About This Item
Description
Belle Starr is Drew Shirley of Switchfoot's signature overdrive, built around a MOSFET clipping circuit instead of silicon diodes to recreate the smooth, natural breakup of a small tube amp run wide open.
The gain control is one continuous, evenly distributed sweep from a transparent clean boost through edge-of-breakup and warm, responsive drive to a full medium-gain overdrive. Play lightly for a clear, open sound; dig in for warm, natural breakup.
Why guitarists choose the Belle Starr
- A MOSFET clipping circuit, instead of the silicon diodes used in most overdrives, produces smooth, amp-like breakup rather than hard-edged clipping.
- Gain is spread evenly from clean to a cranked-small-amp character with no abrupt jumps as you turn the knob.
- An active BODY control gives +/-15 dB of bass shaping with a center detent, while a passive Vox-style TONE control cuts treble.
- Low GAIN with high VOLUME turns the pedal into a powerful clean boost with full tone-shaping control.
- Developed over eight months and tested across Fender, Marshall, Vox, and Jackson amps so it plays well with virtually any rig.
- Runs on 9-18V: 9V for smoother compression and earlier breakup, 18V for more headroom and a more open response.
Controls
- VOLUME — Overall output level; combine low GAIN with high VOLUME for a boost-style clean push.
- GAIN — Sets drive amount from clean through cranked-small-amp breakup.
- BODY — Active EQ on low frequencies, +/-15 dB boost/cut with a center detent.
- TONE — Passive treble control voiced like the Cut knob on a Vox-style amp, with a center detent.
- Footswitch — Mechanical true bypass on/off.
Connections & Power
- Top-mounted input and output jacks
- Runs on a regulated 9-18V DC center-negative supply (2.1 mm plug; do not exceed 18V) drawing a maximum of 20 mA
- Power supply not included
| Effect type | Low/mid-gain MOSFET overdrive |
|---|---|
| Controls | VOLUME, GAIN, BODY, TONE |
| Bypass | Mechanical true bypass |
| Input impedance | 1 MΩ |
| Output impedance | 100 kΩ |
| Power | 9-18V DC center-negative, 2.1 mm; max 18V |
| Current draw | 20 mA max |
| Jacks | Top-mounted |
| Footprint | 2.2 x 4.875 in (56 x 124 mm) |
| Made in | USA |
| Warranty | 5-year Jackson Audio warranty |
FAQ
Is Belle Starr a high-gain overdrive? No. It is a low/mid-gain overdrive designed to recreate the smooth, natural breakup of a small, low-wattage amp run wide open, not a high-gain distortion.
What makes the clipping different from other overdrives? Belle Starr uses MOSFET transistors instead of traditional silicon diodes for its clipping, giving an evenly spread gain range and a smoother, more amp-like breakup.
What does the BODY control do? It is an active bass EQ with +/-15 dB of boost or cut and a center detent, separate from the passive TONE control.
Can I run Belle Starr on 18V? Yes, it accepts 9-18V DC center negative. 9V gives a classic response with smooth compression and earlier breakup; 18V gives more headroom and dynamic range. Do not exceed 18V.
Can it be used as a clean boost? Yes. With GAIN low and VOLUME high it works as a transparent boost with BODY and TONE for shaping.
What is the bypass type? A mechanical true bypass switch.
How much current does it draw? A maximum of 20 mA, so it runs from any standard pedalboard supply.