Toadworks
Encyclopedia
ToadWorks is a guitar effect brand owned by Ryan Dunn and Doug Harrison based in Spokane
, Washington. ToadWorks is primarily known manufacturing the Mr. Ed distortion pedal, which has been incorrectly identified with Eddie Van Halen
.
, CA. During the first year of ToadWorks' existence, operations were located in Ryan Dunn's garage. By 2002 the company had moved to San Diego, where it continued to manufacture products. In 2003 the company was moved back up to San Francisco, where it occupied the top floor of the famous Hobart Building
on Market St. In 2005, the company moved operations to Spokane, WA, where it continues to manufacture it's increasingly diverse product line.
In January 2008, ToadWorks announced plans to release a flanger effect pedal called Barracuda. This new effect is intended to emulate the distinctive flanger effect heard on the Heart
song of the same name
. Using a custom-made flanger effect given to them by Howard Leese
, ToadWorks initially attempted to reverse-engineer the circuit, but concluded the original circuit contained design elements that could not be duplicated using modern components, so a new circuit was designed. ToadWorks refers to this new circuit as the "Howard Leese Signature Model", although the true history regarding the effect from the actual recording is disputed. A new release date for this product has been set for January 2009.
record. Although the company denied any attempt to emulate the Van Halen sound, rumors persisted.
In 2005, the Mr. Ed effect was demonstrated to be a clone of the Fuzz Face
guitar effect.
, Australia by Powerhouse Music and Technology and in Queensland
by TYM Guitars
as well as in Melbourne by RockLogic Melbourne.
Spokane
Spokane is a city in the U.S. state of Washington.Spokane may also refer to:*Spokane *Spokane River*Spokane, Missouri*Spokane Valley, Washington*Spokane County, Washington*Spokane-Coeur d'Alene-Paloos War*Spokane * USS Spokane...
, Washington. ToadWorks is primarily known manufacturing the Mr. Ed distortion pedal, which has been incorrectly identified with Eddie Van Halen
Eddie Van Halen
Edward Lodewijk "Eddie" Van Halen is a Dutch-American guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter and producer, best known as the lead guitarist and co-founder of the hard rock band Van Halen, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame...
.
History
ToadWorks was formed in 2001 in Mountain ViewMountain View, California
-Downtown:Mountain View has a pedestrian-friendly downtown centered on Castro Street. The downtown area consists of the seven blocks of Castro Street from the Downtown Mountain View Station transit center in the north to the intersection with El Camino Real in the south...
, CA. During the first year of ToadWorks' existence, operations were located in Ryan Dunn's garage. By 2002 the company had moved to San Diego, where it continued to manufacture products. In 2003 the company was moved back up to San Francisco, where it occupied the top floor of the famous Hobart Building
Hobart Building
The Hobart Building is an office high rise located at 582–592 Market Street and Montgomery Street in the financial district of San Francisco. It was completed in 1914 after only eleven months, which led to accusations that it had been constructed with a degree of recklessness, and was at the time...
on Market St. In 2005, the company moved operations to Spokane, WA, where it continues to manufacture it's increasingly diverse product line.
In January 2008, ToadWorks announced plans to release a flanger effect pedal called Barracuda. This new effect is intended to emulate the distinctive flanger effect heard on the Heart
Heart (band)
Heart is an American rock band who first found success in Canada. Throughout several lineup changes, the only two members remaining constant are sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson. The group rose to fame in the 1970s with their music being influenced by hard rock as well as folk music...
song of the same name
Barracuda (song)
"Barracuda" is a song written and recorded by the rock band Heart. It was released as the first single from the band's second album Little Queen .-Reception:...
. Using a custom-made flanger effect given to them by Howard Leese
Howard Leese
Howard M. Leese is an American guitarist, record producer and musical director who played with Heart for 22 years...
, ToadWorks initially attempted to reverse-engineer the circuit, but concluded the original circuit contained design elements that could not be duplicated using modern components, so a new circuit was designed. ToadWorks refers to this new circuit as the "Howard Leese Signature Model", although the true history regarding the effect from the actual recording is disputed. A new release date for this product has been set for January 2009.
Controversy
The first product offered by ToadWorks was a distortion effect named Mr. Ed. The online community, specifically the Harmony Central effect forum, reacted with enthusiasm, describing the sound of the effect as being similar to the guitar tone on the first Van HalenVan Halen
Van Halen is an American hard rock band formed in Pasadena, California, in 1972. The band has enjoyed success since the release of its debut album, Van Halen, . As of 2007 Van Halen has sold 80 million albums worldwide and has had the most #1 hits on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart...
record. Although the company denied any attempt to emulate the Van Halen sound, rumors persisted.
In 2005, the Mr. Ed effect was demonstrated to be a clone of the Fuzz Face
Fuzz Face
The Fuzz Face is an effects pedal used mainly by electric guitarists, and by some bass players. It is a stompbox designed to produce a distorted sound from an electric guitar. This "fuzz" sound is sometimes compared to the sound of a damaged speaker...
guitar effect.
Toadworks in Australia
Toadworks are currently solely distributed in New South WalesNew South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, Australia by Powerhouse Music and Technology and in Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
by TYM Guitars
TYM Guitars
TYM Guitars is a manufacturer of custom guitars and bass guitar based in Brisbane, Australia, as well as custom instruments the company also repairs, restores, refinishes vintage instruments...
as well as in Melbourne by RockLogic Melbourne.