{"product_id":"new-strymon-fairfax-class-a-output-stage-drive-guitar-effects-pedal","title":"New Strymon Fairfax Class A Output Stage Drive Guitar Effects Pedal","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis item is new, in box!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFrom Strymon:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMiniature Marvel\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFairfax isn’t really a distortion pedal. Instead, it’s a complete miniature amplifier in 100% analog form, based upon a little-known device from the 60’s that powered a number of classic rock anthems.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe sound and feel is extremely tube-like, with added harmonics and saturation coming from a clever circuit that emulates the critical behavior of a tube amp’s output transformer. It’s a drive pedal that feels completely natural to play, retains the natural sound of your guitar, and glues notes together in a truly organic way.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMore Than A Drive Pedal\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFairfax began as an engineering experiment, initially inspired by the original Garnet Amplifiers Herzog® tube drive unit designed for Randy Bachman in 1965. Our analog guys decided to recreate all of the critical elements of a custom Champ-like tube amp circuit fully in the analog domain, but small enough to fit into a pedal enclosure (so it couldn’t use real tubes or an output transformer).\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe final design features a cleverly miniaturized tube preamp, Class A power amp and an ingenious custom circuit that emulates the saturation characteristics of the output transformer. There’s even a variable Sag circuit that behaves just like a real tube amp does. At low Sag values the behavior is mild and only slightly compressed; at max values the JFETs can go crazy and unbias — which gates the signal — leading to spitting and chortling sounds more commonly associated with fuzzes.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn order for Fairfax to behave like a real amplifier it needed a massive amount of operating voltage, so a transformer-based power supply converts the 9VDC input voltage to 40V internally. This gives Fairfax the power it needs for high headroom and amp-like feel, allowing for a wide range of tones. At lower Gain settings Fairfax can be sweet, gently pushing the input to your amp with additional harmonic richness, a touch of saturation and a flat frequency response. At higher Gain levels the sound becomes fully saturated.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSound Design\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLEVEL\u003c\/b\u003e — Sets the output level for the pedal. Lower settings send less total output signal to your amplifier.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDRIVE\u003c\/b\u003e — Determines the amount of drive and saturation. Working with the Level control, dial in crunch and saturation, a clean boost, or anything in between.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSAG\u003c\/b\u003e — Fine-tunes the behavior of the Sag circuit. At max, the sound can chortle and sputter, with the effect more or less apparent depending on Drive and Level settings.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBRIGHT\u003c\/b\u003e — Determines the high frequency contour. ‘Off’ attenuates highs for a smoother response; ‘On’ leaves highs untouched for a brighter, more treble response.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFeatures\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComplete tube amp circuit fully recreated in 100% analog.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCustom analog circuits recreate multiple tube stages and the critical output transformer.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInput voltage converted to 40V internally via galvanically isolated power supply.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eControls for Drive, Level and a variable Sag control.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBright switch allows fine-tuning of the high frequency response.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWide range of natural sounding, tube amp-like gain for maximum versatility.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSpecs\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFully analog circuit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTrue Bypass. Mono in\/out.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDimensions: 4.53″ deep x 2.83″ wide x 2.33″ tall (11.51 cm x 7.19 cm x 5.92 cm)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePower requirements — maximum 9 volts DC center-negative, minimum 500mA (power supply not included).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Strymon","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47533027819698,"sku":"ACSTRFAIRFAX","price":199.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0084\/0659\/7712\/files\/94c91529-809d-4456-a193-375ef4a430ab.jpg?v=1779969953","url":"https:\/\/www.citymusicannex.com\/products\/new-strymon-fairfax-class-a-output-stage-drive-guitar-effects-pedal","provider":"City Music Annex","version":"1.0","type":"link"}