SALE: 20% off all PCBs, plus 9 new projects releasing today (JFET alert!)
Black Friday Sale
PCBs are 20% off from now through the end of the day Monday, November 30. No coupon is necessary – the discount will be taken automatically at checkout.
New projects
It’s Catalinbread® day… eight new projects based on their Foundation series of preamp/amp emulators, plus an 18V conversion board, and a Keeley Katana project tagging along for the ride.
In my estimation, nobody’s made better use of JFETs in original designs than Catalinbread. Using Jack Orman’s minibooster as a building block, they meticulously recreated the topology and frequency response of classic amplifiers, resulting in a series of pedals that have the dynamic, reactive feel of an amp, but can also be used as a standard overdrive. And they stack very well with other drive pedals.
The problem is, the JFETs they used in these circuits have been discontinued in through-hole format—so if you wanted to build one of their pedals, your only options were to get accustomed to surface-mount components or to hunt for old-stock parts.
Each of these new projects is based around JFETs, but along with that, we’re also carrying the 2N5457 and MPF4393 JFETs that are used in these circuits. The 2N5457s are surface-mount parts on adapters, while the MPF4393 are standard through-hole parts.
Oh: and several of these projects are based on new traces we’ve done, including the Dirty Little Secret Red, Dirty Little Secret Mk. II, Formula No. 5 V2, and Formula 55. (Tracing journals will be coming later for those interested!)
Disclaimer: Aion FX has no affiliation with Catalinbread® and these projects are not endorsed by them. The company and product names are for comparative purposes only under fair use.
Triton Mk. II – Dirty Little Secret Mk2
The second version of the Dirty Little Secret, emulating Marshall amps from the 1960s and 70s. Original trace by Aion FX.
Triton Mk. III – Dirty Little Secret Mk3 / Formula 5F6
The third version of the Dirty Little Secret, also the basis for the Formula 5F6. We also traced the DLS “Red” edition and part changes are provided for this version as well.
Artemis Mk. I – Catalinbread SFT
An adaptation of Ampeg’s SVT bass amplifiers. This pedal works great for guitar or bass.
Asteria Mk. I – Formula No. 5 (V1)
An emulation of the Fender Tweed Deluxe (5E3), known for its harmonically-rich overdriven tone.
Asteria Mk. II – Formula No. 5 (V2)
The second version of the Fender Deluxe adaptation. Original trace by Aion FX.
Asteria Mk. III – Formula 55
The third (and fully redesigned) version of the Fender Deluxe adaptation. Original trace by Aion FX.
Ceres – Sabbra Cadabra
An adaptation of the classic guitar tone of Tony Iommi from Black Sabbath, comprised of a treble booster into a Laney Supergroup amplifier.
Gaia Mk. II – Galileo
An adaptation of the classic guitar tone of Brian May from Queen, comprised of a treble booster into a Vox AC30 amplifier.
Muramasa – Keeley Katana
Robert Keeley’s dual-stage JFET boost, famously used by John Mayer.
18V Voltage Doubler / Bypass Module
A utility PCB allowing Aion FX projects to be powered by 18V using a standard 9V adapter.
2N5457 JFETs
Pre-soldered 2N5457 (MMBF5457) JFETS on adapter boards. Used in early Catalinbread circuits (2009-2013).
MPF4393 JFETs
MPF4393 JFETs from ON Semiconductor. Used in later Catalinbread circuits (2013 onward).
