SOLD! - 2014 Solodallas The Schaffer Replica Tower Gold Tag 066/100 lim. ed.
This "effects pedal" is the original Generation #1 limited edition GT Gold Tag Tower - the very first series ever made!
The Generation #1 Gold Tag Tower was a limited run of 100 hand signed units and serial number 001 (and a couple of backups) were built for Angus Young from AC/DC who uses them live and in the studio since “Rock or Bust”. Only a 100 were made in total and all came with a signed and numbered gold plaque. This is serial number 066.
Needless to say all limited editions sold when first announced in 2014 and these just never come up for sale.... The "normal" Shaffer Replica Tower that came directly after the first series - also known as "Gen #2" or the EX Tower - is still produced to this day in unlimited amounts ever since.
This Tower comes including a power adapter and a standard aftermarket ON/OFF footswitch.
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The Schaffer Replica Tower is an exact reproduction of the interactive compressor, expander, optical limiter, boost and "goalpost" EQ within the now famous original 1975-1984 SVDS Schaffer-Vega Diversity System as used by many many famous guitarists from bands as AC/DC, Aerosmith, Beach Boys, Black Sabbath, Bob Seger, Bob Weir, Boston, Bruce Springsteen, Chic, Derringer, ELO, Fleetwood Mac, Foreighner, Zappa, Heart, Kansas, Kiss, Peter Frampton, Pink Floyd, Rolling Stones, The Grateful Dead, thin Lizzy, Tom Petty, Van Halen, Yes, ZZ Top etc.
The Schaffer Replica Tower by SoloDallas employs a unique combination of several analog effects contained within the Schaffer-Vega Diversity System (SVDS) widely used during the mid 70's through mid 80's. Created in 1975 through a partnership between American radio engineer/inventor Ken Schaffer and the Vega Corporation of Santa Ana, CA, the SVDS was revolutionary for its time. Mr. Schaffer recognized the need to free up guitarists and bassist, giving birth to a new era of untethered performances.
Schaffer’s design incorporated several audio processes to preserve the integrity of the wireless signal and restore losses which occur during transmission. His design combined a compander to increase dynamic range, an optical limiter to prevent clipping, internal gain controls to boost signal, a 'goalpost' EQ to restore lost frequencies, a line buffer to restore signal and a 1/4" monitor out with an op-amp powerful enough to drive a small speaker.
As the SVDS became the wireless system of choice for over 50 major artists, guitarists and bassists accidentally discovered they could use the 1/4" monitor out to drive their amplifiers. This unintentional discovery appears to be the first full frequency boost ever used on stage. The sonic improvement was so drastic Angus Young had to use his SVDS in the studio to capture his lead tones and rhythm overdubs on Powerage, Highway To Hell, Back in Black, For Those About To Rock and Flick Of The Switch. Multiple other legends have also confessed to using the SVDS in studio and on live albums.
After producing about 1,000 SVDS units Schaffer ceased production of in 1982 due to stricter FCC regulations and the legendary “Schaffer Sound” slipped into obscurity, until...
Renowned AC/DC aficionado and SoloDallas founder Fil Olivieri happened upon a 1984 Guitar Player interview where Angus Young was asked if he uses any effects. Angus’ replied “I just have a Schaffer-Vega wireless system.” He later elaborated: “Yeah, I use the Schaffer-Vega. I’ve been using that since ’77. On the receiver you’ve got like a monitor switch you can boost the signal and in the transmitter you’ve got the same sort of thing. You can really give a guitar hell with ‘em. I have used them in the studio and it worked really good.”
Upon making this discovery, Fil tracked down SVDS inventor Ken Schaffer to see if he had any old SVDS units laying around... and he did!
After plugging into the only working SVDS in existence, FIl recognized the immensity of his discovery. The SVDS was not only the missing link to Angus Young's searing lead tone, but to an encyclopedia of the greatest guitar tones ever created. He knew this treasure was something that must be shared.
With the assistance of Ken Schaffer, Fil employed a pair of electronic engineers to untangle the complex audio circuit within his original SVDS transmitter and receiver from the outdated FM wireless tech. The finished product was appropriately named The Schaffer Replica and introduced at NAMM 2014 to much fanfare and magazine accolades.
Over 30 major artists use The Schaffer Replica Tower, among which Angus Young, Keith Urban, Chris Stein, Doug Aldrich, Richard Fortus, Joe Bonamassa, Pepper Keenan, David Hislop, Steve Stevens, Billie Joe Armstrong and producers Dave Cobb, Butch Walker, Mutt Lange, Mike Frasier, Dann Huff, Brandon Hood, Dr. Luke, Andy Freeman and Gene The Machine.