Treblemaker2 overdrive

A full high-voltage hybrid pushing
a single valve up to the limit.

Based on a full high-voltage hybrid circuit, the Treblemaker2 evolves from its older brother, the Treblemaker, by moving the valve’s triodes forward to gain stage 2 and 3, where the actual distortion takes place.

The input stage is left to a mosfet: hifi clean, quiet and microphonics-free, operating at high voltage in full linearity, that overdrives both triodes.

The result is a gritty texture and added sustain, that place this pedal between the Treblemaker and the Hotburst.

Quick Start

In guitar (pre)amps and pedals, the first gain stage is commonly responsible of boosting the signal so the next stages start to distort and compress, rather than adding distortion itself.
This happens because guitar output is too weak, about 100-to-500mV, to overdrive the first stage.

This is why I decided to move the valve forward in the signal path – where it actual matters distortion-wise, so both triodes add their own overtones and create a meaner, sustained tone, compared to the gentler Treblemaker, yet sharing the same footprint.

The first gain stage, now vacant, is taken by a depletion mosfet, quite similar in behaviour to valves and designed to operate at high voltage, in full linearity.
Microphonics are absent, footprint is a fraction of a valve’s, consumption is negligible, gain is higher and total input headroom is ten times the guitar output.

Main features:

  • Internal true high voltage delivered to valves plates like on a real amplifier
  • Two cascade overdrive stages built around a single ECC83/12AX7 – Tung Sol or JJ included
  • DRIVE, VOLUME control knobs
  • Over-sized fine components and high quality PCB.
  • Soft-start for heater, to extend valve life and reduce inrush current
  • Output load up to 10KΩ line level, without any appreciable loss.
  • Works at 12VDC/350mA center positive, from an external power adapter. Not included.
  • Fully hand crafted, including soldering, machining, graphics and raw finishing
  • 1 hour tested and cooled down before shipping using recycled packaging
  • 2-years warranty

Works best on:

  • Amp’s clean and crunch channel. [Classic Rock/Hard Rock]

There may be slight variations in cosmetics over time, without notice, due to changes in suppliers’ components production and availability. Each item is unique, entirely hand-made and hand-finished to a raw look. Discolorations and small dents are expected, as the result of moulding and machining process, which are not to be considered manufacturing defects.

Quickstart guide