Not since the excitement of Kirk Hammett:the Steve Vai pedal

[ThurberMingus]

I just want to go on record saying that I love shred. I wish I could shred but lack the skill/discipline/gear (sweep picking with a Jazzmaster into a Fuck is ultimately not that cool... well if you can't sweep that is...) to do it myself. The Castle of the Crystal Dragon, or whatever, by Paul Gilbert is one of the sickest songs ever written.

[rustywire]

Yeah, I have respect for the technique and time it takes to git gud at it...although I don't play any instruments like a shredder...and probably never will due to old injuries/physical limitation/lack of interest.
I don't want to hear weedily-deedily throughout every 6+ minute "song" that goes nowhere. Dream Theater may be the most talented band of musicians player-for-player but I cant listen to any of their stuff for more than 90seconds.
I'm over virtuosity-wank-as-a-spectacle, it's better as a feature than the main attraction.
Similarly, I cant listen to SRV, either... nor the numerous weekend warriors who attempt channeling him
Maybe they're the target demographic for this pedal

[rfurtkamp]

The joke is the only Dream Theater I like at all is the first (and eternally out of print) album where they're still early prog-metal and in their "let's channel post-John Arch Fates Warning hardcore" mode.

It has actual songs, not constant shredfest.

[Iommic Pope]

Yeah werd.
Dream Theater are amazing, but like fuxk not actually writing songs.
Rfurt, youve just piqued my interest with that description l.

Thurber, just learn to shred and do it with youe sound anyway.
I know that there are certain elements of tone sculpting that "assist" with shredding, but like fuck buying a compressor, a tube screamer and scooping your recto mids just to make it easy.
And again, theyre great techniques that you can chuck into your own style when you wanna change things up.