The Black Arts Toneworks LSTR is a fuzz pedal from Black Arts Toneworks that sits in the Big Muff Pi circuit family. The maker describes it as a fuzz that can border on distortion, and positions it as the opposite voicing to the company's Pharaoh fuzz: "The Pharaoh's unruly brother, LSTR provides the opposite of the Pharaoh."1 The pedal is currently out of production, and the first run was limited to 55 units.12
What it does to your sound
Black Arts Toneworks describes the LSTR as having a wild and outrageous voicing, more scooped than the company's Crown of Horns fuzz.3 Where the Pharaoh is described by a player, Darren, rhythm guitarist of Ancient Warlocks, as "a fuzz that isn't going to totally squelch my low end," the LSTR is the maker's deliberately wilder take on the same family.4
The tone controls are the heart of the design. The maker's announcement describes "the tonestack tweeked to go from standard muff scoopy-ness to Pharaoh-ish wide open-ness."2 On the product page, the maker explains how to use it:
"Point your tone knobs toward each other for the traditional BMP scoop, and away from each other to get into the more wide open Pharaoh tones."1
In other words, one pedal covers two voicings from the same family: the scooped midrange players associate with a Big Muff, and the more open, low-end-friendly character of the Pharaoh124.
Controls and power
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Tone knobs (two) | Pointed toward each other for the traditional BMP scoop; away from each other for the more wide-open Pharaoh tones1 |
The pedal operates on a standard 9VDC power supply and has no battery connection.1
The LSTR has no battery connection, so it needs a 9VDC power supply to run. It is also out of production, so used and remaining stock is what is available.
Versions and pricing
| Version | Details |
|---|---|
| LSTR (initial run) | 55 units; announced at $150 shipped in the US2 |
| LSTR (product page) | Listed at $189 USD1 |
| Heavy Purple Flake LSTR | Limited edition version5 |
The maker's announcement offered the first run at $150 shipped in the US, while the product page later listed the pedal at $189.12 A limited edition Heavy Purple Flake LSTR was also offered, with the same circuitry in a different finish.5
History
The LSTR was announced by Black Arts Toneworks with a demo rig described as an Epi SG in standard tuning into a Bassman into an Emperor cab with Weber 65's, with the LSTR on full tone controls.2 A follow-up announcement noted six pedals left of the initial run of 55.6 The pedal later received new graphics, with artwork done by Chris at Earthward.7 A demo video by Evan at Prymaxe was also released on the maker's site.8
How it relates to the rest of the family
The LSTR is one of several fuzzes Black Arts Toneworks built around the Pharaoh platform. The Pharaoh is the company's fuzz with a standard fuzz knob and a reputation, in the words of the player quoted by the maker, for not squelching the low end.4 The Crown of Horns is described by the maker as less scooped than the LSTR.3 Players comparing the three are choosing between the Pharaoh's fuller low end, the Crown of Horns' tighter voicing, and the LSTR's scooped, wilder character, all from the same BMP-derived approach.
Videos
ProGuitarShopDemos
BlackArtsToneworks
JetCityMusic
Questions
What is the Black Arts Toneworks LSTR based on?
Black Arts Toneworks describes the LSTR as coming from the BMP family, meaning the Big Muff Pi circuit lineage. It is a fuzz that the maker says can border on distortion, with a tone stack tweaked to run from standard Muff scoop to a Pharaoh-like wide-open voice. It is positioned as the opposite voicing to the company's Pharaoh fuzz.
Does the LSTR run on a battery?
No. The maker's product page states the pedal has no battery connection and operates on a standard 9VDC power supply. Plan for a center-negative 9V supply on your board rather than expecting a battery compartment.
How many LSTR pedals were made in the first run?
The initial run was 55 pedals, according to Black Arts Toneworks' announcement. In a later update the maker noted six left of that initial run. A limited edition Heavy Purple Flake version was also offered.
What is the difference between the LSTR and the Pharaoh?
Black Arts Toneworks calls the LSTR the Pharaoh's unruly brother and says it provides the opposite of the Pharaoh. The Pharaoh is described as a fuzz that keeps the low end intact, while the LSTR has a wilder, more outrageous voicing, more scooped than the company's Crown of Horns, with tone controls that can reach Pharaoh-ish wide-open territory.
Is the Black Arts Toneworks LSTR still in production?
No. The maker's product page lists the LSTR as currently out of production. It was sold in a limited initial run of 55, and a limited edition Heavy Purple Flake version was also released.
Sources (8)
- LSTR | Black Arts Toneworks, Black Arts Toneworks
- Announcing the LSTR, Black Arts Toneworks
- Crown of Horns, Black Arts Toneworks
- A great review that I thought I’d share, Black Arts Toneworks
- Heavy Purple Flake LSTR, Black Arts Toneworks
- Announcing the LSTR, Black Arts Toneworks
- LSTR gets a makeover!, Black Arts Toneworks
- LSTR demo video from Evan at Prymaxe!!, Black Arts Toneworks
