Alembic Strat-O-Blaster

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5.0 (3)

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Page last updated Feb 25, 2026

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Description

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As seen on John Mayer's Silver Sky Prototype. This clean boost circuit adds increased volume and output to your sound without compromising on tone.

This leads to a stronger push in the drives that follows, since the guitar is always the first in chain, even before your first pedal

If you've been checking out the gear of your favorite guitarists, you've probably run across references to the Alembic Blaster (or by its previous name, the Strat-o-Blaster).

Once installed, you operate the Blaster with a switch. When the Blaster is on, you get all the benefits of the field-effect transistor preamp like increased output and the ability to use the volume control on your guitar without it affecting the tone. Turn the Blaster off, and your guitar sounds exactly like it did originally. Located between the switch and the jack, a small screwdriver adjustable trim pot sets the gain.

The Blaster replaces the original jack and plate on your guitar and installation is easy. We provide wire nuts, so you don't even need a soldering iron. Instructions are included.

Blaster Features include: - Gain adjustable clean boost from 3-14dB - Push your drives harder - More overtones, more grit, more harmonics - Isolates capacitance of cable - Frequency response of guitar not affected by volume - Very low battery drain (~100µA) - Battery life ~10 months - Solid brass mounting plate

Videos

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PRS Guitars

Paul Reed Smith Explains the "Dead Spec" Silver Sky | PRS Guitars

PRS Guitars

PUT JERRY GARCIA'S SECRET SAUCE IN YOUR STRATOCASTER! ALEMBIC BLASTER PREAMP INSTALL STEP BY STEP

Jim Potts

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Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Alembic Strat-O-Blaster.

Mods and upgrades

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Alembic blasters can be modded with a DPDT on/on switch for on/off functionality, or a push/pull pot can be swapped for seamless integration.
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Some users suggest installing a brass nut alongside the Alembic Strat-O-Blaster for significant tonal improvement on a Stratocaster.
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A $5 Tayda Electronics Stratoblaster board is recommended for those willing to manage their own wiring, offering a budget-friendly alternative.
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Users recommend adjusting the gain on the Strat-O-Blaster for a customized tonal boost, particularly beneficial with Texas special pickups.
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Comparisons

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The Alembic Strat-O-Blaster is praised for superior tone compared to other brands, with a noted "special sauce" enhancing guitar sound distinctly.
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Considered a more affordable alternative to Fender's Alligator strat, offering similar tonal enhancements.
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Use cases and applications

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Blasters generally work better with single coils than humbuckers, offering more favorable tonal enhancement and boosting versatility.
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Fans of Jerry Garcia and the OBEL setup find the Strat-O-Blaster ideal for replicating his signature sound on a strat.
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Features and functionality

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Some users prefer the blaster at the start of their pedal chain for an authentic "Alligator" rig experience, although placement preferences vary.
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The Alembic Strat-O-Blaster with a switch produces a noticeable click noise through the amp when toggled.
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The Alembic Strat-O-Blaster reduces cable impedance loss, noticeably enhancing the highs when used with single coils.
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User experience

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Owners appreciate the convenience of boosting solos or thickening tones with a simple switch flick directly on the guitar, highlighting practical gigging benefits.
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Several users confirm the Alembic Strat-O-Blaster enhances single coil pickup sound without adding extra noise or hum, though a switch click can be loud.
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Value and pricing

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The price of the Alembic Strat-O-Blaster has increased significantly, from $100 to $225, leading some to recommend alternative boost pedals for cost efficiency.
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Critic Reviews

The Alembic Strat-o-blaster: The Preamp That Helped Shape the Grateful Dead's Sound

thetonegeek.com

The Alembic Strat-o-Blaster is praised for its role in shaping the iconic sound of Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead, offering a bright, aggressive tone with adjustable gain and long battery life. However, potential buyers should note the scarcity of DIY resources and challenges in sourcing specific components like a brass jack plate. Despite these hurdles, the preamp's historical significance and tonal versatility make it an intriguing choice for enthusiasts seeking to emulate Garcia's signature sound. Overall, its legacy and sonic capabilities outweigh the DIY difficulties, making it a revered piece of gear.

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5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 3 Ratings

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k_evil

177

about 7 years ago

Essential For Jerry's Tone

The only drawback is you have to remove the pickguard to change the battery, I am thinking of modding a fishman battery back to work with it.

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John Mayer

Guitarist

John Mayer Trio

Verified via Photo

John Mayer uses the Alembic Strat-O-Blaster as a featured modification on the PRS "Dead Spec" Silver Sky, produced in 2023, for his live performances, as confirmed by PRS Guitars.

This preamp increases output with 3-14dB of adjustable gain and lowers the effective capacitance of your cable, so you can play with courage.

Jerry Garcia

Singer, Guitarist

Grateful Dead

Verified via thetonegeek

As detailed in an article by Ryan on The Tone Geek, published on June 7, 2023, Jerry Garcia experimented with an Alembic Strat-O-Blaster as a modification to his iconic 'alligator' guitar.

In the early 1970s, Garcia began using an Alembic Stratoblaster in his guitar. The Stratoblaster is a preamp that boosts the signal from the guitar, giving it more output and sustain. Garcia used the Stratoblaster to create a brighter, more aggressive sound, which he used to have a significant effect on songs like 'Fire on the Mountain' and 'Truckin'.

Lindsey Buckingham

Singer, Guitarist

Fleetwood Mac

Verified via Rick Turner Guitars

In an article by guitar builder Rick Turner, he recounts his time working with Lindsey Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac stating;

my main contribution during Rumours was installing an Alembic 'Stratoblaster' in his Strat exactly like the one I’d put in Lowell George’s guitar, the one you hear on Little Feat’s live album, Waiting for Columbus. For Lindsey, the sound of the electric on Rumours is his guitar with the ‘Blaster gain all the way up, basically destroying a succession of HiWatt amps.

Lowell George

Guitarist

The Mothers of Invention

Verified via Photo

This picture shows Lowell George's personal Stratocaster at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The plate over the output jack is a rectangle with a toggle switch that says "Alembic," indicating the use of an Alembic Blaster preamp.

Scott Sharrard

Singer, Guitarist

The Gregg Allman Band

Verified via YouTube

In his Rig Rundown with Premier Guitar, Scott Sharrard highlights the Alembic Stratoblaster fitted to his 1988 Fender Strat Plus, modded in the style of Lowell George's Fender Stratocaster.