Electro-Harmonix
116
GUITARIST SUMMER 2016
ELECTRO-HARMONIX
T
he rotary speaker has been in use as a guitar
effect since the 60s. These days, there are many
pedals designed to reproduce that complex
sound, which includes elements of tremolo, phasing,
pitch-shifting and ambience. Electro-Harmonix is
the latest company to chip in with a rotary speaker
simulator, aka the Lester G, which offers adjustable
compression to complement the modulation.
The Lester G is equipped with two footswitches,
one being a standard bypass, the other switching
between slow and fast rotation speeds or entering
Brake mode, where the rotation is stopped for more
of a subtle altered tonality. Slow and Fast knobs – with
centre detent positions that correspond to a typical
Leslie speaker – set the speeds for the two rotation
modes, with the transition between them set by the
Acceleration knob. Or, you can use an expression pedal
for more control over the speed, which can go well
beyond the traditional for more radical effects. A classic
rotary speaker cabinet has a low-frequency rotor and
a high-frequency horn and, here, a Balance knob sets
the mix of the two, effectively for a brighter or darker
tonality or to get closer to the sound of the sort of rotary
cabinet that has no horn, such as a Fender Vibratone.
Sounds
Overall, in the default positions, the Lester G delivers
pretty much as good a rotary speaker sound as you’ll
get from a stompbox, with the various elements that
make up the sound amply represented – particularly so
in stereo, if you wish to use it for recording or have the
luxury of two amps.
What is special, though, is the onboard compression
that’s added via the Sustain knob (zero compression
when fully left) – it can make an impact in focusing the
effect when you kick the pedal in. With a choice of two
compression modes, one squashier than the other, and
an Attack knob to tweak the start of your note, you can
enhance the whole rotary effect as if it floats on a thick
cushion of air.
If you want to add more edge or dirt to the sound, the
Drive knob adds the sort of overdrive you’d get from a
vintage Leslie 122 or 147 cabinet’s valve amp.
Verdict
While the Lester G provides a very cool emulation of a
rotary speaker, with all the elements essential to dialling
in the sound plus practical control options, the addition
of a compressor is an inspired move that takes it up a
level. Highly recommended.
Tech Spec
ORIGIN: USA
TYPE: Rotary
speaker pedal
FEATURES: Buffered
bypass, built-in
compressor, overdrive,
CONTROLS: Volume,
Slow, Fast, Drive, Attack,
Sustain, Balance,
Acceleration, Squash
button, Speed/Brake
footswitch, bypass
footswitch
CONNECTIONS:
Standard input,
standard outputs
(L/Mono, R),
Expression pedal input
POWER: 9V 200mA
adaptor (supplied)
DIMENSIONS: 146 (w)
x 121 (d) x 64mm (h)
Electro-Harmonix
www.ehx.com
ELECTRO-HARMONIX
LESTER G
£179
9
The wizards at EHX set out to capture the magic of a rotary speaker in
a stompbox, with a neat addition that sets it apart from its predecessors
Words Trevor Curwen Photography Neil Godwin
PROS Realistic rotary sound; good control options; practical set
of parameter adjustments; built-in compressor
CONS Very little, though a switch for the compression or drive
would add fl exibility
VIDEO DEMO http://bit.ly/guit aristextra
GIT410.peds_ehx.indd 116 7/7/16 4:58 PM