Sushi Box FX Launches Mayday
Tube Preamp Pedal with High-Voltage Warmth and Flexible EQ May 2026 — Sushi Box FX has unveiled the Mayday, a compact clean tube preamp pedal designed to deliver rich harmonic warmth and precise tone shaping for bassists and guitarists alike. At the heart of the Mayday is a high-voltage 12AU7 tube, engineered to provide a responsive, amp-like feel with enhanced depth and clarity. Paired with a custom Unagi Magnetics E4305 DI transformer, the pedal offers studio-grade signal integrity and a full-range response tailored especially for low-frequency instruments. High-Voltage Tube Tone Meets Flexible EQ Sushi Box FX positions the Mayday as a clean, tone-enhancing preamp rather than a drive pedal, focusing on preserving the natural character of the instrument while adding warmth and dimension. The onboard four-band active EQ features carefully selected center frequencies at 60Hz, 250Hz, 1kHz, and 7kHz, allowing players to shape everything from deep, supportive lows to clear, articulate highs. “The 12AU7 running at high plate voltage brings unparalleled warmth and depth to your tone, while the four-band active EQ helps you dial in whatever sound you need for any style of music,” the company explains. Built for Stage and Studio Flexibility The Mayday is designed with versatility in mind, offering multiple output options for different performance and recording scenarios. Players can route their signal via a preamp-affected 1/4″ output or use the transformer-coupled balanced XLR DI output, making it equally suited for live rigs and direct recording setups. The custom DI transformer provides excellent sensitivity and an extended frequency response, ensuring full-bodied low-end reproduction without sacrificing clarity. Compact Design, Professional Performance Housed in a compact enclosure, the Mayday fits easily into pedalboards of any size while maintaining the power requirements typical of tube-driven designs. Sushi Box recommends a 9–12V DC power supply capable of delivering sufficient current to ensure optimal performance. Despite its small footprint, the Mayday is built as a full-featured preamp solution—ideal as a standalone tone shaper, a direct box replacement, or the foundation of a modern ampless rig. The Sushi Box FX Mayday is available now, with pricing starting at approximately $300 depending on configuration.