Linkin Park unveils their secret, distinctive and dynamic distortion effect utilized in their From Zero guitar sound, crediting it to a creation by the father of former Poison guitarist, Blues Saraceno.
Getting Your Hands on a Legendary Tone Boost
Got your eyes set on a stompbox sensation? Consider investing in Dirty Boy pedals, the secret ingredient that flavored Linkin Park's guitar tone on their latest album, From Zero. Yes, you heard it right! The band has admitted that the Ball Buster boost was the hidden seasoning, especially noticeable on "Heavy Is The Crown".
This career-defining album was a major comeback for the now revamped band, featuring Emily Armstrong on vocals alongside guitarist/keyboardist and co-producer Mike Shinoda. Collin Brittain, co-producer of the album, also made his debut on drums for the nu-metal pioneers, replacing co-founder Rob Bourdon.
The revelation that the Ball Buster shaped their iconic sound brought fresh attention to this out-of-production pedal, which apparently is quite the valuable collector's item.
Dirty Boy, the company behind this legendary pedal, is now based out of Madrid and run by Danny Gomez. When Brittain informed Gomez that the Ball Buster was all over From Zero, he was invited to Paris to meet the band, all of whom have been loyal Dirty Boy users for years.
"Dirty Boy pedals are simply unmatched when it comes to delivering unique, musical, and dynamic distortion effects," said Brittain. "I use them almost exclusively on every project I undertake. I'm beyond thrilled that Danny is preserving this iconic legacy."
These statements prompt the exciting question: will Gomez revive the Ball Buster? Given its popularity and the impact it had on Linkin Park's sound, it wouldn't be surprising.
Saraceno's original stamp is still present in the current Dirty Boy lineup, with the Buzzy Boy, Germanium Boy, and Afro Fuzz being Saraceno designs. The newly developed Dirty Boy Preamp, a Gomez design, has already made its way onto various pedalboards, including those of Shinoda and his team, all of whom were gifted one by Gomez himself.
If you're interested in experiencing the magic of Dirty Boy pedals, head over to their official website. Who knows, maybe Gomez will bring back the Ball Buster soon!
- The Dirty Boy Preamp, developed by Danny Gomez, is already popular among musicians, suggesting that Gomez might consider reviving other iconic Dirty Boy gadgets like the Ball Buster, given its significant role in shaping Linkin Park's technology-driven music.
- As Linkin Park's newest album, From Zero, demonstrates, entertainment and music can be significantly enhanced with the right technology, such as the Dirty Boy pedals, which showcased their unique tonal effect on the band's guitar sound, making them indispensable tools for nu-metal musicians.