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MARTYR

The Martyr pedal is based on the preamp found in the legendary Marshall Valvestate 8100 amplifier from the 1990s.  This amplifier defined an entire genre of music, most famously the sound from Death, Meshuggah, In Flames, Prong, Static-X, and many others.

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UNBIASED GEAR REVIEW - Master Effects Martyr High Gain Preamp Pedal
14:05

UNBIASED GEAR REVIEW - Master Effects Martyr High Gain Preamp Pedal

Links related to this video's content: Product: https://mastereffects.wixsite.com/mastereffects/martyr Beer: no beer today...Weight-Loss Progress at video: -30.4lb. Shirt: https://belzebubs.com/ Links to Support Me: My new EP, "A Profound Disdain For Life" can be found on your favorite streaming services, but also available for sale at: http://arnoldplaysguitar.bandcamp.com UPDATED LINK!!! T-shirts and other merch is now available at the following link: https://teespring.com/stores/arnoldplaysguitar Paypal donations: https://www.paypal.me/ArnoldPlaysGuitar Affiliate Links: Where do I purchase new gear from? Head over to Sweetwater by clicking my affiliate link: https://imp.i114863.net/Z2J0R Where do I purchase my used gear from? Head over the Reverb by clicking my affiliate link and set up an account: https://reverb.grsm.io/ArnoldHablewitz Want to get your music out there to the masses and keep 100% of your royalties? Click the following link to get a discount on your first year: http://distrokid.com/vip/ArnoldPlaysGuitar Use my link https://www.tavour.com/referral?referred_by=99923 to install the app and we both get $10 in credit when you buy your first beer. Already installed? No problem - just use my code 99923 in the Promos page of the app. DISCLAIMER - all views contained herein are mine and mine alone. My comments merely reflect my own, individual experience with this gear. They do not necessarily reflect what your personal experience may be as a potential customer of the brand I am reviewing. Master Effects Martyr High Gain Preamp Pedal - Preamp Simulator based on Marshall Valvestate 8100 - Soft-touch relay True Bypass footswitch - 6 knobs - Volume, Contour, Gain, Treble, Mid, and Bass - mini-switch for OD1 and OD2 - high-quality FR4 PCB - Powder-coated Enclosure - UV-printed graphics - Powered by 9V DC adapter - At time of video publication, $200 plus shipping Please like and subscribe. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding the instrument or the video, please leave a comment.
Amp vs. Pedal! The "Death" Tone (VS8100 vs MARTYR)
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Amp vs. Pedal! The "Death" Tone (VS8100 vs MARTYR)

(See below for info, gear used, and links!) I've been wanting to make a comparison video of the Master Effects Martyr pedal, and the Marshall 8100 head, since the Martyr is an "8100 in a box". I've had my 8100 for years and i know it very well, and I'm happy to report that the Martyr pedal really does sound like the 8100! Of course it will never be a perfect 1-1 match, even two 8100 heads won't sound completely identical. These are old amps, and amps can change over time as the components wear out, and some of the new component tolerances have changed over the years. So there are clearly some differences, but they are rather slight in my opinion. Maybe someone else could dial them in more closely, but the sonic signature of the 8100 is very clearly there, and nobody would ever know the difference in a mix! Or especially live, if you want the 8100 sound, but don't want to take your precious amp out of the studio! One thing that is VERY obvious is how quiet the pedal is, compared to the amp. I didn't really realize how noisy it was until I heard them side by side! Get the Master Effects Martyr here: https://mastereffects.wixsite.com/mastereffects/preamps Gear used: For the first part, a Schecter JLX-6 FR, into a Maxon OD808, then into the amp (or pedal.) The second section was a Schecter C7 FR SLS Elite, into a Fortin Grind pedal, then into the amp (or pedal.) For the sections with the pedal, I was using the Marshall's Effects return, to ensure that it was purely the preamp circuit that was being compared. The amp was then hooked up to my home-made 2x12 cabinet, with one T75, and one V30. Both speakers are OLD and very well worn! Each one was mic'd with a single SM57. Find me on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/gordolsonmusic Find me on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/gordolson/

As of November 1, 2021 we have refreshed the design of the Martyr.  We listened to all of the feedback from the last 18 months and incorporated them.  The circuit itself remains unchanged.  You still get that classic Valvestate tone but in a smaller 125B enclosure with top-mounted jacks.  We also eliminated the OD1/OD2 toggle switch because... let's face it:  nobody was using OD1.  The new Martyr is all high gain OD2 all the time!

 

The pedal uses a standard boss-style 9V power supply. There is internal circuitry to generate a ±15V power supply, just like the original amplifiers used.

Controls include: Volume, Contour, Gain, Treble, Middle, and Bass.
 

Each pedal uses a professionally assembled PCB and is proudly assembled by hand in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Other features include:

  -  Soft-touch relay true bypass for improved reliability

  -  Professional high quality FR4 PCB

  -  Powdercoated enclosure

  -  UV Printed artwork

  -  Top mount jacks

The end result is high quality pedals that sound amazing, are consistent from pedal-to-pedal.

Each pedal comes with a 1 year warranty on parts and labour. Note that the warranty does not cover damage due to using an improper power supply or other misuse. 

The price is $199US + shipping.

Shipping within Canada and the US is $20US.  Shipping to the UK, Western Europe, Australia, and Japan is approximately $60US.  For other regions, please inquire for shipping rates.

For US customers, you will not have to pay any import duties or tariffs. USPS will delivery the pedal to you once it passes through customs.

For customers outside of North America, please note that you will be responsible for any customs/import/VAT charges that your country levies on the pedal. 

Thank you and stay safe!

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