Most die-hard collectors are fully aware of the legend of the Spam-can Fuzz Factory and that Z . Vex released many hand-painted one-offs of several pedals , but the rarest “ production models ” of the Z . Vex line are easily the Earth Saver Boost and Earth Saver Octave , with six ( or less !) pieces produced between the two of them and sold only at Willie ’ s American Guitars in Minneapolis , Minnesota . The name stems from the odd fact that both of these pedals are completely passive — neither an adapter nor a battery is needed to power them . Both pedals
are transformer-based and utilize a diode network to accomplish their sounds , and neither pedal cuts the output volume like one might expect from a passive unit .
“ Super Tube Screamer ?” you might say . “ Ibanez has been making those forever . In fact , Ibanez still sells them !” Though it ’ s an easy mix-up to make , the current production model is the Turbo Tube Screamer , which is a standard TS circuit that features a rotary knob for a couple extra modes and is dark green in color . The ST9 Super Tube Screamer is an extremely rare unit that was sold exclusively in Europe for just one year , with a fourth knob for Mid Boost and with an extra op-amp for more bite . The color is also a rarity in the Ibanez line — a cool shade of aquamarine . Ibanez would come close to reconstructing the circuit for the STL Super Tube , but that one is nowhere near as collectible .
Z . Vex Earth Saver Boost and Octave
Most die-hard collectors are fully aware of the legend of the Spam-can Fuzz Factory and that Z . Vex released many hand-painted one-offs of several pedals , but the rarest “ production models ” of the Z . Vex line are easily the Earth Saver Boost and Earth Saver Octave , with six ( or less !) pieces produced between the two of them and sold only at Willie ’ s American Guitars in Minneapolis , Minnesota . The name stems from the odd fact that both of these pedals are completely passive — neither an adapter nor a battery is needed to power them . Both pedals
are transformer-based and utilize a diode network to accomplish their sounds , and neither pedal cuts the output volume like one might expect from a passive unit .
Ibanez Super Tube Screamer
“ Super Tube Screamer ?” you might say . “ Ibanez has been making those forever . In fact , Ibanez still sells them !” Though it ’ s an easy mix-up to make , the current production model is the Turbo Tube Screamer , which is a standard TS circuit that features a rotary knob for a couple extra modes and is dark green in color . The ST9 Super Tube Screamer is an extremely rare unit that was sold exclusively in Europe for just one year , with a fourth knob for Mid Boost and with an extra op-amp for more bite . The color is also a rarity in the Ibanez line — a cool shade of aquamarine . Ibanez would come close to reconstructing the circuit for the STL Super Tube , but that one is nowhere near as collectible .