Catalinbread SideArm Overdrive (TS Variant), StarCrash '70s Collection

The Sidearm is a full reimagining of the "green-style" overdrive circuit that first made its debut in 1979. Tweaks to some core areas of the circuit open up the range of the pedal, while new amenities such as a inductor-style Mids control let you dial in classic tones or bring the green into the 21st century. A tilt-style equalizer replaces the old tone control letting you boost lows while cutting highs and vice versa, while being equipped with an expanded gain range and reworked clipping arrangement.

OVERVIEW

There’s nothing like kicking on “ol’ reliable” and watching the faces in the crowd light up as you nail your finest riff. The Sidearm is that device. Featuring a fresh take on the classic ‘79 “green overdrive,” the Sidearm lets you tailor your drive sound to accompany the rest of your rig, rather than the other way around. The typical “green” overdrive features a combination of filters at different stages to give its characteristic sound. These have all been carefully adjusted to get a little more out of the circuit, accentuating the new Mids control and the overhauled Tone knob. The Sidearm’s “hump frequency” sits at 1KHz, but the mids control sits at the typical “green” frequency of 720Hz, letting you boost or cut this band at will for a more customizable tone. The Tone control boosts lows and cuts highs when turned down, and has the opposite effect when cranked. This control sits centered at 1KHz, the same as the hump, letting you fine-tune the entire frequency response and giving you back some lost treble, or thickening up the tone if you’re plugged into your amp’s bright channel.

CONTROLS

VOLUME: Affirmative..

MIDS: Engages a mids control centered at ~720Hz. 720Hz is the “mid hump” frequency of the original Tube Screamer, which means that the circuit attenuates frequencies above 720Hz at 3dB per octave, which gives the original its characteristic tone. The Sidearm moves that cut to 1KHz, opening up the upper mids, but the Mids control retains the cut or boost at 720Hz. Turning this up boosts the 720Hz band and turning it down scoops out the same band. The bandwidth of this control is such that the edges glance the 1KHz cut for a harmonious mids enhancement. The center is flat.

TONE: This is a tilt EQ centered at 1KHz. When you turn it up above noon, frequencies above 1KHz are boosted and frequencies below are cut. Turning it down yields the opposite effect. Because this control’s center frequency is relatively high, the circuit has been tweaked so that the treble is boosted slightly less than the bass when either side is maxed. (The latest revision, not this one, will have a very gentle treble filter that shaves off harsh frequencies above 16KHz.)

DRIVE: Adds gain. Much more than a regular Tube Screamer (and much less, too). Goes from clean to very dirty.

POWER SUPPLY

You can power your SideArm with any good quality filtered and regulated 9-18v DC power supply with a center-negative tipped plug designed for use with effects pedals.