Joyo pedal users: how are your Joyos holding up?

I have an Ultimate Drive and it's really grown on me but it's starting to make me wonder if it'd be worth forking over some more money for an OCD. I've heard a lot of folks say the build quality of their Joyos isn't too great so I'm wondering if anyone has found their Joyos to break down or start to fail on them.

I have 3, on 2 the AC jack is failing causing either power loss or nasty massive CLICK noises when switched. But they all sound great when they work

My Digital Delay pops when you first turn it on, but other then that, no problems after about a year.

I haven't abused mine so much yet, but between two/three bands, weekly rehearsals, and several gigs over the past few months, so far so good...

film at 11....

3 on my board right now, Sweet Baby before my Wampler Paisley Drive, Joyo phaser and tremolo before my T Rex Replica, all are silent and trouble free so far (4 months). But I dont move/switch stuff around much right now, which was my plan to keep cheap effects from breaking!

Working well for me and my lead guitarist who got several of mine as hand me downs.

My UD has a faulty switch .....I think. It has a huge volume loss occasionally when I stomp it. If you jiggle it, it works. Oddly enough, it's still on my board-and I gig every week.

I have the Vintage drive and the California sound, both working fine after quite a few gigs so far.

My Ultimate drive is working flawlessly after a year, Joyo pedals best bang for buck out there,theres not a monkeys chance in hell that I would pay the overinflated prices just because they are the trend.

Power jack sometimes cuts out - so I keep a battery inside, just in case, even though I got my Joyo compressor mounted on a pedal board...

Joyo's are gifts from GOD. I'm planning to purchase another Ultimate Drive just to color the pedal case to remove the fugly devi l graphics. :)

i hadn't used my vintage overdrive in a while and i plugged it in to find that it cuts out horribly.

i hadn't used my vintage overdrive in a while and i plugged it in to find that it cuts out horribly.

What do you mean by it cuts out? I never encounter any issues with my Ultimate Drive.

The only problem I'm seeing is that it IS REALLY REALLY LOUD. My volume when I play live is actually set only to 9 to 10 o'clock. :mrgreen:

Joyo pedals best bang for buck out there

I'd argue that the quality of the Biyang stuff is about 10% better. Possibly more if you've got a Joyo with the strange non-true bypass.

You'd think there would be no difference of quality between either Joyo or Biyang at such low prices, but the Biyangs are considerably better.

The nuts on the in & out jacks of the Joyos should never be tightened with an actual wrench of any kind.

In the end, folks will go after the Joyos more simply because they are copying the stuff that trends best, like the OCD and Honeybee, but the Biyangs really are built a bit better.

And for something like a Dyna Comp clone, Biyang makes one of the best - it has a lower noise floor than DC clones costing 3X as much or more.

If you have to have a Honeybee or Riot clone on the cheap, I guess having 2 or more Joyos might be the way to go. If you can "get by" with a 808 or Rat clone (or Big Muff, etc.), the Biyangs IMO are the absolute best bang for the buck.

I have a Valco Come again...which is a Joyo rebrand...use it about an hour every day for the past 4 weeks...sometimes i leave for a half our or so...sometimes more..with my pedal board on..no problems. Sounds good, low noise, great delay.

The music store that sells them here in town has reported that they have to test every one they get in to make sure they work though...

In my ultimate drive, the nut that holds the switch to the casing broke, leaving the button floating around in the casing. The pedal still worked until I opened it, when the wires connecting the switch to the PCB broke, and now won't pass signal on or off.

On the other hand, my classic chorus has lasted about six months now, and sounds better every time I use it.

Would still definitely buy joyo again, great sounding pedals.

I've been using my US Dream for a few months with no problems.

I gig regularly with my UD, Classic Chorus and Compressor/Sustainer and so far all good!

Hi All,

I posted a question as a separate topic, but valvestate pointed out this thread. As for my current Joyo pedals, my Vintage OD and stomp tuner are doing fine. My Flanger has a problem that I won't repeat here except to include the topic link here (http://www.tdpri.com/forum/stomp-box/339884-strange-joyo-pedal-problem-help-please.html#post4318658).

