Catalinbread is embracing the darker side of summer with the launch of its limited-edition Blackout Series. This highly anticipated collection reimagines a selection of the company’s most enduring, fan-favorite effects pedals in a sleek, stealthy black-on-black aesthetic.
Available only for a limited time, the Blackout treatment has been applied to three of Catalinbread’s heavy hitters: the SFT foundation overdrive, the Echorec drum delay, and the Talisman plate reverb.
Here is a deep dive into the legendary circuits getting a dark makeover.
The Lineup: Classic Tone Meets Stealth Aesthetics
1. Catalinbread SFT Blackout: Ampeg-Inspired Crunch
The SFT is Catalinbread’s long-running tribute to the legendary Ampeg amplifier sound. Engineered as a foundation overdrive, this pedal captures the grit and sag of vintage Ampeg circuits—tones that defined classic 1970s rock as well as modern stoner and desert-rock genres.
Unlike standard overdrives that mimic Fender or Marshall formulas, the SFT draws from hi-fi design principles. It incorporates:
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Unconventional tube-style configurations
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Cathode-bypass-free gain stages
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An authentic, highly interactive Baxandall EQ circuit
2. Echorec Blackout: The Ultimate Binson Recreation
The Echorec is a meticulous recreation of the iconic Binson Echorec magnetic drum delay, famously favored by Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour.
While it retains the famous multi-head architecture that allows players to blend multiple playback heads into rhythmic, rhythmic patterns, Catalinbread has upgraded the vintage limitations:
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Extended Delay Time: While the original hardware maxed out at roughly 300 milliseconds, the Blackout Echorec stretches these boundaries significantly.
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Ambient Textures: The variable delay time allows the four virtual playback heads to interact, creating expansive, evolving ambient soundscapes that traditional tape delays cannot match.
3. Talisman Blackout: Studio Plate Reverb Miniaturized
Rounding out the trio is the Talisman, a dedicated recreation of the massive electromechanical plate reverbs that dominated recording studios in the 1960s and 1970s.
The Talisman condenses that lush, rich studio ambience into a pedalboard-friendly stompbox format. It includes studio-style controls that allow guitarists to shape their reverb exactly like a recording engineer. Best of all? Catalinbread jokingly notes that the Talisman is “479.99 percent smaller” than an actual vintage plate reverb unit.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Catalinbread Blackout Series?
The Blackout Series is a limited-edition release of three classic Catalinbread pedals (SFT, Echorec, and Talisman) featuring a special black-on-black aesthetic.
Are there any circuit changes in the Blackout Series?
No. The Blackout Series features the exact same high-quality internal circuitry, components, and controls as the standard versions. The update is purely aesthetic.
How long will the Blackout Series be available?
Catalinbread has stated that these are a limited-edition summer release. They will only be available while supplies last.
Do these pedals run on standard 9V power?
Yes, though pedals like the SFT can often be run at 18V for increased headroom, depending on your tonal preferences. Always check the manual for specific voltage tolerances.
The Verdict
The Verdict: If you’ve been on the fence about adding the SFT, Echorec, or Talisman to your pedalboard, the Blackout Series is the perfect excuse to pull the trigger.
You get Catalinbread’s world-class, historically accurate tone wrapped in a stunning, minimalist aesthetic that will make any pedalboard look instantly sleeker.
Because they are limited-edition, these are highly likely to become collector’s items. Grab them before they vanish into the shadows.
Where To Buy
#Catalinbread #Blackout Series
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