Fairfax Class A Output Stage Pedal

Fairfax isn't just another gain pedal — it's a different approach to pedal overdrive altogether. Inspired by a little known tube device from the '60s that powered a number of classic rock anthems, we're using it to kick off a new line of fully analog pedals called Series A, which we plan on using as an outlet for our analog engineers' creative designs going forward.

A Blast From The Past

Taking the '60s Herzog tube drive from Garnet Amps as the initial inspiration, the Strymon engineers created a custom full tube amp design and then miniaturized it, including a fully discrete power amp stage and JFET-driven preamp stage, plus a custom circuit that recreates the saturation characteristics of the critical output transformer, and a 40V internal power supply for true amp-like headroom and feel.

Sound Design

Because it's based upon a tube amp design, Fairfax plays well with all different types of amplifiers and amp modelers. The creamy sustain brings something new to both clean and naturally dirty amplifiers. Strymon have even included an internal jumper that determines the power up state, so if you plan on using Fairfax with a pedal loop switcher or rack drawer system you can choose to have it turn on automatically when powered up, which is a lifesaver on a dark stage or with a complex setup.

LEVEL

The Level Control sets the output level for the pedal. Lower settings send less total output signal to your amplifier, no matter where the other two knobs are set.

DRIVE

The Drive Control determines the amount of drive and saturation. Working in tandem with the Level control, you can determine precisely how you'd like to drive your amplifier — with a bunch of crunch and saturation dialed in, as a clean boost, or anything in between.

SAG

The variable Sag control allows you to fine-tune the behavior of the Sag circuit, where the amount of Sag is dependent on both the level being sent to the power amp section and on your playing style. At max, the sound can chortle and sputter, and the effect is more or less apparent depending on the Drive and Level settings.

BRIGHT

The Bright switch determines the high frequency contour. With the switch set to 'Off' high frequencies are attenuated somewhat, smoothing out the frequency response. Set to 'On', the high frequencies are left untouched, giving you a brighter response with more treble.

The result is a non-filtered-sounding drive that feels like an amp and stacks beautifully with other pedals, with vibey clean boost characteristics at lower gain settings that give way to full compressed saturation at the highest gain values.

Features

• Complete tube amp circuit fully recreated in 100% analog.
• Custom analog circuits recreate multiple tube stages and the critical output transformer.
• Input voltage converted to 40V internally via galvanically isolated power supply.
• Controls for Drive, Level and a variable Sag control.
• Bright switch allows fine-tuning of the high frequency response.
• Wide range of natural sounding and tube amp-like gain for maximum versatility.
• Sag circuit allows mild Sag effects at lower settings and spitting and gated sounds at max.

Specs

• Fully analog circuit.
• True Bypass.
• Mono in/out.
• Power requirements — maximum 9 volts DC center-negative, with a minimum of 500mA (power supply NOT included.).

{See video at top of page}