Greg Howe's Lick Box

The Greg Howe's Lick Box by Carl Martin is a versatile pedal designed to recreate Greg Howe's signature sound, combining maneuverable high gain and crunch tones as well as a boost function. The pedal features a robust cast metal housing with quarter-inch input/output jacks, seven amplifier-style knobs, and three On/Bypass Carling-style channel switches. It is powered via a standard barrel 9V input and includes a new DC/DC converter that allows for maintaining +-12V circuitry while using a 9V power supply, providing extra headroom.

The pedal offers three channels labeled Boost, Crunch, and High Gain, each of which can be used independently or in succession, running from High Gain to Crunch to Boost respectively. The Crunch and High Gain channels offer distortions adjustable to preference with corresponding level, gain, and tone knobs. The boost function adds up to 12dB of volume and punch without altering tone coloration.

The pedal's dimensions are nearly 7.5” wide by 4.75”, giving it a significantly large footprint. It is plug-and-play assuming standard 9V power is available, and it remains stable on a pedalboard due to its foam-lined base and metal casing.

In terms of sound, the pedal offers diverse tonal options and can turn a non- channel-switching amp into a multi-channel beast. It is suitable for a wide variety of genres and provides dynamic distortion when used separately, with the ability to combine channels for a focused and controlled mid-range that cuts through the mix.

The Carl Martin Greg Howe’s Lick Box is priced at $260 and is a worthy addition to a pedalboard for players seeking multiple flavors of solid dirty tones.