Catalinbread Formula 51 - Foundation Overdrive

Formula 51
Back in the 40’s, Fender introduced the Champ amplifier, then known as the Champion 800. After a several circuit revisions, Fender arrived at the 5F1, otherwise known as the Tweed Champ. It featured just one Volume knob (that went to 12!) delivering a myriad of tones from the humble circuit, from gently gritty cleans to honking, mid-heavy blown out distortion. Unlike most amp-in-a-box devices, the Formula 51 features a preamp, a discrete power amp simulator and an output transformer to deliver the full touch-sensitive Tweed experience, with a grip of extremely interactive controls. The Sag control loads down the transformer to your taste, giving you some real-deal blown-out leads with the twist of a knob. The Tone control is straight out of the vintage amplifier playbook, incorporating the mid scoop control of the Framus Cobra amp. This time-tested mod essentially turns the mid-leaning Tweed profile into the mid-scooped Blackface sound of later Champs. Run it at 18V for more headroom or stack it with other pedals.