Responsive Tube Overdrive
Tube tone in a pedal is my obsession, juicy tube tone on-demand a life goal. I’ve been chasing that tone for years and feel that it’s finally right under my feet. The Sol Drive’s tone is inspired by the famed “D” tube amplifiers of the ’70s & ’80s and renowned D-style overdrive pedals that followed. Through R&D of tonal tweaking, custom PCB design, enclosure layout, and sourcing only the highest quality components and hardware, I feel I’ve created something truly special and unique.
The Sol Drive is a low-to-medium gain, responsive tube overdrive pedal. It uses a dual triode pre-amp tube to bring a harmonic texture to your tone that only a real tube can. The tube is installed in a socket that is well secured inside the enclosure.
The Sol Drive is voiced for a Tung-Sol 12AX7 tube (hence the name Sol Drive). It’s highly versatile, different tubes can change the gain and tonal character of the pedal. The Sol Drive can also be used with 7025, 12AT7, 5751 or similar pre-amp tubes.
The Sol Drive uses a 9V DC 200mA center-negative power supply (not included) to operate. It does not operate with a battery. 9V isolated pedalboard power supplies will work.
The Sol Drive is a true-bypass pedal.
“This pedal truly is a masterpiece because it is a standalone pedal with its own voice, its own identity.”
Johnny Hiland
Functionality
- Gain – Adjusts the amount of gain in the pedal. Rotate counterclockwise for cleaner settings. The gain in the pedal is also limited by the Voice knob. For the maximum gain setting, rotate both the Gain and Voice knobs fully clockwise.
- Voice – Helps to align the tonalities of the pedal with your amplifier and guitar.
- Assists with controlling the total amount of gain in the pedal. Rotate counterclockwise to decrease the gain or clockwise to increase the gain.
- Adjusts the low-end of the pedal. To add low-end (and decrease gain), rotate counterclockwise. To reduce the bottom-end (and increase gain), rotate clockwise. Remember to readjust the Gain knob to compensate for changes in the overall gain which occur while adjusting the Voice knob.
- Tone – Attenuates the “high-end” frequencies. Rotate counterclockwise to reduce high frequencies.
- Level – Adjusts the volume of the Pedal. Full counterclockwise position is zero.
Operation
- In, Out, and DC 9v jacks are mounted on the top side of the enclosure
- Circuit Status LEDs are On when activated. Sol Drive circuit (right-side) purple LED. Boost circuit (left-side) orange LED.
- Footswitches – On/Off (right-side) controls the Sol Drive circuit. Boost (left-side) controls the Boost circuit.
Hardware Features
- Tung-Sol 12AX7 Reissue Tube and Belton Socket
- Premium Soft-Click Foot Switch
- Top Mounted DC/Input/Output Jacks
- Highest Quality Electronic Components
Contact
Brian Shira
shirafx@yahoo.com
Designed and built in San Francisco, CA
Special Thanks Johnny Hiland Noise Therapy FX Tung-Sol Gorva Design Mogami Cable
