The Spruce Effects Americana States Series Limekiln Edition is a distortion pedal built around a germanium transistor and JFET gain stages, with artwork depicting a sunset over the California coastline. Guitar Pedal X's Stefan Karlsson, reviewing the series in August 2026, called the Limekiln's artwork one of the most gorgeous pedal artworks he had ever seen1. The pedal sits in the wider family of distortion pedals, but its reviewer described it as a hybrid that straddles overdrive, distortion and fuzz depending on the settings1.
Clipping and the transistors inside
The circuit has two gain stages: a P416B germanium transistor and a pair of SMT 6R7 JFETs, supposedly BFJ112 equivalents, corresponding to the Gain 1 and Gain 2 controls. Two op-amps in the circuit appear to be there more for power handling and switching purposes than for gain1.
The top clipping switch selects between two clipping types: up for LEDs, down for Schottky diodes. The reviewer's verdict on the LED mode1:
"With LEDs engaged it's a glorious fuzz-edged distortion - open, balanced and with a nice amount of sear to it."
Controls
The controls are arranged left to right in two rows, with the clipping switch unlabelled on the top edge1.
| Control | Function |
|---|---|
| Volume | Output level |
| Gain 1 | First gain stage (germanium transistor) |
| Gain 2 | Second gain stage (JFET pair) |
| Tone | Tone shaping |
| Shape | Clipping high shelf |
| Top switch | Clipping selection: up for LEDs, down for Schottky diodes |
The reviewer's preferred settings were Volume at 2 o'clock, Gain 1 at 3 o'clock, Gain 2 at 9 o'clock, Tone at 3 o'clock and Shape at 3 o'clock, producing a fuzz-edged distortion1.
Availability and the Americana States Series
The Americana States Series is a set of distortion pedals whose artwork editions feature picturesque scenes and vistas from some of the United States' favorite National Parks. The four editions were Año Nuevo, Anza Borrego, Emerald Bay and Limekiln1.
As of August 2026, all four editions were sold out except the Año Nuevo Edition, which was still available on the Spruce Effects webstore. The Anza Borrego Edition was the first variant to sell out. Some Limekiln units sold were B-stock with possibly tiny imperfections, though the reviewer's unit was wholly pristine1.
The Limekiln Edition carries sunset California coastline artwork, which the reviewer called one of the most gorgeous pedal artworks he has seen1.
Questions
Is the Spruce Effects Limekiln Edition sold out?
Yes. As of August 2026, the Limekiln Edition is sold out. Guitar Pedal X noted that some units sold during the sale were B-stock with possibly tiny imperfections, though the reviewer's own unit arrived wholly pristine. Of the four Americana States Series editions, only the Año Nuevo Edition remained available on the Spruce Effects webstore at that time.
What does the top clipping switch do?
The unlabelled switch on the top edge selects the clipping type: up engages LED clipping, down engages Schottky diode clipping. The reviewer found that with LEDs engaged the pedal becomes what he called a glorious fuzz-edged distortion, open, balanced and with a nice amount of sear to it.
What transistors are in the Limekiln Edition?
The pedal uses a P416B germanium transistor and two SMT 6R7 JFETs, which Guitar Pedal X describes as supposedly BFJ112 equivalents. The germanium transistor and the JFET pair correspond to the Gain 1 and Gain 2 controls, forming the pedal's two gain stages.
Which other editions are in the Americana States Series?
The series came in four artwork editions named after National Park vistas: Año Nuevo, Anza Borrego, Emerald Bay and Limekiln. As of August 2026, all were sold out except the Año Nuevo Edition, which was still available on the Spruce Effects webstore. The Anza Borrego Edition was the first variant to sell out.
Is the Limekiln an overdrive, distortion or fuzz?
It depends on the settings. Guitar Pedal X's reviewer described it as an interesting hybrid gain machine, straddling overdrive, distortion and fuzz all in the one device. At his preferred settings it produced a fuzz-edged distortion, and with LED clipping engaged he called it a glorious fuzz-edged distortion.
Sources (1)
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2026-08-05
