If you want classic tremolo tones from your effects pedal, the Trill Tremelo effects from Amplified Parts may be what you’re looking for in an easy to build kit.

The Trill’s speed knob provides a wide range from a very slow to rapid fire effect. The depth knob varies the ratio between effected and dry signal.

It uses modern, low noise transistors makes operation of The Trill quiet with no signal drop when engaged. The Trill also uses true bypass foot switching so it is out of the signal path when not engaged.

Check it out and get it at AmplifiedParts.com

The Thunderdrive is an overdrive pedal kit from Mod Kits DIY that will provide a signal boost at low gain settings and it’s own distortion at maximum gain settings. You can use it to push your preamp into overdrive or as a source of smooth distortion.

The kit is relatively simple to build, even if you have no electronics experience. In fact, it was designed with the intention of getting musicians into electronics and to thinking more about experimenting and modeling their gear. Using point to point wiring and easy to follow instructions you can have a working overdrive pedal in a matter of hours.

All you need to provide is solder and a soldering iron. Uses 9 volt battery which is not included.

Get it at AmplifiedParts.com for only $29.95

The Sanyo Pedal Juice is a rechargeable 9V power supply for guitar effects as well as other musical device such as keyboards, amps, and drum machines. I recently received one for review.

What’s in the box …

- Power supply
- (1) – AC adapter and cord
- (2) – DC cords
- (1) – Polarity conversion cord
- Black zippered carrying bag
- Instruction Manual

My first impressions of the Pedal Juice is that it’s small, light, and well made. It has only one button on the front for power on/off an LED to give you an idea of charge level. The top side of the unit has one DC input for charging and two DC outputs to power your effects. Word of caution, the instruction manual clearly states to make sure you’ve get the connections right and connect in the same polarity or you’ll risk damaging some things. Just remember that this thing is a battery so don’t let the leads touch or put them on the metal housing of the effects.

It took just over 3 hours to fully charge, I used it to power my little Vox DA5 and a Wah pedal. It worked well and I didn’t notice any changes when the LED switched from green to orange indicating less charge remaining.

PRO’s

• Up to 50 hours of clean, continuous power.
• No need for cost and hassle of 9V batteries.
• Small and light. Fits in your palm and weight is negligible compared to the overall weight of a typical pedalboard.
• Water and shock resistant.
• 1 button to power on/off all connected devices.
• LED charge status light gives indication of charge level
• Fully recharges in about 3 hrs.

CON’s

• No extra cables included to daisy chain. You can get some for about $15-$20 such as these.
• Only (2) DC outputs – Not a deal breaker but limiting for larger rigs.

Some common setups …

The Verdict

The Pedal Juice is worth getting:

• If you hate buying and throwing away batteries.
• If you have trouble finding a convenient outlet to plug into on stage or where ever you playing.
• Are a freak about providing a clean and stable power source to your setup.
• If you can justify the cost (approx. $149) vs. what you’ll save on batteries and how often you’ll use it.