Review Demo - Tech 21 Fly Rig 5

Tech 21’s original SansAmp opened a world of authentically amp-like tones for space-constrained players. It also seemed to reflect a Tech21 fixation on delivering maximum sounds from small effects. The new Fly Rig 5 multi-effect may be the most complete embodiment of that philosophy yet: It combines Tech 21’s SansAmp, Boost DLA delay, Boost RVB reverb, and Hot Rod Plexi distortion/overdrive pedals in a super-compact floor unit that can fit into guitar cases and backpacks.

Fly Rig 5 is less than a foot in length and weighs just over a pound, yet its all-metal enclosure feels sturdy. I couldn’t view all the components without dismantling the pedal, but was happy to see that Tech 21 doesn’t solder the footswitches or knobs directly to the PC board—a cost-saving measure often seen in compact pedals, and one that can result in catastrophic failure.

The controls are divided into three sections, with the SansAmp section in the center. Its controls can look odd at first: A reverb control that would make more sense placed in the DLA delay section is situated between the master level and active EQ controls. That oddity aside, the SansAmp section is easy to navigate. The drive control regulates gain, and the active EQ cuts and boosts lows, mids, and highs.

[thefuneralhome]

Seriously, John Bohlinger could talk about the features of a Walmart toaster for 15 minutes and it would be fascinating.  These review demos are awesome and super-informative.  Thanks!

[catboyzee]

This is a great demo for the Stetsbar also. That thing sounds great on that Gibson. And I kinda have to agree with Jamie Tyson that the distortions do seem a bit fizzy.

[albertomartinez]

Great presentation . Run directly to PA the Fly Rig sounds amazing. You get Amp simulation, reverb, echo and Marshall Plexi crunch in one pedal with numerous ways to shape your tone. I run this unit to a Fishman SA220 PA. I sounds much better than listening to the effects on a computer speaker. Great packet of sounds. A great value too! Cheers.

[Beermaker]

My understanding is that the delay and reverb are digital, but they are in parallel to everything else (sansamp and plexi) so that the analog guitar signal always stays analog.  Great sounding regardless (except when both sansamp and plexi drive are maxed like at 12:46)

[AmarylisFlow]

John is such a wonderfully tasteful player. Bravo sir!

[tiborrisko]

It's in the name: SANS amp, "Sans" in French meaning "Without" amp.
While it can be plugged into an amp, it is really meant to be plugged ino a PA or directly to a soundcard, or effects loop of an amp.
If you plug into an amp, leave the Sans amp off because it can "clash" with the character of the amp (like it does in this video IMHO)
Or, you can also plug it into the effects return of the amp if you are going to use the sansamp.

[Mark_Thompson_Author]

Great vid John - I have one of these and I love it - you have given me some extra ideas for which I thank you - greetings from England!

[Direlake]

Great demo, the only problem is that he ran the "Plexi" way too hot and loud to the sansamp which created this bad-saggy-overloaded distortion tone.
Also, don't use whammy when trying to demo modulation ;)

[mysticsailor]

"23dB of boost is enough to punch through for any kind of solo" must be the understatement of the year....

[avgjoegat]

Has anyone noticed whether the knobs jiggle in the housing?

[jonatanguitar]

A very weird question, but anyone with experience of the FR5 with bass? I know there's a separate bass fly rig but I'm curious about this one.

[swmorgan]

should have sent it to the effects return (power amp) of the Mesa.

[POLDUSTLEAD]

Please make a review of the Rk5 Fly Rig!

[gibson]

Why would one use this to run into an amp, to have a reverb and a delay, when one could pick rev/dly pedals to taste ?

[danieljbdj]

I usually add other drive pedals with the plexi or just the plexi with IR

[michaelbevins]

i would just like to know, How he keeps that stetsbar in tune .I have that same one and its unuseable. witha high action action, Ands its set all the way doun.

[JamieTyson]

This demo is verifying everything I feel about the FR5- it's a muddy fizzy mess in plexi mode. I'm about to rip out the character module and replace it with a jfet circuit. Thanks for the demo, John.

I love what Tech 21 does- I just feel strongly that this would be a way more usable box with a jfet based plexi section.

[ForViewingOnly]

What kind of trem is that on John's guitar? Never seen anything like that before. It seems really stable.

[lanceholland]

Good

Really a bad choice of settings for demoing the plexi side of this pedal.  It's all mud.  That's not at all how I use 've never pushed the plexi side's drive past 12pm.  Below noon, the plexi side sounds very authentic.

[Chromaflage]

Thanks for the demo. To me, with the pre amp and the plexi it sounds really muddy. Prefer the Plexi sound without the pre amp - just my presonal taste.