de Lisle Eighty-Sixed: EF86 Tube Preamp / Overdrive

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A push-pull tone control circuit was developed specifically for this preamp to allow the player to dial in a wide range of tones. Turning the knob counter-clockwise cuts treble while turning the knob clockwise cuts bass. Mids are scooped to a degree in the standard configuration. This setting is nice for going into a power amp input, loop return, or the input of an amplifier that lacks an EQ. When the tone knob is pulled out, one can still cut bass or treble in the same way. However, at 50% rotation the response is flat--a good choice when using an amp's existing EQ.

Blue Trace = Standard at 50% Rotation
Green Trace = Pulled at 50% Rotation

The two outputs allow the Eighty-Sixed to play nicely with a number of devices. The "Hi Output" provides a large signal output that is ideally suited for connecting to the "power amp in" or serial "loop return" of certain amplifiers. The "Lo Output" is perfect for hooking into a pedal chain, console or the input of another tube or solid state amplifier. This output can also be used to connect to high quality loop returns (like ours) that have an active mixing stage, which is great for live performance. Using an A/B Y box, the player can switch between the Eighty-Sixed preamp and the amp's existing preamp or mixture of both.

Just like our amps, the de Lisle Eighty-Sixed Preamp is hand-wired and built to last. The aluminum sloped-top chassis features a durable silver sparkle power coat finish. The inside is home to the same quality components found in our amps. Each pedal comes with our standard lifetime warranty. Eighty-six your preamp and get a de Lisle Eighty-Sixed.

Samples

Signal chain: de Lisle Guitar with Filter'Trons > Strymon El Capistan (Clean Samples Only) > de Lisle Eighty-Sixed > Vox AC30 Normal Channel.

1) As a Dirt Pedal: Gain at 3 O'clock, Standard EQ at 2 O'clock, Output Level set to match the amp. First bit is the clean amp sound followed by the Eighty-Sixed.

2) As a Clean Preamp with Slapback: Gain at 9 O'clock, Standard EQ at little past 2 O'clock, Level at 9 O'clock.

3) Obligatory Crowes: Gain at 9 O'clock, Standard EQ at 12 O'clock, Level at around 10 O'clock. Played into the same clean amp tone.

4) As a Clean Preamp with Slapback and Treble Boost: Gain at 9 O'clock, Standard EQ at little past 2 O'clock, Level at 9 O'clock. First bit is the clean amp sound followed by the Eighty-Sixed with a slight level and treble boost.

de Lisle ABC Amp Switch

More than a simple signal splitter, the de Lisle ABC Amp Switch allows the player to safely connect a guitar to one, two or three amps at a time without introducing ground loop hum. So, don't defeat the safety grounds on your amps! Play it safe with the de Lisle ABC Amp Switch.

A multi-amp setup opens up a lot of possibilities--octave pedals, multiple loops, clean/distorted, layered tones, etc. The sound is very 3D even with similar tones. One could even use a smaller amp as a monitor.

The de Lisle ABC Amp Switch features one input, one direct output, and two transformer-isolated outputs. Runs off a single 9v battery or DC adapter (not included).

de Lisle A/B-Y Amp Switch

Similar to our ABC above but with A/B-Y functions. This allows the player to connect two amps and switch between them or engage both. Buffered and transformer isolated outputs prevent ground loops and signal loss. We've also included a phase switch for one output.

de Lisle Amp / Cabinet Selector

The de Lisle Amp / Cabinet Selector was designed as a studio tool to conveniently route the output from any of the connected amplifiers to an isolation cabinet. Alternatively, a single amplifier can be paired with one of up to three cabinets. Signal and ground connections from the amps are isolated, and as a precaution, the unused amps see a load. Similarly, when used as a cabinet selector, jacks with no cable inserted will be switched to an internal load. So, one can use a single cabinet or two cabinets without worrying about switching to an open cabinet jack.

de Lisle Fuzz Box

The Fuzz Box is an NPN silicon fuzz with a unique transistor combination. It's hot. Stand too close, and it will burn the hair off your feet. Here's a rundown of the knobs: Roll the Edge control back to knock some fizz out of the fuzz. It will thin out the tone somewhat and result in more of an overdriven sound. The Range pot boosts the available output and changes the frequency characteristics. Dial in just the right amount of Fuzz with the Fuzz control. Output to the next link in the signal chain is covered by the Level Control. The rear of the Fuzz Box also features two mini-toggle switches--a Fat switch and a Limit switch. Flip the Fat switch to add some bottom end. The Limit switch changes the relationship between the Level control and the output coupling cap, which also affects the bass response. The Limit switch is effective when the Fat switch is off. (With the Fat switch on, all bass frequencies will be passed regardless of the Limit switch position.) There is also a internal bias pot.

It runs on 9V battery or adapter. The DC jack has a negative tip, so it plays nicely with other pedals/power supplies.

Fuzz Samples

Recorded with a Nady tube condenser mic into a Xenyx 802 mixer out to laptop running Audacity. The guitar is a de Lisle Standard equipped with TV Jones Classics. The guitar is plugged into the de Lisle Fuzz, then straight to a de Lisle 15P amp.

The first clip is the clean amp tone prior to switching on the fuzz.

'52 Tele through an overdriven Nickel Box.

de Lisle Mosfet Overdrive

The de Lisle MOSFET OD is a dirt pedal built by a tube amplifier company...and it sounds like it. From thick complex chords to shimmering lead tones, the sweet tube-like overdrive is sure to become a favorite on your board.

Plug in and turn up the Drive control to add some texture to your sound with light overdrive, or crank the Drive knob for full-on face melting rock & roll. The de Lisle MOSFET OD performs well at either extreme. Back off the guitar's volume to clean it up, and then dig in with your pick to push it back over the edge. The result is a natural, dynamic and open sounding overdrive.

Use the dual-voice Tone control to shape the pedal's frequency response and rich harmonics. In the down position, it will cut treble or bass. The response is flat at 50% rotation, which allows your signal to remain transparent. Pull up on the Tone knob to tastefully reduce some of the mid-range frequencies for a different feel.

The Level pot controls the pedal's output. There's plenty signal available to drive the front end of an amp. Or turn up the Level with the Drive rolled back to maintain your original tone while boosting the signal.

The de Lisle MOSFET OD is hand-wired, made in the USA and features a lifetime warranty. And the blue LED is guaranteed to keep opening acts from stealing your mojo. Oh, and no scratchy pots.

de Lisle Notch Box

The de Lisle Notch Box is a pedal version of our popular Pentatone switch for guitars. The pedal version offers five preset notch filters for various tones along with a potentiometer to control the notch depth.

Notch Box Samples

'52 Tele at various positions.