Mooer Hustle Drive Review

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by Dave Fields

Dave Fields

When I look for an overdrive pedal, I’m always looking for a pedal that sounds natural, not too bright, smooth….

Something that sounds like one of my favorite amps (of which the name I won’t mention) but with a natural overdriven tone. Also, one that when I push with a compressor or a clean boost, won’t break up in a nasty, ratty way.

On the top of my list is the Mooer Hustle Drive. Not only is it natural and smooth sounding, it’s SMALL! I love how when I turn my volume up or down on my guitar how the Hustle Drive responds like an amp. How did Mooer cram all that sound into such a small package?! When you click the on switch, it all comes roaring out in a perfect sound package. It not only sounds amazing live, it records with, in my opinion, the perfect tone. And hey fellow guitarists, it’s all about the tone right?!

I’ve taken this pedal with me on tours all over the US and Europe and it’s performed flawlessly.

Mooer Hustle Drive

Here are my settings for the Hustle Drive: (set the amp to a beautiful clean tone, then):

  • Volume: 12 o’clock
  • Tone: 1 o’clock
  • The switch should be set to: LP
  • Drive: 12 o’clock

Check out my guitar sound on my song, “Changes of My Life,” to hear an example of what the Mooer Hustle Drive and other Mooer pedals sound like together.

VERDICT: I give the Mooer Hustle Drive 5 out of 5 stars.

Dave Fields – Fodera Guitar artist/NY Blues Hall of Fame inductee. Touring recording artist.

http://www.davefields.com

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Life is Short

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Life is short. As short as we make it.

“And then one day you find ten years have gone behind you, no one you when you run, you missed the starting gun.” –Pink Floyd

We’re given enough time in the average life span to accomplish much. Think of the many musicians that have left us too early and yet managed to produce a veritable lifetime of material in such a short period of time. Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, John Lennon, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Kurt Cobain… it’s a long list. These musicians and many others have created music that has inspired millions.

If you feel you have a passion, a vision, a drive – pursue it. Don’t compromise. Find similar minded musicians that share your vision so you can work toward your goal or go it alone. Playing music that doesn’t inspire or lead you toward achieving your goal is just as time consuming and draining as playing music you love. You could spend your most productive and healthy years helping someone else achieve their vision instead of putting energy and focus toward yours.

While our lives are long, we only have a limited amount of time. Make as much of it your time. Follow your dreams where ever they may lead you.

Pickboy Edge 1.14 Photo By Xavier Dubois

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We couldn’t help but notice how good this photo looked of the Pickboy Edge 1.14, along with some playing partners. These picks are a favorite of players who like to play for speed. Posted by @xaviergarth on Instagram.

About the Edge 1.14, Xavier says:

I feel like I found my “own perfect pick” 😉

 

Check out John Mayer and his custom Dead & Company Pickboy rainbow picks here, from New Years Eve at The Forum in L.A.

Jay Gore Performing “Solitude” with Rockready Snap!Strap Quick Release Guitar Strap

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We caught Rockready artist Jay Gore in action at Spaghettini in Seal Beach, CA. Playing covers and originals with a wide array of talented musicians, check out this clip of “Solitude”, and notice Jay’s Snap!Strap quick release guitar strap, keeping him Rockready…and Jazz ready!


Jay also uses:

Pickboy Picks
Jay uses the Pickboy Vintage Pearl 1.00mm because the materials and design allow him to use a heavier pick without it feeling too thick. Also he really likes the point as it’s more like a Jazz pick.

“Bottom line…I play better with a Pickboy!!!”

Rockready Volo Guitar Gig Bag:
Says Jay, “It’s a really great bag and it’s super light! It has pockets for my whammy bar, strap, ear plugs, and a place to keep my custom Pickboy picks.”

Mini Pedal Madness at Gear Gods

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Trey Xavier of Gear Gods contacted us about contributing some Mooer micro pedals for a “shoot-out” style review he was doing to build his “dream” fly rig  pedalboard. We jumped at the opportunity and sent Trey a Baby Tuner, a Funky Monkey, a Hustle Drive, a Noise Killer, a Repeater, and a Tres Cab for the shoot out.

This week is the first installment of his shoot out. First up are the wah pedals. At the time of the review, we didn’t have a Wahter pedal so we sent Trey a Funky Monkey Autowah to use against the mini wah pedals from Dunlop, Morley, and Hotone. Even though the Funky Monkey does not have a rocker pedal it still compares well. Trey really likes the compact size, quality of sound, and options of the Funky Monkey. If you don’t use a wah that often the Funky Monkey saves quite a bit of space over even the smallest of the wah pedals and may be your best option.

Check out the video for the full test results and check back next week for the next installment.

