Hot Cake
The Crowther Hotcake is a legendary overdrive and boost pedal handcrafted in New Zealand by Paul Crowther. Originally designed in 1976 while Crowther was touring with the band Split Enz, it has become a staple for guitarists seeking a thick, "fat" distortion that preserves the natural tonality of their instrument. Unlike many overdrives, the Hotcake is engineered to leave the undistorted component of the guitar signal unchanged, avoiding a treble cut circuit that can color the sound. It is highly responsive to playing dynamics and can function as a transparent clean boost, an edge-of-breakup drive, or a full-on fuzzy distortion. Key controls include Level, Drive, and Presence, the latter of which provides mid-range punch. Modern versions include "+Cream" and "XLF" (Extended Low Frequency) switches for smoother clipping and enhanced bass response, making it suitable for both guitar and bass. It is particularly renowned for its synergy with Vox AC30 amplifiers.