BounceChord’s Take on the Gristle King: Tubescreaming All the Way

A Walk Down Gristle Lane

BounceChord opens the session with his longtime love affair with the Gristle King, a dual pedal that caught his eye — or should we say ear — almost 15 years ago. This wasn’t just any pedal; it emulated the hot tones of a Hot Rod Deluxe, a feat that was quite ahead of its time when dual pedals weren’t the norm. It’s like discovering your favorite street food vendor long before the food truck craze hit the streets! Called the Crystal King in the demo, this pedal wasn’t just a sound enhancer, it was a revelation in tone, offering options like bass boost and compression. Today, these features are the bread and butter of dual pedals, but back in the day, it was a true innovation.

The Legacy of the Tube Screamer

The Gristle King holds an interesting spot in pedal history, stitched together by Tim Yarnig and Greg Cock. Yarnig tried to keep things small, only to see his circuits licensed out to brands like T-Rex and Fishman. In a twist that sounds straight out of a mixtape flip, the DGTM (Diabolical Gristle Tone Manipulator) wasn’t just another tube screamer — it added a unique luxury boost. Now, Fishman and others continue the Fizzy Fizz legacy. This pedal screamed ‘iconic’ like your favorite broken subwoofer that still hits the bass just right. BounceChord admits it may not be the tonal revelation some claim, comparing its voice to a TS-808 with a touch of flair. That’s like tricking out your basic ride with rims and a killer sound system. Well, not exactly earth-shattering, but definitely a worthy contender in the pedal arena.

"This isn't just a pedal. It's a tone revelation."

Crank it Up: Exploring the Boost

The boost side of this pedal doesn’t slap you with 20+ decibels like some modern boosts. With a modest 14 decibels on tap, it demands finesse over force — a bit like coaxing the most out of a can of cheap beer. BounceChord shares how this subtle boost, always left on, gives your amp a little nudge without overdoing it. It colors your tone just enough without drowning it. This kind of nuanced gain turns ordinary rig into something with pep and personality. It’s a fabulous revelation about always-on boosts, mapping out how they impact every other pedal like a ripple in your sound waves. It’s one of those tricks you try once and never switch off, like the perfect street taco you keep going back to.

Dialing Up the Gristle

What sets the Gristle side apart is its user-friendly controls and sonic options. It feels familiar yet fresh, like discovering a retro arcade game that still makes you wanna play all day. BounceChord breaks down the controls with a flavor switch that gives compression and dirt, tweaks that are more about vibe than science. Want more bass? Hit the fat switch, though he notes it might not be essential — unless you’re building up a big bass wall. He jives with the dirt, appreciating how this side adds grit to the mix without being too abrasive. With each knob you turn, you’re not just altering sound but sculpting an auditory landscape that can go from clean to crunchy like your playlist flipping from jazz to hip-hop. The Gristle King is all about those tonal nuances, allowing you to find that sweet spot and letting you jam out without fuss.

Facing the Ibanez Challenge

"The plus setting of this with the Keeley mod on sounds an awful lot like this, which is totally fine."

BounceChord brings in the heavy hitter: the Ibanez Turbo Tube Screamer TS9DX, modded by Keeley. It’s like a friendly throwdown between two legends of overdrive. This face-off isn’t about outright superiority but celebrating different flavors. While the Ibanez boasts diverse settings, the Gristle King matches it stride for stride, especially keen with its boost in the mix. This is more about brotherhood than rivalry. With the Keeley mod, the Ibanez maintains its edge in tonal variety, yet the Gristle’s own tweakability and luxury boost hold their ground. It’s a classic case of personal taste, echoing the timeless choice between a classic Chicago dog and a hot Italian beef. In the end, each pedal shines in its unique way, highlighting preferences rather than dictating a musical must-have.