My Ultimate Drive is still going strong. The footswitch on my Ultimate Octave died on the trip back from my folks' place over Christmas, and I don't have the know-how to fix it. I've considered just getting another one since I liked the sound so much, even with the messed up octave section.

No problems here. Had my Ultimate Drive and Digital Delay since Jan/Feb (can't quite remember!) and both have now done a good few rehearsals and gigs with no issues. Both are fixed to my pedalboard and don't see any plugging in and out though, so that undoubtedly helps.

My Biyang Tri-Reverb has let me down though - had to patch around it mid-gig as it was chopping down my signal when bypassed - I did buy it used though, so not sure how many miles are on it.

I've been using a California and AC tone for about three months now. For weekly band practice direct into the PA, at local open mic evenings, and for gigging as a boost in front of a single channel amp. No problems as yet. Still on the original battery with each unit.

I'm thinking of buying the American, but I'll probably put some better components in it. I'd also repaint it. I'm still thinking of it though, I might just go ahead and buy a BYOC 808 or something like that instead.

Mike,

That problem with the biyang. That's exactly what's happening with my joyo Flanger. Let me know if you figure it out. Thanks

Is there someplace that describes the Biyang Pedals in some detail in plain English? What pedals in their line compare to or are modeled after? And I see some are called "Baby Boom" in small cases and others in shiny metal cases that are a bit larger. What's the difference under the hood?

Is there someplace that describes the Biyang Pedals in some detail in plain English? What pedals in their line compare to or are modeled after? And I see some are called "Baby Boom" in small cases and others in shiny metal cases that are a bit larger. What's the difference under the hood?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3aIdVyOZeA

Perhaps it's the recording on this video but if I had to guess my ears tell me that, at least the reverb versions, are the same pedal in different packages. Another way to go if you're looking for a Biyang pedal is GFS. All of the GFS pedals are rebranded Biyangs.

I've been using my US Dream for a few months with no problems.

But now the switch is broken. :sad:

I have a Biyang delay that crapped out on me within the first few months (around the same time my Boss PH-3 died, so it happens to the best of them). It started making strange noises and then was leaking some strange sounds when in bypass.

My Joyo Compressor has been in service for probably almost a year now and the sustain knob has gotten scratchy, but otherwise doing well.

My Joyo Ultimate Drive I've been gigging with for probably 9 months now and it is working great. I will note, that I got two UDs, one with red knobs and one with white knobs. The red knob one sounds and acts a lot like an OCD and sounds great. The white knob one is much higher gain. The gain knob is pretty much all gain except for a little bit at the start, so I'm not sure if they changed some things along the way. I don't use the white knob one, so I can't speak to its versatility.

I've got the Joyo Digital Delay and that has been working fine for a 3 or 4 months.

I picked up a GFS twin drive last month, so I'll have to report back on that.

My UD:
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b364/IagoBroxado/Pedals%20and%20Related%20Stuff/P1060017_zpse8e92eb0.jpg

The red knob one sounds and acts a lot like an OCD and sounds great. The white knob one is much higher gain. The gain knob is pretty much all gain except for a little bit at the start, so I'm not sure if they changed some things along the way. I don't use the white knob one, so I can't speak to its versatility.

Interesting! Have you opened them up??

My Ultimate drive is working flawlessly after a year, Joyo pedals best bang for buck out there,theres not a monkeys chance in hell that I would pay the overinflated prices just because they are the trend.

Amen.

By British Drive had an ac jack replaced, since then, no problems.
The Dyna Compressor, no issues at all. Gave the UD to a friend.
He's beaten on it most Friday and Saturday nights for some time
now.

I agree with 11 Gauge. The Biyang\GFS are built better. I'd give
it more than his 10%. I'd go as far as saying Biyang are built about
50% better. My Biyang\GFS tremolo has held up without a single issue
for three years running now of rehearsals and at least two nights a week playing clubs.

The UD definitely could be improved in a few spots - especially the 3PDT to PCB wiring. Regarding other Chinese pedals I have (Mooer and Moen), I'd go as far as saying that my Moen Shaky Jimi is at least as well built as some really popular US "boutique" stuff I've seen. Mooer is all SMT and stuff, but seems solid enough; plus, I like the feel of the footswitch.

