It’s 1972. A Soviet surveillance microphone preamp has made its way west thanks to a courageous defector. The nascent, nefarious, and invisible Caroline Corporation obtains it and converts it into devices for military psychoacoustic special operations, then covertly delivers them to legendary users with fame and influence for evaluation. The guitar player of the world’s most famous band plugs in his rosewood guitar into one and uses it for a famous benefit concert. A producer runs instruments through another directly into a mixer, spills a bag full of illicit drugs into its faders, and records all-time smash hits. An unknown actress brings one to a film screening and wins the Golden Globe. Facing public exposure from Senate hearings over arms trading and supermodel cloning scandals, the Corporation mysteriously dissolves in 1983, leaving no traces except abandoned file cabinets in a dilapidated office basement.

Decades later, the Corporation’s hilariously neglected “Guitar Company” satellite office, blissfully unaware that their parent company has dissolved decades earlier, discovers the schematic and parts specifications. They source some discontinued Russian “unobtanium” diodes and recreate its special flavor.

There is no evidence that any of the above has or has not happened. So anyway, here’s ICARUS™!

Handwired in our workshop in Columbia, SC, it is “sonic awesomeness” based on our Parabola™ and Météore™ preamp sections, but with a mix of silicon and germanium components, a tone control, multiple gain stages, and a switchable option of true bypass or buffered for longer signal chains and cable runs. If you want to keep it clean, it can do over +12db of clean boost just from the secondary gain stage. This V2 in white [sic] uses D310 Russian diodes in the clipping section and a 4559 chip because it's one louder and better than a 4558. ;)

As this pedal is inspired by the mods we did on Aaron Graves’s original ICARUS pedal, a portion of our sales proceeds from this limited run will go to benefit the Graves-Bornick family.

Product specs

FAQs

What type of tones can I expect from the Caroline Guitar Company Icarus V2 with D310 diodes?

The Caroline Guitar Company Icarus V2 with D310 diodes offers a dynamic overdrive and boost, providing rich, harmonic tones that are ideal for enhancing solos and adding depth to rhythm parts. It excels in delivering a warm, vintage-inspired sound.

Does the Icarus V2 work well with both single-coil and humbucker pickups?

Yes, the Icarus V2 is designed to complement both single-coil and humbucker pickups, providing a versatile overdrive that enhances the natural characteristics of your guitar's tone.

How does the Icarus V2 differ from other overdrive pedals in the Caroline lineup?

The Icarus V2 stands out with its use of D310 diodes, offering a unique tonal character and a more pronounced boost compared to other models. It is particularly suited for players seeking a distinct overdrive with a vintage edge.

Is the Caroline Guitar Company Icarus V2 suitable for live performances?

Yes, the Icarus V2 is built for durability and performance, making it a reliable choice for live settings. Its robust design and versatile sound ensure it can handle the demands of gigging musicians.

What power supply does the Icarus V2 require?

The Caroline Guitar Company Icarus V2 requires a standard 9V DC power supply, which is common for most pedalboards and easily integrates into existing setups.