Rothwell Audio / The Tornado / 2010's / Effect For Sale
|
The Tornado is a class A, single-ended overdrive using JFETs throughout. The close similarity between the electronic characteristics of JFETs and valves allows the Tornado to be effectively a pre-amp in the classic guitar amp format, but implemented in miniature and running from only 9 volts instead of the 2 or 3 hundred volts required in a valve guitar amp. The result is an overdriven sound that is much closer to that of an amp rather than
a typical pedal but with pedal convenience.
The control layout of volume, gain and tone looks familiar enough but the addition of the shift button widens the tonal palette. The shift button alters the response of the tone control, shifting the mid-range content and altering the turnover frequency so that both vintage and modern sounds can be produced.
The gain control is also more sophisticated than it first appears. At the bottom end of its range the sound is clean and with a full bass response, but but has enough signal level to act as a clean boost. As the gain is increased the bass is gradually cut (pre distortion) to maintain a tight and responsive bottom end as distortion increases. At full gain the distortion is thick and saturated and sounds weighty in the bass without ever being bloated. The asymmetrical way in which JFETs overload - just like valves operated in class A - produces a natural spongy compression, and a source follower is used before the tonestack (just like many rock oriented amps use a cathode follower before their tonestack) to produce a biting edge to the sound.
Overall, the Tornado produces a range of classic and modern rock sounds with aplomb and has an engaging natural compression to it (rather than the sterile, flat compression of many pedals).
Current drain of the pedal is very modest - only 2.6mA when bypassed - so long battery life can be expected, but a high quality chassis mounted 2.1mm centre negative DC power socket is provided to allow the Tornado to be powered from an external 9 volt power supply.
£139.00,- / Approx. €167.00,-
Rothwell Audio Products, UK 
Rothwell make the best boutique effects pedals available. More and more guitarists who care about their tone are discovering what great pedals these are and since their introduction in 2007 these pedals have been used on some of the world’s biggest tours. All the pedals are hand-made in the UK to the highest possible standards. The circuit boards are produced in the UK and assembled by skilled UK workers (aerospace industry certified), the cases are carefully polished and engraved in the UK, and the final assembly is done in the UK. The award winning sound quality is due to innovative circuit design by people who actually care. The circuits may be computer modeled and CAD systems may be used to calculate filter parameters but the end result is always subjected to the ultimate test - real world guitar playing and critical listening.
How to buy our products
Our products are available from our uk and international guitar product dealers (full list) or from the online shop.
