Tubesteader introduces a new compact version of the Lightkeeper, an all-tube preamp based on the clean channel of the Dumble ODS "HighPlate" design.
Featuring a 12AX7 vacuum tube, this preamp is all about bright clarity and articulation. Its got a vintage Fender vibe but with tighter bass and more prominent mids, thanks to the Dumble-refined tone stack, which takes a classic Fender circuit to the next level. In addition to a familiar array of control knobs – Gain, Volume, Treble, Mid, and Bass – the Lightkeeper features a pair of three-way Deep and Boost toggle switches, offering a wide range of tone tweaking. When set in the middle position, they can also be controlled by the on-board or external footswitch.
The Lightkeeper requires 12VDC@350mA, which is boosted inside the pedal up to 280VDC for optimal performance of the 12AX7 vacuum tube.
The Lightkeeper V2 street price is $279. It is available at select retailers and can also be purchased directly from the Tubesteader online store.
For more information, please visit tubesteader.com.
Lightkeeper V2 - tube preamp/transparent overdrive pedal
Inspired by the space age, these pedals promise to transport musicians to new sonic frontiers.
The F-201 FET Preamp is a sonic journey into the warmth of tubes, harnessing the power and propulsion of the FET J-201. Simplicity meets versatility with a single output knob, making it accessible for users of all levels. The space-themed design, featuring intricate details like a miniature globe, adds a touch of cosmic flair. For a limited time, this sonic marvel is available at a special pre-order price of $119. Follow Spurr Audio on social media for updates on the duration of this exclusive offer.
Orbit-2 Fuzz: A Stellar Upgrade
The Orbit-2 Fuzz emerges as the stellar successor to the Orbit-1, the pioneer of the space-themed pedal. Boasting a small screen that emulates vintage spacecraft computers and is adorned with the iconic miniature globe, the Orbit-2 takes fuzz exploration to unparalleled heights. Powered by an op-amp, it features three fundamental fuzz controls – Fuel (volume), Pressure (tone), and Launch (gain). As a pre-order exclusive, the Orbit-2 is available at a discounted price of $179.
Víctor's Vision: Retro-Futuristic Aesthetics
Víctor, the founder of Spurr Audio, envisioned these new "toys" to emulate a retro-futuristic aesthetic. He aimed to create a fun comparison between effects like fuzz and the preamp with elements of space rockets, such as propellers.
Unleashing Sonic Possibilities
Both pedals draw inspiration from the space age, encapsulating the spirit of exploration and pushing the boundaries of sonic creativity. Whether seeking the warm, vintage tones of the F-201, diving into the experimental fuzz realms of the Orbit-2, musicians are invited to embark on a sonic journey that transcends traditional boundaries.
The F-201 FET Preamp is available for $119, the Orbit-2 Fuzz for $179 (pre-order price).
For more information, please visit spurraudio.mitiendanube.com.
The updated version of the preamp and boost from Massachusetts builder CopperSound Pedals offers premium low-to-medium gain grit, this time with a second channel.
Looks pretty darn cool. Beautiful, broad drive and boost sounds. Genuine hi-fi tube-like breakup tones. Great bottom-end clarity
Input jack placement sacrifices practicality for looks. Preamp and overdrive modes sound pretty similar.
$279
CopperSound Pedals Strategy V2
coppersoundpedals.com
“Never half-ass two things. Whole-ass one thing.”
That’s the sage advice Nick Offerman’s Ron Swanson gives to Amy Poehler’s Leslie Knope in an episode of Parks and Recreation. It could also be the mantra behind CopperSound Pedals’ simple but excellent Strategy V2, an updated, 2-channel version of their flashy Strategy preamp pedal. This revamped Strategy comes with an overdrive mode that can be selected via a switch on the side of the housing. CopperSound also added a momentary latching feature by way of a proprietary new relay-based switching system.
CopperSound says the Strategy is based around one “audiophile-grade” op amp—manufactured by the now-defunct Burr-Brown Corporation—and that the pedal can add up to 30 dB to your signal. Those extra decibels can boost your signal in subtle ways or hit your amp’s front-end to drive it to colorful breakup.
Easy on the Eyes
The first and most immediate impression the Strategy V2 makes is with its enclosure, which mimics the look of a Stratocaster’s tone pots, pickguard, and input jack. It’s eye-catching, but it’s also a super-simple, 2-knob setup. One knob controls volume in preamp mode or drive in overdrive mode. The other is a tone control, which is one of the pedal’s most impressive features. At all points of its sweep, it produces tones that are usable and appealing. At one end, it darkens and thickens your signal without losing much picking definition. Cranked in the other direction, it helps the Strategy function as a pretty scorching treble booster. There are plenty of great tones in between those extremes too.
The unique enclosure design does come at a cost. The decision to replicate the Strat’s angled input jack makes it surprisingly annoying to situate the unit on a pedalboard. The patch cable to the input juts out awkwardly, and the jack is close enough to the bypass switch that I worried I would step on the patch cable while activating the pedal. Obviously, there are cables out there that are more conducive to routing the Strategy than the right-angle connector I used. But that added consideration is a significant trade-off for an interesting look. On the upside, the useful momentary latching feature can create cool moments of drama and tone variation depending on how hot and trebly you set the Strategy.Punch it, Chewie!
The decision to add a second channel to the Strategy can be a bit confusing, given how similar the two modes sound. Through my Dr. Z combo, it was challenging to discern significant differences between the overdrive and preamp modes in any position. This isn’t a big deal, though, because both modes, similar as they are, sound delightful. The Strategy’s overdrive is chewy, thick, and clear, and when the volume/gain control is on 10—my preferred setting—it rips and lends thunder to first position and power chords alike while preserving definition. Neck-position humbuckers require that you pay more attention to the tone control to keep things clear. That is, unless dark overdrive tones are your thing. If so, the Strategy does that well, too, though you lose some of that crisp response.
The Strategy V2 is vintage-sounding in the sense that it really seems to favor and encourage the sound of a guitar run right into a loud-as-hell tube amp running at breakup levels. This is evident in its overall tonal character. In most configurations, the circuit’s drive and presence are booming and broad, with a more fully formed bottom end than your average drive or preamp pedal. It’s the perfect tone machine for rock, blues, and country, and stacked with other units, it can bring unique color and depth to heavier riffs.
The Verdict
Given the body and character it can bring to a rig, the Strategy V2 lives up to CopperSound’s claim that it makes a great always-on pedal. Given its simplicity, I’m not sure if the pedal lives up to its hefty price tag of $279, but I also don’t remember the last time I heard a pedal with this much bottom-end and clarity, if ever. If that’s your thing, the Strategy will earn its keep.