NEW Sanyo Pedal Juice Review

The NEW SANYO PEDAL JUICE can power a whole pedalboard worth of effects without an AC connection. Here it is firing up a Planet Waves Tru Strobe Pedal Tuner with ease but it can handle a whole chain of boxes. A rechargeable, clean 9 Volt power source for your effects pedals. Freedom!

One of problems most musicians have when they tour is too many cords and cables to and from the effects board. While many larger, professional venues have AC outlets on stage, others such as coffee houses, civic centers or churches often have you fending for yourself. If you are doing an outdoor concert, you'll find many of them rely on gasoline powered generators.

Now while most effect pedals can accommodate batteries, you're always worried if the Duracells are going to be enough to get you through your set. Also, if you use something like a drum & bass machine, (I use a BOSS DR-3 on the road and the DR-880 in the studio), well those are going to suck even MORE juice than your stompboxes. Believe me there's nothing worse than having an important piece of gear like that die on you during a performance. Even with something as substantial as my Voodoo Lab Pedal Power II, I'm still reliant on a nearby AC outlet to pull it off.

I've probably spent a small fortune on batteries for my effects only to have them fail at some critical point. There are also several noteworthy low wattage "lunch box" amps that run on batteries such as the Roland Mobile Cube Battery - Powered Stereo Guitar Combo Amp. At only 5 watts, it needs a 9 volt power source so the Sanyo Pedal Juice can power that too. Also Ernie Ball has just come out with a Marshall Gig Bag Amp. This portable Gig Bag amp also uses 9 volts via batteries or an adapter. Imagine being able to take your rig anywhere and plug into a mini amp in the park, jam session or guitar class all with no worries about an AC outlet?

The Sanyo Pedal Juice can power two separate effects as shown here with the TC Helicon Voicetone Create XT and the BOSS DR-3 drum & bass machine. My T.C. Helicon Create XT and Harmony G pedals don't have an on & off switch. The KBC-9V3U includes an ON/OFF power switch which allows me to easily to turn the power of all connected music effects devices ON or OFF with the press of a single button. This is convenient since many effects devices do not include their own ON/OFF switch and must be manually unplugged from AC power.

The power levels are even and consistent with the Sanyo Pedal Juice with no drops or fluctuations. This unit will drive your pedalboard for up to 50 hours depending on the devices you have plugged in. The Sanyo Pedal Juice also holds a charge extremely well. We charged it up to full power and after a week, plugged it in. It was still at 100% capacity. The color coded lights tell you when the power is at its peak or getting low, something batteries don't do. The MSRP for the Pedal Juice is $199.99 and the Street Price is $149.99. Here are additional specs on the Sanyo Pedal Juice KBC - 9V3U:

• Power Multiple Effects Pedals - all at the same time
• 9V Lithium-Ion battery featuring SANYO eneloop technology
• Up to 50 hours of continuous, quiet, clean, stable power – from the first note to the last
• Eliminates AC ground loops - so your tone comes through loud and clear
• Two 9V DC outputs - power multiple devices; pedals, multi-effect units, and portable recorders
• 3-stage LED indicator – provides power level status
• Single on/off button – no need to unplug pedals
• Rechargeable hundreds of times – saves money and the environment
• Water and shock resistant - JIS IPX3 compliant water resistant enclosure
• Fully recharges in only 3.5 hours - via AC adaptor (included)
• Same footprint as standard effects pedal (2.5” W x 4.7”D x 1.7”H)
• Easy setup

The Wrap

The best thing about the Sanyo Pedal Juice is its impact on the environment. We dispose of billions of batteries each year when they should be recycled. This can't be good for the earth and if we are going to be responsible stewards, this is a great place to start! Now for the musician, you will find a new freedom in the studio and on the road as you no longer have to place your pedals in close proximity to an outlet. I've been able to place my effects where I want them on stage and in the recording studio. This makes a big difference in my playing comfort and accessibility to the pedals. Another perk is that since you are not plugged in to an AC outlet, you avoid those annoying ground loops. Your sound comes through pure and clear. Just the thing you want on your recording or live performance! Look for the Sanyo Pedal Juice and other jaw dropping stuff to be featured on Eclectic Sound TV's Best Guitar Gear for 2011 Video! The Sanyo Pedal Juice KBC - 9V3U is available online from Musician's Friend, Sam Ash or at your local Guitar Center.

