ZVex '59 Sound Vertical: More Bassman for your buck?

04 Mar 2018 by Jef | Approximate reading time: 1 Minute

ZVex '59 Vertical · Source: ZVex

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Following on from the decision by ZVex to release versions of the Fuzz Factory and Box of Rock pedals in the traditional vertical pedal format, the Minneapolis-based builder has decided to do the same with its 59 Sound Pedal. Otherwise, the new pedal is the same as the ‘landscape’ format original – except the price…

’59 Sound Vertical

Zvex undoubtedly builds great pedals considered by many players to include many modern classics. Can you imagine a band like Muse without the Fuzz Factory? What has always bothered many players, though, is why the hell are the cases are lengthways. Maybe you like to hit the knobs with your foot when switching on the controller and then go about adjusting it on the fly? Of course, when playing live this is pretty impractical, as there is very little room between the control knobs anyway.

Zachary Vex has started re-releasing his classic pedals in the more usual (and practical) ‘portrait’ format. It makes sense, as most pedals are in this format for a reason. It not just about the aesthetics, it’s also about usability.

Vertical Control

The 59 Sound Vertical brings you all the Bassman sounds from the first version with a footswitchable Boost level and Volume, Tone and Drive controls. Due to the new format, however, the footswitches have moved slightly closer together and here one should take care that one does not accidentally catch both by accident. That’s a small price to pay for a more pedalboard-friendly effect, I think.

More Bassman for your Buck?

Zvex wants $219 USD for this pedal. Given that the original is available as a handpainted version for USD 349, this makes the 59 Sound Vertical a much more attractive proposition for fans of the Bassman sound…

RRP – USD 219