The name says it all really. This is a standard-size effects pedal designed to turn a straight guitar signal into the sound of a 'stack'; an overdriven valve sound.

Basically, it succeeds. With just three controls, for Level, Distortion and Tone, the unit can be set up in-line with any other effects, and will give a range of distorted sounds, that are guitar-dynamic - ie. the louder you play, the more distorted the output is.

The Level control seems to both set the threshold where distortion begins on the dynamics, and also sets the overall level, so that the sound can be balanced in volume against that of the dry signal. The Tone control allows the guitar's sound to be switched through from a basic ES335-type growl up to a clipped-out Strat sound. The LED indicator is illuminated continuously when the unit is in use, rather than just a flash as you switch it on. The legends on the front-panel of the AD3 are fluorescent pink(!) that really stand out both on stage and in dimly lit studios.

Operation

So, to operation. The level of noise from the Stack In A Box is a lot less than a normal stack. In this way, I suppose that the replication of sound is not perfect. A valve amplifier creates a level of HF noise which is part and parcel of the overall sound, but the AD3 does not have the capacity to generate noise, so a certain 'feel' is lost from the sound. But despite this, the overall sound is very close to that of a valve-amplifier being overdriven. The level of sustain is good, though perhaps not as hot as I would have expected. On slow ballads and blues the effect is perfect, but for hard rock or heavy metal, it's better to link two of the units together. This enables the overdrive to really 'sing' through a loud backing, and presents the characteristic 'honk' on the midrange that both Marshall and HiWatt amplifiers are renowned for.

If your motto is 'Happiness is a warm valve' but you don't want to have the problems of carrying valve amplifiers around, then this is a logical and effective alternative.

In recording, the line taken straight from the pedal into the mixer provides a superb signal, and eliminates the noise problems so often encountered with overdriven speaker cabinets.

£54 and information is available from Washburn U.K., 20 Victoria Road, High Barnet, Herts.">(Contact Details)