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Shin-ei, the company behind the Uni-Vibe, announces closure
The brand was relaunched in the USA in 2016.
Image: Shin-ei via Instagram
Shin-ei, the effects pedal company behind legendary pedals such as the Uni-Vibe and the FY-6, has announced that it will cease production. The company was relaunched in 2016, reviving many classic designs and adding modern reinterpretations of old pedals to its lineup.
Taking to Instagram, owner Bob Feldman wrote: “We have gotten to that age where we want to spend more time playing guitar than building pedals for our friends to play guitar. Sadly, we are no longer producing any of our products. Whatever exists for sale via our wonderful dealer network and directly on our website is it.”
Feldman also noted that one of the final pedals made by the company was a special custom Vibe-Bro, made for Joe Bonamassa. “On a happier note, we are excited and honoured to produce one of the very last pedals for one of our favourite guitarists on planet earth. It’s been fun gang! Thanks for all the love!”
Bonamassa responded to the post, saying: “Man, I am so honored you made this pedal for me. It will be in the rig this summer. I am sorry you are no longer building stuff. You are a great pillar in the guitar community. Continued success on your new adventures Bob.”
Feldman had acquired the trademarks of the vintage Japanese brand Shin-ei in 2016, and revived many of its classic designs. The Vibe-Bro was a modern re-imagining of the Uni-Vibe, which wasn’t an exact replica of the original but used many of the same parts and aimed to closely reproduce the original sound.
The brand’s final batch of pedals can be seen at shin-ei.com and any dealers still holding stock. As Feldman notes, once the stock of currently-made pedals has been depleted, no more Shin-ei products will be available.