(Funky Monkey starts at 9:40)

Winner of Guitar Player / Osiamo Gear Giveaway

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Michael-Irvine-1k-winner_10Congratulations to the winner of our Guitar Player / Osiamo Gear Giveaway, Michael I of California. Michael is the lucky recipient of a bunch of great gear including a Rockready Volo gig bag, Mini, and Snap! Strap, a Dr J Planes Walker Fuzz, a Bigfoot Engineering Trouble Booster, a Taurus Dexter Octaver, a Mooer Trelicopter, and a great selection of Pickboy picks. Michael was really excited to hear the news and says, “Thanks again for the great gifts. I will enjoy all of them.”

Michael, we hope make some great sounding music with your new gear!

Exclusive Interview : Gennaro Esposito

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Tell us a bit about your musical history.

Italy. New York. Paris. Madrid. From my university studies at the Conservatory to Master Classes with jazz/fusion, pop and gypsy musicians in multiple countries, I have tried to combine different techniques and styles because I have always believed that music is a global language. Training in classical, flamenco, folk, rock, jazz, and more – across 2 continents – forms the basis of the rhythm and melodies behind my sound.

What projects are you working on now?

I’m in the process of my second CD that reflects my experience here in NYC and includes talent from both the US and abroad. Other projects I am involved in now include a new CD with an R&B/Jazz singer, playing classic funk with a 13-piece band, and performing original rock music with a local rock band. Collaborations aside, I produce curated pieces for independent filmmakers and am in production for a video series launching in 2014 called “Fashion Compliance.”

Gennaro-Dr-J_1000x714What role does music education play in your career?

Ongoing music education is an integral part of my professional career and musical evolution. Having discovered a way to make this fun, I spend countless hours each week fine tuning my tone, learning new materials, and identifying up and coming artists.

What do you think of the current state of the music industry?

Technology’s impact on the music industry requires musicians to be in a state of constant adaptation. Producing and marketing with an understanding of the current marketplace for music is integral to success within the music industry today.

Why do you use Mooer pedals?

From the gig bag to the pedal board, Uptown to Downtown, being a musician in NYC means Mooer pedals are a key element of my gear. Not only because of the conveniently small size but also because of the rich tone it puts out without any compromise.

Exclusive Interview : Kyle Ragan

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1) Tell us about your musical background
I grew up playing classic rock with my stepfather who is a fantastic drummer. honed my skills playing with his band, a bunch a great guys all over twice my age at the time. Though that music wasn’t my real passion, the 90’s really shaped me as a musician. I really loved a lot of the acoustic based rock groups and songwriters during that time. That really shaped my songs and playing style.

Kyle-Ragan_01_464x6492) What are you working on now?
A couple of things actually. My band Screams and Whispers is in the midst of recording our 3rd album. We are very DIY so we are engineering and producing it ourselves. We are very excited about that. Aside from that I also run a Youtube Channel, where I do gear reviews for guitarists. I have been building that up for the past 2 years. That is also a big focus for me.

3) What is the role of education in music?
Music education is VERY important to me. I grew up in vocal programs throughout my school years. It stimulates creativity and fosters teamwork. It teaches you how to be a part of something bigger than yourself. So important.

4) How do you feel about the current ‘state of the music industry’?
It is a double edged sword. The path to be heard is open to everyone now. The platforms exist, the opportunity is there. That said the days of the mega star are over except for a select few break through artists. Making a living is MUCH harder through the business. Also getting heard over the abundance of people making music is very hard. The options are limitless, the opportunity is there but you have to creative.

5) Why do you play Dr J pedals?
Being somewhat a gear head I have amassed quite a collection of pedals and run a pretty large board live as as result. With Dr.J, quite simply they make pedals that are exactly what a guitarist like myself needs. The Armour Buffer REALLY helped me tame my pedal board and deal with any signal loss I was getting across that many jumps. The Aerolite is a very Flexible Compressor allowing 2 options not commonly seen in other compressors. One, being a mix control which I find extremely useful and the other being an input level select which really comes in handy when switching guitars and allows me to quickly compensate for differing pick up output levels. This was key for me. Dr. J offer innovative solutions for these problems and others we commonly encounter, as well as tried and true mainstay gain pedals. Just a great company really trying to push the boutique sensibility into its more, mass market, parent company Joyo.

Click here to learn more about Kyle, and click here to check out his YouTube Channel.

Mooer Mini Flight Rig MF

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This Mooer Mini Flight Rig was inspired my Michael Fenimore, one of our Mooer local artists. Neal really like Michael’s pedal selection and with the addition of the Mod Factory created a pedal board great for gigging or song writing. Click on the above video to watch Neal’s play through of the board. This board really has lots of possibilities.