The founder is Fil "SoloDallas" Olivieri, a Rome-based AC/DC aficionado who the company says had been obsessed by Angus Young's signature tone for more than 30 years12. SoloDallas LLC was founded in 20141, and Olivieri was later joined by partners Donny Garrett of the Tonesmiths Report and industry veteran James Allen1.
From an online community to a pedal maker
SoloDallas began as an online community dedicated to educating musicians3. Olivieri, whose screen name was "SoloDallas," is described by the company as having accidentally become the first guitar "influencer" of the era1. The community's focus on Angus Young's tone led directly to the product line: Olivieri's decades-long obsession with that sound is the origin story behind the Schaffer Replica2.
The company formalized as SoloDallas LLC in 20141 and has since released what it calls an entire line of effects pedals, guitar pickups and tube amplifiers3.
Reproducing the Schaffer-Vega and other relics
The heart of the catalog is the Schaffer Replica, a faithful reproduction of the audio chain of the original Schaffer-Vega Diversity System9. It is available in two versions, each described by the maker as an exact rebuild of the SVDS audio circuitry: the Tower and a more affordable pedal version that offers the same functionality and character9.
The Storm is a compact pedal combining an optical limiter, harmonic clipping, boost and line buffer, which SoloDallas says complements clean or cranked Marshall amps and covers warm, bluesy overdrive through full-on high-gain distortion10. It is built with Neutrik jacks and made in the USA4, as is the EX Tower5. The Schaffer Replica Classic, listed in RockBoard's PedalPedia, features a simple two-dial interface11.
Beyond the Replica line, SoloDallas reproduces other vintage circuits:
| Product | What it is | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Schaffer Replica Storm | Optical limiter effects pedal | Limiter, harmonic clipping, boost and line buffer in one box10 |
| CompanDrive 65 | Overdrive pedal with companding circuit | A recreation of the companding circuit found on studio tape recorders; made in USA6 |
| SVDS Boost | Boost pedal | Made in USA7 |
| Orbiter Fuzz | Fuzz with overdrive stage | F-Face style circuit, lineage of Arbiter to Diaz to SoloDallas12 |
The Storm is available at SoloDallas.com and through a worldwide network of dealers8. EU customers buying the CompanDrive 65 are directed to the SoloDallas EU webshop6.
The people behind SoloDallas
- Fil "SoloDallas" Olivieri, founder: a renowned AC/DC aficionado and tone enthusiast, based in Rome, obsessed by Angus Young's tone for more than 30 years12.
- James Allen II, president: an industry veteran who joined as Olivieri's partner13.
- Donny Garrett, vice president and artist relations: also of the Tonesmiths Report13.
- Dries Potvjin, chief engineer3.
"Rediscovering lost relics from the golden era of music and faithfully reproducing them for modern musicians"
The range (11)
Questions
What is the SoloDallas Schaffer Replica?
It is a pedal line that reproduces the audio chain of the original Schaffer-Vega Diversity System, the wireless rig used by Angus Young. It comes in two versions, the Tower and a more affordable pedal, each an exact rebuild of the SVDS audio circuitry without the wireless section. The Storm pedal combines an optical limiter, harmonic clipping, boost and line buffer in one compact box.
Are SoloDallas pedals made in the USA?
Yes. SoloDallas marks its pedals as made in the USA, including the Schaffer Replica Storm, the Schaffer Replica EX Tower, the CompanDrive 65 and the SVDS Boost. The company also sells through an EU webshop for European customers.
How much does the SoloDallas Orbiter Fuzz cost?
At its launch on September 1, 2024 the Orbiter Fuzz sold for $249 USD. The current SoloDallas listing shows a regular price of £205.00 with a sale price of £189.00, in GBP as stated by the maker.
Where can I buy the Orbiter Fuzz?
The Orbiter Fuzz launched exclusively at SoloDallas.com on September 1, 2024, with the first 100 orders including a SoloDallas swag pack. SoloDallas also sells through a worldwide network of dealers.
Does SoloDallas ship worldwide?
Yes. SoloDallas states that it ships worldwide, and the Schaffer Replica Storm is sold both at SoloDallas.com and through a worldwide dealer network. EU customers are directed to the SoloDallas EU webshop for pedals such as the CompanDrive 65.
Sources (12)
- Our History, SoloDallas LLC
- TIME & SPACE, SoloDallas LLC
- About Us, SoloDallas LLC
- The Schaffer Replica® Storm, SoloDallas LLC
- The Schaffer Replica® EX Tower, SoloDallas LLC
- CompanDrive 65, SoloDallas LLC
- SVDS Boost, SoloDallas LLC
- History of The Schaffer Replica Circuit, SoloDallas LLC
- THE SOLO-X, SoloDallas LLC
- Unlock Iconic Marshall Tone: The SoloDallas Marshall Tone Pedal Unleashed!, SoloDallas LLC
- The Schaffer Replica (Classic) by SoloDallas, RockBoard (PedalPedia), 2026
- Orbiter Fuzz, SoloDallas LLC