My tremolos are easily favourite circuits, and have occupied more of my design time than anything else. This was my first effect design from scratch, which I started in high school. Development took over a decade before I was happy with it.

By shining a fading light against a photo-sensitive device, this tremolo uses all analog photo-coupling to restrict and fluctuate the output volume.

Symmetry switch: This toggles between two modes which are subtly different. The asymmetric mode (up) has a slightly uneven rhythmic pattern. This can blend sweeter with the tempo of the music. The square wave in this mode stays longer in the 'on' state, giving less gap time.

The symmetrical mode (down) has an even 360 degree spin, with a deeper scooping bottom.

This circuit operates with in a split rail power supply for increased headroom, while mainting a very low noise level.

As with all of my tremolo models, you should expected perceived unity volume with all depth and rate settings, without having to make any manual volume adjustments. The wet level can be adjusted internally by a trimpot.

Always use a high quality regulated and isolated power supply for best operation. Daisy chain power cables may induce clock noise.

AUD$220. Free delivery worldwide. See returns policy.

EMS Express international delivery is still taking a little over a week to depart Australia in most instances. This is due to limited outbound flights after the pandemic. Once landed, it usually is delivered very quickly as a regular express courier service.

This is an old-recipe, classic germanium fuzz, built to end your Fuzz Face search. New-old-stock European AC128 transistors are used, housed on a turret-board circuit. The Roger Mayer Hendrix mods have been implemented.

There is no internal battery space. Power supply is internally conditioned for ideal performance. A battery may be used by means of an external adapter (sold separately).

This pedal should be placed first in the signal chain to voice correctly, connected directly to the instrument, and before any buffered pedals. It is a minimal circuit, which is expecting to 'see' a pickup impedence at its input.

This circuit uses old-tech PNP type transistors. The power supply input is the industry standard 9V type with negative centre. However, for purity of sound, the case is positively-grounded, and as such cannot share a power supply with other pedals unless the supply has isolated outputs.

The transistors used are cherry-picked for suitability from my collection, and as such are limited in availability. First in, best dressed. Germanium transistors are temperature sensitive, and will perform differently according to the ambient temperature. From these AC128s, expect low-medium leakage in winter, and medium-high leakage in summer.

AUD$299. Free delivery worldwide. See returns policy.

EMS Express international delivery is still taking a little over a week to depart Australia in most instances. This is due to limited outbound flights after the pandemic. Once landed, it usually is delivered very quickly as a regular express courier service.

Coming soon...

Based on my made-in-Japan HM-2.

The distortion knob has been redefined from the sloppy classic one, by using a dual-gang potentiometer. This is actually a dual-function control, cascading gain stages together.

The first half of the range controls a full-bodied fuzz. The second half layers in further sustain and compression using 5 black glass Soviet diodes.

The signal is processed through germanium diodes in the final compression stage. I found some hefty Soviet germanium pulse diodes which are perfect for this function, and are crucial to achieving the tube-like attack response. N.B. this is unlike the common soft or hard peak clipping diode configuration.

The silicon/germanium switch changes the first fuzz stage into hybrid-germanium. These transistors are cherry picked from my collection. First in, best dressed.

A focus switch has been added:

• The left stage ( ++ ) is the standard model with all-out unapologetic bass.
• The middle mode ( ^ ) has more mid emphasis.
• The right ( + ) mode has full body, but a little bit of the boominess tamed.

The function and range of all of the control knobs has been 'dialed-in', but I intended not to change the overall function and performance from the original. The chips have been upgraded to a high performance audio amplifiers by JRC (Japanese Radio Company). Japanese audio-grade capacitors have mostly been use throughout.

A recreation of the EJ silicon fuzz. By default it has the 'cold bias' sound, but can also be adjusted by an internal trimpot for a more classic fuzz response.

AUD$189. See returns policy.

Delivery location:

Australia $189.00 AUD International (all else) Australia Post +AUD$14 $203.00 AUD International (all else) EMS Express +AUD$29 $218.00 AUD

EMS Express international delivery is still taking a little over a week to depart Australia in most instances. This is due to limited outbound flights after the pandemic. Once landed, it usually is delivered very quickly as a regular express courier service.

BIG FUZZ

The Big Fuzz is a muff circuit, which has been critically re-tuned to improve the tone, playability, and versatility of the pedal. This fuzz uses gain-selected transistors, and glass tube silicon diodes.

