Electric Guitar Review

If you’re the kind of guitarist that is always looking for that ultimate “tube” overdrive tone, but you’re not into throwing down a cool $1,000-plus on a multi-channel tube amp (or perhaps like me you actually prefer the kind of customization and control you can get from a distortion pedal,) you should check out VOX’s new Cooltron Duel Overdrive.

Like the other Cooltron pedals, the VOX Duel Overdrive is actually a pre-amp tube in a box, and as such it delivers true “tube tone” without the exorbitant cost. The approx. 6“x6” metal enclosure contains a real 12AU7 tube running at low-voltage – allowing it to simultaneously stay cool and pump out 16-hours of warm, dynamic overdrive on a set of 4 AA batteries.

Of all their pedals I’m particularly intrigued by the Duel Overdrive because 1.) it’s based on VOX’s Big Ben pedal, which produces buttery-smooth distortion (listen to their sample mp3s!) and 2.) unlike the other Cooltron boxes the Duel Overdrive provides two separate channels, which, let’s face it, is much more useable in real-world situations.

Features Include: two full sets of Gain, Tone, Volume, and Bass Boost controls, two foot-switchable overdrive channels, a 12AU7 pre-amp tube, and an optional 9v adapter.