A collaboration with Benson Amps, the Automatone Preamp MKII by Chase Bliss may be the most versatile dirt pedal ever made. This unique pedal is built with motorized faders that adjust automatically as you cycle through presets. Giving you full control over the character and nature of the drive, the Automatone is a pedal tweaker's delight.
The Preamp MKII is built around the front-end circuitry of a Chimera tube amp, substituting FET transistors for the 12AX7s triode stages. The result is extremely responsive and versatile breakup, with the rich harmonics and musical EQ that Benson amplifiers are known for. Then, Chase Bliss adds a fuzz (you can swap from open to gated), the parametric mid-range of the Condor pedal (which can go before or after the preamp), and a variable diode clipping control (transistor only, silicon, and asymmetrical germanium). With ten footswitchable presets, the Automatone may be all the overdrive your pedalboard will ever need. So many tones in one box!
This Chase Bliss Audio Automatone Preamp MKII shows some scuffs and signs of use (see photos), but it is in nice cosmetic condition all around. It includes its original box and paperwork. This is an amazingly versatile pedal that more than lives up to the hype. Chase Bliss recently discontinued this model, so here's an opportunity to grab one before they get scooped up.