The Watt is a compact pedal from Sushi Box FX that puts a tube preamp, an adjustable-frequency high-pass filter (HPF) and a compressor in a single enclosure. It was born from a collaboration with the bassist Mike Watt, who asked the maker to combine the two main pedals he was gigging with, the Finally and the Single Slice, into one box1. It sits in the maker's range alongside other tube preamp designs, and fits the broader field of preamp pedals and compressor pedals.
What it does
The Watt is described by the maker as "a compact box providing a tube preamp, adjustable frequency high-pass filter (HPF), and compressor"1. In practice that covers three jobs a bass or guitar player might otherwise spread across a board: warming up the signal with a tube gain stage, cutting low-frequency rumble with a high-pass filter whose cutoff frequency is adjustable, and evening out dynamics with a compressor. The maker lists it under the categories Pedals, DI, Compressor and Preamp1, reflecting that it can also serve as a direct box.
The high-pass filter is worth a word for players new to the term: it passes the higher frequencies and rolls off the ones below an adjustable point, which is a common way to tighten up a bass signal or remove stage rumble before it hits an amp or a desk.
Outputs and signal routing
The Watt carries both a 1/4-inch output and an XLR output, "with both a 1/4″ and XLR output"1. Both outputs are bypassable for flexible signal routing1, which means a player can send the tube signal to an amp on the 1/4-inch side while the XLR feeds a mixing desk, or bypass an output when it is not needed.
Power requirements
The Watt needs a supply that can deliver at least 500mA. Sushi Box FX states that "using less than this can damage the power supply and/or the pedal"1. A typical daisy-chain or low-current pedal supply will not be suitable.
The maker recommends a 9 to 12VDC power supply capable of delivering at least 500mA1. Because of that current draw, this is a pedal that needs its own adequate supply rather than sharing a low-current output.
The product page offers an "Include Power Supply?" option with Yes and No choices1, so the pedal can be ordered with or without a power supply.
Design and background
The Watt came about because Mike Watt, described by the maker as "the legendary Mike Watt", asked for "a single box that combined the two main pedals he was gigging with, Finally and Single Slice"1. The Finally remains in the Sushi Box FX range as the Finally v3, and the maker's catalog includes other tube preamp designs such as the Dr. Wattson X and the Venus Z.
Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | Tube preamp, adjustable-frequency HPF, compressor1 |
| Tube | 12AT7 (ECC81), included1 |
| Outputs | 1/4-inch and XLR, both bypassable1 |
| Power | 9 to 12VDC, at least 500mA1 |
| Enclosure | 4.7 in x 3.7 in x 1.34 in (119 mm x 94 mm x 34 mm)1 |
| Price | $400.00 to $413.00 USD depending on options1 |
Questions
Who designed Sushi Box FX The Watt?
The Watt came out of a collaboration between Sushi Box FX and the bassist Mike Watt. He asked Sushi Box FX to build a single box that combined the two main pedals he was gigging with at the time, the Finally and the Single Slice, and the Watt is the result of that request.
What tube does The Watt use?
The Watt ships with a 12AT7 (ECC81) tube installed. That is the tube the maker lists as the one it comes with, so a player replacing or swapping the tube has the factory fitment as a starting point.
How much current does The Watt need?
Sushi Box FX recommends a 9 to 12VDC power supply capable of delivering at least 500mA. Using a supply that delivers less than that can damage the power supply and/or the pedal, so a standard low-current pedal supply is not suitable.
Does The Watt have an XLR output?
Yes. The Watt has both a 1/4-inch output and an XLR output, and both outputs are bypassable for flexible signal routing. That makes it usable as a DI-style box straight into a mixing desk or audio interface as well as into an amp.
Does The Watt come with a power supply?
The maker's product page offers a choice of whether to include a power supply, listed as a Yes or No option, so it can be ordered either with or without one.
Sources (1)
- The Watt, Sushi Box FX
