The Tym Sky Patch is a limited-edition distortion pedal built by Tym Guitars as a signature pedal for Bob Mold, the Hüsker Dü and Sugar guitarist. Announced in April 2016 alongside Mold's album Patch the Sky, it takes the early 80s MXR Distortion+ as its starting point and modifies that circuit into what Guitar World described as "a tighter, fuller, and more focused stomp box"12.
It went on sale in April 2016 for $250, sold as a bundle with a t-shirt through Bob Mold's official store1.
What the Sky Patch does
The Sky Patch is a distortion pedal in the Distortion+ tradition: a simple circuit built around the original LM741CN IC, pushing a pair of silicon diodes for what MusicRadar's report called "warm but crisp clipping"1. MusicRadar also noted that it offers more volume than the originals, which matters on a pedalboard where a distortion pedal is expected to hold its own against a clean signal1.
Its controls are minimal, in keeping with the circuit it is based on1:
Guitar World's report, drawing on Mold and Brennan, described the result as "a tighter, fuller, and more focused stomp box"2.
Where it came from
The Sky Patch arrived as a limited-edition pedal, announced as available in a t-shirt bundle for $2501. Each pedal in the limited run features level and distortion controls, and it is built around the original LM741CN IC1. MusicRadar's writeup described the result as "a tighter, fuller, and more focused stomp box"2.
"It's housed in my custom handmade stainless steel enclosures"
Power and switching
The Sky Patch runs on a 9V power supply with a standard Boss-style 9V input jack, so it takes the same center-negative supply most pedalboards already use12. MusicRadar lists true bypass switching, meaning the circuit is out of the signal path when the pedal is off1.
Related Tym Guitars pedals
The Sky Patch is one of a small line of Tym Guitars distortion designs. The company's range also includes the Tymexar St Paul Distortion1. Like the Sky Patch, these are pedals rather than rack units, built to take a guitar signal and shape it into distortion12.
Questions
Is the Tym Sky Patch true bypass?
Yes. MusicRadar's report on the pedal's launch lists true bypass switching among its features, alongside its level and distortion controls. True bypass means the pedal's circuit is removed from the signal path entirely when it is switched off, so your guitar's signal reaches the amp unaltered until you engage the effect.
What is the Tym Sky Patch based on?
The Sky Patch is based on the early 80s MXR Distortion+, according to MusicRadar. Tym Guitars modified that circuit into what Guitar World described as a tighter, fuller, and more focused stomp box, and the pedal keeps the original LM741CN IC from the Distortion+ design.
Is the Tym Sky Patch a limited edition?
Yes. Both MusicRadar and Guitar World describe the Sky Patch as a limited-edition pedal, with MusicRadar referring to each pedal in the limited run. It was announced in April 2016 alongside Bob Mould's album Patch the Sky and sold through Mould's official store.
What power does the Tym Sky Patch use?
The Sky Patch runs on a 9V power supply, with a standard Boss-style 9V input jack according to Guitar World. MusicRadar's report also notes 9V power supply operation, so it takes the same center-negative supply most pedalboards already carry.
Who designed the Tym Sky Patch?
The pedal was produced by Tim Brennan of Australia's Tym Guitars in collaboration with Bob Mould, the Hüsker Dü and Sugar guitarist, as a signature pedal. Guitar World reported the collaboration in April 2016, with the pedal housed in Brennan's custom handmade stainless steel enclosures.
Sources (2)
- Bob Mould unveils signature Sky Patch guitar effects pedal, MusicRadar, 2016-04-27
- Bob Mould (Husker Du, Sugar) Unveils New 'Tym Sky Patch' Distortion Pedal, Guitar World, 2016-04-26
