Vexter Series pedals are lower priced, featuring UV printed artwork. The
parts inside Vexters are identical to the hand painted pedals.
The Super Hard On, or ‘SHO’ as we fondly refer to it, is an ultra-transparent boost that goes from unity gain to a whooping 60 times the original size (watch out!), while adding a delightful high-end clarity with its 5 million ohm input impedance.
Pedal Dimensions (LxWxH): 4.70" x 2.38" x 1.82"
OVERVIEW:
This is the perfect preamp pedal. The “Crackle Okay” volume
knob is a negative-feedback control styled after classic 60’s
recording console inputs. (They crackled when adjusted too).
Most vintage guitars suffer from steadily deteriorating mag-
nets in their pickups, since permanent magnets aren’t really
forever. The Super Hard-On’s input impedance is so high
(>5 Meg) that it refuses any current flow from your pickup...
maintaining the most magnetic field around each string, so
you can hear exactly what your pickup sounded like the day
it came off the winder.
The output level can exceed 8 volts peak, and when it finally
distorts, the wave is shaped like triode overload, not fuzz.
It’s so transparent no one will be able to tell you’re using a
pedal. Perfect for making the most of a classic amp and gui-
tar, because it simply makes your guitar bigger and pushes
the amp harder, causing natural overload. This sound can
be the solution to the ‘disappearing guitar’ effect you get
sometimes on stage when you stomp on your distortion and
sound weaker. When cranked, it sounds much louder than a
fuzz or distortion under stage conditions.
OPERATION:
The Super Hard On™ circuit uses a very sensitive transistor,
with some early versions mounted in a socket. During 2000 I
installed a protection circuit to prolong the life of these transis-
tors and I’ve seen no failures since. If you have a problem with
an older unit, feel free to contact me, or you may purchase
transistors inexpensively from 1-800-DIGIKEY where they
are sold as part number BS107P-ND. You must follow proper
static handling procedures to install the part... write to me for
instructions at zack@zvex.com and I’ll set you up.
On all new LED models, the SHO’s input jack contains the
battery switch. Please unplug from this jack to preserve battery
life. NOTE: After plugging in your pedal turn it on and off a few
times to equalize the voltages between your guitar, other ped-
als, your amp, and the SHO. Otherwise you may hear a “POP!”
when you turn on your SHO during a gig. If you adjust the
boost level, you may hear a “POP!” when switching too. It goes
away after a few switches.
Like all Z. Vex designs, this pedal is true-bypass, with current
flow very low in this circuit (about 2mA), enhancing battery life.
The box is hand-drilled using no petro lubricants. Knobs are
Harry Davies, made with the same molds they’ve used since
the fifties.
BATTERY CHANGE & POWER SUPPLY:
The Super Hard On™ uses less than 20mA and can be pow-
ered with a 9V battery (remove the four screws on the bottom for
replacement) or any standard filtered/regulated musical 9VDC
power supply with a Boss-style connector (negative-tip barrel
connector). We recommend using an alkaline 9V battery but a
carbon-zinc battery (shipped with the unit) will work.
WARNING:
The very high input impedance of this pedal can cause
strange reactions (sometimes mildly pleasant and/or arousing)
when used with a vintage ‘junk’ (read ‘cool’) guitar. The solu-
tion is to simply lower the ‘crackle okay’ gain knob a little or
leave the guitar volume wide open. Any problems will only
occur at the highest gain settings with an unusual guitar.
WARRANTY:
Your Vexter Super Hard On™ is warranted for 1 year from date
of purchase, or 2 years if you send in your warranty card. For
hand-painted ZVEX Effects warranty info and for any repair
questions, consult https://www.zvex.com/repairs for more infor-
mation.
