Love vintage sound? Introducing the new Unobtanium Raw from Crazy Tube Circuits

Crazy Tube Circuits has just unveiled a special edition of its acclaimed Unobtanium dual overdrive pedal. This new version, dubbed Unobtanium RAW, promises to bring a unique sonic dimension thanks to carefully selected vintage components and revisited overdrive voices.

The Unobtanium RAW retains the basic structure of the standard version, with two distinct overdrive sections. The right-hand side of the pedal faithfully recreates the legendary Klon-type circuit, renowned for its smooth breakup and transparency. However, the RAW version goes a step further, replacing the standard clipping diodes with New Old Stock (NOS) Mullard/Valvo OC45 germanium transistors from the 1960s. This change brings increased gain and organic compression, offering a new sonic dimension that should delight purists and collectors alike.

On the left-hand side of the pedal, dedicated to the Dumble circuit, Crazy Tube Circuits has adjusted the voices to produce brighter, punchier tones than the standard version. These modifications make the Unobtanium RAW an ideal choice for blues rock and classic rock guitarists looking for sounds that stand out in the mix. The rock/jazz switch, in the rock position, makes full use of this new sound palette.

Unobtanium RAW doesn’t just improve sound. It also offers practical features for demanding musicians. The pedal features a passive effects loop, making it easy to integrate other pedals between the two overdrive sections. What’s more, thanks to the pre-selection function for the pedal’s state on power-up, users can define in advance whether the pedal will be in bypass mode or activated as soon as they plug in the power supply. This function is particularly useful for those using remote pedal switchers/loopers.

A few small features/specific settings:

• “Emphasis”: Emphasis acts on the frequency response of the overdrive, accentuating certain frequency ranges while attenuating others. This control allows you to adjust the presence and aggressiveness of the sound, offering additional customization beyond the standard tone and gain controls.
  By increasing the emphasis setting, the high frequencies are brought to the fore, which can give more bite and clarity to the sound. This can be particularly useful for solos or guitar parts that need to stand out in a mix.
  By decreasing the setting, the emphasis on low and mid frequencies is reduced, which can make the sound softer and less aggressive. This can be ideal for rhythms or passages where a rounder, warmer sound is desired.
• Stock/OC45″ switch: This switch lets you choose between two clipping modes. In “Stock” mode, the pedal uses standard germanium diodes, reproducing the classic sound of the standard Unobtanium version. In “OC45” mode, the pedal uses NOS Mullard/Valvo OC45 germanium transistors, offering extra gain and compression for a more saturated, organic sound.
• Switch “ODS / SSS”: In the ODS (OverDrive Special) position, the pedal emulates the sound of the Dumble Overdrive Special amplifier. This setting is designed to deliver rich, saturated tones with a strong dynamic response. It’s ideal for solos and passages where a warm, expressive overdrive is desired. In the SSS (Steel String Singer) position, the pedal emulates the sound of the Dumble Steel String Singer amplifier. This mode offers clearer, more defined tones, with an extended frequency response, perfect for cleaner, more articulate playing styles. It’s often preferred for rhythms or leads requiring crystalline clarity.
• Switch “Buffer / True”: In the buffer position, the pedal uses a buffer circuit when bypass is activated. Buffering helps preserve signal integrity, especially when using long pedal chains or cables. It maintains the clarity and definition of the sound by minimizing signal loss. In the true bypass position, the pedal bypasses its circuit completely when deactivated, allowing the signal to pass straight through without any coloration. This is often preferred by sound purists who want their signal to remain completely intact when the pedal is not in use.

Retail price: €339
More information on the Crazy Tube Circuits website.