Dettagli
DigiTech has introduced several new generations of the Whammy pedal since the first
version was discontinued, in 1993.
Despite the new features and improvements introduced with each new model, Whammy
connoisseurs still consider the original the one to own. That sentiment may change,
thanks to the new fifth-generation Whammy pedal.
Its sound quality rivals that of the original Whammy, and it has a wide variety
of cool new features that will earn the pedal its own new generation of fans, who
will likely consider this DigiTech’s best Whammy pedal yet.
FEATURES
The fifth-generation Whammy offers all of the same Whammy, harmony and detune effects
found on the original version and adds effects for 4th Up and Down, 5th Up and Down,
and Dive Bomb. Whereas previous Whammy pedals (with the exception of the Whammy
DT) provided monophonic pitch shifting, the new Whammy is polyphonic, allowing you
to pitch bend and harmonize full chords with no glitching. Should you want the original
glitching effects (which some guitarists consider a feature rather than a bug),
the pedal features a Classic/Chords switch that lets you select monophonic or polyphonic
modes.
Other upgrades include true-bypass switching, a MIDI input (for selecting and controlling
the different Whammy effects with an external controller) and nine-volt DC power,
which makes the new Whammy more pedal-board friendly as it can be powered by a multiple-pedal
DC power supply (just make sure it has a high current output as the Whammy needs
at least 265mA). The only feature missing is the dry-signal output found on previous
versions.
PERFORMANCE
The fifth-generation Whammy is about a third bigger than the original Whammy, but
it maintains a relatively small footprint. The treadle is also larger and more comfortable
to use, as it swivels from toe up to an almost flat position instead pivoting from
toe up to a somewhat uncomfortable toe-down position like the original.
With 10 Whammy, nine harmony and two detune effects, the new Whammy offers plenty
of creative inspiration. The polyphonic pitch-shift setting sounds incredibly smooth
and realistic, particularly on the octave up/down harmony effect, which allows guitarists
to transition between realistic 12-string guitar (toe down) and chunky bass tones
reminiscent of a Hamer 12-string bass. Classic mode sounds as rich and thick as
an original Whammy, but it doesn’t glitch quite as dramatically (which most
players will embrace as an improvement).
THE
BOTTOM LINE
The fifth-generation Whammy accurately duplicates the original Whammy’s quirks
and qualities while providing new features and effects that undeniably make it DigiTech’s
best Whammy pedal ever.
LIST
PRICE $249.95
MANUFACTURER DigiTech, digitech.com