{"product_id":"the-assassin-series","title":"The Assassin Series - BLACK FANG - 001","description":"\u003ch1\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBLACK FANG\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAssassin Series No. 001\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e50s Voice\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEvery wah has a target.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRiffs guaranteed. Inspiration expected.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is not a neutral, all-purpose wah. It is a \u003cstrong\u003eriff maker, lick maker, and idea generator\u003c\/strong\u003e, purpose-built around a very specific personality:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003edark • throaty • vocal • warm • mid-rich • bend-responsive • gain-friendly • thick toe-down wail\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe right pedal does not just change your tone. \u003cstrong\u003eIt changes what you play.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003eSonic Character \u0026amp; Recommended Pairing\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach pedal is evaluated and tuned around the personality of its particular circuit and components. Some end up brighter, smoother, funkier, more psychedelic, more aggressive, or more traditional.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis one went \u003cstrong\u003edark, deep, and unapologetically vocal\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts defining characteristic is the enormous contrast between the two ends of the treadle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHeel-down produces a \u003cstrong\u003edeep, guttural throat\u003c\/strong\u003e with a pronounced \u003cstrong\u003e“OH \/ AW”\u003c\/strong\u003e vowel character. It does not simply roll off the highs and disappear into muffled darkness. There is a recognizable voice down there.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMove forward through the sweep and that throat begins to open.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe middle develops a strong, pronounced vocal resonance with plenty of body and midrange presence. Continue toward the toe and the pedal transforms into a \u003cstrong\u003ethick, screaming upper-mid wail\u003c\/strong\u003e that cuts through a driven guitar tone without becoming thin, brittle, or ice-picky.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe result is a wah with a particularly expressive relationship between \u003cstrong\u003efoot movement and guitar phrasing\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSound Character\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDark overall voice\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDeep, guttural heel\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStrong “OH \/ AW” vowel character\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePronounced vocal midrange\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWarm low end\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThick harmonic body\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFull vintage-leaning response\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStrong resonant character\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSmooth but aggressive transition through the sweep\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThick upper-mid projection\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eScreaming toe-down response\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCutting without becoming thin\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHighly expressive with sustained notes\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExcellent interaction with bends and vibrato\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eParticularly strong through gain\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDefining sweep:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDeep guttural heel → opening vocal throat → pronounced midrange vowel → thick screaming upper-mid toe\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003eThe Sweep\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe heel position is one of the things that gives this wah its identity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInstead of becoming merely dark or muffled, it develops a \u003cstrong\u003edeep, almost chesty vocal quality\u003c\/strong\u003e. There is enough resonance in the lower part of the sweep that heel-down can become a usable tone of its own.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs the treadle moves forward, the vowel begins to open.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe middle of the sweep has a pronounced \u003cstrong\u003ehuman-voice quality\u003c\/strong\u003e, making it particularly effective for holding the treadle in one position and allowing the resonant peak to color individual notes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eToward toe-down, the wah becomes considerably more aggressive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe upper range produces a \u003cstrong\u003estrong wail and cutting lead voice\u003c\/strong\u003e, but the fundamental character remains thick. The pedal does not suddenly turn into a narrow, brittle treble spike.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat contrast is central to this voicing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThroat at one end. Scream at the other.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003eBends, Vibrato \u0026amp; Lead Expression\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is where the pedal becomes particularly addictive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe resonant peak interacts strongly with sustained notes, meaning a small movement of the treadle can substantially alter the perceived shape and emotion of a bend.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou can:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStart a bend in the throat of the sweep and open the wah as the pitch rises\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHold a narrow resonant position while adding vibrato\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMove the treadle slowly through a sustained note\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAccent the peak of a bend with a quick toe movement\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFind fixed positions that emphasize particular harmonics\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePull feedback into different vowel shapes\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTurn ordinary sustained notes into much more animated phrases\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is a physical quality to playing it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou can \u003cstrong\u003edig into a note\u003c\/strong\u003e, lean into the treadle, and make the wah respond as part of the bend itself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat is a major part of what separates this pedal from a generic sweep effect.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003eGain-Friendly Voice\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis wah becomes particularly expressive when the guitar signal contains plenty of \u003cstrong\u003emidrange, sustain, and harmonic content\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverdrive and distortion give the resonant filter more harmonic material to grab onto. As gain increases, the pedal's throat and upper-mid wail become increasingly pronounced.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRather than being designed primarily around pristine clean funk tones, this voicing is especially at home when the amplifier is already working.