Character Plus Series
The original SansAmp Character Series was introduced in 2008. These pedals commemorated a range of eras within specific amplifier personalities, of which there were 8 in total. By simply twisting a few knobs, you could build the most sought-after tones and hot rod your own. From rare vintage classics to roaring modern icons, every variation was delivered in their own distinctive voicings.
We wanted to broaden the range of tonal options and took that concept a step further to include additional building blocks. Because there’s a certain chemistry between specific pairings that will forever be a part of history. Think Ralph & Alice. Fred & Wilma. Lucy & Ricky. Abbott & Costello. Bonnie & Clyde. They all made a lot of noise and they all had a lot of fun!
With an abundance of knob controls, the 2-channel Character Plus Series pedals are easy to use. You can explore and tailor various eras within each amp style simply by turning a knob. Each continuously-variable Character control sweeps through an entire tonal range, spanning decades of sounds. The Character, EQ controls and speaker simulation are individually voiced to reflect the specific personality traits inherent in each amp style.
Featuring built-in speaker/cab sim, the 100% analog SansAmp Tube Amplifier Emulation technology encompasses the entire signal chain, from pre-amp to power amp to speaker simulation. An integral part of the circuitry, the SansAmp speaker simulation will complement any type of guitar or bass speaker cabinet system. You can also place an external IR after a SansAmp to give additional flavor if you so desire. The SansAmp speaker sim is designed and individually tailored for a smooth, even response as would be achieved by a multiply-miked cabinet –without peaks, valleys, and notches associated with single miking and many IRs.
Additionally, each of these multi-function pedals is like having a stompbox within a stompbox. (BOGO anyone?) You can use the amp emulation on its own or just the effect on its own.
The Character Plus Series pedals offer significant flexibility and value at a nominal price. Whether you’re frugal or extravagant, you can focus on the one that is your personal favorite or collect them all –and trade them with your friends!
The Character Plus Series celebrates the unique chemistry between specific historic amplifiers and specific historic pedals, and cleverly unites them together in single packages:
Screaming Blonde = Fender-style + Tube Screamer-style
English Muffy = HiWatt-style + Big Muff-style
Fuzzy Brit = Marshall-style + Fuzz Face-style
Mop Top Liverpool = Vox-style + Rangemaster Booster-style
SCREAMING BLONDE
Screaming Blonde = Fender-style + Tube Screamer-style
Range of Character Settings:
• Below 12 o’clock are in the Black and Silver Face family. When clean, there’s a soft midrange with a nice top-end sparkle. Driven, the tone moves to a warmer low-end breakup.
• Around 12 o’clock brings you into Blonde territory with more of everything –more lows, more mids and more highs.
• Above 12 o’clock moves things into the Tweed era with a pronounced midrange bark.
• Full up gives you lead boosted tones.
Independent Scream Section Features:
• OVERDRIVE to adjust the overall amount of drive. Highly interactive with the level of your guitar.
• TONE with specialized voicing for adjusting the high-end and mid-range.
For an in-depth look at the design and development process of the SansAmp Character Plus Series, click here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXl5NtAgc74
ENGLISH MUFFY
English Muffy = HiWatt-style + Big Muff-style
Range of Character Settings:
• Below 12 o’clock yields clean, classic HiWatt-style tones.
• Nearing 12 o’clock brings you into crunchier territory associated with ‘70s Who-style tunes such as Who Are You, Baba O’Riley, and We Won’t Get Fooled Again.
• Above 12 o’clock accentuates upper mids for Gilmour/Floyd-style leads.
• Full up may cause your mate or your lead singer to flee the premises, which could be desirable in certain circumstances.
Independent Muff Section:
• SUSTAIN to adjust the overall amount of fuzz.
• TONE is a very musical, specialized passive tilt EQ, based on the original ‘60s stompbox design
For an in-depth look at the design and development process of the SansAmp Character Plus Series, click here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXl5NtAgc74
FUZZY BRIT
Fuzzy Brit = Marshall-style + Fuzz Face-style
Range of Character Settings:
• Below 12 o’clock brings you the Bluesbreaker/JTM45-style era of British blues– warm, overdriven tone with the characteristic bulldog bite.
• Nearing 12 o’clock takes you into the Plexi range with a noticeable throatiness in the mids.
• Above 12 o’clock gets you the classic presence boost of the ‘70s Metalface.
• Full up it goes to 11. That’s right, 11.
Independent Fuzz Section:
• FUZZ to adjust the overall amount of fuzz.
• TONE is a very musical, specialized low pass filter that allows you to remove the high end without losing mids or getting muddy.
For an in-depth look at the design and development process of the SansAmp Character Plus Series, click here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXl5NtAgc74
MOP TOP LIVERPOOL
Mop Top Liverpool = Vox-style + Rangemaster Booster-style
Range of Settings with CHAR A:
• Below 12 o’clock serves up the tone of a Top Boost with controls set to 9:00, for a throatier clean sound and warm overdriven tones.
• Advancing towards 12 o’clock brings in classic British mids.
• Passing 12 o’clock increases clarity to crunchy and overdriven tones.
• Full up adds the upper mid crackle of pushed Alnico speakers.
Range of Settings with CHAR B:
• Below 12 o’clock serves up the tone of a Top Boost with controls set to 3:00, for full clean sound with lots of bass and highs.
• Advancing towards 12 o’clock brings in classic British mids.
• Passing 12 o’clock brings in the vocal quality of “Woman Tone.”
• Full up boosts the low mids for non-Top Boost AC30-style tone.
Independent Boost Section:
BOOST
The Mop Top Liverpool uniquely offers 2 boosts in one knob:
• At 12 o’clock, it’s flat.
• Up to 12dB Treble Boost when you turn clockwise for a brighter, louder, edgier ‘60s and ‘70s vintage vibe.
• Up to 12dB Mid-Range Boost when you turn counter-clockwise, which tightens up distortion, rhythm and lead tones for more modern vibes.
For an in-depth look at the design and development process of the SansAmp Character Plus Series, click here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXl5NtAgc74
• As a pre-amp to drive a power amp
• Direct to a mixer of a PA
• Record direct to your computer
Other features:
• 1/4-inch 1megOhm instrument level input
• 1/4-inch unbalanced low Z universal output
• Balanced low Z XLR output• Rugged, all-metal housing
• Metal footswitches and jacks
• Silent-switching, custom footswitch actuators
• Measures 7.75”l x 2.5”w x 1.25”h
• Weighs just 12 oz.
• Utilizes included 9V DC Universal Power Supply: Model #DC9. “Auto-switching,” self-adjusting 100V240V, 200mA.
Includes interchangeable international prong assemblies for EU, UK, Australia/New Zealand for use anywhere in the world.