Strymon Fairfax Class A Output Stage Drive Pedal

Product Description

Strymon Fairfax Class A Output Stage Drive Pedal

The Strymon Fairfax is a fully analogue Class A drive pedal designed to recreate the feel, response, and harmonic complexity of a vintage tube amplifier in compact pedal form. Inspired by the legendary Garnet Herzog® tube drive unit from the 1960s, Fairfax goes far beyond traditional overdrive pedals by emulating the behaviour of multiple tube stages and the critical saturation characteristics of an output transformer.

Built as part of Strymon’s analogue-focused Series A lineup, Fairfax delivers highly dynamic amp-like drive with exceptional touch sensitivity, natural compression, and rich harmonic detail. At lower gain settings, it adds warmth, subtle breakup, and enhanced harmonic content while preserving the natural voice of your guitar and amplifier. As the gain increases, Fairfax moves into saturated vintage amp territory with thick sustain and organic response.

A standout feature is the variable Sag control, which replicates the power supply compression and feel of a tube amp under load. Lower settings provide subtle sag and smooth compression, while higher settings introduce gated, sputtering textures more commonly associated with vintage fuzz circuits.

Internally, Fairfax converts standard 9V power to 40V operation, delivering increased headroom, natural dynamics, and amplifier-style response rarely found in traditional drive pedals.

Key Features

• Fully analogue Class A drive pedal
• Inspired by vintage tube amplifier circuits
• Emulates tube stages and output transformer saturation
• Highly dynamic amp-like feel and response
• Variable Sag control for tube-style compression and gating effects
• Wide gain range from light breakup to saturated drive
• Bright switch for high-frequency shaping
• Internal 40V operation for increased headroom
• Part of Strymon’s analogue Series A lineup
• True bypass switching

Controls

• Drive
• Level
• Sag
• Bright Switch

Specifications

• Effect Type: Class A Drive / Preamp
• Circuit Design: Fully Analogue
• Internal Voltage: 40V
• Bypass: True Bypass
• Inputs/Outputs: Mono In / Mono Out
• Power Requirements: 9V DC centre-negative
• Minimum Current Requirement: 500mA
• Power Supply Included: No
• Dimensions: 11.51cm D x 7.19cm W x 5.92cm H