Strymon Fairfax Class A Output Stage Drive Pedal - Gray

For players chasing the gritty saturation and singing sustain that defined the sound of the ’60s, the Strymon Fairfax Class A Output Stage Drive is more than just a pedal—it’s a complete all-analog amplifier that delivers huge, expressive tone in a compact, stage-ready format. Inspired by the legendary tube-driven unit that fueled Randy Bachman’s searing lead guitar tone in “American Woman,” Fairfax distills that vintage magic into a modern, pedalboard-friendly design. Built from the ground up using custom-voiced JFET stages and a transformer-inspired output section, it delivers the blooming sustain, organic compression and expressive tonal response of a small Class-A amp pushed past its threshold. With variable Sag, flexible gain shaping and an internally boosted 40V power system, Fairfax brings classic tube-driven feel to any rig.

Authentic Output-Stage Behavior With Dynamic, Amp-Like Feel

The lively, dynamic of Fairfax comes from replicating the essential behavior of a small Class-A amplifier being driven hard: harmonics that bloom with input level, compression that reacts to your picking dynamics and sustain that feels like it’s swelling from within the circuit. Multiple custom JFET stages emulate the nonlinearities of tube gain, while a bespoke transformer-emulation circuit recreates the soft saturation, low-end shift and complex harmonic foldover that occur when an output transformer hits its limits. An internal transformer-based supply elevates 9V DC to 40V of headroom, ensuring that the pedal responds like an actual power section with ample room to breathe. From gentle harmonic push to angular, aggressive drive, Fairfax behaves like a living amplifier—warm, reactive and richly expressive.

Simplified Controls, Deep Expressive Range

Fairfax’s streamlined interface makes it easy to shape everything from subtle coloration to full output-stage grind. Drive sets the gain of the preamp section, spanning clean enhancement to saturated lead voice. Level manages overall output, letting you push your amp hard or keep things controlled and balanced. The continuously variable Sag control mimics the current limitations of a tube rectifier: At modest settings, the response is tight and articulate; at higher settings, the circuit dynamically sags, unbiases and introduces gated textures that respond directly to pick attack—ranging from soft compression to spitting, fuzz-like artifacts. A Bright switch fine-tunes the high-frequency contour, moving from smooth, rolled-off warmth to open, unfiltered clarity. Together, these controls offer a wide palette of tones without ever feeling complicated or technical.

Modern Flexibility for Today’s Rigs

Although Fairfax is rooted in vintage amplifier behavior, its design integrates seamlessly into modern setups. Its high-headroom analog topology works equally well with clean amps, driven amps and modelers, maintaining articulation and dynamic nuance no matter the platform. A selectable internal power-up state allows automatic activation when powered—ideal for loop switcher users or complex stage rigs. True bypass preserves your core tone, while the pedal’s robust analog architecture ensures consistent, predictable performance night after night. Whether you’re adding harmonic richness to a clean platform, introducing dynamic sag to a sterile modeler or chasing the expressive sustain of classic output-stage drive, Fairfax delivers authentic amp behavior with the convenience, reliability and workflow modern players expect.