Fender Smolder

fills a frequency gapFills in a frequency range the other side doesn't cover, instead of piling more onto what's already there. (warm → bright)

What PRS Archon brings here leans toward transparent — that's worth building a pairing around

Comes later in the signal chain

Mesa Boogie Lone Star Head leans this transparent tone toward medium gain, which it doesn't make on its own

Comes later in the signal chain

Comes later in the signal chain

Put Blackstar HT Club 50 MKII after Fender Smolder

Comes later in the signal chain

Synergy SL2 Module leans this transparent tone toward high gain, which it doesn't make on its own

Comes later in the signal chain

Blackstar HT Club 50 Head Mk III goes after Fender Smolder in the chain

Comes later in the signal chain

Ceriatone 2202H leans this transparent tone toward high gain, which it doesn't make on its own

Comes later in the signal chain

Stack Revv Generator 120 MkIII 10th Anniversary 4-Channel 120W Head on top and a saturated tone tightens toward tight

Comes later in the signal chain

Bad Cat Lynx 50 leans this transparent tone toward high gain, which it doesn't make on its own

fills a frequency gapFills in a frequency range the other side doesn't cover, instead of piling more onto what's already there. (warm → bright)

Where this leans warm, Browne Amplification Carbon answers back bright

Soldano SLO leans this transparent tone toward high gain, which it doesn't make on its own

Comes later in the signal chain

sits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.

Run MXR Flanger after Fender Smolder in the signal chain, clear of Fender Smolder's own gain stage

Comes later in the signal chain

fills a frequency gapFills in a frequency range the other side doesn't cover, instead of piling more onto what's already there. (warm → bright)

Demeter Compulator's own smooth character is the real reason this is worth trying

Comes earlier in the signal chain

sits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.

Run Strymon blueSky Reverberator after Fender Smolder in the signal chain, clear of Fender Smolder's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)

Comes later in the signal chain

sits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.

Put Neunaber Wet Mono Reverb Pedal after Fender Smolder in the signal chain, clear of Fender Smolder's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)

Comes later in the signal chain

Comes later in the signal chain

Donner Big Mouth Distortion leans this transparent tone toward high gain, which it doesn't make on its own

Comes later in the signal chain

JHS Pedals Hard Drive Distortion leans bright right where the warm tone needs it