The Five: Tortuga Effects’ Matt Johnson
Never heard of Tortuga Effects? Well, let’s fix that shall we. Tortuga is the brain-child of Renton, Washington’s Matt Johnson and is the maker of a handful of really sweet stomp boxes. Don’t believe me? Do yourself a favor and (when you’re done reading this) go over to You Tube and search out The Cab’s Ian Crawford doing demoes of the company’s two fuzzes – Sasquatch and Hazy Fuzz Experience, as well as the Neptune opto-vibe pedal. You can also learn more over at Tortuga’s spiffy new website. Matt took time out from his workbench to talk with us about all the current goings on with Tortuga. Read the details after the jump.
WTDP?: When and why did you start making effects pedals?
Matt: November 2007 is when I started tinkering around with effects. I don’t really come from an electronics background at all. I’m just a guitar player who couldn’t find what he wanted when it came to effect pedals. I worked in music retail for over a decade and I played just about everything out there but there were still some things that I wanted that no one made. When I started learning about the electronics side of things I found out that it wouldn’t be that hard to make exactly what I wanted. After looking inside of a lot of boutique pedals, I also realized it wouldn’t be that hard to build to a higher quality standard either. It turns out that there are a lot of guys out there who wanted the same things I did.
WTDP?: At what point did you realize ‘Hey, I might be able to make a little money doing this.’?
Matt: Sometime in summer 2008. I displayed at a local guitar show and everyone was blown away. I made quite a bit of money there. I actually just quit my day job to build pedals full time.
WTDP?: Is there a stomp out there you wish you had made?
Matt: The Zvex Ring Tone. That thing is too much fun.
WTDP?: What’s on your workbench right now?
Matt: I’ve been meaning to start on an idea I’ve had for a dual analog chorus/vibrato pedal. I’ve got it figured out in my head, I’ve just got to find some time to hammer it out in real life.
WTDP?: You’ve got free reign to assemble your dream trio. If you’re on guitar, who’s playing bass and drums (alive or dead)?
Matt: Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell. I’ll never be Jimi, but at least I’d have his rhythm section.
Thanks Matt!
