The Plumes does away with the trusted JRC4558 OpAmp and the BJT buffers and replaces them with low noise JFET OpAmps for a more robust and precise signal with a significantly lower noise floor. The 9v power input is internally converted to /-9v for more headroom and a clarity that is almost three dimensional. The input impedance has been raised to a whopping 10megaohms for a stronger signal with more clarity and chime. Cutoff of the tone control has been adjusted to deliver a more useful range of travel with more booming bass on the low end without sacrificing the cutting midrange and bright top end.

Last, but certainly not least, the Plumes offers three different clipping options to ensure that it will work with a wide variety of gear and playing styles.

Mode 1 is symmetrical clipping utilizing a pair of light emitting diodes; this is the crunchiest setting the Plumes has to offer. When played through a clean amp, itll deliver a reasonable facsimile of that classic crunchy valve amp tone.

Mode 2 is clean boost mode. This eliminates the soft clipping diodes altogether and leaves you with straight OpAmp drive. This is perfect for pushing your clean tone out in front or driving the preamp of an already overdriven amp into tasteful breakup territory.

Mode 3 is an asymmetrical silicon diode arrangement similar to the stock screamer but with more output and clean clarity; the tone some people describe as “transparent”.