Guitar Journal: Tony Iommi TI100 – Farewell Black Sabbath!
Plus, the Catalinbread Proto Club and the new Echo Fix EF-P5 FET Compressor Pedal
4,8 / 5,0 | 
This week, we check out the news of the limited-edition reissue of the iconic Tony Iommi TI100 signature amplifier, just in time for Black Sabbath’s farewell concert. Next, we look at the new Catalinbread Proto Club, created to share designs that never made it off the shelf into full production. Finally, we check out the new studio-grade EF-P5 FET Compressor Pedal from Echo Fix.
Guitar Journal
Tony Iommi TI100
For a tone that’s pure Black Sabbath, look no further! Laney Amplification, through its Black Country Customs workshop, has just unleashed a limited-edition reissue of the iconic Tony Iommi TI100 signature amplifier.
Limited Edition
With only 50 units available worldwide, this collector’s item is an absolute must-have for guitarists chasing that quintessential Iommi sound, dedicated metal fans, and Black Sabbath fans.
The TI100 amp head is a beast, delivering 100 watts of sound thanks to its four 6L6 power tubes and eight 12AX7 preamp tubes.
I’d certainly enjoy putting this one through its paces at full volume, through a pair of decent 4×12 cabinets.
Reissue
The Black Country Customs workshop has recreated the independent three-band EQ controls for each channel. Plus, it has the dedicated Enhance and Presence controls for each channel, which are typically global.
These are going to sell out, and at £2999 each, they aren’t that expensive for such a limited run of hand-wired, UK-built tube amps.
I hope Ozzy, Tony, Geezer, and Bill enjoy their last gig together this weekend. The world without the prospect of Black Sabbath playing live again is going to be very different.
Catalinbread Proto Club
Some circuits never leave the lab, and that’s exactly the point of Catalinbread’s Proto Club.
This new, limited-run initiative from the minds behind your favourite modern effects is a direct result of late-night breadboard sessions, side projects, and unique ideas that didn’t quite fit their existing product lines. It offers a direct line to the experimental edge of pedal design.
Tritone
First in the lineup is the Tritone, a pedal that initially started as an alternative sound for the Soft Focus Deluxe. However, its distinct character proved too different to remain in that series, so initially Cartlinbread shelved the design.
Octave-Up
Described as a “call-and-response” octave-up effect, the Tritone features a blendable perfect fifth and a built-in slapback echo.
It transforms your guitar signal into a cascading wash of three-note arpeggios. This versatile pedal can be used to create textural pads or to add a glitchy, enhanced quality to your lead playing.
Limited Availability
They are making it available for $149 for a short time, and so you have until 9 July to order one.
All the new Proto Club releases will follow the same formula, so we will update you when they drop new ones. Making them ideal for musicians who want something a little different and anyone who likes exclusive effects.
EF-P5 FET Compressor Pedal
The Echo Fix EF-P5 FET Compressor Pedal is a pretty serious piece of kit. It is squarely aimed at audio professionals who demand precision, character, and control. The design features a 100% analog dynamics processor, and they have already sold out of the first batch!
Tracking, Mixing, and More
Perfect for tracking, mixing, or live use, the EF-P5 boasts a fully analog signal path with intuitive controls. It offers a broader range of Attack and Release times than traditional FET compressors, a Mix control for parallel compression, and a High-Pass Filter to maintain low-end clarity.
They have designed it for real-world flexibility; it also features a rear side-chain input for ducking, a rear switch to boost input gain, and a programmable power-on state. For monitoring, you have options like Gain Reduction, 0dBu, +4dBu, or full meter bypass.
Matched Pairs
If you are serious about your compression, then these could be perfect for the job. They are also making them available in matched pairs. I almost wish the units were stereo, and that way it would cut down on the real estate space.
They are switchable between 4:1, 8:1, 12:1, and 20:1 ratio settings, and that large VU meter should make it easy to see what you are doing (though you know you should be using your ears, right?). I do like a nice FET compressor, and these look well-made and have some great specifications for the price point.
These will make great studio tools, so not just for your guitar or bass, as they can handle drums, vocals, and more.
We will update you as soon as they are available at Thomann.
MSRP – GBP 470 (matched pair GBP 940)
This might also interest you
