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Base theme by DesignModo & ported to Powered by Vanilla by Chris Ireland, modified by the "theFB" team.
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Mode 1 - flattest boost, full
Mode 2 - bright boost
Mode 3 - slight mid boost with increased output
Mode 1 (switch set to the left) is a full range boost;
Mode 2 (switch set to the middle) is a bright boost;
Mode 3 (switch set to the right) is a hotter boost with a low end cut.
The Serf is a hand-wired valve (tube) boost pedal, utilizing a 12ax7 tube running at high voltage.
A 12ax7 tube contains two gain stages. In the Serf the first gain stage is a voltage amplifier and boosts the guitar's signal, while the second stage is wired as a DC coupled cathode follower, providing a low impedance output.
Suitable for general boosting duities, the Serf also excells at pushing amps and OD pedals into higher gain. The Serf Boost is a clean boost - it does not clip easily itself (as opposed to the Kingsley Page Tube Boost for example, which breaks up on it's own as the Gain control is raised). The Serf is also our smallest vacuum tube pedal.
Applications for the Serf include:
A full range volume or solo boost (typically placed after any gain pedals);
A bright boost - to liven a dark sounding amp, or even for use as a very simple preamp;
A boost for pushing OD pedals and amp's harder, providing increased overdrive/saturation;
A valve buffer and tonal enhancer (when the pedal is turned on).
As with our other tube pedals, an internal DC to DC converter power supply provides the Serf's Tungsol re-issue 12ax7 with the appropriate high voltage for optimum performance, while a 6VDC output powers the tube's heaters.
FeaturesThe Serf couldn't be easier to operate. A single Volume control sets the amount of boost, while a 3-way Mode switch gives options for:
Mode 1 - full range boost
Mode 2 - bright boost
Mode 3 - added output with a low end roll-off
For those who are familiar with the Kingsley Jester's boost, the Serf is quite similar. However, Mode 2 on the Serf is brighter and Mode 3 is just a touch leaner, making it excellent for pushing pedals and amps harder, while retaining low end definition. The Jester Boost also does not have the cathode follower output stage.
Measurements: 3 1/4" wide x 4" deep x 2.56" tall
Power requirements: 9VDC @ 500mA, center negative, 2.1mm jack
Thanks!
The overdrive circuit has three modes which are selectable via the 3-way mini-switch
labeled “OD”. Mode 1 (with the switch set to the left) is the lowest gain mode and
provides clean sounds at low gain, up to mild overdrive at higher gain. In this mode the
sound is full, with a lot of available bass. This is the mode for subtle, touch sensitive
overdrive sounds.
Mode 2 provides medium gain sounds. The bass frequencies are slightly reduced in this
mode, which helps the overdrive stay articulate and reduces any potential mushiness as
the gain is raised.
Mode 3 provides medium to high gain sounds. Once again the low frequencies are
tailored to work better at high gain settings.
There is some overlap in the gain ranges provide by the three modes. This fact, combined
with the fact that the overdrive sounds get leaner in modes 2 and 3, allows the Overdrive
to be tailored for different guitars. For example, if you play a guitar that has a fat, full
sound and you want to use a low to medium gain overdrive, you may find that the sound
is too full in mode 1. Try using mode 2 or mode 3 for a tighter, more focused sound, but
back off the gain to be on par with that of mode 1. If you are looking for medium gain
tones from a guitar that is a bit on the thin side, try using mode 2 or even 1, but at a high
gain setting. There are a lot of sounds available with a little experimenting in this way
When going for a medium gain sound on the neck pickup of my stratocaster, I often use
mode 3, but at a low gain setting, for a tight and focused neck pickup tone.
The GAIN, VOLUME, TREBLE, MIDDLE and BASS controls are all for the overdrive
circuit and have no effect on the boost circuit (except when combining overdrive with
boost). In order to appreciate the effect of the tone controls I recommend turning them all
completely off.
With a medium gain setting and a little volume, raise each tone control
independently and listen to the results. Go through this in each mode to see how the
frequencies change in each mode. Note that in mode 1 (and to some extent mode 2 with
hotter guitars) the middle control on its own can be used for a full sound without the use
of any treble or bass. Because the mids have a smooth, thick sound at higher mid settings,
this can be a useful way to get a very smooth, liquid sounding overdrive. Once you have
experimented with the tone controls individually, combine them to find your favorite
settings.
JESTER Boost
The boost circuit uses one half of a 12ax7 tube for warm boosted sound. Note that the
boost is not designed to sound transparent, but rather to offer useful tones combined with
a boost. This circuit also has a three-way mode switch. Mode 1 (switch set to the left) is
for a smooth boost. Mode 2 is brighter and mode 3 gives a mid boost. Experiment with
the boost independently and then combine it with the overdrive circuit.
When combined with the overdrive circuit, the boost can be a very effective way of
boosting the overdrive, or of altering the tone of the overdrive. There are lots of options
here so take time to experiment. One setting I like to use a lot is to set the overdrive for a
medium gain sound that sounds nice and full, and then combine it with the boost in mode
3 for a mid boost that really helps solos cut through. Also, by using this setting I can use
the bridge pickup of my guitar without the boost and then switch to the neck pickup with
the boost for a nice lean neck pickup tone.
So many guitars tend to sound great on either pickup, but when switching to the other pickup
it seems that tonal changes need to bemade on the amplifier.
By setting up the boost for a leaner sound than the overdrive (by using mode 3 of the boost),
I find that I can get the best of a nice bridge overdrive and a nice neck overdrive. When combining
these tonal options in combination with different volume settings on the guitar, there are lots of
interesting tones to be had. Note that it is recommended to have some sort of treble bleed installed
on the volume pots of your guitar to get the best results when riding your volume controls.
The Jester custom
Set mini switch upwards for FOA use
Fully ccw on sizzle control for regular Jester tones
Jester custom boost...
Mode 1 full range
mode 2 mid and volume boost
mode 3 new bright and volume boost (pre amp boost mode)