The Solarist Special Edition: A lightning shaped window into the inner world of the Solarist, showing off some pretty epic fuzz and rangemaster transistors. This is something I've wanted to try for a while (just a limited run). I used these sloped enclosures for the V1, but they became impractical. But I've learnt a bunch since then, had major ideas for improvements, and put it all in this pedal.
 
The Solarist SE is a modded fuzz face and rangemaster combo, with all the features of the V3 (like the 2 fuzz modes and the selectable Germanium/Silicon transistors), but with a simpler and more intuitiuve control layout. The SE also boasts two GT404b (BART) germanium transistors, three BC108 silicon transistors, and one 2N1308 germanium transistor.
 
New to the SE is the Rangemaster bass, or "Range" control. Instead of the 3 way switch you can now fine tune your RM's bass and treble. 
 
To achieve the simpler, more intuitive layout of the SE, some switches have been moved to be internal toggle switches. Namely, the pickup simulator on/off switch, the Rangemaster germanium/silicon switch and the Fetzer valve preamp on/off switch (this is an amp-like boost for the rangemaster, which allows you to control the Rangemaster's volume without sacrificing gain/distortion).
 
A newly added feature only on the SE is an extra low pass/noise filter for the fuzz that only gets activated when both pedals are on (stacked fuzz face and rangemaster). This opens up more wild sound possibilities, because you can crank it, and it's much harder to get it to make that unwanted high pitched shrieking noise (a problem with all high gain fuzz faces when maxed out). While at the same time you won't get any tone loss, because the noise filter only gets activated when you really need it.
 
The V3 added a new innovation which of course is also on this pedal: A mini preamp/boost added to the Rangemaster side, known as the “Fetzer Valve”. This gives you way more control over this Rangemaster beast. It’s the input stage of a Fender amp, with a JFET acting as the tube. Normally, the Rangemaster really shines as an always-on pedal, but when turning it on and off you'll deal with a massive volume boost (unless you keep it pretty clean). Now you can dial in the exact amount of gain you want AND attenuate the volume. No gain sacrificed (in fact, there’s way more on tap).

New to the Solarist? The Solarist is for the discerning Fuzz Face and Rangemaster player looking for a wide variety of sweet sounds at their feet. Selectable NOS germanium and silicon transistors. An analog preset allows quick switching between input (cleanup) and bias with the tap of a footswitch.
 
For the fuzz, toggle between a pair of germanium GT404B (BART) transistors, a pair of BC108 silicon transistors, or a mix of both. For the Rangemaster, toggle between a germanium 2N1308 transistor or a silicon BC108B.
 
Why 3 Footswitches? Right is ‘Fuzz’, left is ‘Boost’ (Rangemaster treble booster). The A/B footswitch in the middle brings the fuzz's versatility to a new level. It toggles between 2 sets of “Input” and “Bias” knobs, so you can create 2 sounds which are wildly different, and toggle between them.
 
The Input knobs (also called “cleanup” or “trimmer”) mimic the effect of turning down your guitars volume knob - ie. the Fuzz Face cleans up when turned down).
 
The Bias knobs change the character and texture of the fuzz. With so many possibilities: glassy cleans, gritty overdrives, huge fuzz sounds, glitchy gated sounds…and on and on…you’ll be glad you don’t only have to choose one.
 
One way to look at it is this: you’ll have a 5 stage drive/fuzz at your feet (Rangemaster [RM] /  Yellow Fuzz / Red Fuzz / Yellow Fuzz + RM / Red Fuzz + RM).
 
Bass/EQ controls: The bass knob is an input capacitor blend, a versatile EQ control. The "Range" switch for the Rangemaster (RNG) toggles between 3 modes, original (trebly), mid range and full range/bassy. 
 
The Pickup Simulator allows you to place this pedal anywhere in your signal chain without affecting the sound. 
 
Quality components: Hammond Enclosure, soft click footswitches, Lumberg jacks, WIMA caps and NOS transistors.
 
This is a one of a kind fuzz I built by hand…the result of years of tinkering and delving too deeply into Fuzz Face lore.
 
I take an ongoing interest in my pedals: If you manage to break it, I’d be more than happy to fix it for you. Also, if this isn't the best or most versatile fuzz you've ever played I'd be happy to reimburse you fully.