H & K Rotosphere

[Phil M]

I went to try the Yamaha DG-Stomp today, but as usual with gizmos, I just couldn't see myself using it much, especially with the band. I must admit it was about as cool a multi-effector as I've ever seen though and a bargain at $250.

I really liked the rotary speaker setting because I don't have a pedal for that (I've got delays, choruses, tremolos already). Then the salesman brings me the Hughes and Kettner Rotosphere (tube driven leslie simulator). OH MY GOD! I ditched the Yamaha fast and was playing with the Roto for an hour, I was mezmerized! I could not believe how good it sounded. The faster speed sounded just like the old Badfinger/George Harrison/While My Guitar Gently Weeps records and the slower setting was a nice thick chorus, almost like a Univibe. I was just about ready to buy, figuring it would be about $200-$225. The list was $500 and the sale was $325!!! Ouch mommy. I had to pass on it for now but I don't know how long I can stay away.

If you're into the Leslie sound, try this pedal out!

Phil

 

[Lily]

Here's a link to a page with some sound files at the bottom.

I must admit, the "Fast Speed" sounds alot like my Leslie....

H&K Rotosphere

 

[PatentAppliedFor]

I bought my two Fulltone units used - old white Deja Vibe & Choral Flange for less than $450 for the pair. Both are able to do pretty damn awesome leslie simulations, plus a whole lot more.

 

[Phil M]

I have a Voodoo Labs Microvibe but I've never been able to get a good fast Leslie sound out of it, but it does that slower swooshy Hendrix/Trower/Gilmore thing real well. I'm gonna screw with it again, but if I can't get what I want I may have to bite the bullet on that H&K.

 

[jiml]

i had the h&k rotosphere and found it to be an excellent pedal, very close for leslie stuff...i sold it though, it was way to big for my pedalboard and used a wall wart for power..the remote footswitch would only kick the effect on and off in slow speed, which i never used!

warren haynes and charlie hunter use one...i'm hunting around for one of those korg units (g4?) to see if it will fit in my pedalboard..

 

[DOSE!]

Hey PAF I've got both those Fulltone pedals and there damn good but they don't get the Leslie like the Roto does. The choralflange will do a decent leslie but once you hear the Roto theres no comparison.
I bought mine from Interstate music for $289 with free shipping.
I run it in my effects loop so it sits on my amp. I can turn my effects loop on and off via the amps footswitch.
You can boost the Input level on the Roto and get a slightly clipped roto sound thats pretty cool.:smokin

 

[Phil M]

Charlie Hunter and Warren Haynes both rule! I've seen them live in the last few years and they both had killer Leslie sims.

Thanks for the info., DOSE. I felt I was getting ganked around at $325, which is why I didn't buy it that day.

Anyone know what the Breaker footswitch does? It didn't really seem to do anything when I tried it.

 

[JoeP]

Phil, it's a break switch. You have to press it down, and hold it, and it will slow the leslie down to a stop. I use one alot. I had a G4 and it was great, but it was noisy too. But, the size is actually bigger (space wise) on the G4 than on the H&K...

 

[jiml]

hey joe!

on the g4, was there remote switch capability? i got my eye on a few..

 

[JoeP]

Not that I remember, but, i've slept since then.. But, you should be able to switch it off and on, and slow/fast if you have some sort of switching system.. That's what I'm using on the H&K....

 

[lpnv59]

Re: hey joe!

on the g4, was there remote switch capability? i got my eye on a few..

There is a jack on the back for a remote speed control by using a volume pedal.

I've had both and like the G4's sound better. I had a G4 and lost it, then got a H&K and traded it off real quick. I got another G4 on Ebay for the same price as my original.

Warren Haynes used a G4, I don't know if he still does.