The following content is related to the August 2013 issue of Guitar World. For the full range of interviews, features, tabs and more, pick up the new issue on newsstands now, or in our online store.
BBE made its name with the Sonic Maximizer, a universally useful tool that mathematically—or magically, depending on your experience—equalizes and clarifies audio signals. Recently, the company has been applying its proven sonic formulas to excitingly unique stompboxes.
The BBE latest offering is the Paul Gagon–designed 427 Distortion. Gagon is one of the first engineers to realize that LEDs, commonly used for light emission, can be used to create tube-like signal clipping. His knowledge of distortion sculpting, along with an impressive complement of high-end audio-grade components, combine to create the 427’s powerhouse tone.