The Limited Edition TARS DLX: A Look Inside Collision Devices’ Latest Pedal

by Kevin Johnson Sunday, December 29th, 2024

Collision Devices TARS DLX Dual Fuzz Pedal

Collision Devices has expanded its arsenal with the TARS DLX, a dual fuzz with two analog filters. Inspired by the MS-20, the pedal builds upon their TARS by updating the sounds.

The high end has been opened up for it to be used as a low gain fuzz/distortion or more aggressive when the gain knob is maxed. They also added another fuzz (BLAST) to the feedback part of the circuit for a “burning” feeling and “huge, abrasive sounds.”

Collision also reworked the low end.

“The frequency response from both filters has been improved to better work on very low end sources with subby bass sounds,” they share. “TARS DLX can be used as clean blend on bass or in insert of a track mix.”

Finally, the “ADD FUZZ” has been revamped with the addition of the high pass after the low pass. “It adds a filtered fuzz to the fuzz signal so that the filters can be used as EQ shape/phasing effects,” they add. “Of course, Fuzz and filters can be used separately in parallel or in serial. This truly is a beast of a dirt and filtering pedal.”

Hear it on bass and guitar here:

The Collision Devices TARS DLX is limited to 100 units. It has a direct price of approximately $433 USD.

Collision Devices TARS DLX Dual Fuzz Pedal Features:

Gain and Master Knobs
Blast: Controls the amount of the feedbacked fuzz when you engage the Crash footswitch.
Low Pass Filter CutOff: This fader controls the cutoff frequency of the MS-20 style low pass filter. Based on a LM13700 stage. Goes from 15Hz to 38kHz.
LPF Resonance: Increases the intensity of the signal around the cutoff frequency.
2p/4p toggle switches: Select the attenuation curve. Cut at -12dB/octave (2p) or at -24dB/octave (4p).
High Pass Filter CutOff: This fader controls the cutoff frequency of the MS-20 style high pass filter. Based on a LM13700 stage. Goes from 15Hz to 10kHz.
HPF Resonance: Increases the intensity of the signal around the cutoff frequency.
Filter Volume: VCA - sets the output volume of the filter. Pretty useful to adjust the filter to your setup.
Add Fuzz (long press Crash footswitch): Adds an extra unfiltered fuzz signal. The result is louder and creates a nice phasing effect and cool frequencies boost or cut depending on the cutoff position.
Serial - // toggle switch: Put the fuzz into the filter - or use both effects in //.
LPF/HPF Expression toggle switch: Select on which filter the expression pedal acts.
Expression/CV: The Expression/CV control is linked to the cutoff fader of your choice. The cutoff fader value sets the lowest value the EXP pedal can go.

In his time with No Treble, Kevin has met hundreds of amazing bassists and interviewed icons like Jack Casady, Victor Wooten, Les Claypool, Marcus Miller, and more. He's a gigging bassist performing jazz in Northern Virginia and bluegrass with The Plate Scrapers up and down the East Coast. Kevin appreciates all genres of music, from R&B to metal and everything in between. Connect with Kevin on Facebook and check his performance schedule on his website.