Susumu Tamura describes TWA Chemical Z overdrive design

June 7, 2024 · 1 sources

Susumu Tamura, described by TWA as the creator of the Tube Screamer, has described the design of the TWA Chemical Z overdrive in comments dated June 7, 2024. The pedal was designed by Tamura in collaboration with guitarist and producer Roy Z, according to TWA¹.

TWA describes the Chemical Z as "a new overdrive based on the mild, natural drive sound of the legendary TS808," with even harmonics added at lower volume levels than the symmetrical clipping diodes would activate¹. The pedal has two foot-switchable clipping modes that TWA says were inspired by the Maxon OD808x and Apex808 overdrive pedals, selected with a HOT/NORMAL mode foot switch¹. TWA states that both modes have "excellent high-mid performance," and that HOT mode is a higher gain distortion intended for solos¹. The maker also states that the pedal produces both even and odd-order harmonics, similar to the preamp and power sections of a tube amp, and that it has less compression, more output and a more even frequency response than the typically used JRC4558¹.

TWA states that the Chemical Z was used on Megadeth's final studio album, released earlier in 2024, and quotes producer Chris Rakestraw as saying, "That pedal was Dave's main sound"¹. TWA also cites a January article by Richard Bienstock in Premier Guitar as confirming the pedal was the overdrive used on the album¹. TWA lists the Chemical Z at $199 while supplies last, described as a limited-time offer¹. The page does not give a standard list price or shipping date.

The page carries four customer reviews, all rated positively, including one that calls the pedal "Usable in any situation"¹.