Technical Information

Curious about what's under the hood? If you find yourself on this page, chances are you're a component geek (like us), you're trying to choose between pedals, or you're wondering how to configure your own custom pedal for your tone. Well, we've got you. 

We're adding to this page all the time as it's a constant work in progress. Please let us know if there is information you'd like to see here.

 

Robot Variants

Other than color, there are certain tonal and gain characteristics that set the variants apart. For even dirtier details into individual components, see the bottom of the page. Here's the information in order.

 

Robot Silver

Inside every silver pedal are all new components (resistors, capacitors, etc.). The components are specifically selected to assure a consistent tone across each pedal.

Stand out features:

  • Bright tone
  • Adjustable from medium overdrive-medium distort
  • Lowest max distortion of all variants (but still plenty)
  • NEW metal film resistors
  • NEW Sprague Orange Drop capacitor tone
  • Lowest noise floor

Most similar to: Any currently produced tube amplifier

And now, an explanation. All the new components help keep the noise floor and interference level low. As with any fully analog circuit, some noise is normal, but the state of the art new components keep it minimal.

 

Robot Yellow

Inside every Yellow pedal is a mix of new and vintage components. The components are specifically selected to assure a consistent tone across each pedal--though some slight tonal variation is possible.

Stand out features:

  • Bright/Dark balanced tone
  • Adjustable from high overdrive-high distort
  • Middle of the road max distortion
  • NEW metal film resistors
  • Vintage Sprague Yellow Black Beauty capacitor tone
  • NEW Sprague Orange Drop capacitor tone
  • Low noise floor

Most similar to: Early 1970s Sears Silvertone tube amplifiers

And now, an explanation. The new resistors keep the noise floor low, and the vintage Yellow Black Beauty capacitor tone is bright and creamy. The Yellow is the entry level to a unique, vintage, tone experience.

 

Robot Orange

Inside every Orange pedal is a mix of new and vintage components. The main difference between the yellow and the orange is the addition of vintage carbon-composition Allen Bradley resistors. 

Stand out features:

  • Slight Bright/Darker balanced tone
  • Adjustable from high overdrive-high distort
  • Middle of the road max distortion
  • Vintage 1950s Allen Bradley resistors
  • Vintage Sprague Bumble Bee capacitor tone
  • NEW Sprague Orange Drop capacitor tone
  • Lower noise floor

Most similar to: 1950s Fender tube amplifiers

And now, an explanation. The addition of the vintage carbon resistors adds a slight crunch to the distortion while slightly increasing the noise floor. There is definitely some tonal variation between pedals--making each one a unique, vintage, piece of equipment.

 

Robot Black

This is our top of the line, and as such, we don't make very many. This pedal offers 100% vintage components in the signal path--and it's made even better with a vintage tube. 

Stand out features:

  • Dark tone
  • Adjustable from high overdrive-heavy distort
  • Mmax distortion of all variants
  • Vintage 1950s Allen Bradley resistors
  • Vintage Sprague Red Black Beauty capacitor tone
  • Medium noise floor

Most similar to: 1960s Fender Blackface tube amplifiers

Having one of these is essentially like having a super high gain variant of a Fender Princeton pre-amp--but darker. The Red Black Beauty capacitors are regarded as the BEST tone capacitors money can buy, and they give a very dark, heavy tone. Tonal variation with these is common--but each one is guaranteed dark and heavy. This is the one we're most proud of. :)

 

Component Details

Capacitors

 

Sprague Orange Drop - When used in the Robot circuit, these capacitors offer a bright and crisp tone. They are reliable and should keep the same tone for years to come. Of all the new tone capacitors we tried, these are the ones that really allow the circuit to shine.

 

Vintage 1960s Sprague Yellow Black Beauty - When used in the Robot circuit, these capacitors offer a vintage yet bright and crisp tone. Some tonal variation between capacitors is common, but each one gives unique vintage depth.

 

Vintage 1950s Sprague Bumble Bee  - These capacitors offer a slightly darker tone when used in the Robot circuitry. The crispness of the former capacitors blends to creamy with these for a very 1950s vibe.

 

Vintage 1960s Sprague Red Black Beauty - These capacitors are worth their weight in gold (and cost nearly as much to procure). They give a nice dark tone to the Robot circuit, and are a must for the distortion fanatic or heavy rocker.

 

Resistors

 

New metal film -- These resistors are the best money can buy in new resistors. Their values remain stable for years and are not susceptible to moisture damage or interference. They help the Robot circuit to be low noise and crisp.

 

Vintage 1950s Allen Bradley -- These resistors are in every vintage amp (and many new ones). Leo Fender was famous for preferring these. Given the composition, they are a little noisier, but when used in the Robot circuit, they seem to add a crunch to the distortion that the new stuff just doesn't. They'll also survive a nuclear holocaust--so there's that.

 

For any other questions, feel free to email info@loydelectronics.com!