Not all Airis FX Savage Drives are created equal.

[napalmdeath]

I picked up an older one, (V2), and now I know why I liked it so much.

I've had the V3 and V4, both disappointed. Especially the V4. I couldn't get rid of it fast enough. I don't know what they did, but it was mud city, which was the opposite of what you'd expect. This V2 kicks serious ass in front of the Smallbox 50.

Not sure if others have had the same experience, but V3 and V4 both sounded like shit.

 

[PurityS.L.G]

I couldn't agree more. This is EXACTLY how I feel about all 3 of those versions. A friend of mine had a V2 and we used it on his Uber TJ and holy shit it was insane. I bought one right away without knowing it was a V3 and was very underwhelmed. Bought a V4 and it seemed to be even more flat and not as responsive as the previous 2. The bite knob was less aggressive and the tight did not cut the lows the same. Bland is the best word I can think of.

I have a V5 on pre order. Hopefully it has some of the old mojo back. Looking forward to what the extra controls bring to the table. On another note, I'm enjoying the PD V2 and new Brutal Drive quite a bit.

 

[MetalHeadMike]

I had a V1 or V2 and thought it was pretty good. Definitely amp dependent with that boost for me. I like the 805 more though.

 

[ClintN667]

I had one that was the white walker edition or whatever. I wanna say it was version 2. I liked it a good bit but at the time I was using a splawn nitro and the Friedman buxom boost just kills with a splawn.

I have zero g.a.s. for boost these days but I have to admit I get a bit jealous seeing that shoe rack that Frankhouser has that's filled with boost. I need a Klon type pedal though. I am not a fan of multiple versions of the same pedal. I get you need to keep new products coming out but it sucks to buy a pedal to find out you got the wrong version

 

[stratjacket]

How do I check what version I have. I’m not near mine to check. I’ve had one for about 5 years and love it, not sure what version.

 

[Inearthed]

How do I check what version I have. I’m not near mine to check. I’ve had one for about 5 years and love it, not sure what version.

I was just typing this hahaha...

 

[napalmdeath]

How do I check what version I have. I’m not near mine to check. I’ve had one for about 5 years and love it, not sure what version.

If the jacks are top-mounted, it's at least a V3, same with the V4, but it has newer graphics.

Being 5 years old, I'm willing to bet its V1.

 

[stratjacket]

If the jacks are top-mounted, it's at least a V3, same with the V4, but it has newer graphics.

Being 5 years old, I'm willing to bet its V1.

Ok, mine has side jacks down low on each side of the footswitch. Thanks!!

 

[fusedbrain]

Interesting..... I've had mine for a while, and I think it sounds really good.
I've seen some meh reviews of that pedal lately, and thought it was kinda strange.
But........my pedal has the jacks on the side

 

[Racerxrated]

I had an earlier one; nice pedal but too noisy for me. It would have been perfect if not for the ‘hiss’ I couldn’t dial out.

 

[Shask]

I picked up an older one, (V2), and now I know why I liked it so much.

I've had the V3 and V4, both disappointed. Especially the V4. I couldn't get rid of it fast enough. I don't know what they did, but it was mud city, which was the opposite of what you'd expect. This V2 kicks serious ass in front of the Smallbox 50.

Not sure if others have had the same experience, but V3 and V4 both sounded like shit.

Did the Bite and Tight knobs not do much of anything on the newer versions? That is the impression I get from the second post from Purity.

I am curious because I recently built a clone, and it was very underwhelming. I expected it to get super tight and harsh, and instead those 2 knobs are so subtle they barely do anything. I think the clone was based on a newer version. Maybe I need to seek out how to mod it into an earlier version.

The Precision Drive Clone I built around the same time is what I expected this to sound like.

 

[PurityS.L.G]

Did the Bite and Tight knobs not do much of anything on the newer versions? That is the impression I get from the second post from Purity.

I am curious because I recently built a clone, and it was very underwhelming. I expected it to get super tight and harsh, and instead those 2 knobs are so subtle they barely do anything. I think the clone was based on a newer version. Maybe I need to seek out how to mod it into an earlier version.

The Precision Drive Clone I built around the same time is what I expected this to sound like.

On the V3/V4, The bite knob has a more noticeable tone changing sweep than the tight knob but both were still not as aggressive or useful as V2. The tight knob was just about useless, for my amps anyway (Nitro, Uberschall, Triple Recto, Stealth 50w). Sorry your clone did not turn out the way you wanted it man.

 

[RedPlated]

I have the Bob Ross version. I don't care how it sounds I just like to look at it

 

[Exo-metal]

Threads like this keep me laughing about how killer my old school rack sounds...as you were!!!

 

[Shask]

On the V3/V4, The bite knob has a more noticeable tone changing sweep than the tight knob but both were still not as aggressive or useful as V2. The tight knob was just about useless, for my amps anyway (Nitro, Uberschall, Triple Recto, Stealth 50w). Sorry your clone did not turn out the way you wanted it man.

It happens. I build all kinds of pedals, so I have several other cool ones, lol. I think I have built 12 OD pedals this month.

I watched some videos, and it appears to be working correctly based on videos I have seen. Maybe I need to watch some V2 videos.

Yeah, the bright knob is OK. It is not extreme, but works OK. The Tight knob is the biggest letdown. I figured it would work like the Buxom Boost or BE-OD or something. They have very noticeable tight knobs. I have seen alternate values for a previous revision. Based on the cap values, I think it would be more extreme. Maybe I will change it later on once I finish some other clones I am working on.

 

[Shask]

Threads like this keep me laughing about how killer my old school rack sounds...as you were!!!

Half the fun is trying new stuff!

 

[Exo-metal]

If it ain't broke...

 

[rottingcorpse]

Threads like this keep me laughing about how killer my old school rack sounds...as you were!!!

My mid 90s rack tone was so perfectly dialed in. Like to the Nth degree. So much killer stuff in it.
And so fucking cool to look at.