Hotcake

Crowther Hotcake

The Hotcake is an opamp based overdrive designed by Paul Crowther, one time drummer for the New Zealand band Split Enz.

The hotcake is well liked for being able to produce a range of tones from a clean boost through mild overdrive to all out distortion.

They are reputed to sound very good with EL84 based amps and particularly with VOX AC-30's.

The first versions used a simple grounding bypass, later versions have a relay based bypass. All versions can be built as true bypass.

Multiple revisions are available including the following:

• 1976 Circuit - Uses an LM741 Opamp and features a mid lift switch and two stage treble filtering (10k plus 10nF and 12nF). Apparently more "Marshally" sounding than later versions.
• 2003 Circuit - Uses a TL071 Opamp, replaces the switch with a presence pot, and uses single stage treble filtering (10k plus 22nF). Supposed to be "glassy" and "fendery" sounding.
• Bluesberry - Like the 2003 circuit but apparently "throatier" and "bluesier" sounding
• Post 2007 Circuit - Internally selectable between bluesberry and normal.
• Double Hotcake - Two hotcake circuits (one standard, one bluesberry) in one enclosure
• Quadruple Hotcake - At least one of these was made for the New Zealand band "Die Die Die"
• XLF ("Extra Low Frequency") - A version for bass

Schematics and Layouts

• 1976 and 2003 circuit schematics

Sound and Video Clips

• 2003 Circuit video
• Bluesberry Video

Links

• Effects Database
• Magazine article on Paul
• Hotcake Pedal T-Shirts

Gallery

Quadruple Hotcake

DIY Hotcake Clone