The afternoon began with Dorcas and the little Laney Cub 8. As always, Dorcas had room for a guest. This time, I pulled out the VOX Cooltron Bulldog Distortion and placed her after the Team Medic and before the Cool Cat Tremolo.
I had missed the Bulldog.
Her dirt is very different from the JHS Legends of Fuzz Bender, which remains one of my favourite gain pedals. They may both belong to the gain family, but they speak entirely different languages. The Bulldog sounded clearer and more articulate, particularly when Dorcas later went into the Phil Jones Bass X4C. Without touching any knobs, it immediately reminded me why I have kept her all these years.
The Bulldog will stay with Dorcas for a while before the VOX Straight 6 Overdrive eventually takes over the guest seat.
The evening brought another pleasant surprise.
I spent thirty minutes with the Empire ’67 at my portable station:
Empire ’67 → TC Electronic Echobrain → Electro-Harmonix 15-Watt Howitzer → Orange PPC108
The Howitzer has proven herself to be a serious upgrade over the old Orange Crush Mini. She has authority, dynamics, and a responsiveness that makes me want to keep playing.
As for the TC Electronic Echobrain, she behaves almost exactly like my H.B.E. Mimic Mock I. At thirty Singapore dollars, it may well become one of the best bargains in my collection.
The highlight of the session, however, came from something much simpler.
I found myself enjoying the subtle wobble that appeared whenever I gently rocked the Empire’s neck while holding a note. That little bit of neck vibrato gave the notes a vocal quality and made them feel alive.
Perhaps that should not have surprised me.
Over the years, I have realised that I am constantly drawn to a certain kind of movement in sound—natural breakup, a touch of tremolo, a hint of slapback, and now this gentle vibrato from the guitar itself. I seem to like my tones with just a little organic wobble.
Two sessions.
Two very different rigs.
Both deeply enjoyable.
No chasing speed. No chasing perfection. No grand musical objectives.
Just sitting down, plugging in, and playing.
Days like these remind me that after all these years, I am still happiest when the music feels simple, honest, and personal.