Fender Updates The Bends and The Pelt with Bass-Friendly V2 Pedals
Fender has revamped their effects pedal lineup with V2 versions of The Bends compressor, The Pelt Fuzz, the Santa Ana Overdrive, and the Pugilist Distortion. While each can be used on bass, Fender writes that the Bends V2 and Pelt V2 are good fits for bassists.
The Fender Bends V2 packs both a compressor and a boost into one unit with modern and vintage tube flavors, they state.
“Utilizing a unique take on OTA technology for real-time gain control, this compressor reacts to your playing dynamics smoothly and naturally to balance the volume of louder and quieter sections while adding sustain and thickness to your notes.”
Its control compression controls are pared down to an Attack switch, a Release knob, and an Input knob. Importantly, a Blend control lets you add clean signal to the mix to balance dynamics and compression. Other features include a rear-mounted Vintage switch for re-voicing the circuit, a Comp pre/post switch, and a Compression LED that illuminates the level of compression in real time.
Fender says the Pelt V2 is built around “silicon transistors and a buffer-friendly input stage.” It goes beyond typical Fuzz, Tone, and Level controls with Sag and Bloom knobs, which affect how your signal “breaks and splatters,” they write. An Octave (Chaos) footswitch adds an octave-up effect. With the Chaos engaged, it becomes an asymmetrical octave effect for glitchy and unpredictable tones. Again, Fender includes a Blend knob for rolling in your clean signal – a huge benefit for bassists looking to retain their low end.
Fender’s entire V2 pedal lineup is available now for $229 each.
Fender The Bends V2 Features:
| Analog compression circuit optimized for low noise performance with selectable vintage character |
| Blend control injects the natural dynamics of your playing back into the mix for the perfect balance of level output and natural feel |
| Independently switchable, ultra-clean boost can be placed before or after compression |
| Compression LED Illuminates to visually indicate when compression is happening |
| Rear panel Multiswitch enables latching (tap) and momentary (press-and-hold) footswitch action |
| Rear panel true or buffered bypass switch, with relay based auto-bypass when no power is present |
| Powered by 9V Center Negative AC Adaptor, Not Included |
Fender The Pelt V2 Features:
| Transistor-based fuzz taken to the next level with a world of fuzz shaping tools |
| Footswitchable Octave and Chaos modes provide everything from traditional octave fuzz tones to wild and jittery fuzz like never heard before |
| Bloom and Sag controls provide unpresented shaping of the fuzz’s reaction to your signal for finetuning the attack and splatter of each note |
| Rear panel Multiswitch enables latching (tap) and momentary (press-and-hold) footswitch action |
| Rear panel true or buffered bypass switch, with relay based auto-bypass when no power is present |
| Top-mounted jacks and road-ready aluminum enclosure |
| Powered by 9V Center Negative AC Adaptor, Not Included |
In his time with No Treble, Kevin has met hundreds of amazing bassists and interviewed icons like Jack Casady, Victor Wooten, Les Claypool, Marcus Miller, and more. He's a gigging bassist performing jazz in Northern Virginia and bluegrass with The Plate Scrapers up and down the East Coast. Kevin appreciates all genres of music, from R&B to metal and everything in between. Connect with Kevin on Facebook and check his performance schedule on his website.
