Crazy Tube Circuits UNOBTANIUM RAW Overdrive

A double pedal designed as a boutique "best-of": K on one side, D on the other

The Crazy Tube Circuits Unobtanium Raw retains the architecture that made the model successful: on the right, a "K-style" overdrive circuit reproduced with extreme care, and on the left two "D-style" amp voicings among the most coveted. In this RAW version, the amp-in-a-box side is clearer and more dynamic than the standard version, with an ideal presence for blues rock and classic rock sounds that naturally sit in the mix.

For which guitarists and music styles?

The Unobtanium Raw is aimed at musicians who want to cover a wide spectrum of overdrive without multiplying pedals: from transparent boost that pushes an amp already on the edge of breakup, to a singing overdrive rich in harmonics, perfect for leads. It excels on a stage pedalboard (two sections, two footswitches) but also shines in the studio thanks to its precise settings and ability to adapt to different guitars and pickups (single coils, humbuckers, P90s).

In practice, the K side will be your ally to thicken, add bite, and gain definition, while the D-style side will bring an "amp-like" grain, more vocal and expressive. For blues, rock, classic rock, and all approaches where right-hand dynamics shape the sound, it is a particularly inspiring pedal.

Controls, modes, and connectivity: stacking, routing, buffering

The right side (K-style) offers a wide operating range, from clean boost to overdrive with lots of headroom. Its Treble is an active circuit capable of boosting or cutting highs, while the Volume delivers a significant level reserve to stand out in solos or drive the amp's input stage. A major feature: you can choose between true bypass or buffered bypass (like the original), very useful if you use long cables or a loaded pedalboard.

The RAW version adds a clipping/compression choice: keep the "stock" character with germanium diodes, or switch to the texture brought by the Mullard / Valvo OC45 NOS germanium transistors for a more compressed touch and enhanced sustain.

The left side (D-style amp-in-a-box) offers Gain, Emphasis (pre-gain EQ affecting presence and bass), Tone (post-drive highs), and Volume. The voicing switch allows selecting two D amp-inspired approaches: SSS (cleaner overdrive, natural compression) and ODS (more gain, emphasized mids, rich harmonics). A practical detail: the LED changes color and turns half red when the ODS voicing is selected.

The passive serial effects loop is a real integration asset: it allows placing, for example, modulation or delay pedals between the two stages, or using the sections as two independent effects via an external switcher/looper. Note: pedals inserted in this loop remain active even when both Unobtanium Raw sections are bypassed, facilitating certain pedalboard configurations.

Finally, a preset function at power-up lets you define whether each footswitch starts in bypass or activated, particularly practical for remotely controlled rigs.

The sound

The Unobtanium Raw aims for a high-end overdrive with a very "amp-like" touch: reactive attack, controlled compression, generous sustain, and lots of nuances depending on gain settings and your dynamics. The K side provides ideal definition and presence to "push" a clean channel, with articulation that remains clear even in chords. The D-style side adds a more vocal signature, with a boutique preamp feel: in SSS, the texture is more open and silky, and in ODS the mids stand out more for singing leads and a denser grain.

Technical specifications

Effects	Overdrive	Type	sector
Format	Pedal	Use	electric guitar
EQ	Tone	Color	Grey

Right side	faithful reproduction of the original Klon Centaur circuit with germanium diodes and Mullard / Valvo OC45 New Old Stock germanium transistors	Internal trimpots	EQ and volume boost adjustment for overdrive voicings
Left side	Dumble-style amp-in-a-box overdrive	Passive serial effects loop	chain pedals between the two sections or use sections as independent effects
Internal voltage	18V DC	Power supply	9V DC center negative (not included)
Right side (K-style)	gain, treble (tone), volume, bypass mode, clipping/compression selection	Product box dimensions	147 x 103 x 65 mm
Left side (D-style)	gain, emphasis, tone, volume, amp voicing switch	Product box weight	512 g
Left side voicings	SSS (clean with natural compression), ODS (more gain, forward mids, rich harmonics)	Consumption	83 mA
Left side LED	changes color and turns half red when ODS is selected	Required voltage	9V DC (center negative)
External footswitch (XT)	accessory sold separately