Here are the pedals:
And here is my demo of the Magic Meter:
Apologies for the roughness of the video with my hand getting in the way all the time. I tried to keep things moving and highlight the vast array of sounds available from this device, because there are a lot! My favorite Fuzzhugger effect I've played yet.
So reviews!
Lab Ratchet: I did not get to demo this as extensively as the Magic Meter, but it has been on my radar for awhile since it looked and sounded cool. And it definitely rules. I have the ILF2012 version so I can spend some more time with this guy later, but I spent some time with the tourbox LR, and I would ssay the following:
Pros
- Variable dirt. Can get velcro-y or more open-sounding fuzz sounds.
- LOUD. This is my experience with most Fuzzhugger pedals I've played, and there is nothing worse than a pedal that is too quiet when dimed. Not a problem here.
- Simple. Not too much room for error, and anywhere on the dial you can get some cool tones.
- Cool tall knobs!
Cons
None really? I mean it didn't stack that well with my other dirt pedals, but maybe I don't have the right pedals? I don't hold that against the Lab Ratchet.
MAGIC METER: This thing is SICK. Really great job Tom! I've owned dozens of dirt pedals, and this is among the most versatile dirt pedals out there. Just watch the arduously-long 11-minute demo I posted for some idea, but that doesn't even get it all. With the two gain and two clipping voices, plus EQ, AND magic flippy switch, there are a LOT of possibilities.
Pros
- Super versatile. Again, watch the video. Low gain, medium gain, higher but not metally gain (although maybe it would be into a dirtier amp? I don't know). Octave, clang, all kinds of shit. Just a real Swiss army knife of dirt.
- Stacks well with other pedals. Ran it in my own pedal chain and it boosted other dirt pedals real well, added some bite and clarity, and boosting the Magic Meter from the other side just accentuated all the neat things about it.
- Again, LOUD...on the normal mode anyway. The Magic/Potion bottle switch mode is way quieter, but that might just be inherent to octave circuits? I'm not sure.
- EQ adds some nice shading and more tonal possibilities, especially when also using the volume and tone knobs on your guitar.
Cons
- Not a con so much as an observation, but the sweep of the EQ pots is not that dramatic, so if you're expecting to get a big treble/mid/bass boost with this one, you may not get the results you expect. Again, not a con, it's just how the pedal is. EDIT: After getting one of these for myself, this is not true, and they are very interactive with each other, based on the positions of the other knobs. This pedal is a tweaker's dream!
And that's it! If I had the room on my board I'd pick up a Magic Meter, and may still at some point because it would be an awesome pedal just to have. Definitely an awesome addition to the Fuzzhugger stable.
I can't wait to see what the other tourboxers think and come up with. The box goes out later this morning.
Thank you again to Tom for the opportunity and the generosity!
the tone you get at 10:10 with all the knobs at max and the magic switch on is awesome. 
It's begun!
