, how can a pedal builder really make a mark on a prospective buyer? While looks certainly aren’t everything, it’s hard to argue the importance of aesthetics in a universe of incredible sonic options... and that’s exactly what’s happening here.
Mary's Art-Themed Pedalboard
In a recent edition of her Chewsday Talks series, YouTuber Mary Spender engaged in some art appreciation and curated a themed pedalboard full of gear as artful as it is awesome. Today, let’s pay a visit to a museum that’s truly fit to be stomped on.
First up (as referenced in the video title) is the Anasounds Element Spring Reverb. While the intricate etched-wood chassis was Mary’s impetus for adding this pedal to her board, the true beauty of this innovation from the French pedal builders lies within... and without. Equipped with a literal spring that is stimulated by guitar signals, the Element reclaims the essence of analog reverb in a big way.
Stepping into the modern wing of the stompbox art museum, Mary was compelled by the colorful, retro-futuristic aesthetic and aluminum (er... aluminium) enclosure of the Stone Deaf FX Warp Drive. This high-gain distortion monster is massively popular among djent guitarists and modern art enthusiasts alike.
With a steel chassis boasting gorgeous typeface and industrial art deco vibe, the DigiTech FreqOut Frequency Feedback Generator tames the grit and bombast of natural feedback and allows musicians to add edge to their playing with artistic precision.
In case you missed it, Mary has been partnering with Reverb to serve up inspired effects videos on her channel. She’s explored the galaxy with a space-themed lineup and noshed on a quartet of tasty food-centric effects. You can revisit those videos below.
Do you have a dream themed pedalboard? Let us know your ideas in the comments.
Mary's Food-Themed Pedalboard
Hope you’re hungry, because YouTuber Mary Spender is serving up a fresh helping of tone, courtesy of a food-themed pedalboard. She created the smorgasbord with a feast of effects she found on Reverb—including one she got from The Official Reverb Shop of Australian indie rockers The Temper Trap. Let’s see what’s cooking:
In this second of three themed pedalboard videos, Mary experiments with a truly well-balanced diet of stompboxes.
For starters: some hearty distortion from the Way Huge Fat Sandwich, followed by a healthy helping of Soul Food (courtesy of the EHX Turnip Greens, which combines the company's Soul Food overdrive and Holy Grail Max reverb). Then, she adds a different flavor of dirt with a hint of Wasabi from Danelectro and, finally, washes it all down with the refreshing slapback echoes of JHS' The Milkman.
Mary's Space-Themed Pedalboard
Ever wonder what space sounds like? In the first video of Mary's three-part series of themed pedalboards, she found a shortcut. As you can see and her below, she explores the far reaches of the galaxy via a few choice finds on Reverb.
First, Mary takes some out-of-this-world gear for a test flight. Then, using the discoveries she made while playing around with the Boss Space Echo, Dr. Scientist BitQuest, and Rainger FX Air Space Invader 2, she tops it all off with a new trippy tune.
For more of Mary's great videos, check out and subscribe to her YouTube channel here.