Formula B Vintage Vibe MkII

A faithful tribute to the Uni-Vibe spirit, tailored for today's pedalboards

The Vintage Vibe MkII follows the grand tradition of "vibe" modulation effects inspired by the iconic Uni-Vibe, that swirling sound often associated with a rotary speaker like the Leslie. Naturally, it evokes psychedelic, blues-rock, and classic rock textures: liquid layers, 3D movement, and that unique way of thickening a clean tone or making a drive sing. The philosophy here is clear: preserve the organic character and depth of the vibe while bringing practical improvements and smoother operation suited for live and studio demands.

This MkII version also emphasizes stage ergonomics: more readable indicators, easier tempo tracking, and a textured matte black finish that exudes robustness. The result is a pedal that respects vintage DNA but handles like a modern tool designed to be the centerpiece of a pedalboard.

For which guitarists and styles?

The Formula B Vintage Vibe MkII is aimed at guitarists seeking expressive modulation capable of shifting from subtle shimmer to pronounced movement without losing musicality. It suits both intermediate players looking for a "signature" pedal and seasoned guitarists who know exactly what they want from a Uni-Vibe: dynamic response, rich modulation, and an effect that interacts with playing touch.

Style-wise, it's an ideal playground for blues, rock, psychedelia, funk, and vintage atmospheres. Placed before distortion, it adds that typical "chewy" and edgy character; placed after overdrive/distortion, it can broaden the spectrum and give spectacular depth to leads. In live settings, its two footswitchable speeds allow building swells, transitions, or intensity changes without bending down. In the studio, it becomes a source of textures, perfect for doubling rhythms, thickening arpeggios, or animating an almost dry tone.

Controls, modes, and MkII improvements: efficiency and clarity

The heart of the Vintage Vibe MkII relies on a carefully crafted "vibe" architecture, with high-quality through-hole (THT) components and selected photoresistors to achieve dense, consistent, and above all musical modulation. The Chorus/Vibrato selector lets you choose between two approaches: a wide, spacious, textured chorus (amplitude modulation) or a more direct vibrato focused on pitch variation, for sharper and more expressive sounds.

A Volume control completes the setup: practical for achieving unity gain but also for pushing the input of another pedal to add more attack or presence to a drive. For the stage, the MkII adds a bypass LED positioned above the left footswitch and a larger, centered tempo LED, making it easier to read in challenging lighting conditions. Finally, the dual footswitch is a real musical advantage: it allows instant switching between two modulation speeds without breaking the flow.

Note: power is supplied via a standard 9V DC adapter, while an internal voltage doubler converts this to 18V to provide more dynamics and harmonic richness. Practically, this results in a more "open" feel, better attack retention, and an effect that breathes more, especially with single-coil pickups and clean tones.

Sound

The Vintage Vibe MkII aims for a deeply organic vibe: a smooth, almost "liquid" movement that envelops the signal rather than skimming over it. In Chorus mode, the effect gives a sense of space and rotation, with a lively grain that thickens the guitar without making it muddy. In Vibrato mode, it shifts to something more upfront and vocal, perfect for expressive phrases, hypnotic intros, or bold psychedelic textures.

Its strength lies in the sense of dynamics: the pedal responds to playing, pick nuances, and guitar volume. With a clean sound, it can remain subtle and refined; with crunch, it delivers that vintage thrill and three-dimensional movement often associated with great tones like Hendrix, Gilmour, or SRV. The internal doubler contributes to a wider response, with an increased headroom impression and modulation that stays musical even when pushed to the limits.

Technical specifications

Effects	Chorus / Flanger / Phaser, Chorus, Leslie Simulator and Octaver	Type	sector
Technology	Analog	Use	electric guitar
Format	Pedal	Color	Black

Modes	Chorus / Vibrato	Required power supply	standard 9V DC
Internal voltage doubler	converts 9V to 18V for more dynamics and sonic richness