In the mid-90s, the Bixonic Expandora was released in Japan. It was an overdrive/distortion/fuzz and quickly became popular with artists such as Billy Gibbons, Joe Satriani and Bootsy Collins.
Bixonic Expandora
The first Bixonic Expandora from 1996 had three buttons and a number of internal dip switches. The usual buttons for Gain and Volume were on it and it also had a Tone button. On the inside of the pedal are 2 dip switches with which you can make four different combinations. With the dip switches you can choose crunch, overdrive or distortion and there is also a so-called secret mode on ‘The Forbidden Fuzz’. In this position you get a huge amount of noise (even without hitting your strings). It is a stand that may not be useful for everyone 😉
The pedal can be heard on the album Rhythmeen by ZZ Top. This album came after the very successful period of ZZ with hits like Gimme All Your Lovin’, Sharp Dressed Man and Legs. The sound is a return to early style ZZ and is significantly darker, dirtier and thicker than the sound of the well-known hits. During this period Billy Gibbons performed live with no less than 6 different Expandora’s, which were connected (serially) one after the other ‘The Lap-Dog of Distortion’. Whether they were all turned on is not the story, but I suspect not.
Bixonic Expandora II
The pedal was popular but also had drawbacks. Although the dip switches offered a lot of possibilities, they were on the inside of the pedal and therefore not easy to reach. Furthermore, many guitarists thought the pedal sounded a bit thin. In ’01 the successor was released: Bixonic Expandora II. The pedal had more bass and a separate Drive knob. The drive button replaced the dip switches and with this pedal it is much easier to choose your favorite overdrive position.
Bixonic Expandora 2000R
Not much later, at the 2004 NAMM show, the Bixonic Expandora 2000R was released, which combines the best of both previous versions and also had a few improvements. The dip switches were back in, but now on the outside, making them more accessible. The footswitch was more robust and there was also an extra dip switch with which you can choose between the first and second version with more bass. Secret mode has been omitted on this model.
JHS The Kilt Stu G Signature
After this it became quiet around Bixonic and the company no longer exists. The competition on the pedal market was now fierce and the Bixonic Expandora was overtaken by the ProCo Rat, among others. However, in 2015, JHS released a clone called JHS The Kilt that lives up to the original. The first version from 2015 had a separate boost. In 2017 JHS released a compact version without boost, the guitarist Stuart David Garrard (Stu G) attached his name to it.
The pedal introduced a number of improvements over the Expandora. For example, there was a Low Cut / Flat Low-end switch that adds more bass. Furthermore, the external dip switches have the same function as those of the original pedal. The configuration is slightly different than on the Expandora, but the secret mode has remained. In addition, the pedal has a Red Remote connection to which you can connect an external foot switch. With this foot switch you can choose between different overdrive modes.
Second hand still available
The Expandora can still be found on the second-hand market. The pedal is certainly not priceless, for about 200 to 250 euros they are offered (at the moment – June 2020). Whether the original pedal is worth that money I leave to others. In any case, it is a very usable, compact and flexible pedal that still comes into its own in several musical styles.