Electronic Audio Experiments Citadel Preamp Effects Pedal

The Electronic Audio Experiments Citadel is a preamp-style overdrive inspired by the everlasting sounds of British amplifiers from the '60s and '70s. Rather than emulating a specific model, it encompasses our favorite parts of a whole generation of amplifiers including warm piano-like cleans, bright clear overdrive, and sizzling lead tones.

The Citadel began as a series of experiments on our Model feT pedal. Like any tube amp, there are ample opportunities for modifications. After all, the original Model T was itself a modified take on the Super Bass sound, delivering a distinct variety of the plexi flavor with fuzzy breakup and a huge low frequency punch. So, what if we flavored it our own way? Once Brad completed his "Marsha" prototype, it was on. In a way, you can almost think of the Citadel as a re-plexi-fied Model T sound, trading low end sludge for a sparkly midrange focus. In another way, you can think of it as what we’d do if the original Model T wasn’t too sacrosanct to modify.

Finally, like our Model feT, the Citadel emulates both the preamp and power amp sections of a tube amp to provide a full-bodied overdrive that feels powerful and responds wonderfully to boosts, drives, and fuzzes in front. It can be used either a conventional drive pedal or as the workhorse of an ampless signal chain.