The Special Cranker picks up where the Speaker Cranker left off. It has the same spongy, dynamic, and touch-sensitive character of the original but with more gain, double the output volume (now with a user-friendly Level control), an added Tone control to shape your signal, and a diode selector switch featuring the original asymmetrical Silicon diodes as well as a hot, new Germanium diode option. The More control goes from nearly clean to a medium gain overdrive when at maximum. This control adjusts the bias of the transistor, so you may hear a little noise as you turn the control.

The gain characteristics are dependent on which diodes are chosen. When the Germanium diodes are selected, the Special Cranker delivers a softer, more rounded response with tamed highs and lower output, while the Silicon diodes add a brighter, more modern edge and higher output. Both are responsive to playing dynamics and offer a high-level of clarity. The Tone control gives the user full command over treble frequencies, cutting the highs when counterclockwise and adding a slight high frequency boost when turned clockwise. The Level control adjusts the output from nothing to nearly double at maximum.

Features

• Gives your signal extra grit and boost without drastically altering your tone and retains all of the natural nuances and character of your amplifier
• Two distinct clipping modes that are both exceptionally responsive to playing dynamics: Germanium and Silicon
• Germanium mode delivers a softer, more rounded response with tamed highs and lower output
• Silicon mode delivers a brighter, more modern response with higher output
• At maximum gain, the Special Cranker can achieve explosive overbiased tones depending on the output of your pickups
• Flexible Tone control to give the user full command over the treble frequencies for excellent tone shaping and clarity
• All-analog signal path
• True bypass
• Silent relay-based switching with Flexi-Switch Technology
• Lifetime warranty
• Current Draw: 15 mA
• Input Impedance: ≈5 MΩ
• Output Impedance: <25 kΩ

USA Retail Price: $99.00 USD. More info at: https://www.earthquakerdevices.com/special-cranker.

EarthQuaker Devices Special Cranker Overdrive Demo | First Look

Akron's finest make a staple OD nastier, more flexible and more refined.