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The Durham Electronics Sex Drive is a boutique analog clean boost/preamp with selectable compression, originally designed by Alan Durham for guitarist Charlie Sexton. The goal was to add volume, bottom end and sustain while preserving the natural character of the guitar and amp rather than imposing the midrange coloration of a typical overdrive. Its controls are Gain, Level and Tone, plus a three-position Off/Soft/Hard compression switch. At lower gain settings it’s exceptionally clean; turning up the gain introduces some harmonic texture and mild grit that works especially well for pushing a tube amp into breakup. 

The Sex Drive is hand-built/wired in the USA, uses full-size Alpha pots and Switchcraft jacks, and deliberately uses a buffered rather than true-bypass design.  Its combination of transparent boost, subtle compression and amp-like feel has given it a strong reputation among players who want an “always-on” tone enhancer rather than an obvious effect. It’s particularly associated with the Austin/Texas guitar scene and players including Sexton.