Summer School Electronics Science Fair

Science Fair

£165.00

Highlights

• Parallel dual overdrive and distortion pedal for guitar and bass rigs
• Blends Rat-style crunch with Tube Screamer mid-drive for clear, adaptable gain
• Responsive dynamics encourage touch control, from subtle grit to assertive distortion
• Independent drive and tone per side, plus master blend and volume
• Parallel signal path keeps clarity, avoiding compression and congestion from stacking
• Hand built in Syracuse, New York by working musicians
• Durable all-metal enclosure suits touring, rehearsals and everyday pedalboard use
• Clear, bright graphics distinguish circuits and remain readable under stage lighting
• Bright LED indicator confirms effect status at a glance
• True bypass switching preserves instrument tone when disengaged
• Fully analogue circuitry delivers familiar feel with low noise
• Top-mounted jacks and standard 9V DC simplify tidy pedalboard layouts
• Backed by a lifetime warranty for long-term reliability and confidence

Description

The Summer School Electronics Science Fair is a dual overdrive and distortion pedal designed for guitarists and bass players who want access to two familiar gain voices in a single, compact unit, with the added flexibility of blending them together rather than stacking them. It brings together a hard-clipping distortion inspired by the ProCo Rat and a soft-clipping, mid-forward overdrive in the Tube Screamer tradition, running the two circuits in parallel so they can be used individually or mixed in any proportion. This makes it equally at home as a main dirt pedal, a character drive for shaping an amp already on the edge of breakup, or a versatile studio and live tool for players who move between styles that demand different gain textures.

Sonically, the Lab Rat side delivers a tight, gritty distortion with a crisp edge and plenty of bite, while the Test Tube side focuses on a smoother, more compressed drive with a pronounced midrange that helps notes sit confidently in a mix. Used on their own, each side captures the essence of its respective circuit, but the defining character of the Summer School Electronics Science Fair emerges when the two are blended. By mixing the clarity and mid push of the overdrive with the weight and aggression of the distortion, it is possible to achieve saturated sounds that retain note definition, or subtler textures where a cleanish attack is underpinned by a controlled layer of grit. The parallel signal path allows both voices to remain distinct, avoiding the congestion that can come from traditional stacking.

In use, the Summer School Electronics Science Fair feels intuitive and encouraging, with controls that respond predictably to small adjustments and invite experimentation rather than demanding constant attention. The blend control in particular makes it easy to move from familiar territory into more personalised sounds, whether fine-tuning tones in the studio or setting a reliable sound for live work and leaving it there. The overall response remains dynamic, reacting well to picking strength and instrument volume changes, which helps it feel connected to both the player and the amplifier.

Each side of the Summer School Electronics Science Fair has its own drive and tone controls, allowing independent adjustment of gain levels and tonal balance before the signals are mixed. The central master blend knob determines how much of each circuit is heard, while the master volume sets the overall output level. This layout provides a wide range of usable sounds without becoming complicated, making it straightforward to dial in anything from mild breakup to dense distortion with clarity intact.

The circuit design prioritises tone and consistency, with the two gain stages running in parallel to preserve their individual character and minimise unwanted compression or masking. This approach contributes to reliable performance and predictable results across different rigs, without resorting to unnecessary complexity.

Housed in a robust all-metal enclosure, the Summer School Electronics Science Fair is built for regular use on pedalboards and stages, offering the durability expected from a pedal intended for long-term ownership. The graphics use simple shapes and contrasting colours that clearly distinguish the two sides of the circuit, giving the pedal a clean, distinctive look while remaining easy to read under stage lighting. A clear LED indicator shows when the effect is engaged, improving visibility and confidence in live situations.

The bypass circuit is designed to maintain signal integrity when the Summer School Electronics Science Fair is switched off, helping to preserve the natural tone of the instrument and amplifier. Input, output and the standard 9-volt negative-centre DC power connection are positioned with practical pedalboard layouts in mind, keeping cable runs tidy and setup straightforward.

Backed by a lifetime warranty, the Summer School Electronics Science Fair reflects a focus on reliability and long-term confidence, offering reassurance that it is built to last. By combining two classic drive flavours in a parallel, blendable format, it stands out as a flexible and musically useful pedal that goes beyond simple imitation, providing players with a wide palette of familiar yet highly adaptable gain sounds in a single box.

Controls

• FOOTSWITCH: True bypass on/off switching with solid feel and clear LED status feedback
• LAB RAT DRIVE: Sets distortion intensity, from gritty edge to saturated crunch with strong low-end weight
• LAB RAT TONE: Shapes high-frequency bite, balancing aggression and clarity for guitars and bass alike
• TEST TUBE DRIVE: Controls smooth overdrive gain, offering touch-sensitive breakup and midrange focus
• TEST TUBE TONE: Adjusts brightness and mid emphasis, helping notes cut without harshness
• BLEND: Mixes both circuits in parallel, precisely balancing clarity, grit and overall character
• VOLUME: Master output level, maintaining consistent tone and headroom across all blend settings

Components and Technical Specifications

• Parallel analogue overdrive and distortion circuits preserve clarity while blending two distinct gain voices
• Hard-clipping distortion circuit delivers focused aggression with controlled compression and strong note definition
• Soft-clipping overdrive circuit provides mid-forward response and smooth dynamic behaviour
• Passive tone shaping networks offer musical EQ without excessive noise or phase artefacts
• High-quality resistors and capacitors ensure consistent tone and long-term stability
• Low-noise signal path supports studio recording and quiet live performance
• True bypass switching preserves natural instrument tone when the pedal is disengaged
• Stable internal voltage handling maintains consistent response across gain and blend settings
• Secure PCB mounting improves reliability under vibration and repeated footswitch use
• Powered by standard 9V centre negative supply (not included)
• Battery operation not supported
• Current draw measured with Truetone 1Spot mA Meter:
• Bypass: Approximately 6 mA
• Engaged (maximum): Approximately 8 mA

Current draw may vary slightly depending on control settings, circuit behaviour, and active features such as gain stages, modulation, filtering, or reverb tails. For best performance, use a high quality isolated power supply that matches the pedal’s current requirements. Always refer to the manufacturer’s recommendations, as incorrect powering may cause damage.

Enclosure Dimensions

• Depth: 122 mm / 4.8 in
• Width: 67 mm / 2.6 in
• Height: 39 mm / 1.5 in

Weight

• 333 g
• 0.73 lbs

Official UK Dealers

FX Pedal Planet Limited and FX Pedal Planet Online Store proudly serve as UK dealers for Summer School Electronics effects pedals. If we do not have the specific Summer School Electronics pedal you are looking for, please reach out to us via the contacts page, and will order it on our next stock order for you at the best price and customer service.

Buy Today and Pay Over Time

To give our customers flexibility and a pleasurable shopping experience, FX Pedal Planet Online Store accepts Klarna, Afterpay, Clearpay and Google Pay.

Klarna is a smooth and safe way to get what you want today, and pay over time. Afterpay allows customers to pay in four interest free instalments, budget your spending and earn rewards when you shop.

UK Deliveries

For our UK customers, we provide FREE 24 hour DHL tracked and signed delivery, ensuring your order arrives swiftly and securely.

International Deliveries

International deliveries are dispatched with DHL, ensuring fast shipping and efficient processing through customs.

For more information on deliveries and charges, please refer to our Deliveries and Charges.

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