TEST: Pushking Pedals

 Who says that high-quality boutique pedals always have to come from the USA? It seems to be almost an unwritten rule that whenever it comes to unusual detailed solutions, the route across the pond is the ultimate solution. But they actually do exist in our home region too, German engineers who produce excellent products entirely by hand and in very small quantities with meticulous attention to detail. Equipped without a corresponding advertising budget, all that remains is the quality of the products and corresponding letters of recommendation in oral or written form to pass the name on to the relevant customers.

Pushking is such a company. Behind the original company name is a one-man business in the person of Roland Schmidt, who manufactures his pedals in the Audi city of Neckarsulm. As a trained industrial designer, Roland Schmidt, who focuses primarily on booster, overdrive and distortion pedals in addition to a delay pedal, also places great importance on a high-quality visual presentation of his pedals in addition to high sound standards.

The very popular Overdrive Pedal Model 710 and the newly developed Booster Model 800 are available for testing, both made entirely by hand and bearing the serial numbers 126 and 127 respectively.

Construction

As with the car models of the glorious seventies, Pushking pedals use a lot of chrome, which means that the entire inner workings are housed in a chrome-plated steel housing. Even if the mirrored surface inevitably makes fingerprints more visible, the elegant look of such a housing is hard to beat. You could say that a Pushking pedal brings shine to your personal pedal board in contrast to classic pedal paintwork.

With dimensions of 60 mm x 30 mm x 110 mm, the standard housings of the Pushking pedals are a little slimmer than the majority of the competition. In terms of connection options, in addition to the input and output sockets, there is a 9V socket, which is also absolutely necessary because the pedal cannot be operated with a battery. Due to the slim housing, there is simply not enough space to place a classic 9V block inside the housing.

To protect against copyists, the 4 Phillips screws that close the housing were filled with a soft plastic, which also represent the 4 feet on which the pedal rests. The rubber mixture is excellent in terms of consistency and offers very good adhesion even on smooth surfaces. In addition, a label was stuck over the edge of the housing, which informs that the product's warranty expires as soon as the housing is opened. Unfortunately, the developer has no other option to protect his creative work against copyists, primarily from Asia.

All pedals have the very tasteful plastic ring that is placed under the true bypass switch. The ring not only provides information about the type designation of the pedal in color, but also contains the labeling of the controls and switches. Discreet, effective and unusual, you can see the designer's hand. Speaking of hand, the pedals exude a subtle "imperfect" charm due to the fact that they are completely hand-made, and in contrast to CNC milling, the odd drill hole can sometimes be a little out of alignment.

On the Pushking Pedal 710, the gain, tone and level controls are arranged in the typical overdrive arrangement, and their functionality is self-explanatory. I personally really appreciate how stiff the potentiometers are, as with floor pedals in particular, you can't completely rule out the possibility that the tip of your foot might accidentally change the setting of the controls when activating the product. This risk is reduced to a minimum by the aforementioned potentiometer design. Completely in overdrive green (since the TS9, an overdrive pedal MUST be green ;-), both the plastic disc described above and the control LED were designed in the aforementioned color.

The Pushking Pedal 800 is even more purist than its colleague 710. As a classic booster, the pedal ultimately only has one pure effect: it boosts the guitar signal. Three short notes on this:

1.) Boosting does not necessarily mean increasing the volume! Only with a clean or slightly crunched signal does the volume increase in addition to the increase in distortion when using a booster. In the high gain range, only the distortion increases and sometimes generates infernal feedback orgies. The hope of the solo boost in terms of volume is usually nipped in the bud.

2.) A booster works optimally with rather low-power vintage pickups, or moderate output variants in general, whereby single coil variants in particular can score another plus point here. Anyone who uses an EMG-equipped Paula or similar will miss out on the uniqueness of the "chaotic" but characterful sound development due to the already optimized frequency spectrum.

3.) An all-tube amp with its interactive resonance to the fed-in signal is a must in order to be able to enjoy a booster. Even the highest-quality modeling or solid state amps cannot work in the required manner with a booster pedal connected upstream.

In order to be able to adapt to the amplifier's behavior described above, the Model 800 has a gain control as well as a low cut or high cut, which can be used to reduce the bass or treble. Why this? Well, every amp reacts differently when you suddenly turn up the signal level on the preamp. Some start pumping in the bass range, others react with exaggerated sharpness. You can use the two cuts to reduce these artifacts. Everything else is identical to the Pushking Model 710, only the LED lights up blue.

Practice

Pushking 710: Whether you buy the hundredth Tube Screamer copy or give the mainstream the cold shoulder is up to you. However, every boutique manufacturer always has to face the question of what sense it makes for the customer to buy a completely independent overdrive that doesn't deliver the usual mid-range peak while at the same time reducing the bass. When it comes to the 710 model, the answer is obvious: the pedal does indeed sound very unique, which is a real treat for my ears, beyond the mass market.

