I Want to Talk About Effects Bakery! Focusing on Bagels, Croissants, and New Ginger

Introduction

Hello, everyone!
Are you team bread or team rice? I personally prefer rice.
However in the world of effect pedals, I’m definitely team bread! So today, I would like to share an article about my beloved Effects Bakery and its distortion effect pedals.

What is Effects Bakery?

Effects Bakery is an effect pedal brand that often comes up in discussions online. What kind of pedals are they bringing into the world?
Here, I will introduce three key features of Effects Bakery's effects pedals.

⇒ Effects Bakery / List of Guitar Effects

● Feature 1: Affordable

First and foremost, the price is low. You can get them for around 5,000 yen. As of July 2024, most pedals have increased in price due to rising costs, but Effects Bakery remains quite affordable.
The sound quality and durability definitely meet a minimum standard. The ability to keep prices low while maintaining quality comes from purchasing parts in bulk, which helps reduce costs. Knowing this alleviates any concerns about sacrificing sound quality for a lower price.

● Feature 2: Small and Cute

One nice point about Effects Bakery is that the pedals are all small sized, which saves space on your pedalboard. This is especially helpful when you want to add just one more pedal to your existing setup.
Additionally, Effects Bakery is known for its adorable bread-themed characters. This design helps distinguish their affordable pedals from others on the market. Each pedal features a different character, which stimulates the desire to collect them.
By the way, the illustrations are done by Jun Ohyama, the guitarist of the band Straightener.

● Feature 3: Large Knobs & Lightweight

Small sized pedals often come with similarly small knobs. However, Effects Bakery uses knobs that are the same size as those on standard effects pedals. This design makes them easy to operate and ensures that you can easily read the markings, even when standing.
The ease of turning these knobs with light pressure might be a matter of personal preference. Some users might find that their foot accidentally bumps the knobs when stepping on the switch, or that the cable from the guitar can inadvertently change the settings.
I primarily use them for home recording, so this isn't much of an issue for me. However, those who plan to use them in live performances may need to get creative, perhaps securing the knobs with tape to prevent accidental adjustments.

Features of Each Effect

To introduce the characteristics of each effects pedal, I’ve created a simple comparison video for you to watch. Naturally, the sound of each pedal can vary significantly depending on the settings and the combination with other equipment, so I hope you can get a sense of the differences in impression among the three models.

■ Effects Bakery Distortion Comparison!

Effects Baker / Bagel OverDrive Guitar Effect - Overdrive

Based on the Tube Screamer design, this overdrive is engineered to provide a wider range of tonal possibilities. While it retains some characteristics of the Tube Screamer lineage, it is crafted to be an easy-to-use distortion on its own.
It offers enough distortion for most backing tracks, making it sufficient as a standalone pedal (though this naturally depends on the genre). One common feature of Tube Screamer-type pedals is their ability to be used as boosters, but I often use this one on its own. I typically add distortion when playing solos or during bridge mutes.

Effects Bakery/ Croissant Distortion

This is a Marshall-style distortion. It has a punchy sound and can be considered relatively low gain. While it does come with a bit of noise, it’s still reasonable for a distortion pedal.
To be honest, I haven’t had it for long and am still trying to master it. Specifically, it tends to sound muffled during solos, which makes tone shaping a bit challenging. It might blend well in an ensemble setting, but for now, I'm experimenting with the tone knob and trying different combinations with the Bagel.
I started with some negative feedback, but I have to say I really like it for backing purposes. As mentioned, it has a lower amount of distortion for a distortion pedal (which might be why I’m not getting the lead sound I expected), but it doesn’t muddy the chords, allowing it to serve well as accompaniment.

Effects Bakery / New Ginger Fuzz "Iwashita's New Ginger" Collaboration Model

This fuzz pedal is designed to evoke the crunchy texture of new ginger and is suitable for backing tracks. Compared to the distortion, it has low noise and even feels subdued for a fuzz. With its deep distortion and balanced presence, I often use it in composition and arrangement to create a solid atmosphere and fill in the sonic gaps.
Interestingly, this pedal comes with two different illustrations, and which one you receive is completely random upon purchase.

Songs Using These Distortions

■ oct -『SharkRock』

In this song, I’m using the Bagel (Overdrive) and New Ginger (Fuzz). You can hear the guitar sound right from the start, so although my playing isn't perfect, I recommend checking out the capabilities of Effects Bakery.
I use the Bagel for crunching chords and as a booster during solos. On the other hand, the New Ginger plays a key role in providing a thick backing and serves as the main distortion for solos.

Conclusion

In this article, I introduced three distortion effects from Effects Bakery.
While there are various advantages, the low price point is undoubtedly a major selling point for these pedals. The brand doesn’t aim to produce sounds that can only be achieved with their products.
Instead, the sound design is crafted to be accessible, even for those using effects for the first time. These pedals are great for beginners or for guitarists who need distortion without any particular preferences. They can be recommended to a wide range of guitarists.
Not only do they add a touch of charm and cuteness to your pedalboard, but I highly encourage anyone interested to give them a try!
As I wrap up this article, I find myself drawn to the Toast Comp and Melon Pan Chorus.

Thank you for today.

＼Also Recommended／

⇒ List of ROWIN's Ultra-Compact Guitar Effects

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