Totally Wycked Audio CHEMICAL Z Roy Z Signature Dual Channel Overdrive

Like new, just used for a demo video!!

The Chemical Z overdrive was designed to replace guitarist Roy Z’s multi-drive setup with a single pedal that would not just meet all his dirtbox desires, but exceed them.

Designed by Tube Screamer creator Susumu Tamura, the CHEM-Z circuit is based around the “Magic” IC that was only found in limited runs of the best-sounding vintage TS808’s. This IC was also used in the APEX808 that Godlyke released in 2020 under the Maxon Custom Shop banner.

This special OpAmp offers less compression and more output than the typically-used JRC4558. In addition, it produces both even and odd-order harmonics in a similar manner to the preamp & power sections of a tube amp.

More than just a copy of previous designs, Chemical-Z has been optimized for use with high-gain amps. Rich in integer harmonics and with a precisely-tuned upper midrange, CHEM-Z is aggressive yet articulate; edgy yet easy on the ears.

This crunchy clarity not only breathes new life into tube amps, but is also the perfect “plug-in” for adding depth and dimensionality to digital modeling units (Roy uses CHEM- Z to warm up the sound of his Quad Cortex).

Chemical-Z also features a footswitchable hot channel that activates an alternate set of clipping diodes. These now-defunct Panasonic DA2S00100L diodes were used in the Maxon OD808X Overdrive Extreme and have more forward voltage than standard diodes, functioning in a similar manner to the red LED’s that other builders (Keeley, Earthquaker Devices, Fortin, Catalinbread) use in their OD circuits. The result is more gain and output level, but also a noticeable bump to the low-midrange that helps thicken things up for soloing.

This dual-channel design also allows CHEM-Z to be used with clean and semi-clean amps, creating a 3-channel, “clean-crunch-crush” monster rig with just a single pedal.