The classic design varied greatly over the years, being made in various locations, to different schematics, and ever-changing component values. One large reason I suspect some models are still higher favoured now, is for their differing amount of mid-scoop. This is a famous love-hate element of the circuit. Having a mids tone control is incredibly helpful.

AUD$220. See returns policy.

Delivery location:

Australia $220.00 AUD International (all else) Australia Post +AUD$14 $234.00 AUD International (all else) EMS Express +AUD$29 $249.00 AUD

EMS Express international delivery is still taking a little over a week to depart Australia in most instances. This is due to limited outbound flights after the pandemic. Once landed, it usually is delivered very quickly as a regular express courier service.

RAD DISTORTION

This pedal can be used either as a classic ratty fuzz/distortion, or as a raunchy germanium overdrive. This is a sound of the '80s and '90s with some Dazatronyx tweaks.

The 'stock' silicon mode is the classic ratty sounding fuzz-distortion from the '80s and '90s. This is achieved by a two-stage distortion of first overdriving the 308 amplifier chip into fuzz, and then recovering some shape by further compressing the signal using hard-clipping silicon diodes.

In the germanium mode, the silicon chip fuzz has been removed. Germanium transistors and germanium diodes are used to achieve a rounded and organic overdrive-distortion.

An internal trimpot can dial the mid/high drive saturation. Turning this completely to the right achieves the classic metallic ratty distortion. Turning this left achieves a full, flattened response.

A small version is also available with top-mounted jacks. Contact me for that.

AUD$235. See returns policy.

Delivery location:

Australia $235.00 AUD International (all else) Australia Post +AUD$14 $249.00 AUD International (all else) EMS Express +AUD$29 $264.00 AUD

EMS Express international delivery is still taking a little over a week to depart Australia in most instances. This is due to limited outbound flights after the pandemic. Once landed, it usually is delivered very quickly as a regular express courier service.

RAD Distortion XL

A larger size version of the standard model (above). This pedal can be used either as a classic ratty fuzz/distortion, or as a raunchy germanium overdrive. This is a sound of the '80s and '90s with some Dazatronyx tweaks.

The 'stock' silicon mode is the classic ratty sounding fuzz-distortion from the '80s and '90s. This is achieved by a two-stage distortion of first overdriving the 308 amplifier chip into fuzz, and then recovering some shape by further compressing the signal using hard-clipping silicon diodes.

In the germanium mode, the silicon chip fuzz has been removed. Germanium transistors and germanium diodes are used to achieve a rounded and organic overdrive-distortion.

The HAIR knob can dial the mid/high drive saturation. Turning this completely to the right achieves the classic metallic ratty distortion. Turning this left achieves a full, flattened response.

AUD$165. See returns policy.

Delivery location:

Australia $265.00 AUD International (all else) Australia Post +AUD$14 $279.00 AUD International (all else) EMS Express +AUD$29 $294.00 AUD

Components used may vary to those shown in the photo. Photos should be used as a general guide for construction and components quality. 2W Metal film resistors are available by request.

EMS Express international delivery is still taking a little over a week to depart Australia in most instances. This is due to limited outbound flights after the pandemic. Once landed, it usually is delivered very quickly as a regular express courier service.

TSX OVERDRIVE

The TS10 circuit had some minor variations to the TS9 and TS808 circuits, and is sort after for its secret-sauce flavour.

The classic TS10 stock tone is achievable in STD mode, as well as two other variation modes:

• STD - Classic TS symmetrical clipping, with a focus on mids.
• ASYM - Asymmetrical clipping shape begins to ‘look’ more like valve amplifier clipping. This can better suit input signals which already have a full bottom-end, such as a neck pickup, and allows chord detail to better shine through.
• FAT - Also asymmetrical clipping, but with a full bottom-end.

The gain control has twice the amount of gain range as a classic TS. The extended range begins at the 2 o'clock position onwards.

The chip has been upgraded to a higher performance audio amplifier by JRC (Japanese Radio Company). The 'soft clipping' is achieved using three black glass tube silicon diodes.

AUD$220. See returns policy. Temporarily out of stock. Please check with Deluxe Guitars, and Swop Shop. Contact me to order this in a different powder coat colour. Last update: gold is available. Waiting on powder coat restock from Ukraine.

