Handmade in Spain, the Decibelics The Reverend XX is a dual version of the company’s ZZ Top inspired single channel distortion pedal. Its circuit is based off the vintage Bixonic Expandora, a RAT mutation known for being one of the first dirt boxes able to deliver all sorts of saturated sounds, including overdrive, distortion and fuzz.
Voiced after the very first version of the Expandora (the EXP 2000) and featuring the same l N.O.S. RN2206 transistor and N.O.S. JRC4558DD op-amp, the Reverend adds some modern features such as
- improved dynamics thanks to a proprietary expander circuit
- A 4-way rotary knob that replaces the original switches to deliver different types of drive/distortion, including the explosive “Forbidden Setting” found on later versions of the original pedal
- External Guitar-Bass switch for each channel
- External 3-way Clipping Switch (Silicon|LED|Germanium) for each channel
- soft-click footswitches with programmed memory + Momentary option
- Low noise floor
The dual-channel configuration allows them to play independently or stacked on top of each other, and this circuit is ideal for this use thanks to its wide sonic range. The two footswitches are close enough to be activated with one stomp, if needed.
Check out the video of it.
