Satellite Amplifiers produces some pretty sweet sounding rigs . But amps can be kind of expensive , and they tend to take up a lot of space when compared with , say , a stompbox . Fortunately , the company has introduced the Eradicator , a tube-based preamp in pedal form . It ’ s perfect for the person who wants the excellent Satellite tube tone , yet who already owns a decent amp . Heck , even Satellite amp users who simply can ’ t get enough of that warm , warm tone would probably love it .
The Eradicator ’ s shape is one of the more distinct
among the pedals I ’ ve reviewed . It looks like a cross between an industrial power supply and a steel doorstop . It ’ s like something that could have emerged from a machine shop in the early ‘ 60s , back when things were built to last .
I will go on record right now to say that I believe this pedal is among the sturdiest I ’ ve encountered . Although my editors won ’ t allow me to do it , I expect that the Eliminator would survive being driven over by a mid-range sedan or a light-to-medium duty pickup truck . Of course , to do such a thing would be a shame , because the Eradicator is better suited to produce excellent distortion and ear-charming tone . Oh , and this thing is loud .
Perhaps the pedal is exceptionally loud because it ’ s modeled after the preamplifiers in Satellite ’ s amps . That means that although the Eradicator requires only nine volts of power ( sorry , no batteries allowed here ), the rectifying tube produces 300 volts of direct current . There ’ s no need to fear its power , though . It ’ s meant to fit
GEAR SPOTLIGHT
SATELLITE AMPLIFIERS
ERADICATOR
REVIEW BY DAVID A . EVANS STREET PRICE $ 449.00
Satellite Amplifiers produces some pretty sweet sounding rigs . But amps can be kind of expensive , and they tend to take up a lot of space when compared with , say , a stompbox . Fortunately , the company has introduced the Eradicator , a tube-based preamp in pedal form . It ’ s perfect for the person who wants the excellent Satellite tube tone , yet who already owns a decent amp . Heck , even Satellite amp users who simply can ’ t get enough of that warm , warm tone would probably love it .
The Eradicator ’ s shape is one of the more distinct
among the pedals I ’ ve reviewed . It looks like a cross between an industrial power supply and a steel doorstop . It ’ s like something that could have emerged from a machine shop in the early ‘ 60s , back when things were built to last .
I will go on record right now to say that I believe this pedal is among the sturdiest I ’ ve encountered . Although my editors won ’ t allow me to do it , I expect that the Eliminator would survive being driven over by a mid-range sedan or a light-to-medium duty pickup truck . Of course , to do such a thing would be a shame , because the Eradicator is better suited to produce excellent distortion and ear-charming tone . Oh , and this thing is loud .
Perhaps the pedal is exceptionally loud because it ’ s modeled after the preamplifiers in Satellite ’ s amps . That means that although the Eradicator requires only nine volts of power ( sorry , no batteries allowed here ), the rectifying tube produces 300 volts of direct current . There ’ s no need to fear its power , though . It ’ s meant to fit
58 GEAR SPOTLIGHT // Satellite Amplifiers Eradicator