The Magnetic Effects Sonic Tailor is a limited edition germanium transistor overdrive with a blendable midrange boost, announced in October 2016 by the London based maker at $150 US plus shipping1. It is an original design, not a copy of a vintage circuit, built around a NOS (new old stock) germanium transistor. Magnetic Effects describes it as colorful overdrive with a distinctive germanium character, excelling at vintage style '60s and '70s midrange based overdrive1.
What it does for your sound
Magnetic Effects positions the Sonic Tailor as a way to get treble booster style tones into a clean amp, eliminating the need for a loud, overdriven amp1. The germanium transistor gives the overdrive its character, and the blendable midrange boost on top is what sets it apart from a straightforward boost pedal or overdrive: you can push a chosen midrange band into the drive rather than just adding level.
On gearnews, Jef noted the impedance design matters for pedalboards: the high input impedance and low output impedance mean it will stack well with any buffered pedal2.
The controls
The Sonic Tailor carries six knobs12:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Volume | Sets the pedal's output level1 |
| Gain | Sets the amount of overdrive1 |
| Treble | Shapes the top end of the drive1 |
| Bass | Shapes the low end of the drive1 |
| Frequency | Sets the midrange boost, part of the blendable mid boost design12 |
| Mix | Blends the midrange boost with the overdriven signal12 |
The Frequency and Mix pair are the heart of the blendable midrange boost: Frequency picks the midrange area, and Mix sets how much of it is blended into the germanium overdrive12.
Power, bypass and build
The Sonic Tailor is adapter powered only, accepting 9 to 18V DC center negative, with no battery option1. That 9 to 18V range covers the common supply voltages players already run on a pedalboard power supply. Jacks and the DC socket are top mounted, which helps with tight pedalboard layouts1. The pedal also has a high input impedance and low output impedance, which Magnetic Effects says lets it stack well with buffered pedals2.
The Sonic Tailor was a limited edition release and takes no battery: plan on a 9 to 18V DC center negative adapter1.
What reviewers said
Coverage at release was positive on value. On gearnews, Jef wrote: "I suspect it could be popular as the price is very fair for a hand-built pedal using good quality components."2
Related pedals from Magnetic Effects
The Sonic Tailor sat in a run of 2016 and 2017 releases from the maker:
- The Satellite, a low to medium gain overdrive and booster, released February 2016
- The Vortex, a limited edition handmade boost pedal with built in echo, released April 2016 at $165 street
- The Zola, an ultra high headroom clean boost with active EQ and a switchable buffer, released December 2016
Videos
Magnetic Effects
Magnetic Effects
Questions
Does the Sonic Tailor use a germanium transistor?
Yes. Premier Guitar's announcement describes the Sonic Tailor as a germanium transistor overdrive built around a NOS, or new old stock, germanium transistor. The maker describes the result as colorful overdrive with a distinctive germanium character, aimed at vintage style '60s and '70s midrange based overdrive.
Can the Sonic Tailor run on a battery?
No. The Sonic Tailor is adapter powered only, with no battery option. It runs on a 9 to 18V DC center negative adapter, so a standard pedalboard supply works, but you cannot power it from a 9V battery inside the enclosure.
What voltage does the Sonic Tailor take?
The Sonic Tailor accepts 9 to 18V DC from a center negative adapter. That range means it can run from a standard 9V supply or from an 18V output on a pedalboard power supply, but it is adapter powered only and takes no battery.
Is the Sonic Tailor true bypass?
Yes. Premier Guitar's release notes state that the Sonic Tailor uses true bypass switching, so when the pedal is off your signal passes through without going through its circuit.
Is the Sonic Tailor handmade?
Yes. The pedal is described as 100% handmade, and it was built by Magnetic Effects, a London based maker. It was also a limited edition release, announced in October 2016 at $150 US plus shipping.
What does the Frequency knob do on the Sonic Tailor?
The Frequency knob is one of six controls on the Sonic Tailor, alongside Volume, Gain, Treble, Bass and Mix. The pedal pairs its germanium overdrive with a blendable midrange boost, and the Frequency and Mix controls are the boost side of that design, letting you dial in and blend the midrange into your overdriven signal.
Sources (2)
- Magnetic Effects Introduces the Sonic Tailor, Premier Guitar, 2016-10-04
- Magnetic Effects' Sonic Tailor: A vintage-inspired overdrive from London, gearnews.com, 2016-10-03
