Skyline V2 | Overdrive & Boost

The Nordvang Skyline V2 builds on the legendary Timmy, a superb and exceptionally versatile overdrive that moves seamlessly from a natural, uncompressed low gain sound to a pushed, punchy drive with amp-like compression for maximum fluidity. Nordvang packs it with extra features that deliver the character of the best mods of the genre while drastically expanding its range. With this V2, the Danish brand goes even further: two new toggle switches on the front panel, dedicated to clipping and mid push, multiply the tonal textures. All of it backed, as before, by an additional clean boost channel and a smart, compact design.

The enclosure is top-shelf, as always with the Danish builder. To make room for the two new switches, the Skyline V2 moves to a slightly larger 1590BB format. Flawless finish and hand-picked components: Vishay metal film resistors, Wima film capacitors (MKP10 on the input, a mix of MKP10, FKP2 and MKS4 throughout the circuit), Taiway switches and Pure-Tone jacks. No electrolytic capacitors anywhere in the signal path.

Front panel controls:

• Gain, Level, Tone: the standard controls for shaping your drive.
• Lows: sets the low-frequency response of the gain stage across its entire sweep.
• Highs: works the top end, clarity and saturation of the drive. The further you open it, the more it growls.
• Clip (3-way toggle): changes the clipping mode. Combined with the internal dip-switch, it delivers 4 configurations (symmetrical with 2 or 4 diodes, asymmetrical with 3 or 5 diodes), plus an open, diode-free setting for clean boost mode.
• Mids (3-way toggle): adjusts the mid push across 3 levels, from flat to full-on TS territory.
• Boost: sets the level of the clean boost channel, from unity to +18 dB.
• EQ (3-way toggle): voicing of the boost. Full frequency, low-mids or high-mids.

Internal dip-switches, under the lid:

• Highs: alters the high-cut parameter tied to the Tone knob.
• Lows: alters the low-frequency cut-off of the Lows knob.
• Clipping: shifts between symmetrical and asymmetrical clipping, in tandem with the Clip toggle.
• Buffer: switches the input buffer on or off.

The Boost channel is fully isolated and sits before the drive circuit. It is an ultra-transparent op-amp clean boost, built to give you more of what you already have rather than colour your tone. The input stage features an excellent dual buffer directly inspired by the Gravity: a TS-style NPN transistor buffer (510K Ohm input impedance) followed by a Klon-style op-amp output buffer (100 Ohm output impedance). Icing on the cake: if the power fails, the pedal automatically switches to true bypass and keeps your signal flowing.

We plugged in a super strat on a beautiful clean channel, everything at noon, and we have to say it: instantly, it puts a smile on your face. This is not the usual, the predictable, the already-heard. This is pure fun. It sounds gorgeous, ultra dynamic, it squashes, bends and bounces in every direction, everything you expect from a truly great pedal. Push the gain and the Highs knob and all hell breaks loose. The drive is fluid, squashy, incredibly rich and very amp-like. The new Mids toggle nails it: in the top position you jump straight into TS territory, with that midrange that cuts through the mix effortlessly. This is a Timmy on steroids and a proper slap in the face to every other pedal in the category. It is that, but better, with more of everything.

As always, transparency, silence, musicality and smooth, progressive controls are Nordvang trademarks. The Skyline V2 is made for every guitarist looking for a versatile, flexible and incredibly easy-to-play drive, from transparent always-on low gain to saturated leads that cut through the mix. Guitars Rebellion Award for this magnificent tone machine. The Dane never disappoints!