Guitar World Verdict
The Heavy Water is one versatile dual boost. Use it to wallop the front end of your amp or as an always-on secret weapon, it's all gravy.
Pros
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Two boosts of different character.
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Practical EQ.
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Huge amount of boost available.
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Exemplary build quality.
Cons
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Nothing here, folks.
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ThorpyFX’s The Dane, a twin-footswich pedal featuring overdrive and boost, has many admirers but not all of them need a new overdrive.
Consequently, after many requests to put just the boost side into a pedal in its own right, Thorpy has done just that. The result is the Heavy Water, which not only provides that exact same high-headroom clean boost but also pairs it with a second boost that features germanium diodes in its circuitry for a different character.
Separate footswitches enable the two boosts to be used individually or together: the ‘Dane’ boost (RHS) running into the germanium boost (LHS). Both feature a knob to control the amount of boost plus another to adjust the low-end.
Set at minimum, the clean boost brings in a small but definite boost that enhances the sound, immediately making our amp sound better without undue alteration of its tonal character. If you do want a bit of tonal shift, the Lows knob can add a warmth and thickness that’s ideal if you’re looking for a bit more body from your single coils.
By the same token, rolling it back can make humbuckers a bit leaner, or could help focus the sound when hitting a drive pedal or boosting an already driven amp.
There’s loads of gain available and higher levels will drive the cleanest of high-headroom amps into break-up. The germanium side of the pedal is more of the same but has extra grit for a raunchier boost.
Both boosts on together is capable of delivering a ridiculous amount of gain that will truly pummel your amp should you decide you need it, but there are plenty of options for them to be used together more subtly – perhaps a small amount of clean boost always on as a tone conditioner with the germanium side kicked in for solos.
Verdict
This is one of the most versatile boost pedals we’ve seen, capable of everything from always-on tone enhancement to kicking in a full-on screamfest. It’s a great candidate if you want a single pedal in front of your amp, but for ultimate flexibility pair it with your favourite drive pedal.
Specs
- PRICE: £189
- ORIGIN: UK
- TYPE: Dual boost pedal FEATURES: Buffered bypass CONTROLS: LHS Boost, LHS Lows, RHS Boost, RHS Lows, LHS bypass footswitch, RHS bypass footswitch
- CONNECTIONS: Standard input, standard output
- POWER: 9V DC adaptor (not supplied)
- DIMENSIONS: 65 (w) x 125 (d) x 53mm (h)
- CONTACT: ThorpyFX
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