Don't forget! Enter the 2010 Holiday Guitar Gear Give-Away before Midnight December 14th 2010 to win fabulous guitar accessories from Planet Waves & C.F. Martin Guitar!

One U.S. winner will receive a set of KISS Collections Leather Guitar Strap with matching Picks, a Planet Waves Custom Pro Guitar Cable & Adapter and a set of C.F. Martin Acoustic Phosphor Bronze Guitar Strings in Light & Medium!

2010 Holiday Guitar Gear Give-Away!

Audio-Technica's ATW-701/G On the Road

Isn't it time you freed up your act? We'll be taking the ATW-710/G Wireless Guitar System with us on the road this spring. Freedom!

This is the time of year when you grow really tired of being wrapped up and bundled. All you need is one warm day and you'll see everybody taking off the layers. If that's how you feel when you perform perhaps it's a sign that you are ready to step up to a wireless guitar system. Here is an overview of the wireless system we'll be using on tour this spring from Audio-Technica:

Audio-Technica’s 700 Series Freeway wireless delivers professional features and sound quality unheard of in its class. These easy-to-use wireless systems feature eight selectable frequency-coordinated channels, diversity operation for increased range/reliability, automatic frequency scanning, Tone Lock™ squelch and more. 700 Series Freeway systems come equipped with your choice of handheld, headworn, or lavalier microphones; or choose a system designed for guitar hookup. For multiple-mic applications, as many as eight systems may be used together.

• 8 selectable frequency-coordinated UHF channels


• Use up to 8 simultaneous systems—all channels compatible

• Automatic frequency scanning


• Diversity operation for increased range/reliability


• LED Channel display plus Antenna, AF Peak indicators


• Balanced XLR and unbalanced ¼” output connectors


• Tone Lock™ squelch system eliminates interference when transmitter is off


• UniPak® transmitter features: separate guitar/mic trim control, switchable high/low RF power, internal channel selector, multi-color battery/power indicator, AA operation


• Handheld transmitter features: variable trim control, internal channel selector, multi-color battery/power indicator, AA operation


• Freeway body-pack systems are compatible with all Audio-Technica Wireless Essentials® microphones and cables

The ATW-701/G is the system for a wireless guitar hookup. Really we have been amazed at how easy it is to incorporate a wireless system into our existing rig. If you look to the left in our banner ad section, you'll see that Audio-Technica makes a carrying case for their wireless systems, (3000 Series is shown), so they are made to travel very well.

Pedals With a Wireless Guitar System
If you are worried that using a wireless system means that you'll have to say goodbye to your pedals and stomp boxes, think again! If you want to use your same rig of pedals and effects, here is how you do it:

1. Run the out cable from the receiver to the first pedal

2. Connect all the pedals in their usual order, (45 degree mini cables work great)

3. Run a cable from the last pedal to the amp

Voodoo Lab's Pedal Power II supports all of the effects pedals shown in the photo and would work in powering your wireless guitar receiver too. In fact, you can set up the receiver right in with the effects pedals in the case although the manufacturer suggests 3 feet off the floor. Need to know how to properly link the pedals your own pedalboard in the right order? Check out this article: Guitar Pedals-Get the Effect III

When you think about it, part of your on stage presence is being able to freely move, dance and interact with your audience. Stiff, frozen performances do not cut it. A wireless guitar system gives you incredible access to the crowd and extra mobility on stage. We can't wait to rock this! Visit Audio-Technica Online to check out the ATW-701/G and their other professional wireless systems.

Oh yes, it's coming up! Eclectic Sound's May 1st Guitar Gear Give-Away with NEW goodies like the Mighty Bright Pedalboard Light, Planet Waves Dual Action Capo, their NEW Lubrikit and Coated Light Electric Strings, Martin Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Strings and MORE! Follow Dr. M on Twitter ! My Twitter Tweets will announce the start of the Give-Away.