DK
Perfect for Single Coils
I've decided to buy the TC Electronic Cinders because when I watched and listened to the online reviews/tests I felt that there was something there that was close to my dream sound for use on a future pedal board.
And this dream sound is the overdrive channel of a Fender "The Twin" (red knob) with its crisp transparent colour that keeps the tone on each string distinct - wether you play chords or single notes.
A band buddy some 30 years ago described that sound with the words: "Ey cool, that's overdrive and at the same time clean!"
(I was playing the Dual Showman (red knob ed) at that time which is basically the same thing as "The Twin").
Now what can I say... The Cinders really does that! Of course in a limited way but the sound is really there. (Of course I can't boost all of the equaliser bands separately or give the whole signal an overall presence push, but...)
Okay, for testing the Cinders at home I'm going into the Orange Crush 20 (Clean channel proper clean, Dirty channel slightly in crunch territory) with a self built Tele-style guitar with Fender Tex Mex pickups. Cinders at one o'clock each dial.
It does wonders to the clean where it produces the afore mentioned Twin transparent crunch and it certainly drives the crunch channel a good deal further resulting in some kind of boost which is a good alternative standalone use for this pedal imo.
If I'm using the dirty channel at higher gains the Cinders will drive it into fuzzy distortion territory just short of signal breakup if I put it past four o'clock on the drive.
Tone control has plenty of headroom. I've not used it past the two o'clock setting as yet. The same applies with the volume...
(The above works equally good with a 2008 Mexican Fender or my 1983 JV Squier, just requires some more volume).
I've tested low output Humbuckers from a Harley Benton building kit (DC Style) which don't respond too good to the Cinders unless I'm using a (ridiculously high pitched) treble boost (EHX Screaming Bird).
With that thing on it's fairly acceptable but not really my idea of a good sound.
With a modded (for microphonic use) set of high output Humbuckers from an Ibanez AX-something or other the Cinders gives incredible endless sustain (and I mean endless!).
Additionally I've run all of the above through a 2x100W Vermona Regent 2010 end stage with a 4x10 Kustom bass cabinet with tweeter in parallel with the 2x12 of my Fender "The Twin".
... The Cinders does convince even at high volumes!
Conclusion:
If you like Fender-y sounds, if you like single coils, if you like to tickle the best out of your single coils in a Fender-y style, if you're looking for a transparent open sound, if you'd like to boost your crunch-channel just that little bit (or even quite a lot) more, if you want to give your high output humbuckers that sweet sustain...
The Cinders might actually be what you should try out. (And at that price why wouldn't you...?)
Oh, by the way, I haven't even heard an hint of noise from this baby.
And one more thing that bugs me a bit: The name of the pedal seems a bit weird. I think what the crazy Danes really wanted to call it - and should have done so - is of course: "Embers". There is a difference!
Edit:
Things I forgot to mention:
I've tried to drive a 1986 Marshall Guv'nor (which is basically a diode-driven preamp) with the Cinders and it did't do anything much to the overall sound - neither before nor after nor in the loop of the Guv'nor. I conclude that the Cinders just not meant for use with darker more heavy amplifiers. (It would explain why "Eitschpi42" didn't get any acceptable sound from this Pedal. I think he mainly used Engls and Diezels or equally "heavy" amps).
The Cinders works phenomenally well with Burns-style Tri-Sonic pickups and therefore I would venture to guess it's equally good with P90s which I unfortunately have no way of testing for the lack of owning any guitars equipped with any of those beauties.
Okay, I think that should be it. I think most of the provided videos on this site give quite a good idea of the sound of the pedal.
The Cinders is maybe not perfect for every guitar, maybe not for every amp, not for everyones ears but then, what pedal really is? I really like it!
And this dream sound is the overdrive channel of a Fender "The Twin" (red knob) with its crisp transparent colour that keeps the tone on each string distinct - wether you play chords or single notes.
A band buddy some 30 years ago described that sound with the words: "Ey cool, that's overdrive and at the same time clean!"
(I was playing the Dual Showman (red knob ed) at that time which is basically the same thing as "The Twin").
Now what can I say... The Cinders really does that! Of course in a limited way but the sound is really there. (Of course I can't boost all of the equaliser bands separately or give the whole signal an overall presence push, but...)
Okay, for testing the Cinders at home I'm going into the Orange Crush 20 (Clean channel proper clean, Dirty channel slightly in crunch territory) with a self built Tele-style guitar with Fender Tex Mex pickups. Cinders at one o'clock each dial.
It does wonders to the clean where it produces the afore mentioned Twin transparent crunch and it certainly drives the crunch channel a good deal further resulting in some kind of boost which is a good alternative standalone use for this pedal imo.
If I'm using the dirty channel at higher gains the Cinders will drive it into fuzzy distortion territory just short of signal breakup if I put it past four o'clock on the drive.
Tone control has plenty of headroom. I've not used it past the two o'clock setting as yet. The same applies with the volume...
(The above works equally good with a 2008 Mexican Fender or my 1983 JV Squier, just requires some more volume).
I've tested low output Humbuckers from a Harley Benton building kit (DC Style) which don't respond too good to the Cinders unless I'm using a (ridiculously high pitched) treble boost (EHX Screaming Bird).
With that thing on it's fairly acceptable but not really my idea of a good sound.
With a modded (for microphonic use) set of high output Humbuckers from an Ibanez AX-something or other the Cinders gives incredible endless sustain (and I mean endless!).
Additionally I've run all of the above through a 2x100W Vermona Regent 2010 end stage with a 4x10 Kustom bass cabinet with tweeter in parallel with the 2x12 of my Fender "The Twin".
... The Cinders does convince even at high volumes!
