The Soundgas Type 636P is a preamp pedal made by Soundgas, based on the preamp from a Grampian 636 reverb unit. Guitar World described it as "a plain box with one knob and oodles of gain," and Carlos O'Connell of Fontaines D.C. called it his pedalboard secret weapon: "It's a preamp, but it's got the biggest distortion I've ever heard"1.
What it does
The Grampian 636 was a studio reverberation unit with a built-in preamp. Although it was intended as a studio reverb unit, players used the built-in preamp on its own to fatten their tone, and that preamp section is what the Type 636P puts in a pedal21. Soundgas makes a related product, the Soundgas Grampian Type G.
The pedal has a single knob and, by Guitar World's account, oodles of gain, enough that Carlos O'Connell describes it as carrying the biggest distortion he has heard from a preamp: "It's a preamp, but it's got the biggest distortion I've ever heard"1. Where a player places it in that territory between clean boost and full distortion is a matter of the knob's setting; for comparison, see boost pedals and distortion pedals.
Who uses it
Carlos O'Connell of Fontaines D.C. uses the Type 636P as his secret weapon on his pedalboard and in studio production work. "I've been using it in the studio when I produce albums [for other artists]. I have it in a chain out of the 'board," he told Guitar World1.
His unit carries track names scrawled on its face for the songs it has been used on, including Big Shot, Favorite and I Love You1.
Availability and price
Guitar World reported a price of £1295, approximately $1750, as of June 20251.
The Type 636P is made in limited batches, and its £1295 (approx. $1750) price tag compounds its exclusivity. A new batch was expected in the fall, according to Guitar World's June 2025 report1.
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Questions
What is the Soundgas Type 636P based on?
The pedal is based on the preamp from a Grampian 636, a studio reverberation unit with a built-in preamp. Players, including Pete from Aclam Guitars' manual, used that preamp section on its own to fatten their tone, and Soundgas built the Type 636P around that circuit.
How much does the Soundgas Type 636P cost?
Guitar World reported a price of £1295, approximately $1750, as of June 2025. The pedal is made in limited batches, which the article noted compounds its exclusivity, with a new batch expected in the fall.
Sources (2)
- Carlos O'Connell reveals the secret weapon on his pedalboard, Guitar World, 2025-06-05
- AAFF-The WIndmiller Preamp.indd, Aclam Guitars (Llevinac S.L.), 2023
Ed O'Brien
Pete Townshend