Mr. Black Drops CAT Distortion Pedal for Modern Rigs
Mr. Black drops the CAT Distortion: a 100% analog redesign of a 1970s classic circuit, hand-built in Portland with modern output capabilities.
Portland-based effects builder Mr. Black has announced the CAT Distortion, a limited run release that re-engineers a classic 1970s distortion circuit from the ground up. Designed by Jack Deville and hand-built in Portland, Oregon, the CAT aims to deliver the aggressive, harmonic-laden snarl of early Kalamazoo fuzz and distortion boxes, while completely eliminating the strict volume limits and impedance drop-offs that plagued vintage units.
CAT Distortion
The original 1970s distortion pedals popularized the sound of a fully cranked amplifier at manageable stage volumes, shifting the landscape of rock tone.
However, their physical designs inherently capped output levels and struggled with signal noise. While the classic vintage tone remains highly sought after, the original circuitry often lacks the output power required to push modern amplifiers or maintain signal integrity through complex, modern pedalboards.
100% Analog
Rather than producing a direct clone, Deville completely redesigned the internal architecture to solve these physical limitations. From the pre-amp and harmonic distortion stages to the filter circuit and final output amplifier, the CAT features a 100% pure-analog layout that looks radically different from its vintage predecessors.
Despite the modern internal topology, it faithfully recreates the iconic vintage aggression while adding the dynamic ability to clean up naturally using the guitar’s volume knob.
Updated Output
To address past limitations, the CAT Distortion features a tuned, super-low output impedance designed to drive long cables and large effects chains with authority, minimizing high-frequency loss. The pedal runs on a standard 9VDC power supply or internal battery, draws a minimal 9mA of current, and is housed in a CNC-milled genuine Hammond enclosure with an EZ-2-C LED indicator.
This initial release is restricted to a special run of 48 units.
I'm a huge fan of the original ProCo RAT and own many old ones, so this re-imagined version is right up my street, and I think it sounds fantastic!
Key Technical Specifications:
- Design: 100% pure-analog high-gain distortion
- Input Impedance: 470KΩ
- Output Impedance: 1KΩ (tuned low-Z for driving long cables)
- Switching: True-Bypass
- Power: 9VDC or internal 9V battery (9mA current draw)
- Construction: CNC-milled genuine Hammond enclosure with EZ-2-C LED diffusion lens
- Origin: Hand-built one at a time in Portland, Oregon, U.S.A.
The Mr. Black CAT Distortion retails for $149.95 (usually $219.95). For more details and availability, visit mrblackpedals.com.
- +100% pure-analog design preserves vintage aggression
- +Low-impedance output drives long cables and modern pedalboards
- +Cleans up naturally with guitar volume knob
- +Minimal 9mA current draw
- +Hand-built one unit at a time
- +True bypass
- −Limited to 48 units only
What makes the Mr. Black CAT Distortion different from vintage 1970s distortion pedals?
The CAT completely redesigns the vintage circuit's architecture across all stages—preamp, harmonic distortion, filter, and output—to eliminate volume limits and impedance problems that plagued originals. It maintains the aggressive vintage tone while adding low-impedance output (1KΩ) to drive modern pedalboards and long cables without high-frequency loss.
How is the Mr. Black CAT Distortion powered?
The CAT runs on a standard 9VDC power supply or internal 9V battery, drawing minimal 9mA of current. It's housed in a CNC-milled genuine Hammond enclosure with a true-bypass switch and EZ-2-C LED indicator.
How many Mr. Black CAT Distortion pedals are available?
This initial release is restricted to a special run of just 48 units, making it a limited-availability piece. The pedal retails for $149.95.
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