V4 The Countess is a two-channel, all-valve pedal preamp that delivers genuine valve overdrive. Use it straight into the front of your amp or recording interface, or alternatively use it in conjunction with your amp’s FX loop to bypass the front end of your existing amp entirely for a whole new sound experience. This is definitely no ‘ordinary’ overdrive pedal!

1 x EC900 and 3 x CV4014 valves running at high plate voltage. These are the first pedal-format guitar preamps to feature four valves and an all-valve signal path. This is no ‘ordinary’ overdrive pedal! Channel one is clean to mild breakup – great for pushing your existing clean tone, or actually cleaning up a crunchy amp if you’re using it in amp-through mode. Channel two is unbridled, glorious overdrive! We recommend ‘Amp Through Mode’ for full functionality where you can choose to use your amp’s own front end, or the V4 Preamp via the amp effects loop. To use it as a ‘normal’ pedal or if you don’t have an effects loop, use ‘Standalone’ mode.

Powerful bass, middle and treble controls. These also have a significant effect on the gain character and drive levels – just like in any valve guitar amp.

Bright is a global tone control that optimises the V4 Pedal Preamp for what you’re plugging into. Amp effects loops, inputs, recording devices and so on all differ greatly, so just choose the setting that sounds best to your ears. Don’t worry if other settings sound ‘bad’. It all depends what you’re playing through! Put it on your pedalboard, on top of your amp or on your desktop. It’s particularly good for fly dates, or other situations when you’re not using your own amp. Just hit the FX loop return of whatever you’re using and feel right at home in no time