Ooops, I did it again. Though not in a Brittany stylee.

I picked up one of these on eBay http://www.carlmartin.com/product%20quattro.htm. The version I have is the older one with the tremello effect as opposed to the newer ones which do chorus. I'm actually rather pleased about that as I rather like trems but never really use chorus. It has some good, basic, analogue FX in one box with no bells or whistles and it comes with a 3 pin 240 volt plug.

It should tick the box of being transparent to my guitar; I adore the clean and overdriven sounds in the amp and what I was looking for was more of a light boost to take it into overdrive as opposed to something that would radically alter the sound. I may add a fuzz pedal at some point for an entirely different flavour, but for the 'standard' OD sounds I'd love it if it sounds like the amp. The reviews seem to suggest that, at minimum settings, the compressor can be used as a clean booster and then you have two channels of OD, so that gives me 4 sounds before I've touched the volume knob

You can apparantly run these with 4 cables; it has an fx loop 1/2 way through the product. If I can get my FX loop modified on the C7 so as it'll be happy with the impedance, I can go guitar into the CM Quattro and then take the FX send from the Quattro to the input of the amp. At this point, it's just had the compressor and OD effects. Then take the FX Send from the Matamp into the FX Return on the CM Quattro. This will add the trem and delay. Then take the output of the CM back into the FX return on the amp. If I add any other pedals, I can just stick them in the CM effect loop.... Depending which lead I break, I can add further overdrives, fuzz, wah or whatever on one side and then chorus etc on the other. But that's another day

I have yet to hear from the seller (I paid instantly and that was 24 hours ago now ) I live in hope that I'll hear from him soon....

It arrived on Thursday but as I've been working in Scotland and got back tonight it hasn't had a proper try. First impressions are favourable but it does, of course, need a good cranking to make sure. It seems in decent condition and works so that's a good start

Looking forward to a full account, Gary!

Not so much a full account, but I thought I'd give an update as I've had it a few weeks now.

Overall, I'm made up with it. It is a lovely pedal for my uses.

The Good :-

This pedal, when bypassed, does not appear to colour the tone at all vs. not having it in the chain. Thats a massive plus for me.

Lack of Noise - Analogue signal chain, digital noise levels as in there really isn't any!

One mains lead with a proper plug on it for 4 effects

Simplicity - It's really hard to get a stinky sound out of it!

Buffered loop between the OD and the trem, so that's there I'll shove the Wah

The delay - It has very few things to tinker with, but for 90% of your delay needs it does exactly what it says on the tin in a very warm manner. And the tap tempo is fab.

The Tremello - Never knew I wanted one, but I find it a very regular companion

The Distortions and comp level - They are more like different levels of boost than 'proper' overdrives.... they colour the sound very little and that is what I mostly want with the Matamp.


The Bad :-

I think the 2nd overdrive should have had a bit more flavour to it if required; it'd be nice if it went in more of a fuzz direction. You can kind of go that way, but not enough. If you're into extreme distortions or fuzz this won't be enough for you.

The Tremello should have the ability to be worked via the tap tempo as opposed to just a speed knob.

The delay should have a speed knob too as opposed to just a tap tempo

It is layed out arse about face vs other pedals.... everyone else puts the distortion stuff on the left and works through modulation to the delays on the right. The Danes have a different world view!

There is nothing fancy on here - if you must have the ability to fiddle to the Nth degree then it'll be too limiting for you. If you want to twist a couple of knobs and be done with it, you'll be a happy bunny.

The quality of the thing is a minus as it's now given me expensive tastes for Carl Martin pedals. I keep looking on eBay for Carl Martin chorus pedals and missed one by a pound last week. Will also add a 'proper' fuzz at some point.

That'll do me

Great review, Gary!

Only problem is, you've got me itching to have a look at Carl Martin pedals now...

It'd be great to finally meet up if you're up for that.... You could then see this pedal and the Matamp

I'd love to!

A while ago, David suggested meeting up one weekend at his place - I think back when you were first looking at valve amps. We'll have to make the effort to co-ordinate our movements (if that's okay with David), then we can have a play with each other's toys!

If that's OK with David, that'd be great; I'd be up for that whenever you all like

Anytime - all welcome

I'll stock up on choccies biccies

Brilliant! Thank you, David

I just need to have a word with my chauffeur and see when he's free