Dr. No Effects announces KUKULCAN limited preamp pedal
March 2, 2026 · 2 sources
Dr. No Effects announced the KUKULCAN, a handcrafted three-stage preamp pedal, for release in March 2026. The maker says the pedal will be built in two series of 50, for a total edition of 100 numbered and signed copies1.
The KUKULCAN is a triple-stage preamp that pushes the signal into natural clipping, driven by three separate single gain stages, each powered by a custom Dr. No Effects Skullsistor1. The maker describes the Skullsistors as its own transistors, "never before seen in the world of tone devices," and says they are an original registered intellectual property and invention by Dr. No Effects in 20251. Guitar Pedal X describes the pedal as using one custom silicon Skullsistor transistor per stage, and writes that it is not clear whether Dr. No manufactures the transistors entirely or molds skull casings over a TO-92 style transistor2.
Each gain stage has its own circuit activation footswitch and gain potentiometer1. The maker labels the stages "Rain" for the first, "Storm" for the added second, and says adding the third generates a literal "Earthquake"1. Guitar Pedal X lists the controls in the reverse order, as Earthquake (Gain Stage 1), Storm (Gain Stage 2) and Rain (Gain Stage 3)2. The pedal also includes a power noise filter intended to eliminate power supply noise often associated with preamps, and runs on a 9V power supply with a regular 2.1mm connector1.
Guitar Pedal X reports a US price of $439 and states that the first batch consists of 30 units, with 100 made in total2. The maker's release notice gives no price and says the first series is available March 2026, sold exclusively at and by selected music shops1. Guitar Pedal X reported on March 2 that the first units should be shipping "any day now"2.
"The KUKULCAN uses a 9V power supply with a regular 2.1mm connector."
The maker says the pedal's staging does not sound the same as a single stage fully open even when two stages are used at half setting, and describes the range as going from mild and mellow to its maximum extreme1. Guitar Pedal X describes the enclosure as featuring artwork, flocked chicken-head style knobs and footswitch surrounds, and a 3D-flocked Kukulcan logo2.