The Sola Tone Bender Professional MKII - The Hybrid AKA The Squadron 27. The longest pedal name ever? Maybe.
What is it? It's a Pro MKII that uses only one germanium transistor, and mild sprinkling of low level witchy design skills. The idea was to replicate the sonic characteristics of my vintage Vox Pro MKII (which is a very nice example) at what I'd consider to be its optimum operating temperature, as in, when it's performing and sounding at it's finest. For all intents and purposes, this pedal does sound like a fully loaded germanium device. Really.
The input transistor is a germanium device, a Philips AC127 to be exact. The NPN equivalent of the AC125, which I've used in D*A*M Pro MKII's before. The two silicon transistors within the circuit are very peculiar gain specific devices. This peculiarity and careful parts selection do what I'd want a germanium device to do. Tonally the germanium warmth is very much present but minus any movement in the bias when the pedal is at higher operating temperatures.
Bullet points are fun right? Lets do that.
- Hybrid design so fully temperature stable
- LED & DC battery eliminator (burn the witch!)
- NPN circuit design so works perfectly with non isolated power supplies
- Sounds like a prime example of a vintage Pro MKII but it's priced so you can still feed the kids at the end of the week.
- Blue Hammerite!
- Polypropylene and polystyrene audio capacitors - these are good things
- Yes - it does clean up with the guitars volume control
I know it's an idea that may not appeal to the purist, but if you are a fan of Pro MKII's it is something I do urge you to try. It is idea I've had cooking away for some time now and to say I'm familiar with this circuit type is a vast understatement. It's not a modified or tweaked design in the sense to reach a different tonal point, it's just being smart to make a good design into a more balanced and functional musical tool.
Brass tacks
I want! What do? Same dealio as always here with these products. You'll need to contact Macari's if you are interested in acquiring and/or wish to find out pricing and shipping information.
Do so here:
http://www.macaris.co.uk/
Sound Demonstration
Not as yet I'm afraid...you'll have to use your imagination for now...
Additional eye candy