On the one hand, the Pushking Pedal 710 offers significantly more gain reserves than most other overdrive pedals and easily covers the first distortion areas. On the other hand, the pedal has very good string separation and thus prevents the notorious muddying of the sound, or the overly soft coloration in the output signal. In addition, the level control provides a respectable boost effect when required, which will be particularly useful in solo passages.

My personal favorite, however, is the signal with minimal gain, which gives a normal lead passage or accentuated rhythm work a touch of crunch and breathes more character into the personal tone. You wouldn't believe how many sequences that are considered clean really blossom when you add a subtle saturation to them, thereby increasing sustain and assertiveness.

Pushking 800: Well, how much of a difference can a booster make to the sound, some people might ask, if all they find on a pedal is a rotary control and two toggle switches. Far from it, ladies and gentlemen, provided you stick to the basic equipment mentioned above in terms of amplifier technology. With the right setup, the Pushking Pedal 800 turns out to be a real insider tip for solo sounds.

The amp is first boosted using a fixed level increase. The extent to which the distortion level should also be increased can be set using the built-in gain control. In addition, the two reductions keep excessive treble and bass overemphasis in check. The result is truly great, you could easily call it a solo secret weapon in blues or rock. The sound is big, solid and gives the player exactly the attention he needs in his solo spot. Absolutely great!

Conclusion

Pushking Pedals is a new star in the boutique pedal sky, which is setting new standards with Made-In-Germany production. With pure handwork and a pleasant "screwdriver charm", Roland Schmidt and his one-man company manage to produce excellent pedals that leave an excellent impression both in terms of sound and appearance.

With the necessary portion of independence and a keen ear for practical use, Mr. Schmidt's 710 and 800 models make a very good debut in a highly competitive market. Anyone who is still looking for their own personal sound should definitely try out the products, especially since the prices for handmade products from Germany are very moderate.

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Additional Informations:

Introduction:
Pushking Pedals has become a household name in the world of guitar effects pedals, thanks in large part to the creative genius of its founder, Roland Schmidt. With an unwavering passion for music and a relentless pursuit of sonic perfection, Schmidt has revolutionized the way guitarists express themselves. In this article, we will delve into the life and achievements of Roland Schmidt, highlighting his journey, the birth of Pushking Pedals, and his impact on the music industry.

Early Life and Musical Influences:
Born and raised in a small town in Germany, Roland Schmidt's love affair with music began at an early age. Growing up in a family of musicians, he was exposed to various genres and instruments, which fueled his curiosity and desire to explore the world of sound. Schmidt's eclectic musical taste, ranging from blues to metal, allowed him to develop a unique perspective on tone and texture.

The Birth of Pushking Pedals:
After years of tinkering with electronics and experimenting with guitar effects, Roland Schmidt founded Pushking Pedals in 2010. Armed with a deep understanding of both analog and digital technologies, he set out to create a brand that would push the boundaries of what was possible in the world of guitar effects. Schmidt's relentless pursuit of perfection led him to develop groundbreaking circuits and innovative designs that set Pushking Pedals apart from the competition.

Innovation and Design Philosophy:
Roland Schmidt's design philosophy centers around the idea that a guitar effects pedal should be more than just a tool; it should be an extension of the musician's creativity. With this in mind, he pours his heart and soul into every pedal he creates. Schmidt's attention to detail is unparalleled, ensuring that each component is meticulously selected and every circuit is fine-tuned to deliver the utmost in sonic quality. His commitment to innovation has led to the development of unique features and functionalities that have become trademarks of Pushking Pedals.

Signature Pedals:
One cannot discuss Roland Schmidt and Pushking Pedals without mentioning some of his most iconic creations. The "Sonic Shifter" is a prime example of his innovative spirit, allowing guitarists to explore a vast array of modulation effects. The "Tube Dreamer" overdrive pedal has become a staple on countless pedalboards, loved for its warm and dynamic tone. Schmidt's ability to combine classic sounds with modern features has made Pushking Pedals a go-to choice for guitarists worldwide.

Impact on the Music Industry:
The impact of Roland Schmidt's work extends far beyond the realm of guitar effects pedals. Through his dedication to craftsmanship and innovation, he has inspired a new generation of musicians and gear enthusiasts to think outside the box. Artists from all genres have embraced Pushking Pedals, recognizing the exceptional quality and tone that each pedal delivers. Schmidt's influence can be felt in studios, stages, and jam sessions around the globe.

Conclusion:
Roland Schmidt's journey from a small-town musician to the mastermind behind Pushking Pedals is a testament to the power of passion and creativity. With his unwavering commitment to sonic excellence and innovative designs, he has reshaped the landscape of guitar effects pedals. As Pushking Pedals continues to evolve and push the boundaries of what is possible, one thing remains certain: Roland Schmidt's impact on the music industry will be felt for years to come.