Electronic Audio Experiments Model feT

Electronic Audio Experiments Model feT – JFET preamp based on the Sunn Model T

Sunn Model T preamp · JFET · Power amp emulation · Normal + Brite · FMV 3-band EQ · Massive headroom · Pedal platform · Direct to power amp/DAW · True bypass · 9V 65mA

The Electronic Audio Experiments Model feT is a transistor-based preamplifier designed around one of the most imposing amplifiers in guitar history: the Sunn Model T.

Although the Model T is inevitably associated with doom, sludge and stoner rock, reducing it to heavy tones only tells part of the story. Its core character is dark yet remarkably clear, with huge low-end response, massive headroom and a distinctive breakup. That is exactly why it works so well as a platform for fuzz and distortion pedals.

The Model feT translates that architecture into pedal format using JFETs to emulate the behavior of tube stages, but EAE goes beyond the typical amp-in-a-box approach by also incorporating an emulated power amp stage. This greatly expands its dynamic range, available output and overall preamp-like behavior.

Its sonic lineage is particularly interesting. The original Sunn Model T was developed in the early 1970s with considerable influence from the Marshall Super Bass, which itself shares ancestry with the Fender 5F6A Bassman. Sunn added more preamp gain and a huge 150-watt ultralinear power section. EAE translates that personality into the Model feT, including its headroom, deep bass response and distinctive balance of darkness, clarity and authority.

The Normal and Brite controls behave like two parallel channels, similar to jumping the channels on a classic four-input amplifier. Normal provides body, thickness and a more neutral voice, while Brite adds midrange, sparkle, attack and additional drive. Use either channel alone or blend them together to build exactly the gain structure you need.

The Bass, Midrange and Treble controls reproduce the FMV tone-stack behavior of the original Model T. It is moderately mid-scooped, nonlinear and highly interactive, so adjusting one band influences how the others are perceived — just like a traditional amplifier tone stack.

Then there is the Master. The Model feT has huge output capability, allowing you to keep the gain stages relatively clean while still delivering enough level to properly drive another power stage. This makes it useful as a conventional drive or preamp in front of an amplifier, but also directly into a power amp, effects return, cabinet simulation or DAW.

One of its greatest strengths remains stacking other gain pedals into it. RATs, Muffs, germanium or silicon fuzzes, boosts and overdrives all benefit from its huge low-end foundation and headroom, recreating the same philosophy that helped make the Sunn Model T such a legendary pedal platform.

Key features

• Transistor preamp based directly on the Sunn Model T
• JFET architecture designed around the behavior of the original amplifier
• Developed using circuit simulation and side-by-side comparison with a real Model T
• Emulates both preamp and power amp behavior
• Much more than a conventional overdrive or amp-in-a-box
• Massive headroom and output level
• Covers clean and “dirty clean” through mid-gain and heavy distortion
• Two parallel channels: Normal and Brite
• Normal provides body, thickness and neutral response
• Brite adds mids, sparkle, attack and additional drive
• Channels can be blended like a jumpered four-input amplifier
• 3-band FMV EQ voiced after the Sunn Model T
• Dark yet clear and present response
• Exceptional platform for fuzz, distortion and overdrive pedals
• Can run directly into a power amp, FX Return, cabinet simulator or DAW
• JFET section runs internally at 18V for increased headroom and bass response
• Relay switching with true bypass
• Current version: V3.8

Controls

• Normal: adds gain from the neutral-voiced Normal channel, producing thicker tones at higher settings. Fully muted at zero.
• Brite: blends in the brighter parallel channel with extra midrange, sparkle, bite and drive. Fully muted at zero.
• Bass: low-frequency control of the FMV tone stack
• Midrange: adjusts mids and interacts strongly with Bass and Treble
• Treble: controls brightness and presence
• Master: overall output level, with enough range for conventional pedal use or driving an external power amp

Technical specifications

• Type: preamp / overdrive / distortion
• Inspiration: Sunn Model T
• Technology: transistor / JFET
• Gain channels: parallel Normal + Brite
• EQ: Bass, Midrange, Treble FMV
• Emulated power amp stage: yes
• Current version: V3.8
• Bypass: relay switching / true bypass
• Input impedance @ 1kHz: 500kΩ
• Output impedance @ 1kHz: 1kΩ
• Power: 9V DC center-negative
• Connector: 2.1mm barrel
• Current draw: 65mA
• Recommended supply: regulated and isolated, minimum 100mA
• Battery: not supported
• Approx. dimensions: 118 × 93 × 57 mm
• Made in USA

Find the Electronic Audio Experiments Model feT at onemorepedal.com.

You don’t need a 150-watt stack to understand why the Model T makes every fuzz sound even bigger.