Chase Tone

The maker describes its focus as "hardcore authenticity in vintage gear replicas", and one of its own pages quotes the claim that founder Kyle Chase is "possibly the world's most OCD builder of new-old-stock amps and effects"³. For a player, that means pedals built to match the construction, parts and finish of the originals they copy, down to details like vintage replica rubber feet on the wah housings.

Kyle Chase and the Chase Tone approach

Chase Tone, Inc. is run by Kyle Chase, its President, who signs the company's product pages⁴. The company says it has been refining professional audio gear for nearly three decades, and its approach is built around matching vintage originals as closely as possible rather than reinterpreting them¹³.

That approach shows up in the details players can see. The Picture Wah carries a black bottom plate with large vintage replica rubber feet, matching transitional wahs from the Clyde McCoy to V846 era⁸. The Italian Crybaby Wah Replica uses a vintage black texture base⁹. The company also sells period-correct replacement parts, such as the Tru Talk 100K Wah Pot and the Tru iCar Wah Pot, for players restoring or building vintage-style wahs¹⁰¹¹.

Chase Tone warns buyers to contact the company directly to ensure a genuine product, noting it is not affiliated with vintage style wah boards and components sold on eBay, and that it does no repairs or fine-tuning for copies¹⁰.

Vintage replicas and new-old-stock gear

The range falls into a few clear families.

Wah replicas. Alongside the Picture Wah and Italian Crybaby replica, the company builds the Gypsy Wah, which it pitches for "the authentic Band of Gypsies iconic wah tones"¹².

Fuzz replicas. The lineup includes the Candy Apple Red Glazed Dallas Arbiter Germanium Fuzz Face Replica and the Dallas Arbiter Germanium Fuzz Face Replica, plus the Fuzz Fella family, the '68 Red Velvet Fuzz and the Stardust series¹³¹⁴⁶. The Metallic Blue Hi-Octave is part of the Stardust series, with finishes the maker says are inspired by a love for astronomy⁷. The company posts customer sound clips, including one recorded at band rehearsal with a Ceriatone JTM45, a 1997 Fender Jimi Hendrix Tribute Stratocaster, a Dunlop Crybaby Wah and an Electro-harmonix Holy Grail Reverb added for ambience¹³.

Preamp and boost. The Secret Preamp reproduces the early and late 1970s Echoplex preamp circuit, and the Secret T. Booster is a midrange and treble focused signal booster that fits in the palm of your hand¹¹⁵. The company also builds a Vintage Maestro Echoplex EP3 Replica Black Knob².

On the Secret Preamp, Collectible Guitar Magazine's review, republished by Chase Tone, called it¹⁵:

Buying, shipping and returns

Chase Tone sells direct through chasetone.com. Shipping terms vary by product, so it helps to check the listing you are buying from.

The Italian Crybaby Wah Replica page states free shipping anywhere in the world via USPS Priority Mail with tracking, with insurance dependent upon country⁹.

Other buying details from the company's pages:

• 30 day return policy for USA buyers⁵
• 5% discount for United States Veterans⁷
• Contact Chase Tone directly to ensure a genuine product; the company is not affiliated with eBay sellers of vintage style wah parts¹⁰

Is Chase Tone the same company as Chase Bliss?

No. Despite the similar name, Chase Tone, Inc. and Chase Bliss Audio are separate companies. Chase Bliss is a different maker with its own line of pedals, including digital and analog designs such as its Goodhertz collaborations¹⁶. Chase Tone's catalog is built around vintage replica wahs, fuzzes and preamps made in the USA⁵³.

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