GUITAR FX INC.: FRONTLINE

FRONTLINE SERIES II

I don't know much about these pedals, but what I do know is that they were made in the 80s and they are quite rare now. They pop up occasionally on eBay and seem to sell for very little. I think they were made in Japan by Coron and branded for Frontline, a guitar accessories company based in the UK. The pedal is a die cast metal shell with plastic battery cover. The plate the control knobs are attached to is metal as is the footplate and the actual switch is the same as the one found in Boss effects. The plastic knobs are not the best but these were after all budget pedals.

STEREO FLANGERThis was second pedal I ever bought in the summer of 1988. The flanging sound was a little unengaging if unclear and diffuse. As far as I can remember it was heavy on batteries. I sold it down the track so I don't know what became of it. But I now own one again thanks to eBay and while back in '88 it might have amazed me, today it sounds thin, noisy and messy. The pedal is in mint condition, hardly used. The self-oscillation is way over the top but absolutely gorgeous like a puppy crying for food!

OVERDRIVE

Look at all that blank space on the control panel, you could write a book in there! I also have the Heavy Overdrive also with the 4 controls. I got this very very cheap online and it's a superb sounding overdrive. It is one of the best I've ever tried. If you crank the level to 3 o'clock and the drive to 9 o'clock it drives a tube amp beautifully and you get to hear all the nuances of the guitar. By the way, white is a pretty bland colour for a drive pedal in my book, red, orange or yellow would be far sexier!

MONO CHORUS

I managed to pick this up on an advertising site and l love the colour and the word mono written on it. It sounds full and lush with nice vibrato. As chorus sounds go, it's more in the 80s but still mature and workable.

HEAVY OVERDRIVE

This is a great sounding pedal. Although it breaks up early on the drive dial like a distortion it's warm and clear adding a creamy smooth bite to the guitar. The treble never hurts your ears like other pedals can but too much bass can be a bit muddy with neck pickups. Still in all it's a great pedal with big balls and one of the unsung heroes of rock! Definitely a keeper!

DISTORTION

Another eBay grab for just £10. The seller said it's untested as he hadn't the time so I the gallant risk-taker placed my bets! It's in the post as I write! (2 weeks later!) Well, it never arrived and I was notified by local police it was stolen from the post office along with other peoples stuff and was being held as evidence for an upcoming case! I will receive it once the case ends, until then it remains in custody. My first guitar pedal to be arrested!

That's showbiz!