Since the beginning of the British Invasion in the early 1960's, guitarists have tried to capture the magical tone created by famous artists in the Abbey Road studio. The quest to emulate "that sound" has led enthusiasts on an analogue journey filled with legendary Vox tube amplifiers and Fender and Rickenbacker guitars coupled with tried and true tape echo and tube reverb units. The "Studio" knows no greater fury that the budding guitar virtuoso who has failed to achieve "the tone."
With each passing decade since The Shadows' "Apache", countless numbers of effects' units have teased players around the world with promises of a more convenient and affordable digital way to re-create the vintage guitar sound. In large measure, the results have been mediocre. More recently, sophisticated analogue and digital modelling units have offered greater versatility but sadly transcended the financial means of the majority. The quest for the "golden tone" has eluded even the most committed enthusiasts - until now.
The Principal of Cirrus Engineered Products, himself a guitarist and avid Shadows fan, was inspired to design and commission the Gemini III out of a personal desire to capture that element which had so far been so elusive. In February 2007 Cirrus released the Gemini III, a true-bypass analogue tone-shaper with digital switching that has captured the somewhat "thinner" sound of the Abbey Road board used by such famous talents as The Shadows and The Beatles during the early to mid 1960's. Many avid listeners of 1960's Abbey Road recordings have long commented on the relatively thinner sound of the British Invasion guitars compared to the fuller sound of contemporary instruments. The important difference between this historical viewpoint and Cirrus is that the latter has done something about it.
Now with the aid of new technology, the Gemini III can take your modern guitar tone and shape it instantly in a manner that will take you back to the 1960s. The Gemini III is as versatile as its name suggests and coupled with your pickup selections offers its own constellation of sounds ranging from normal true-bypass to two shaping functions. The battery-powered unit is sturdy, attractive and has blue light-emitting diode indicators that are as magic as the sound itself. It has a very durable and efficient soft-touch foot-switch that is user friendly with no double-shifting required to kick it into gear.
With regard to the Shadows' sound, the Gemini III in concert with digital effects units such as the Alesis Q2 or the Yamaha Magic Stomp affords even the average guitarist the opportunity to create sounds that have in the past bewildered even the professionals. Mr. Charlie Hall intitially developed the "Echoes From The Past" patches for the Alesis Quadraverb 2 (Q2 & Q20). More recently, Mr. Geoff Strachan of Shadowsland was instrumental in having "Sounds Like The Shadows" patches applied to the Yamaha Magic Stomp. Go right ahead, wish on a "Blue Star" and consider "Atlantis" found. Please listen to Shindig and Frightened City samples that were created using the Gemini III and the Yamaha Magic Stomp and judge for yourself. While finding this sound would normally be more than sufficient, the very good news is that the story does not end here.
Not only does this unit unlock the Stratocaster sound of The Shadows, but it also adds a touch of magic to the sounds of The Beatles as well. With just one soft-click, the Rickenbacker 12 string unleashes all the brightness and chime of the classic riffs on "What You're Doing", "You Can't Do That" and "Any Time At All" but without the harsh treble setting that is often required with some amplifiers to capture these sounds in a convincing manner. The following Stage 2 shaping is offered here for What You're Doing and you can enjoy The Searchers' sound on When You Walk In The Room. These samples are produced using a Rickenbacker 360/12V64, a Vox AC-30 and the Gemini III.
The sound of the Rickenbacker 325 instantly impresses, especially those who are seeking the early Merseybeat edge. You will be amazed at "Matchbox" and "Rock and Roll Music." Ready, Steady, Go. Not to be overlooked, the Gretsch comes alive with the scintilating sound cherished by so many on "Words of Love."
The Gemini III is a brilliant addition to the effects' stable of those who seek that sound associated with the artists of the 1960's. What could be more fitting than a 1960's tone-shaper developed and quality built in the same country that has given us the Invasion sound, the iconic Vox amplifier and the Celestion Blue speaker. So if you want to play Apache today or any time at all for that matter this unit will let you get back to basics. Congratulations goes to Cirrus for showing us that in this complex world sometimes less is more.
You can find out more including how to order this product by visiting the Gemini III Website. Reviewed by Peter McCormack, August 22, 2007. |