Interesting! Have you opened them up??

I haven't opened them up to campare yet. I've got the one on my board and haven't had the urge to pull it off. It could be something as simple as audio v. linear pot difference though.

I haven't opened them up to campare yet. I've got the one on my board and haven't had the urge to pull it off. It could be something as simple as audio v. linear pot difference though.

Yep, I thought about that.. I thinking about trying audio pots on mine and a smaller value for the gain.

I have two (trem and phaser, phaser OK, trem is the shiznit), but they're more for my recording "tone lab" at home. Having opened them up, there is no way in hell I would take those pedals out to a live gig.

I have two (trem and phaser, phaser OK, trem is the shiznit), but they're more for my recording "tone lab" at home. Having opened them up, there is no way in hell I would take those pedals out to a live gig.

Why not?

My UD held up quite nicely, had it for a year or so with no problems.

A Trem, UD and Compressor and so far so good. The pilot light on the UD can be a little balky at times but it's not a major issue for me. There's no mistaking when it's one. I figured for around $40 a throw they were worth a shot. The Mooers are about double that and they're probably a "go to" if these prove unreliable.

Is there someplace that describes the Biyang Pedals in some detail in plain English? What pedals in their line compare to or are modeled after? And I see some are called "Baby Boom" in small cases and others in shiny metal cases that are a bit larger. What's the difference under the hood?
This is the baby boom line. The GFS pedals are the same and can be linked with a little deduction.
phase pro - phase 90, really really nice. I love this one. sounds like a phase 45 to me actually. haven't opened this one up. I need to.
time machine delay - deep blue delay, pt2399 chip with compander analog voiced digital
fuzz star - triangle muff, with clipping options. can actually sound like a vintage fuzz too. pretty nice pedal. The moen fuzz moo is better though. real violet ram's head clone
compress x - script dynacomp, actually better than original in my opinion. .011's review is right on target. the gfs version sounds different to me. a bit noisier like my mxr dynacomp.
mad driver - 808 tubescreamer with landgraff diode switching
aqua chorus - boss ce-2 with fixed speed settings and width mod
tri-reverb - unknown so far, maybe not a clone, but probably a spin on the General Guitar Gadgets/Hermida revreb project. which makes it close to the BYOC kit and a lot of other diy reverb circuits.
max distortion - rat with landgraff diode switching

I own all of the baby boom line and like them all. They are gigged and recorded consistently with no real complaints. I own the gfs compresor and retro phaser. They are the old big box biyangs and sound nice, but slightly different than the newest baby boom line. I suspect the new 1590bb size gfs pedals are now the baby boom circuits.
I agree with other posters who believe the biyangs are superior build quality than joyo. I own a lot of joyos and they are not disappointing in the least. I gig and record with them as well. But Biyang and Moen (I just wish Moen used rectangular enclosures) are just sturdier. Good box (usually WIMA brand) capacitors with smd resistors and ic chips from the ones I have opened.
I have to give thumbs up to all of them and I am not a vendor.
I would buy from a US vendor and pay just a few dollars more just in case you get a dud and need to return. I would just be afraid I threw money away if I needed to return to the land of rice and snaky dragons. If you buy enough it will inevitably happen. I have good experience with KingofPedals.

My sig says new member, but I have been @ for a few years quietly. Love the neighborhood.

^^^
I've always liked the tone of the Fuzz Moo from the demos I've seen. How do you know it's a Ram's Head?

Joyo Tremolo: Sounds great. Died within an hour (turned into a fizzled garbled tone). Seller replaced and this one has been great.

Joyo American Sound: Bass knob is faulty (pops loudly around 3:00) but otherwise this is a great sounding direct box.

But when I consider that 2 of the 3 Joyo pedals I've tried have issues, I can't see myself buying another pedal of theirs.

got the chance to play with the california sound over the holidays and all I can say is "this sounds cheap." it might be me, maybe I don't get it but to me it sounds like a cheap digital canned distortion emulation from a multifx unit.

Why not?

