Banshee Talkbox Review

Bringing a cool, new twist to the outdated generation of complicated and risky talk boxes, the Banshee is a unique new product that gives classic rock touches to the 90's players. Although "talk boxes" have been used in the making of hit music (Aerosmith, Frampton, Joe Walsh, etc) for years, many guitar players simply have not tried them because of their complicated and potentially damaging setup.

Ease of Use:	8.5
Sound:	9.5
Reliability:	9.5
Impression:	9.5
Overall rating:	9.3
Users rating:	9.2
Comments:	13

overall: 9

Featured review by: freemind12, on january 21, 2006

Purchased from: Thomann.de

Ease of Use: It's fairly easy to use although if youve never used one or seen one before you may be wondering what it is and does! Although concidering the old rigs for them this is pretty simple: plug in line; strap the tube to a mic stand (with the provided strap) pop the end of the tube in your mouth and talk away. Only 3 knobs output, tone and gain: easy! The manual was easy to understand and to the point. // 7

Sound: I am running a Vintage Metal Raider axe thrugh my Talkbox and the amp doesn't matter as the sound doesnt go through it! It sounds great really nice gain on it too. I must say it's hard to replicate some sounds of your favourite artists as you dont know how they are shaping their mouth but thats not to do with the hardware. Good enough for anyone beginner up to pro. Only thing I have to complain about is that it seems to filter pinch harmonics out dunno why that is, but yu really don't need to do them in Talkbox riffs. // 10

Reliability & Durability: Built like a tank, it doesn't look like its gunna break anytime soon. I would gig with it no worries without a backup (even if I could afford a backup). // 10

Impression: I play classic rock/hard rock most of the time in a band. I use a Vintage Metal Raider axe, through a Marshall 100DFX, I also have a Dunlop CryBaby. This Talkbox is great for this style it gives your playing a new dimention and very, very few people own one. It also makes you stand out a bit. A few complaints. You look quite silly using one. I tend to dribble when I use it I can't help it and it is extremly irritating and embarassing! Mine came with a europian plug adaptor so I have to use a convertor however it at least it came with one unlike some pedals (Crybaby). If this was stolen I would deffinatly buy another one expensive but worth it I think. The only other talkboxes I know of are the Danelectro Free Speech which is really for beginners and I've heard is not very good. and the Dunlop Heli TalkBox Which is more expensive over £200 I think and you can only use it with stacks unless your into taking your amp apart and rewiring it (which surprising they suggest). This was really the only option for me it wasnt for beginners and cheap and nasty and it wasn't for pro with stacks and pockets full of cash. Hope this helped! // 9

overall: 9.5

Reviewed by: Tool_46n2, on december 27, 2007

Price paid: $ 150

Purchased from: Paradise

Ease of Use: It works just like a stompbox. A lot of people told me talkboxes were fairly hard to set up and I could risk blowing my amp, but with this one the risk is not there. Simply plug your guitar into it, and have a microphone next to it. It's pretty loud without a mic for practicing. The only problems are that there is no way to shut it off, it comes with an adapter, and the only way it turns on or off is plugging in or pulling out the cord, but you never have to buy batteries. Also, you can't use it with any other effects that is dissapointing. // 10

Sound: It sounds great, aside from my crappy cable that has a little crackle in it sometimes. With a good cable it sounds perfect. It has a built in pre amp and a decently loud one at that. It takes some getting used to but you can make words with it. If you're just looking for that Talkbox wah sound, it's not in short supply! This is one of the best talkboxes out there according to several opinions I'd gotten before buying. After buying I can't disagree. // 9

Reliability & Durability: It's heavy, got slide-proof stoppers on the bottom of it, it's already a stompbox so it's made to be stepped on, I don't see it breaking from a small drop. Definately gig safe and dependable. I haven't had mine for too long so I can't tell you for sure it isn't going to break, but I can tell you that it is not likely. // 9

Impression: Overall it does what I wanted it to. It's damn close to the Framtone and cheaper. If you have the money for this, it's a definate buy. If it were stolen or broken I'd definately buy it again. You get what you pay for. This Talkbox, as with all, work for all kinds of music. I play a lot of classic rock, and a lot of metal. It's great just to use for a Classic Wah. It's the most versatile kind of wah invented. // 10

Comments

[SGMAN911]

this is thing is really fun to use, it doesnt matter what you say into it, it still sounds like its coming from a guitar, my friends and i were cracking up for hours with this thing....

[Constantine]

Would You be Able to get the sort of "Careful With That Axe, Eugene" Scream out of this? My singer is a bitch and doesn't want to scream, so if it works, I might buy him one of these... If anyone knows, please PM me.....

[bluezombie]

I own one of these. Very fun to play with, but not often very practical!

[Confused2316]

How would one of these work with a bass?

[americablanco]

Confused2316 wrote:

How would one of these work with a bass?

as a bass player myself I wouldn't even consider it

[João Carvalho]

it need a mic?

[MT in Austin]

Bought one of these several months ago. Built like a tank, very durable. Had a waitress spill a huge glass of water on it during a gig. I quickly unplugged it from my chain and turned it upside down. I let it dry out for a day and BOOM worked fine when I plugged it in. As with any talkbox, your PA mic is used to amplify the sound. This is a very easy to use box and the price point is quite good for this type of effect.

[guitarnoobie]

If a person had a braces could the tube damage the brackets?

[whitey314]

guitarnoobie :
If a person had a braces could the tube damage the brackets?

nah man i had braces and used it and nothing happened tis quite a nice unit doesnt quite have that heil sound but ahwell maybe its just my inexperience with using them

[CraigMc]

I see from the above that thbox comes with power lead, but can it be ised with a 9 volt battery? Reason being they are more than 50% cheaper in the US than in Australia, but the voltage is different.

Any ideas?

[milcio79]

Hey can I connect the AMP otput of my rocktron to my pedalboard input without blowing it up?

[TiptonPhantom]

Can it be used with distortion?

[evening_crow]

João Carvalho: yes, if you want to use it with a full band; otherwise no if it's only for bedroom practice. you will need a stand at least though.
CraigMc: nope... doesn't run on batteries
milcio79: don't recommend that
TiptonPhantom: yes, but it'll sound like sh*t; also, why would you wanna do that? the talkbox itself has built-in gain

And yes, i've had one for several months and it's great.