Cusack Music Project 34 Pre/Drive

The Cusack Music Project 34 is a preamp and drive pedal that is special. Special because it has a selenium rectifier.

34 just happens to be the atomic number of selenium.

Selenium rectifiers are an old technology that pre dates germanium. They were first introduced in the early 1930’s in mainly in larger current industrial circuits .

Last used in the guitar world as rectifiers in older amps such as the 1950’s tweeds

Later on in the 1960’s they were phased out as the industry turned to modern solid state silicon instead of selenium and tube rectifiers.

History of the Project 34

Enter Cusack Music founder Jon Cusack. Jon had some 60 year old selenium rectifiers left from his days as an amp repairman. He always wondered about using them in a pedal.

In 2021 when Cusack music made a very small run of 20 Screamer Fuzz Selenium pedals, which sold out immediately.

Jon thought he would never find the suitable rectifiers again because today they are usually relegated to just a few larger industrial and military applications. However, fter over a year of searching, he finally located the supply we needed to make another pedal.

While they are a very expensive component, we think you’ll come to agree that they certainly do have a sound of their own. 

 What is the Cusack Music Project 34 like?

It is hard to categorise The Project 34.

Us it as a boost, pre-amp, for a bit of a compression, or a light overdrive. But whatever you decide it is best at, it has the unique character of the selenium rectifier. You may hear characteristics more akin to a small tube amp,  rather than diode and transistor fizzle fade.

A unique pedal complete with a beautiful Malbec Red Metallic powder coat. Pick one up while you can. Once you find how the P-34 works for your tone you’ll likely never want to be without one! 

Stefan at Guitar Pedal X said

“You would have thought that I would have been long since bored of 3-knob overdrives, considering how many of those have crossed my path over the years. But every now and again something special comes along which makes you park those prejudices….

And the Project 34 Selenium Rectifier Pre/Drive is just one such magical pedal. Verily sounding like it’s loaded with tubes and other primo amp components”

Controls

• Level
• Gain
• Tone
• Toggle: Low End Contour – More, Neutral , Most