The Silktone Expander boldly expands the concept of a simple distortion box. Three knobs and a voice switch give you complete command of a vast palette of thick, textured drive sounds. Enjoy a wide range of sound variations, from subtle harmonic emphasis to rich, gritty overdrive that makes your amp seem to come alive. The first stage is a JFET-based second harmonic circuit that instantly adds thickness and depth to the sound, while the germanium transistor circuit at its heart (inspired by the classic 60s machines) creates a unique viscosity and rich color. In the output stage, another JFET is tuned to emulate the amplifier's first-stage vacuum tube, preserving the saturation and sweet tone characteristic of first-stage vacuum tubes even at lower volumes. Gain: From low asymmetrical thickness to medium gain grind sound. Pressing it further transforms it into smooth odd harmonics. Choke: Makes the bass range from huge and full to focused and aggressive. Volume: Adjusts the overall balance without losing the tube feel of the amp's first stage. 3-way voice switch for fine-tuning your tone: Left = Dark and rolled off, ideal for high gain settings. Right = Bright, perfect for an always-on sparkle. Center = Standard voice, colorful and balanced sound. And best of all, while it can be heavily distorted when needed, the Expander really shines as an always-on pedal. With Choke and Gain set low and the Volume around 12 o'clock, everything sounds bigger, better, and more alive. The design is inspired by the aesthetic and vibe of our Micro Note series, as well as the quirky charm of old Japanese distortion boxes, a recent obsession of mine. Its look, feel and even some of its tonal DNA pay homage to the sound of the era while pushing it into new territory.Power supply: 9VDC (center negative) Current consumption: 12mA Controls: Volume, Choke, Gain, 3-way Voice Switch
