Maxon D&S – Distortion & Sustainer
Originally released in 1974, the Maxon D&S Distortion & Sustainer creates the same silky, compressed fuzz that those vintage Muffs are famous for.
The EH Big Muff Pi defined the guitar tones of the ’70s and then re-defined them in the ’90s.
The Pi of today is a far cry from the triangle knobs and ram’s heads that came before it.
Where Muffs have a tendency to “blanket” your original guitar tone, the D&S retains more of the original sound and feel of your instrument and amp.
The D&S is different because it gives soft distortion for thick heavy tones, natural sustain, and natural tube-like overdrive to aggressive distortion.
The best of all worlds…
- Classic 70’s Transistor Distortion
- High Gain with long sustain & low noise
- Retains note definition, even with chords
- Sounds like a tighter, more refined Big Muff
More gain, less noise
Because Maxon uses hand-selected low-noise transistors, the D&S actually offers more gain than a vintage Black & Red, yet with a lower noise floor. That’s right – MORE distortion with LESS noise.
The smooth EQ sweep of the D&S tone control covers a frequency range that is narrower yet more useful than the Pi’s. This tighter, more focused EQ provides superior note definition, even when playing chords.
The combination of these elements gives the D&S the ability to produce huge amounts of distortion with minimal alteration to your guitar’s tone.
One big wall of raw, grungy nastiness in a box, and the D&S takes the sound of the greatest vintage Muff and turns it up to 11.
TECH TALK:
The secret to the D&S’ smooth tone and natural response lies in two areas of its circuit.
First, the Hi boost/Hi cut tone control retains low-end response and adds top-end clarity to notes.
Next, high-grade, low noise Toshiba 2SC1815 transistors offer more intense distortion with minimal noise and signal degradation.
The D&S features buffered, JFET bypass switching with a low impedance output, allowing it to drive long cable lengths or other effect units without loss of signal.
You can see the effects of all the above in the video here
Input Impedance: 500K Ohms
I/P Jack: 1/4 inch standard phone jack
Output Impedance: 10K Ohms
O/P Jack: 1/4 inch standard phone jack
Output: 1
Controls: Distortion, Tone, Balance
Switch: Normal/Effect
Noise (IHF-A): -110 dBu
Max Amplitude: 40 dBu
Power Supply: 9V Manganese dry cell battery (S-006P) or special AC adaptor
Power Voltage: DC9 V (Battery) / DC10 V (AC-adaptor)
Current Consumption: 6 mA (9V) / 7 mA (10 V)
AC Adaptor: AC210N (option) Input: AC120V Output: DC9V/200 mA Center – / Sleeve +)
Dimensions
70 mm (W) x 112 mm (D) x 55 mm (H)
Weight: 260 g
Accessories: 9V Manganese dry cell battery (S-006P) x 1
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