1973 S. Hawk Ltd. II Tonal Expander Vintage Graphic Equalizer Treble Booster Effects Pedal – Rare 3-Band Inductor EQ Boost Overdrive Stompbox from Indigo Ranch Studios (INDIGO HAWK #2)

– For your consideration is this vintage 1973 S. Hawk Ltd. II Tonal Expander graphic equalizer and treble booster effects pedal.
– Designed by Harry Kolbe, the Hawk II Tonal Expander is a 3-point peak-and-dip equalizer optimized to complement electric guitar specifically. The designated EQ points are not those traditionally found on HiFi or pro audio equipment, representing a very unique curve best for guitar. Kolbe was wise in his design, using an inductor based EQ schematic, which renders the tonality much more organic, smooth, and natural: in recording, NOTHING beats inductor EQ units. The Hawk II was famously used by Rory Gallagher, and this effect has since been dubbed the “holy grail of boosts.”
– Features: red switch = on/off, middle switch = gain boost, right switch = treble boost. The EQ slider frequency points are: 170Hz, 550Hz, and 2500Hz. 18v battery operated design, 2 x 9v batteries.
– It does not have a bypass switch, and the off button kills signal entirely. Literally on or off.
– “INDIGO HAWK #2” is written on the back, which was standard procedure for most Indigo pedals.
– Reference below for a brief history on Indigo Ranch.
– Indigo Ranch, nestled on 60-acres in the hills of Malibu, California, operated from 1974 until 2006, under the guidance and obsessions of Richard Kaplan. Clients took advantage of his meticulously built studio, hundreds of effects pedals, 400 guitar amps, and rare Aengus console. Artists as diverse as Neil Young, Neil Diamond, Olivia Newton John, Jeff Lorber, Korn, Sepultura, and Limp Bizkit all made albums at Indigo Ranch. Vice published an article on how Indigo became the “improbable birthplace of Nu-Metal,” and Tape-Op Magazine interviewed Richard Kaplan, Ross Robinson, and others about the numerous important albums made at Indigo Ranch over the many decades it actively changed the landscape of both music and culture.
– Scroll through the entire gallery to view all 12 images available. All photos are of the actual pedal.
– Worldwide shipping available: please inquire for an accurate quote. International buyers please send an email prior to purchase.
– All purchases made through our site include both tax (ALL taxes included) and free domestic shipping!