Conclusion:
If you like Fender-y sounds, if you like single coils, if you like to tickle the best out of your single coils in a Fender-y style, if you're looking for a transparent open sound, if you'd like to boost your crunch-channel just that little bit (or even quite a lot) more, if you want to give your high output humbuckers that sweet sustain...
The Cinders might actually be what you should try out. (And at that price why wouldn't you...?)
Oh, by the way, I haven't even heard an hint of noise from this baby.
And one more thing that bugs me a bit: The name of the pedal seems a bit weird. I think what the crazy Danes really wanted to call it - and should have done so - is of course: "Embers". There is a difference!
Edit:
Things I forgot to mention:
I've tried to drive a 1986 Marshall Guv'nor (which is basically a diode-driven preamp) with the Cinders and it did't do anything much to the overall sound - neither before nor after nor in the loop of the Guv'nor. I conclude that the Cinders just not meant for use with darker more heavy amplifiers. (It would explain why "Eitschpi42" didn't get any acceptable sound from this Pedal. I think he mainly used Engls and Diezels or equally "heavy" amps).
The Cinders works phenomenally well with Burns-style Tri-Sonic pickups and therefore I would venture to guess it's equally good with P90s which I unfortunately have no way of testing for the lack of owning any guitars equipped with any of those beauties.
Okay, I think that should be it. I think most of the provided videos on this site give quite a good idea of the sound of the pedal.
The Cinders is maybe not perfect for every guitar, maybe not for every amp, not for everyones ears but then, what pedal really is? I really like it!
9
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R
Unbelievably good budget Overdrive!
Recently I purchased several pedals from this TC-Electronic series. All of them sound great and are well built, but the Cinders is Excellent!
It is now my favorite overdrive, with loads of gain and a really nice tonal range. It is fairly transparent so do not expect a tube-screamer like Overdrive, it is not this kind of overdrive, also it is not a vintage-sounding low gain overdrive it has a lot of gain, borderline distortion in some sets with some amps. I actually plugged it directly in the power amp and sounds really good!
There is not many features on it but the tone knob does a good job with the broad range eq.
Pros:
- Very broad gain range, from light gain (no clear boost) to borderline distortion
- Great eq range in the tone knob
- Well built
Cons:
- You cannot use it as a clear boost (but who cares! there are so many other boost pedals around)
- More eq controls would be nice, besides the large range in the tone knob some fine tunning in highs and mids would be great
- Kind of large, which I like but some people will not.
It is now my favorite overdrive, with loads of gain and a really nice tonal range. It is fairly transparent so do not expect a tube-screamer like Overdrive, it is not this kind of overdrive, also it is not a vintage-sounding low gain overdrive it has a lot of gain, borderline distortion in some sets with some amps. I actually plugged it directly in the power amp and sounds really good!
There is not many features on it but the tone knob does a good job with the broad range eq.
Pros:
- Very broad gain range, from light gain (no clear boost) to borderline distortion
- Great eq range in the tone knob
- Well built
Cons:
- You cannot use it as a clear boost (but who cares! there are so many other boost pedals around)
- More eq controls would be nice, besides the large range in the tone knob some fine tunning in highs and mids would be great
- Kind of large, which I like but some people will not.
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s
Good build quality, sound nothing special
I ordered this pedal as I have used TC electronics gear before and have so far had a good experience. The pedal is well built and easy to use. However, the sound is OK, nothing more. The gain is not very clean, even at low settings. It starts to sound OK past 12 o'clock, but is a bit shrill when turned up all the way. Even for the price, there are better products out there
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SS
Blues breaker with a want for high gain
It's bright. Definitely bright. Turn up the gain and it smoothens out nicely. Has a good feel when set past 14:00. I was looking for something that worked better at lower gain though.
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J3
For a price like this a good choice
Again, not to compare with pedals that costs over 200Euros. But this pedal really sounds great. The only downside is that it has a short delay when you press the button. So if you always keep it on it works wonders.
You can have a pretty angry distortion or a soft overdrive with it.
You can have a pretty angry distortion or a soft overdrive with it.
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J
A bit fizzy
Built like a tank but at least with the amp and guitar I used sounded a bit ratty and fizzy.
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JK
The best overdrive with incredibly fat sound
Nothing to say - I have just burried all my overdrives, and kept this only one. If you wanna FAT MARSHALL OVERDRIVEN SOUND WITH FULL BASS/MID/HIGHS RESPONSE - buy this one.Nothing beeing cut, the dynamic range would envy every second guitarman. I am gonna buy two more same, 'cause doesn't matter how many gain You set, this pedal sings or screams!!!! Super Balls of Fire!!!!!
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s
TC Electronic are always on top
Very good, unlike anything "light" Overdrive
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a
good buy for the bucks
as a drummer i have close to zero knowledge about pedals, but i bought this to pair with the Superlux D112C mic to use on vocals and get a fuzzier sound on some tracks we were rehearsing with my band.
the shell is definitely solid, so are the knobs. I am not an expert but the sound doesn't convince me 100%. it is good enough for my purpose, tough.
bypass works very well.
works smoothly powered either way (battery or charger)
the shell is definitely solid, so are the knobs. I am not an expert but the sound doesn't convince me 100%. it is good enough for my purpose, tough.
bypass works very well.
works smoothly powered either way (battery or charger)
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WK
What a pedal for such an amazing price!
If you want a super good and affordable overdrive then this is the pedal for you. With the drive setting at noon the effect is a nice warm and crunchy sound. And at full over-drive it can even be used for metal or punk. For the price this is amazing price/quality.
Pro : price, sound, build quality
Contra : cannot think of anything now
Pro : price, sound, build quality
Contra : cannot think of anything now
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