For Christmas this year, all I wanted was a red box of joy: a Digitech Whammy. I first heard about them is association with Jack White. I thought they were cool, but really paid the no mind in terms of actually wanting one. Then, my friend got one. I messed around with it, but thought it sounded a bit thin and gimmicky. But after that, I got into U2, and everything changed.
I used to think playing The Edge's parts would be near impossible, but then I discovered U2 Guitar Tutorials on the web. I bought a delay, and learned my first U2 song: Pride. I got really deep into playing U2 on guitar (and still am), and eventually I discovered Achtung Baby. I wondered what was used for the intro of Even Better Than the Real Thing, and a quick Google search led me to the Digitech Whammy pedal. I wrote it off as impossible for a while, but in early November of 2011, it came back. I needed a Whammy. There were all sorts of songs I needed it for: Real Thing, Gone, Magnificent, Peace on Earth, Do You Feel Loved, Beautiful Day, and others. It became the only thing I wanted for Christmas. Come Christmas, I finally got it, and began experimenting with tones. I planned to write a review as soon as I got home from the family's house, but other things called me. Looking back, it's probably a good thing I let this post simmer for a few weeks, as I can write a better review for all of you!
As soon as I got the Whammy, I stuck it in front of some drive, and let rip on Real Thing. I loved it. It gave me a big fat tone in front of some drive. I never use it without drive now, as it sounds really thin without it; it sounds like a mouse clean. For the most part, there aren't any tracking issues, except when you play, say, 3 or more different notes, then it starts to glitch up. Think My Iron Lung. It also needs recalibration every once in a while, but that literally takes 15 seconds, and isn't a big deal at all. Again, it definitely needs to come before some drive (preferably first in the chain, actually, except maybe after a wah or a tuner or something), and some delay doesn't hurt either. I haven't messed much with the harmony settings, but they sound pretty cool. I definitely use the octave up more than any other setting, followed by -1 octave, +2 octaves, droptune, divebomb, and -2 octaves. The detune (chorus) settings are great as well, and create a really thick, lush sound. I just wish you could use it along with the whammy. All in all, the Whammy is a great pedal, and can be used for lots of purposes. I say every guitarist should own one.