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThrough gain, the wah becomes:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHeavier\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMore vocal\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMore saturated\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMore aggressive\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMore harmonically interactive\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMore responsive to bends\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMore dramatic at fixed treadle positions\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe result is a wah that feels particularly natural for \u003cstrong\u003elead guitar and heavily driven playing\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003eRecommended Guitar \u0026amp; Pickup Pairing\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis wah performs best with guitars producing a \u003cstrong\u003estrong, harmonically rich signal\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eParticularly strong pairings include:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMedium-to-high-output humbuckers\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHot vintage-style humbuckers\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCeramic humbuckers\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlnico V humbuckers\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHigher-output P-90s\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eActive pickups\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHH guitars\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHSS guitars using the bridge humbucker\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eModern rock and metal-oriented guitars\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExtended-range guitars with substantial pickup output\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePickups with strong \u003cstrong\u003emidrange content, output, and harmonic density\u003c\/strong\u003e bring out the full personality of this circuit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA powerful bridge pickup emphasizes the aggressive side of the wah, particularly its upper-mid projection and screaming toe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA fuller neck pickup can emphasize the pedal's \u003cstrong\u003ethroat, warmth, and vowel character\u003c\/strong\u003e, producing an especially thick lead voice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eA Note About Low-Output Single Coils\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis particular voicing was \u003cstrong\u003enot optimized around traditional low-output Strat-style single coils\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn testing, those pickups did not produce the same fullness, intensity, or natural fit with the circuit that stronger pickups did.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat does not mean the pedal cannot be used with single coils. A boost, overdrive, fuzz, or driven amplifier can provide additional output and harmonic content.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut if your primary rig is built around extremely low-output vintage single coils and you want a bright, glassy, quacky traditional wah response, another Assassin Series voice may ultimately be a better match.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis particular pedal knows what it likes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003eAmplifiers \u0026amp; Gain\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eParticularly strong pairings include:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDriven tube amplifiers\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBritish-style gain structures\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHigh-gain amplifiers\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSaturated lead channels\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVintage amplifiers pushed into breakup\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverdrive pedals\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDistortion pedals\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCompatible fuzz setups\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThick, mid-forward amplifiers\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmplifiers with substantial harmonic saturation\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe pedal can certainly be used clean, but \u003cstrong\u003egain reveals much of its personality\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs the guitar signal becomes more harmonically complex, the wah has more material to reshape. The throat becomes more pronounced, fixed positions become more dramatic, and the toe develops a stronger singing quality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003ePlaying Style\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEspecially effective for:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExpressive lead guitar\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSustained bends\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSlow bends\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWide vibrato\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHigh-gain solos\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePinch harmonics\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFeedback manipulation\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFixed-wah lead tones\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSlow vocal sweeps\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMid-sweep phrasing\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHeavy psychedelic guitar\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDoom\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHeavy rock\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eClassic metal\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eModern metal\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSaturated blues-rock\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFuzz-driven leads\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLong sustained notes\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRiff writing\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eImprovisation\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003eA Different Kind of Wah\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are wahs built around brightness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are wahs built around funk.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are wahs designed to disappear politely into almost any rig.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThis is not one of them.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBLACK FANG has a definite opinion about what a wah should sound like.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt favors \u003cstrong\u003ethroat, body, mids, gain, sustain, and vocal expression\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is darker than a typical modern Cry Baby, but the darkness is not dead or muffled. It is resonant and alive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is thick without becoming dull.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003edark without disappearing\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ethroaty without becoming muddy\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ewarm without losing attack\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003evocal without sounding thin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003esmooth through the sweep without losing aggression\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003escreaming at the toe without turning brittle\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003eIts Personality\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe defining personality of this wah is \u003cstrong\u003ethroat and expression\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe heel has weight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe middle talks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe toe screams.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd the transitions between those positions become part of how you play the guitar.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat makes BLACK FANG especially effective as a \u003cstrong\u003eriff maker, lick maker, phrasing tool, fixed-frequency filter, lead voice shaper, and idea generator\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is the kind of pedal that makes you start moving your foot, hear one strange resonant position, bend into it, and suddenly find yourself playing something you were not playing thirty seconds earlier.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA different treadle position suggests a different bend.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA slow sweep changes the shape of a sustained note.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA fixed vowel suggests a riff.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA screaming toe position turns into a lead phrase.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNew riffs, bends, licks, lead lines, and song ideas have a way of \u003cstrong\u003espilling out of your hands\u003c\/strong\u003e with this one.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEvery wah has a target.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis one was built for \u003cstrong\u003edark throat, vocal mids, expressive bends, thick gain, and a toe-down voice that absolutely wails.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRiffs guaranteed. Inspiration expected.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe right pedal does not just change your tone. It changes what you play.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Guitar Assassin®","offers":[{"title":"Jet Black","offer_id":46516577632353,"sku":null,"price":350.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2715\/5290\/files\/black.png?v=1788482816","url":"https:\/\/guitarassassin.com\/products\/the-assassin-series","provider":"Guitar Assassin®","version":"1.0","type":"link"}