Xploration • Curation • Recommendation
Palmer Custom FX rustles up a very unique edition of its versatile Classic Fuzz + Range Master - the Solarist SE
I’m a huge fan of Matthew Palmer’s Custom FX - which specialises in extended features Solarist Classic Fuzzes with Range Master Boost - which pedals have extensive control topologies with multiple A/B options - including Germanium and Silicon Transistor Options, and dual Input and Bias settings.
I own the Solarist V2 and Solarist Green Editions - both superb. And I recently covered how the new Solarist V3 is stocked at Joe’s Pedals in the UK.
This Solarist SE - Special Edition is sort of based on its original V1 enclosure type with a number of modifications - including a lightning bolt window which showcases the key transistors onboard. It certainly looks magnificent and makes for a very attractive proposition all-round.
This contains all the same elements as the V2 / V3 Solarist - while where most of the switching options for those editions are on the surface - for the SE version there are a number of internal switches - to go with the usual complement of Trim-pots.
Structurally the circuits are pretty much identical - with the same components overall - this is really mostly just a different limited edition format / arrangement for the Solarist - which of course carries a premium price point of $469. I personally don’t tend to go for what I determine to be over-sized pedals - and this is definitely in the ’large’ pedal category - it’s a little slimmer on the width than the V3 - but significantly taller!
I certainly love the look of the pedal - but there are of course always practical concerns - and footprint / pedalboard-friendliness is always going to be critical for me - on account of my heavily congested board of 52 devices. I never say never, and part of me is kind of tempted still - to get this. Let’s just say I’m still making my mind up!
This is for sure quite the classic / epic fuzz pedal, and quite the showpiece / showcase. I would have preferred having those internal switches externalised - but I realise there are always limitations with form factors - and Matthew has done an exceptional job with this really unique fuzz variant!
Controls - FUZZ } Input Red, Bias Red, Input Yellow, Bias Yellow, Volume, Bass, Fuzz / Gain, Q1 : GE / SI (CT404B / BC108), Q2 : GE / SI (CT404B / BC108), Red / Yellow Footswitch, Fuzz Footswitch; RANGE MASTER } Bass, Gain, Tame, Range Master Footswitch.
Internal - Range Master SI / GE (BC108B / 2N1308), Fetzer Valve Boost : ON/Off, Pickup Simulator : On/Off, Contour Trimmer, Q2 Bias, Fetzer Vavle Bias, Range Master Bias, GE Q2 Bias, Spit Mode On/Off (RM Bass), Spit Mode Extra Bias.
Dimensions : SE @ 4" x 5.5" x 2" vs V3 @ 4.7" x 3.7" x 2".
The Solarist SE can be your for $469 direct from the Palmer Custom FX Webstore. I think all of these will be sold direct, and I'm not sure I except any to come through to Joe's Pedals. While if they did - it would make it more likely that I would aquire one - indeed if I decide one of these is the right choice for me.
The Solarist is a wonderful confection - consisting of the very best of classic Fuzz - and this is an exceptional variant of that circuit.
No demos have materialised yet for this pedal - so I will reference the V1 which is mostly the same enclosure format, and a V2 demo or two (there are no V3 demos yet either!) - all those are essentially / mostly the same circuit - just with different arrangements!
Demos
