United States · Est. 2009
Caroline Guitar Company
South Carolina boutique known for handcrafted pedals and unusual, poetic circuit designs.
About the brand
Caroline Guitar Company was founded in Charleston, South Carolina, in 2010 by Philippe Herndon and Zach Broyles. Their pedals are notable for handsome industrial design, poetic naming, and circuits that take unexpected approaches to familiar effects.
The Météore reverb, the hawaiʻi Five-0 tremolo/vibrato, and the Kilobyte lo-fi delay are among the most praised boutique releases of the 2010s. The Météore is particularly admired for its ability to go from subtle room ambience to massive, self-modulating sea of reverb without losing musical usability.
Caroline builds all their pedals in South Carolina using a combination of surface-mount and through-hole components. Their commitment to domestic manufacturing and their collaborative relationship with their player community give the brand an unusually strong sense of identity in a crowded boutique market.
Key facts
- Météore: one of the most acclaimed small-format reverb pedals
- Built entirely in Charleston, South Carolina
- Distinctive industrial aesthetic unlike most boutique manufacturers
- Founded in 2010 by Philippe Herndon and Zach Broyles
Iconic pedals
Météore
Compact-format reverb with a proprietary algorithm ranging from subtle ambience to massive, self-modulating reverb. One of the most acclaimed boutique reverb pedals of the decade.
hawaiʻi Five-0
Tremolo and vibrato inspired by the Hawaiian and exotic sound of 1950s and 60s amplifiers. Speed and modulation depth with a uniquely distinctive character.
Kilobyte
Lo-fi 8-bit delay with built-in bit crushing that produces everything from a slightly degraded retro echo to completely unique glitches and digital artifacts.
Notable musicians
- Steve Cropper · Météore
- Ryley Walker · Meteore, Shigeharu
- William Tyler · Meteore
- Cory Hanson · Somersault