Catalinbread Formula № 5

The Catalinbread Formula № 5 has captured the unique qualities of a beloved old tweed amp, but in a stompbox.

For this guitar pedal Catalinbread uses cascading JFET gainstages, which yield a softer sound than MOSFETs. The JFETs also have a more natural attack/decay than diode clipped rigs which are pingy on the attack and fizzy on the decay. Catalinbread chose capacitor types that enhanced the midrange and burnished the treble.

Are you are looking for “loose bass, greasy mids, cutting treble, and incredible grit” from a Tele though a vintage Twee amp? Set the Tone about noon and the Gain about 3:00 o'clock.  Want something a little cleaner, but with some headroom for sizzling leads?  Leave the pedal alone and roll off your guitar volume and then crank it back up during the solo.

Just like the old Tweed amps, the Formula № 5 Gain and Tone are highly interactive. The tone circuit is set up so it functions as a bright cap, or treble rolloff depending on where the Gain is set. The higher the Gain setting and the Tone becomes nullified and less effective. Conversely, the lower the Gain the more effective the Tone sweep becomes. This behavior was crucial to reproduce a accurate "tweed-in-a-box".

Do be put off thinking the Formula № 5 Guitar Pedal is just for Single Coils. The difference between a great dirt box and the average run of the mill distortion pedal is how well it respects your pickup type and position. Wether you are playing single coils, or humbuckers and use the bridge, neck or any pickup position in between, you will quickly realize the Catalinbread Formula № 5 is a must have for any players pedalboard!

The Formula № 5 can run at 9V or 18V for increased bass tightness and volume.