Tsakalis Audioworks AC MASTER Overdrive Pedal

Designed for players who love the sound of classic 60s British amplifiers pushed to their limits, the AC MASTER from Tsakalis Audioworks combines two classic British circuits in a single pedal, a VOX-style overdrive and a Range Master inspired booster. AC MASTER offers immediate access to the iconic tones associated with players like Brian May and Rory Gallagher, while also covering a wide range of modern drive and boost applications.

The AC MASTER features a unique dual-circuit design with dedicated input and output jacks for each section, offering exceptional flexibility for placement within your signal chain. The AC and MASTER sections can both be used completely independently, so other pedals can be inserted between them, allowing you to integrate the two circuits anywhere within your signal chain.

The AC section is a faithful recreation based on the legendary three-channel VOX Top Boost amplifiers of the 1960s. It accurately recreates the complex harmonic character of these classic amplifiers by blending the warm, thick “Normal channel” with the bright, chimey “Top Boost channel”. It also features an interactive VOX-style EQ (Bass and Treble), Tone Cut for high-frequency roll-off, and Master Volume. The circuit is designed to work exceptionally well with other drive pedals, maintaining clarity and delivering dynamic compression, enhanced sustain, and rich harmonic saturation when pushed hard.

The MASTER section is a premium booster inspired by the iconic Range Master treble booster, using a carefully selected silicon transistor that captures the dynamic response and musical character of vintage germanium while providing greater reliability and consistency. It features a Boost control, Master Volume, and a 3-way Frequency Selector offering Normal (classic treble boost), Mid (focused midrange push), and Bass (fuller response) settings.

Used independently or stacked together, these two sections unlock a wide range of tones - from transparent boost and classic treble booster sparkle to edge-of-breakup British drive, thick vintage overdrive, and saturated classic rock distortion. When combined, the MASTER section pushes the AC circuit into rich harmonic saturation, delivering the powerful, authentic British tones that shaped an entire era of music.