Monolithic machines

424 Porta Pre - Tascam 424 preamp pedal. I've spent quite a bit of time with this one. Its not a JHS clone, its built directly from the Tascam 424 channel pre-amp schematic found in the service manual. My own circuit design. And since I had to source the correct op-amps, it sounds exactly as it should. If you're into the whole Mk.gee hype then this might be something worth looking at. I used to work on a Tascam 424 many moons ago and know the unit well, I never considered the idea of it being used as a guitar pre-amp / overdrive. It might not be everyone's taste, but it sounds quite unique as an overdrive and is quite a capable pre-amp at lower gain levels. It also works well going into line inputs on consoles and instrument inputs on audio interfaces. This is a prototype,, might make a few for sale.

Astro Germanium (Black and Yellow) - This is a DA Fuzz Face iss.1. It uses a reproduction circuit board on phenolic (Just like the 60's!). This one uses vintage NOS Germanium AC128 and AC107 (Mullard) transistors that were carefully selected for optimal gain and leakage. As well as NOS caps and carbon composite resistors. Some serious mojo going on here. Sounds fantastic!

New Fuzz Face circuit going through the prototyper 5000. This is a Pigeon FX replica DA Fuzz Face PCB on phenolic copper board. The Germanium transistors are a Mullard AC107 for Q1 and a AC128 for Q2. Both carefully selected for optimal gain. Q2 Biased perfectly with an 8K2 resistor. Also on board is a Mullard Tropical Fish output capacitor, Phillips BC input and gain caps as well as Arcol carbon composite resistors. Some pretty heavy mojo going on here. Soon to be boxed and wired up.

Newly designed and etched Rangemaster Circuit boards. These boards use large axial capacitors. I found a stash of Mullard OC71 germanium transistors. So thought I wold put them to good use and make some Rangemasters.

Thunderbird Fuzz. NOS BC108 silicon fuzz. A fuzz face with some very welcomed modifications. There were always complaints that the original fuzz face suffered from low output and with the silicon versions a harsh top end when maxed. This pedal addresses those issues with a level mod and Q2 filtering mod to provide a smooth sounding silicon fuzz that can be maxed out and can also achieve a good 10dB+ over unity gain. This is probably the best sounding version of the Fuzz Face I have encountered, big, full vintage fuzz tones that clean up beautifully when you drop the volume on your guitar, for a huge range of classic fuzzy tones. The BC108 transistors are the same transistors used in early silicon versions of the Fuzz Face, similar to the kind Jimi Hendrix moved onto during his Band of Gypsies days.

The Nerdy Stuff.
- NOS BC108 Silicon transistors
- NOS Russian Paper in oil input capacitor - Similar to the Bumble bee caps found in 59 Les Paul standards.
- NOS West German Roedenstien gain.
- Vishay output cap.
- Internal bias trim control.
- True bypass.
- Tough and durable Hammered finish.