SilvanusAmp Drive

From the vendor

An overdrive inspired by the Marshall Super Lead Model 1959 and Super Bass amplifiers, famously used by Jimmy Page and Jimi Hendrix.

The Silvanus Amp Drive is based on the Xotic SL Drive, first released in 2013 and traced by Aion FX in 2023.

The SL Drive was designed to emulate the tone of an overdriven Marshall Super Lead (hence SL) Model 1959 or Super Bass amplifier, calling to mind famous users of these amps such as Jimmy Page and Jimi Hendrix. It’s an original circuit, though it has enough similarities to the RAT Distortion that they probably referenced that circuit in the design process.

Internally, there are four DIP switch settings to change between the Super Lead and Super Bass modes as well as a few other parameters. We’ve included a redrawn reference for these settings in the documentation.

The Silvanus is a close adaptation of the SL Drive, including the DIP switches. The one addition is that we added a clipping toggle switch, so you can engage the stock diodes or two other extra settings. Other than that, it has the same controls as the originals, both inside and out.

Note: This project uses a type of capacitor that has been temporarily discontinued by WIMA. Please see our news article about the issue and the substitution spreadsheet for project-specific recommendations. We are stocking a limited supply in the mean time. The build document has not yet been updated to reflect this.