Catalinbread Elements Series: One-knob wonders?
All new single knob fuzz, distortion and overdrive pedals
4,3 / 5,0 | 
Catalinbread Elements Series · Source: Catalinbread
Catalinbread Elements Series · Source: Catalinbread
Catalinbread Elements Series is a new range of one-knobbed pedals. Each one is priced at $150 and was designed as a minimalist, no-fuss pedal. This new range launches with a Fuzz, Overdrive and Distortion circuit.
Catalinbread Elements Series
The new Elements Series from Catalinbread is going to draw obvious comparisons with the JHS 3 Series. Whereas the 3 Series are all priced at €99 each, the new Elements Series are all $150 a piece instead. Also, the Mr Black series of mini-pedals is another boutique brand making well-priced high-quality designs.
So what has Catalinbread got to offer us for $150?
Three pedals at $150 each · Source: Catalinbread
Budget Boutique?
Billed as ‘Maximum Tone for the Minimalist’ by Catalinbread, each pedal is based around a simple-to-use one-knob design. A design that was created to be as flexible as possible for this format. The company also states that they have used ‘high-quality through-hole parts’ throughout the builds. What we have here then is another boutique brand offering high quality on a budget.
Each pedal comes housed in a black paint job with ‘Catalinbread’ emblazoned across each in a bold white font, along with the name of the specific pedal itself. I think it looks a bit headache-inducing though and the Fuzz, Overdrive and Distortion names really don’t stand out very well. Each has a different coloured LED to indicate which one it is with Red for Distortion, Blue for Fuzz and Green for Overdrive. The input and output jacks are all top-mounted along with the power supply input.
Fuzz
A silicon-based fuzz is what you get with the Elements Fuzz and it is described as being perfectly balanced.
Elements Fuzz · Source: Catalinbread
Distortion
The Elements Distortion is described as “a no-nonsense thick and meaty distortion”. I guess it will go from low gain to full-on with a twist of the knob.
Elements Distortion · Source: Caralinbread
Overdrive
Last up, is the Elements Overdrive and this design offers “amp-like breakup regardless of where the volume is set”. Which is a very broad statement and so could be good, or could be just unusable.
Elements Overdrive · Source: Catalinbread
One-Knob
Having a single-knob design to control a pedal is not a bad thing. I just think that perhaps at this $150 price point Catalinbread could have offered designs that are a little more flexible. Plus, I really do not like that paint job, as it looks way too busy, makes it look crowded and it could have been a lot simpler and easier on the eye.
They sound pretty decent though from what I have heard in the video demos. I still think they are a little underwhelming overall and none of the designs is what I call a standout must-have design.
MSRP – USD 150 each
More Information
Videos
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