I don't take out equipment that will fail. And these pedals will fail. My audience and fellow band members deserve better.

I don't worry about the Boss or Hardwire stuff I have, but I bought those specifically to gig with. The Joyos are tone toys for recording and they'll stay at home.

I don't take out equipment that will fail. And these pedals will fail. My audience and fellow band members deserve better.

I don't worry about the Boss or Hardwire stuff I have, but I bought those specifically to gig with. The Joyos are tone toys for recording and they'll stay at home.

I don't agree, or my Joyo wouldn't be alive after 1 year and 5 months of use. Fixing it or improving the footswitch to circuit board connection per example (that's something that could be done from factory but anyway...) would be super easy.

BTW every equipment will fail...one day. Pretty much every other day we get someone saying "my JHS pedal has failed on me, My Voodoo Lab has failed, My MXR, my Marshall..." etc etc and these are much more expensive pedals which supposedly use better parts.

Well, I had a Boss pedal fail once mid gig,and being that no Boss is true-bypass my sound was gone.The Joyos I'm using are true bypass,so should one fail just turn it off and your straight signal will be there.But why should it fail? Same footswitch that the boutique builders are using and actually some up-grade components like Wima caps,metal film resistors etc.
I've got a soundtank,some Mooers and a couple Joyos on my board and they are anything but toys. (Well actually,all pedals are toys....I just dont drop $200.00 + a pop on toys.)

I did try a Joyo California once and it was less than stellar...but there are several that truly go head-to-head with the best.

My Joyo Ultimate Drive input jack broke after about 2 months of use. Then the gain started getting little sketchy - it was like somebody rolled the volume about halfway off. If I hit the on/off switch a couple of times it would fix itself. I gig, and this pedal was not gig worthy for me. Nice while it lasted.

My UD:
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b364/IagoBroxado/Pedals%20and%20Related%20Stuff/P1060017_zpse8e92eb0.jpg

How do you like the Shaky Jimi?

My Joyo Digital Delay & Tremolo get light use but they have held up just fine.

How do you like the Shaky Jimi?

My Joyo Digital Delay & Tremolo get light use but they have held up just fine.

I like it A LOT. Mostly I use it when I need faux-leslie type modulation but does the Hendrix/Trower/Gilmour thing really well (truth be told that I haven't compared it side by side with other stuff). There's a slight volume drop depending on how it's adjusted.

I've compared the circuit layout/components and confirmed it's pretty much a slightly modded "easyvibe" (univibe-type effect that uses 4 LDR + 4 LED instead of a light bulb) with a "hue" control - which is sort of a tone control that you can use to change how the effect enhances the top end - what helps to bring the effect really forward (I think that some other vibe-type pedals have the tendency to focus on the low end too much and they set you back in the mix, add to that some units also give you a volume drop...). High depth settings also brings more volume. So after all, I can set it in a way that I can't notice a drop in volume. Pretty silent also - more than the Mooer Tremolo I have.

There's also the vibrato mode (strangely called "chorus" on the pedal) that I just don't use although it can go from really subtle to annoying seasickness. Actually I could see myself using it for a song or 2 but I just like the vibe mode too much and use the trem when I want a different kind of modulation. There's no initial volume drop in this mode and the hue knob doesn't work.

Construction wise, it's all through-board and the FS is really good, feels just like the one Mooer is using.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b364/IagoBroxado/Pedals%20and%20Related%20Stuff/P1060014_zpsf86f7ad2.jpg

I'm digging this thread. $38 at pedal trader is a helluva deal.

Thought I would give a bit of an update. My Joyo PS bit the dust out of nowhere. It worked one minute, unplugged it to do some pedal swapping, plugged it back in and it was dead.

It lasted about 6 months or so and I think it cost $40. The only experience I have with pedal PS is with it and a T-Rex Chameleon I've had for 2 months. So I do not know what the average lifespan of them are but I would spend the extra $60 and get the Fuel Tank JR before I bought another Joyo PS.

I have a joyo analog delay and flanger on my cheap-doesn't-matter-if-beer-gets-spilled-on board for bar gigs. No issues yet! Damn does that analog delay sound good!