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 Orman and Aron Nelson. Back in the day, it was one of the highest recommended builds on the forums. Many would suggest that his 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 a huge clean bottom end to fake a big amp. 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$220. Free post worldwide. See returns policy.

The Big Fuzz is a muff circuit, which has been made to factor all of my favourite elements from the many various models. Further, some improvements have been made to improve user interaction. This includes increased bass, and improved bass clipping response, improved tone control functionality, and fine tuned top-end clipping response and smoothing.

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 amount of mid-scoop. This is a famous love-hate element of the circuit. However, having this second tone knob adjustment is incredibly helpful.

There are two internal mod switches to independently change the gain stages. This goes from the Russian style lower gain, which is famously a bit smoother and proportionately warmer in the top-end, to the modern NYC high gain which is a bit more aggressive. Combing this with the mid knob means you can achieve tones alike to many releases.

There is also an internal mod switch to transform the circuit to work as a Supa Tonebender (Sola Sound). This has a huge bottom-end wrapping, and is the preferred mode for bass players.

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

Tremolos interest me as a good design has its own living pulse, which can sound lively like the instrument itself.

By shining a fading light against a photo-sensitive device, this tremolo uses all analog photo-coupling to restrict and fluctuate the output volume. After a decade of development, I've created this completely unique circuit, as my ideal tremolo sound.

Always use a high quality regulated and isolated power supply for best operation. Daisy chain power cables may induce clock noise. A line level optimised version can be made on request.

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

This is my attempt to make a perfect tremolo sound. After a decade of development, I've created this completely unique circuit as my ideal tremolo.

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

This is a stereo variation of my smaller Optical Tremolo. It can take a stereo input, or split a mono guitar input between two amplifiers. 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.

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

Temporarily sold out here. AUD$289. Free post worldwide. See returns policy.

The Germanium Amplifier is a Class A vintage voiced boost that can smash your amplifier hard in the face. It can be used for volume boost and shaping, or for additional drive pushing a gain stage.

The Germanium Amplifier is constructed with a 'tin can' PNP germanium transistor. The germanium transistor has a rich history in musical effects for its round and life-like sounding properties. Germanium transistors were used before the introduction of silicon and have become increasingly difficult to find in acceptable condition with low leakage and suitable gain. I have been collecting germanium transistors in bulk supplies since I was in high school.

Each transistor is selected for over-all excellence and will always have its own sound. Each circuit is individually biased and tailored to suit the characters of the transistor. The circuit squeezed maximum use out of the transistor and runs with a little bit of its round break up.

Please note: This is not a circuit for the hifi junkies! The output is setup hot and dirty and has its own levels of distortion and grit. Noise levels on germanium were far from perfect, and they all flavour with their own voicing. This would be a booster best appreciated by fuzz players.

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

I had been reluctant to join the tube screamer cloners, but over the years I’d assisted in many custom overdrive designs and I feel it was time to settle this.

The modules are switchable in easy-to-use combinations, aiming to deliver to many pickup selections, gain settings, and play styles. No need to mess with the classics though. In “3 knobs” STD mode you have a stock 808 circuit. “2 knobs” switches to an OD1 tone stack.

The mods switch has modes for fatter bass, and asymmetric clipping which closer resembles tube clipping. All capacitors are expensive mojo tone caps, selected for a sweeter response curve.

AUD$235. Free post worldwide. See returns policy.

• Built point-to-point on tag strip.
• Cast aluminium customised Hammond wedge enclosure.
• Double sheathed cloth wire, and RG-174 mil spec shielded wire.
• Lead-free construction.
• Lots of time in the garage getting covered in various powder dusts. Lots of RSI hand sanding. 
• All home-made acid etching and powder coating.

AUD$520. Free express post worldwide. See returns policy. Please allow up to two weeks for creation and post.

Please note components used will always vary from those shown in the gut shot photo below. Mullard OC81 and OC81D are exhausted now and other transistors will be used.