PROFESSIONAL DRIVE XL

This is the result of my work redeveloping the classic TS overdrive circuit over many years, and critically evaluating every tone-shaping aspect of the signal path.

This XL sized version is 808 based, and using over-spec'd parts.

The three-way switch which toggles between three modes, which is helpful to suit a broader range of pickups and play styles.

• SYM - Classic TS symmetrical clipping, with a focus on mids.
  
• ASYM - Asymmetrical clipping shape begins to ‘look’ more like valve amplifier clipping. This can better suit input signals which already have a full bottom-end, such as a neck pickup, and allows chord detail to better shine through.
  
• FAT - Also asymmetrical clipping, but with a big bottom-end.

The gain control has twice the amount of gain range as a classic TS. The extended range begins at the 2 o'clock position onwards.

AUD$249. See returns policy.

Delivery location:

Australia $249.00 AUD International (all else) Australia Post +AUD$14 $263.00 AUD International (all else) EMS Express +AUD$29 $278.00 AUD

Resistors:

Metal Film (lower noise) Carbon composite (increased mojo)

EMS Express international delivery is still taking a little over a week to depart Australia in most instances. This is due to limited outbound flights after the pandemic. Once landed, it usually is delivered very quickly as a regular express courier service.

Please note: The second toggle switch option seen in the demo videos below is no longer included in the current production model for sale here. I found that the tone knob can make a setting which sounds the same as the "2 knob" mode, so it was removed.

Components used may vary to those shown in the photo. Photos should be used as a general guide for construction and components quality.

EMS Express international delivery is still taking a little over a week to depart Australia in most instances. This is due to limited outbound flights after the pandemic. Once landed, it usually is delivered very quickly as a regular express courier service.

CLASS A

Germanium amplifier

Voicing switch:

• Mid: Effective at boosting for more drive, without the bottom end getting too flabby.
• Bright: Slightly fuller than a classic treble booster.
• Full Cream: Extra body, and fat tone.

GE / SI
Silicon mode has a little more gain and aggression than Germanium, as well as lower noise levels.

N.B. for purity of design, this pedal uses a positively grounded case. As such, it needs to be run from an isolated power supply, or battery. IE this pedal may not be suitable for a daisy-chain power supply. Batteries are not necessarily preferred.

AUD$220. Free delivery worldwide. See returns policy.

EMS Express international delivery is still taking a little over a week to depart Australia in most instances. This is due to limited outbound flights after the pandemic. Once landed, it usually is delivered very quickly as a regular express courier service.

STEREO PANNING

 OPTICAL TREMOLO

After a decade of development, I've created this completely unique circuit as my ideal tremolo. This is easily my favourite effect circuit.

By shining a fading light against a photo-sensitive device, this tremolo uses all analog photo-coupling to restrict and fluctuate the output volume. There is automatic perceived volume compensation for the full sweep of the controls.

This is a stereo variation of my smaller Optical Tremolo. It can take a stereo input, or split a mono guitar input between stereo channels. The PAN switch changes the oscillator of each channel to be out of sync - so one comes up in volume while the other drops. This creates a strange swirling effect. All original analog circuitry and true bypass mechanical switching.

As with all of my tremolo models, you should expected perceived unity volume with all depth and rate settings, without having to make any manual volume adjustments. The wet level is adjustable internally by a trimpot.

This circuit is optimised for a guitar signal level. A line level version is available on request.

Always use a high quality regulated and isolated power supply for best operation.

Please note that the GND lift switch is no longer used, which was previously seen on old demo videos.

AUD$289. Free delivery worldwide. See returns policy.

EMS Express international delivery is still taking a little over a week to depart Australia in most instances. This is due to limited outbound flights after the pandemic. Once landed, it usually is delivered very quickly as a regular express courier service.

BSIAB2

This circuit (Brown Sound in a Box 2) was by far my favourite distortion back in high school. The cool thing was, if you wanted one, you just have to build one or know somebody who could. The circuit was designed by Ed Guidry, similar to works by Jack Oran and Aron Nelson. Back in the day, it was one of the highest recommended builds on the forums. Many would suggest that this design was the original precursor to many of the "high gain amp" pedals that came out in the 2000's. It's basically a Marshall stack tone faker.

It has a tonne of gain, and can dial in a fat bottom end to fake a big amp sound. Lowering the drive thins this out if you want to push your preamp with the pedal. My build also has improved noise spec. This circuit also responds excellently to rolling back the instrument volume knob.

