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FX systems: digital effects built into the guitar
Every Willow Creek guitar carries its own effects processor and condenser mic. Reverb, delay and chorus play inside the guitar without an amp, and pass through to an amplifier or PA when you plug in.
Compare the systems
The FXA is our flagship. For model-by-model details, see each system below or shop guitars.
| Feature | FXA | FXE | FXB | FXC | FXT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reverb | Yes | Yes | Yes | Two reverbs | Yes |
| Delay | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Chorus | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Condenser mic | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| 3.5mm audio input | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Chromatic tuner | No | No | No | No | Yes |
| Rechargeable Li-ion battery | 20 to 60 hours | About 20 hours | Yes | Yes | See manual |
FXA digital effects system with Bluetooth and mic
The FXA integrated effects processor with Bluetooth takes Willow Creek to the next level of custom acoustic guitars. You have complete and independent control of delay, chorus and reverb that play in the guitar without an amp. These effects also pass through to an amplifier. There is an internal condenser mic, and Bluetooth and a stereo 3.5mm jack are available to play external sound in the guitar. The batteries are rechargeable lithium-ion and can be charged via the USB connector on the control panel, or removed and charged. The system can operate approximately 20 to 60 hours before recharging.
Found in: Bolivian Pro, Herringbone Pro, Black Ash Pro, Rosewood Pro, Ported Pro, Hummingbird Elite (FXA-M2, arriving soon), Mahogany Pro (FXA-M2, arriving soon).
FXA instructions
- Power / Vol
- To turn the system on, press and hold the "Power-Vol" knob for about three seconds. The blue LED will light. To turn it off, press and hold the knob for about three seconds until the blue LED goes out. This knob controls the volume of the effects.
- Effects knobs
- The bottom knob sets the amount of reverb. There are two styles of reverb: left of center is Metal and right of center is Hall. Turning the knob clockwise increases the size of the reverb; far left and the center detent turn the reverb off. The upper knob controls the amount of chorus or delay: left of center is chorus and right of center is delay. Far left and the center detent turn chorus and delay off. All of these effects work with or without an amp or PA system.
- BT
- This knob controls the Bluetooth functions and lets you send audio to the guitar from a Bluetooth transmitter, such as a cell phone. Hold the knob down for about three seconds to turn it on; the green LED lights. Press and hold it about three seconds to turn it off. When not using Bluetooth, it is best to turn it off to preserve battery life. When pairing, look for "MGMUS" on your transmitter. Once paired, you can pause and resume the current audio file by tapping the Bluetooth knob, and the knob also controls the level of the source playing in the guitar.
- Phase / Mic
- This knob controls the phase and the volume of the internal condenser microphone. It is only active when the system is plugged into an amplifier or PA system. Adding some microphone to the mix will warm up the amplified tone of the guitar.
- Rec / Audio in
- The receive audio input is a 3.5mm stereo jack for plugging a sound source into the guitar, much like the Bluetooth function. A stereo 3.5mm to 3.5mm cord is included with the guitar.
- Batt
- This is a USB port for charging the lithium-ion batteries. When you plug the included USB cable into the port and a power source, the red LED lights to show the batteries are charging. When they are fully charged, the LED turns green or goes out.
FXE digital effects system with Bluetooth and mic
The FXE has effects volume, reverb, chorus, delay, condenser mic and Bluetooth controls. You have complete and independent control of the effects that play in the guitar with or without an amp, and they also pass through to an amplifier or PA system. The internal condenser mic works when plugged in to warm up the sound, and Bluetooth lets you play external sound in the guitar. The battery is rechargeable lithium-ion and charges via the USB connector on the output assembly. The system can operate approximately 20 hours before needing a recharge.
Found in: Ziricote Pro with Bluetooth, Bolivian Deluxe with Bluetooth.
FXE instructions
- Volume / BT
- To turn the system on, tap the "Volume" knob. The LED will blink green. To turn on the Bluetooth, tap the "Volume" knob again; the LED will blink green and blue. When pairing, look for "Morin Audio AP04B" on your transmitter. This knob also controls the volume of the digital effects. To turn the unit off, press and hold the Volume knob for about 3 seconds.
- Reverb
- Sets the variable reverb effect. Turning the knob clockwise increases the size of the reverb. Far left is off.
- Chorus / Delay
- Controls the amount of chorus and delay. The left portion of the knob controls the chorus; the right portion controls the delay.
- Mic
- Controls the volume of the internal condenser microphone. It is only active when the system is plugged into an amp or PA system. Adding some microphone mixes the piezo and microphone to warm up the tone of the guitar.
FXB digital effects system with mic
The FXB integrated effects processor allows Willow Creek to offer internal effects at a lower price. You have complete and independent control of delay, chorus and reverb that play in the guitar without an amp, and these effects also pass through to an amplifier. A condenser mic with a level control operates when plugged into an amplifier or PA system, mixing with the piezo to warm up the tone. The battery is rechargeable lithium-ion and a charging system is included: to charge it, plug a USB cable into the output assembly.
Found in: Ziricote Pro, Bolivian Deluxe, Suncreek Spruce.
FXB instructions
- Volume
- To turn the system on, press the "Volume" knob. The green LED will light. To turn it off, press and hold the "Volume" knob for about three seconds. This knob controls the volume of the digital effects.
- Reverb
- Sets the variable reverb effect. Turning the knob clockwise increases the size of the reverb. Far left is off.
- Chorus / Delay
- Controls the amount of chorus and delay. The left portion of the knob controls the chorus; the right portion controls the delay.
- Mic
- Controls the volume of the internal condenser microphone. It is only active when the system is plugged into an amp or PA system. Adding some microphone mixes the piezo and microphone to warm up the tone of the guitar.
FXC digital effects system with mic
The FXC integrated effects processor allows Willow Creek to offer internal effects at a lower price. You have complete and independent control of delay and two reverbs that play in the guitar without an amp. There is also a condenser mic. The effects and mic pass through to an amplifier or PA system. The battery is rechargeable lithium-ion and a charging system is included.
Found in: Ebony Deluxe.
FXC instructions
- Vol / Power
- To turn the system on, press and hold the "Power-Vol" knob for about three seconds. The blue LED will light. To turn it off, press and hold the knob for about three seconds. This knob controls the volume of the effects.
- Metal / Hall / Delay
- The bottom knob sets the amount of reverb: left of center is Metal and right of center is Hall. Turning the knob clockwise increases the size of the reverb; far left is off. The upper knob sets the amount of delay; turning it clockwise increases the delay, and far left is off. All of these effects work with or without an amplifier or PA system.
- Mic / Phase
- Controls the phase and the volume of the internal condenser microphone. It is only active when the system is plugged into an amplifier or PA system. Adding some microphone will warm up the amplified tone of the guitar.
FXT internal effects system
Digital effects processor with delay, chorus, reverb and condenser mic built into the pickup system that plays inside the guitar without an amplifier, plus a chromatic tuner. Michael D. Davis demonstrates the FXT on the FX-PG44 and FX-PG90Y in our videos.
Recording EQ system
The Recording EQ enables you to record whatever you are playing and play it back. It is a great option as a scratch pad when writing a new song or phrase. These MP3 songs and clips can be loaded into a computer and manipulated as you wish. The pickup has a chromatic tuner and a four-band EQ, and operates on a standard 9 volt battery.
Hear the effects for yourself
Watch our artists demonstrate the FX systems, or pick up a spare rechargeable FX battery.