Black Cat Chicago Tonal Expansion (Based on Chase Tone Secret Preamp)

If you found this, then you already know the pedal this Black Cat Chicago Tonal Expansion was based on. If not, here's a little more info. The Tonal Expansion is based on the Chase Tone Secret Preamp pedal, which itself was based on the preamp section of the EP-3 Echoplex tape echo unit. It gives your guitar signal a slight boost and enhances your tone to sweeten it up a little. Once you have it on your pedalboard, you'll want this to be an always on pedal. Why? Because you'll notice your tone seems dull the second you turn this pedal off. The Tonal Expansion really does expand your tone.

Easily dial in your perfect tone with the Volume and 3-Way Toggle Switch.

Volume

• Full Counter-Clockwise - No signal
• 10 to 11 0’clock - Unity Gain
• 1 to 2 o’clock - 3dBs+ (this is the maximum amount of boost)
• 3 to 5 o’clock - 1dB or 2dBs+ (this is gives a flat EQ similar to a worn, vintage Echoplex unit)

3-Way Toggle Switch

• Bright - Early 70's
• Dark - Late 70's
• Mid - combining the Bright and Dark setting

My preferred setting is Volume set to 1 o'clock and Toggle set to Mid, and placing it at the last pedal before going into the amp. I find this is the best way to enhance the overall signal chain before it hits the amp. However, you might find other settings or placements in your signal chain suits you better. But you'll definitely not want to turn this pedal off once it's on!

*Please note that all Black Cat Chicago pedals are handmade by me in my tiny Chicago apartment.  Everything that went into the pedal such as soldering all the components, graphics on the enclosures, drilling holes in the enclosures are all done by myself.  It's really a one person operation here.  Due to the handmade nature of making each pedal, there are bound to be some tiny imperfections in the finish, sometimes there might be light scratches on the enclosure or the footswitch might not be perfectly centered.  But they are all brand new unless specifically noted .  Thank you for your understanding and for supporting small pedal makers like me!