Southern Lights Drive

New as of August '23 - we've added the option for the Dark Hills variant - a much gainier affair.

Sometimes the hyperbole from makers is just too much to take, so we'll do our best with this one - apparently the best overdrive on the market.

Using the 186,272Mps Drive as a starting point, countless minutes of R&D have led to the addition of an extra clipping stage and a couple of component value changes to produce this groudbreaking take on a Tube Screamer.

Honestly - it's a really nice sounding drive, just like it's sibling. Like a Tube Screamer that's understands your needs. No mid hump. A bit more gain than the 186. The extra clipping does make this a different beast, so there may well be room for both in a setup.

You can actually make either pedal on this PCB, so we'll be retiring the 186,282Mps board when they run out. This kit only comes with the parts for the Southern or Dark Hills variants. If you want to make a 186, grab that kit.

The kit is supplied with vertical-mount pots which have round shafts, so you'll need set-screw fitting knobs.

If you want the PCB without parts there's a link for that at the bottom of the page.

Partial kit: PCB, all board-mounted components, pots.

Full kit: As above, plus footswitch and appropriate daughterboard/components for your selected bypass type (see Downloads section for details of those), jack sockets, DC socket, battery snap, hook-up wire, LED.

Enclosure (pre-drilled) is available as an option with full kits, and can take a battery if desired with footswitch positioned 22mm higher, closer to the controls. Knobs are not included.

Builds are only available with full kits including enclosure and vertical-mount pots. Please choose appropriate knobs.

Inspired by: Southlands / Lightspeed / Black Mountain

Difficulty: Medium

PCB size: 50 x 30mm

Knobs required: 3

Enclosure: 1590B

Direct-Connect compatible (4-way)

Download the INSTRUCTION PDF