Black Emperor 5-knob - Special Edition

This is Special Edition variant built in V8 (black russian) sloped steel enclosure replica and comes with some 'mojo' parts choice:
- new old stock 3102EM transistors, as used in many Sovtek units, each individually selected for low noise operation (30% of my lot have been rejected due to poor performance),
- new old stock Polish-made Miflex film capacitors,
- new old stock soviet black glass silicon diodes,
- also equipped with battery clip and cover/holder, low current LED and adhesive feet.

Soundwise it is almost the same as regular version, but due to different value of feedback capacitors used in this run and clipping threshold of diodes it presents more vivid, less compressed treble content - yet still without annoying high end sizzle. Both of these factors match exactly components readings I took from my favourite green Sovtek muff unit.
All enclosures I received from manufacturer came with powder coating flaw - you can see small 'bubbles' on the corner of enclosure, so please note finish is not immaculate.

About Black Emperor project:

I've been sourcing and examining dozens of black (and green) muffs for this long-time project to find out there's no precise 'black muff sound' - they do vary a lot, thanks to poor quality of used components with really wide range of out of tolerance values. Comparing two black muffs can lead to an unexpected conclusions (well, the same for green ones, etc.), since they may work like completely different pedals. Eventually I found the unit sounding really good with it's tremendous low-end and extravagantly heavy feel. No surprise, many of it's components appeared to measure up to 40% out of indicated values, what resulted in very distinctive sound. I took it's recipe and added some EQ flavour from another, early 6-screw unit which I'm fond of for it's particularly bold, aggressive attitude... and that's how Black Emperor was born.

Black Emperor is voiced for relatively high gain fuzz feel, with compressed, bursting attack and earth-shaking bass content surpassing even the fattest green muffs I've tried. While it's bass capacity results in sound almost collapsing under it's own power, good amount of treble presence secures fuzz clarity. You won't find many muffs sound like that, but I make sure each of Black Emperors sound like it was the one fuzz device to rule all others.

This big box version is built in similar way to original V8s in quite an oversized enclosure, with oldschool looking printed circuit board. Circuit is executed with many non-standard value parts I individually measure and select for crazy tight tolerance - all of these has been found in actual, 'out of spec' muffs I probed... call that happy accidents standardised and meticulously executed for superior tonal experience.

5 knob version is extended with two extra controls. With MID knob set to minimum and LOW knob maxed there is 'stock' Black Emperor sound. MID increases midrange content and LOW reduces deepest bass without affecting overall fuzz character or tone knob response. Inclusion of these bring extremely diversified tonal range to fit in many genres and band scenarios.

Black Emperor wants you to feed it with a standard (negative center) 9V DC power supply. Special Edition comes with battery clip and holder. Current draw is below 5mA.