Description
The Summer School Electronics Science Fair combines two classic guitar drive sounds into one highly versatile overdrive and distortion pedal. Featuring two independent circuits running in parallel, the Science Fair lets you blend hard-clipping distortion with smooth, mid-focused overdrive to create everything from subtle grit to aggressive, full-bodied gain. Rather than simply stacking two familiar effects, Summer School Electronics gives you the ability to mix their characteristics in almost endless combinations.
The left side of the pedal, identified by its black knobs, is called the Lab Rat. This circuit delivers crisp, hard-clipping distortion with plenty of bite and aggression. On the right, the green-knobbed Test Tube provides a softer-clipping overdrive with a pronounced midrange character. Each circuit features its own Drive and Tone controls, allowing you to independently shape both sides before blending them together.
Two Classic Drive Circuits, Running in Parallel
What makes the Science Fair special is its parallel signal path. Instead of running one drive circuit into the other, both operate simultaneously, allowing their individual characteristics to remain distinct. The result is an incredibly flexible range of gain tones that would be difficult to achieve with conventional overdrive stacking.
Use the master Blend control to isolate either circuit, find an even balance between the two, or favor one side while adding just a touch of the other. Want aggressive distortion that retains note clarity? Blend in some of the Test Tube's midrange-focused overdrive. Looking for a smoother, less aggressive attack with just enough grit to cut through a mix? Let the Lab Rat add some extra bite to the Test Tube.
Find Your Own Signature Drive Tone
With independent Drive and Tone controls for each circuit, plus master Blend and Volume controls, the Science Fair offers an impressive amount of tonal flexibility. You can dial in everything from straightforward overdrive and biting distortion to complex hybrid tones that combine the best characteristics of both circuits. It's equally useful for shaping rhythm tones, adding definition to lead sounds, or experimenting with new textures in the studio.
Hand-built in Syracuse, New York by working musicians, the Summer School Electronics Science Fair is a creative and practical addition to any pedalboard. With its combination of two independent drive circuits, extensive blending capabilities, and straightforward controls, it's a great choice for players who want more control over their gain sounds. Sometimes the best discoveries happen when you start experimenting.
