Zoar

Zoar is a distortion built only from transistors, with no op-amps or diodes in the signal path. It aims for a hi-fi, modern voicing that still reacts to playing dynamics and pickup type, covering light overdrive, low-to-medium gain fuzz for drop-tuned guitar and bass, and heavy saturation.

Six knobs shape the sound: Level, Weight, Gain, Bass, Middle and Treble. Gain adjusts the transistor bias, while Weight controls how much low frequency content reaches the circuit and so changes the whole character, from tight distortion to loose fuzz. The passive EQ offers Bass (0–800 Hz, ±15 dB), Middle (500 Hz–3 kHz, ±10 dB) and Treble (1–10 kHz, ±15 dB). Level reaches unity gain around noon and also influences the voice of the pedal.

A relay-based true-bypass Flexi-Switch footswitch supports both latching and momentary use, and a red LED shows when the effect is on. The pedal runs from a 9–18 V DC supply through a 2.1 mm negative-centre barrel jack. Running it at 18 V widens the clean range, tightens the low end and roughly doubles output volume.