Strymon's foray into the world of analogue pedals with the Series A line is a bold move, especially for a company known for its DSP-heavy reverbs, delays, and modulation pedals. The launch of the Fairfax drive and Canoga fuzz pedals marks a significant shift in their product lineup, offering a unique blend of vintage inspiration and modern innovation.
A Journey Back to the Tube
The Fairfax pedal is a testament to Strymon's engineering prowess. It's an engineering experiment inspired by the legendary Garnet Herzog tube drive unit, which was built for Randy Bachman in 1965. The goal was to recreate the entire tube amp circuit in a pedal-sized package. This ambitious project resulted in a miniaturized preamp, a Class A power amp, and a custom circuit that emulates output transformer saturation, a key feature of tube amps. By stepping the 9V input up to 40V with an internal transformer, the pedal gains the headroom needed to behave like a real amp. The controls include Drive, Level, and a variable Sag circuit, offering a range of compression effects from mild to fuzz-style gating and sputtering. A Bright switch further adjusts the high-frequency response, allowing for a versatile tone-shaping experience.
A Fuzz Face-Inspired Design
The Canoga fuzz takes its inspiration from a different era, about a decade ago, when Strymon designer Gregg built a handful of custom fuzz circuits in an afternoon. These circuits sat on a shelf until the company needed a fuzz to pair with the UltraViolet vibe. One of these designs became the Canoga, a silicon FuzzFace-style pedal with just Drive and Level controls. The pedal's character is heavily influenced by the guitar's volume knob. When rolled back, it cleans up into blues, rock, and Americana tones, while pushing it all the way results in full fuzz. This simple yet effective design showcases Strymon's ability to capture the essence of classic effects while adding their own unique twist.
A New Direction for Strymon
The introduction of the Series A line marks a significant shift in Strymon's product strategy. By embracing analogue technology, they are offering a different kind of sonic experience, one that is rooted in the past but with a modern twist. This move is particularly interesting given the company's previous focus on DSP-heavy effects. The absence of MIDI, USB, or digital processing in these pedals adds a layer of authenticity and warmth that is often associated with analogue gear. It's a strategic decision that could appeal to a wide range of musicians, from those seeking vintage tones to those who appreciate the simplicity and purity of analogue circuits.
Conclusion
Strymon's Series A pedals, the Fairfax drive and Canoga fuzz, are a testament to the company's versatility and innovation. By embracing analogue technology, they are offering a unique sonic experience that is both familiar and fresh. This move not only expands their product lineup but also showcases their ability to adapt to changing market demands while staying true to their core values. As Strymon continues to push the boundaries of pedal design, it will be fascinating to see how they further develop this new line and what other analogue effects they might introduce in the future.
