Tampco's Nelson Martins Distorter collaboration is a super smart and expansive 3-Part Parallel Gain Machine - blending Clean Signal with Fuzz and Overdrive

What we have here is a +20dB Clean Blend, Classic Fuzz, and a Low Gain Overdrive - all blended together in parallel. You have separate footswitches for Fuzz and Drive - and can blend in your perfect mix via the 2 x Level and single Clear conntrols.

Controls - FUZZ } Voice : Pushed / Scooped, Level, Tone, Gain, Bias, Fuzz Distortion; DRIVE } Level, Tone, Gain. Drive Footswitch; CLEAR } Blend.

Most of you will recall that the Klon Centaur default blends Dry and Effected signals in parallel - courtesy of a single Gain control. My friend Vitalii at Drunk Beaver made his Klone take with separate controls for Dry and Overdriven Signals. And my friend Rodolphe here is doing much the similar thing - with the addition of a Classic Fuzz Circuit.

Having those 3 elements separate and blendable in parallel - gives you incredible granular control and range over your output - this takes you through the full range of gain in the most precisely controllable fashion.

The design and build of this pedal is exceptional - with that shiny gold facia and superior components inside. Note that some of those labels might be a touch tricky to read in certain lighting conditions - while the pedal looks undeniably very attractive.

The below demos ably demonstrate the range and poise of this pedal. I’ve long loved Parallel circuits - which haven’t been so plentiful - since the Chase Bliss Brothers and Strymon Sunset arrived on the scene a few years back. The Boss x JHS JB-2 Angry Driver is another fantastic parallel circuit. While all those mentioned here are Dual Parallel - while the Distorter somewhat ups the ante with Triple Parallel signals!

The Distorter is somewhat reminiscent of the Empress Multidrive - which lets you blend, Overdrive, Distortion and Fuzz in parallel. The Distorter doesn’t have exactly the same consistent parts - but it’s a very similar concept in most ways!

I really like everything about this pedal and will be looking to add it to my Reference Collection in short order. The Distorter is available right now on the Tampco Webstore - where it goes for €249 - which equates to circa $269 and £209 - really good value!