Hamstead Subspace GE: Germanium Limited Edition 2022

Limited Germanium Edition

Subspace is a pedal packed full of surprises. Not only to you, the player, with its range and depth of inspiring true-analogue drive sounds, but also to us, the creators. What was originally envisaged as an Odyssey optimised for low frequencies became so much more, loved by guitar and bass players alike. Here, we take it one step further, having married the circuit with an NOS Mullard GEX35 Germanium diode. The result is something truly sublime…

The addition of this diode brings an out-of-this-world warmth and clarity to the plethora of drive sounds within Subspace. Its super-reactive dynamics and touch sensitivity makes you as if you’re playing in zero-gravity. You can still expect versatile Clean Boost and Tone shaping, but through to an even more characterful and well-rounded amp-like drive, all the way to rich distorted tones and full-blown splatty vintage fuzz.

This is a limited run of only 25 Subspaces. Each one will be accompanied by a handbook signed by the team, as well as the original NOS packaging that the Mullard GEX35 came in.

Subspace GE Features:

• 100% Analogue circuit featuring an NOS Mullard GEX35 Germanium diode
• 3 Clipping Circuits all featuring the GEX35
• Switchable order of the Drive & EQ circuits
• Active EQ with +/-18dB of Clean Treble & Bass Boost & Cut
• Parallel Dry Control with up to +6dB boost
• Input Gain Boost up to +14dB
• Powerful Instrument & Amp Tone Shaping
• Warm Vintage Overdrive
• Low or High Mid Boosted Overdrive
• Defined High Gain Distortion
• Glitchy Oversaturated Fuzz
• -10dB Input Pad Switch for Low Gain Tones

EQ & Drive

The Drive circuit features three clipping modes each with its own character and voice - all three utilise the GEX35 in tandem with other specially selected components to compliment and expand on an already versatile tonal character. The Gain knob has a wide range from very light breakup to incredibly saturated distortion.

This incredible versatility is made possible by how the Drive circuit interacts with the EQ creating a whole galaxy of tonal options. ‘Post’ mode enables powerful studio-style tone sculpting and ‘Pre’ mode can drastically alter the response and character of the breakup.

Input Gain & Tone

The clipping stage can be boosted by the ‘X’ switch setting the input level to X1 (unity gain), X2 (twice your original signal, or X5 to boost the input level by almost 14dB. Boosting the level into the Drive circuit creates anything from a subtle increase in saturation and harmonics at low gain levels, or it can push the clipping all the way to glitchy oversaturated fuzz.

The Tone control is a low pass filter that controls the high frequencies in the Drive circuit - this is very useful when tailoring Odyssey to your set up, or can be used with the Treble control to fine-tune the high end.

Parallel Signal Path

The Parallel control in Subspace works as a volume control for your dry signal and features a notch at the 12 o’clock position for unity gain, which can then be boosted by up to +6dB. Unlike a normal passive blend control, your dry signal is split by a high-quality buffer circuit meaning that 100% of the signal goes to both the Drive circuit and the Parallel circuit with no tonal loss.

Subspace Specification:

• All-analogue design with Mullard GEX35 Germanium Diode
• Dimensions: 70w x 130d x 65h mm
• Weight: 580g / 1.28lbs
• Power Requirement: 9V DC ONLY, 65mA (Centre Negative)
• Input Impedance: 500K Ohms
• Output Impedance: < 300 Ohms
• Warranty: 5 Year Limited Warranty

An all-analogue design by Peter Hamstead.

Subspace features silent optical switching and The GigRig’s OptoKick footswitch for excellent reliability.