Distortion is achieved by overdriving Fairchild field effect transistors (FETs), being the closest solid-state relative to vacuum tubes. No diodes are involved for clipping. There are three stacked gain stages. The first two are μAmp stages, which is a classic valve topology developed to achieve high gain performance from tubes. The final is a class a stage.

AUD$199. Free delivery worldwide. See returns policy.

EMS Express international delivery is still taking a little over a week to depart Australia in most instances. This is due to limited outbound flights after the pandemic. Once landed, it usually is delivered very quickly as a regular express courier service.

Tweedsville

The three-position switch toggles between amp models of varying gain and bottom-end saturation. This is achieved by a bipolar silicon transistor preamp, with distortion created by discrete field effect transistors.

This circuit is where I have landed from requests to build a pedal similar to the Lovepedal Les Lius, which is fundamentally a '70s Electra Distortion.

AUD$185. Free delivery worldwide. See returns policy. Most international orders are currently being sent by Express EMS to help minimize covid-19 delivery delays. This has been available for most countries, but not all.

EMS Express international delivery is still taking a little over a week to depart Australia in most instances. This is due to limited outbound flights after the pandemic. Once landed, it usually is delivered very quickly as a regular express courier service.

BIG FUZZ XL

LTD POLISHED EDITION

(ALL SOLD)

The polished finish turned out not to be a sustainable technique. As such, this was a limited batch of 10x polished units in this aesthetic.

This circuit continued. See: Big Fuzz XL.

harmonic

OPTICAL TREMOLO

My Optical Tremolo project was my first attempt at a completely unique and original circuit design, starting while still in high-school. It ended up taking ten years of tinkering before I was completely satisfied with it. I continued developing the same circuit and five years later finished the Stereo Panning version. This has taken many years, and 9 proto designs. This is an all-analog circuit for both the signal and the oscillator.

The function of a 'harmonic' tremolo, as opposed to a regular tremolo, could normally be described as splitting the audio spectrum into two registers of treble and bass, and then modulating the volume of each register in opposing directions. IE at one side of the wave you hear the treble, and at the other side you hear the bass. This is not a blackface style tremolo.

This particular circuit works a little differently, in that instead of modulating the volume of two registers, it actually modulates the frequency cut of each register. This is done using two very particular photocell sensors, paired against lights which fade in and out.

As with all of my tremolo models, you should expect perceived unity volume with all depth and rate settings, without having to make any manual volume adjustments. The wet level can be adjusted internally by a trimpot. There is an internal voltage boost for increased headroom, while keeping low noise levels.

The waveforms are modified from my standard tremolo to be symmetrically shaped for a rounder "vibe" sound.

AUD$269. Free delivery worldwide. See returns policy.

EMS Express international delivery is still taking a little over a week to depart Australia in most instances. This is due to limited outbound flights after the pandemic. Once landed, it usually is delivered very quickly as a regular express courier service.

TSUCHI FUZZ v2

The Tsuchi Fuzz V2 takes a new look at the classic two-transistor fuzz circuit. The circuit’s tone has been carefully evaluated at every shaping point, to produce either classic or modern fuzz tones.

This pedal is out of production. We're taking time apart. I wouldn't say that we're broken-up, but I'm definitely seeing other pedals. Check for stock at Deluxe Guitars (Melbourne), Axe and You Shall Receive (Canada).

Mintdrop

all sold

This is a '60s germanium Fuzz Face. Made using old recipe AC128 transistors, in Dazatronyx style.

This pedal artwork was designed with a friend and it had been on the to-do pile for a LONG time. I prepared twenty of these special enclosures as a limited run project.

N.B. for purity of design, this pedal uses a positively grounded case. As such, it needs to be run from an isolated power supply, or battery. Batteries are not preferred. IE this pedal may not be suitable for a daisy-chain power supply.

GERMANIUM FUZZ 2021

all SOLD

This was a limited edition, special build. I only built two this year, to keep the project viable for me.

This is an old-recipe '60s germanium Fuzz Face. The transistors in this seconds unit are General Electric 2N43, and 2N123, where the manufacture date is the 13th week of 1956, and 4th week of 1958, respectively. These are some of the very early semiconductors which used a point-contact style junction.

Both units are now sold.