CMAT Mods
ActiveOverview
CMAT Mods is a boutique guitar effects pedal manufacturer founded by Chad Matthews that specializes in tweaked clones and modifications of well-known guitar effect circuits. The company produces a range of effects pedals including distortion, delay, phaser, and compressor units, positioning itself in the premium boutique effects market. CMAT Mods is known for hand-built construction with attention to component quality and circuit refinement rather than original circuit design.
History
CMAT Mods was founded by Chad Matthews as a passion project focused on modding and building pedals. The company transitioned to a full-time enterprise when Matthews began collaborating with pedal builder Greg Blessing. The brand has established itself in the boutique effects market by offering refined versions of classic effect circuits with premium construction standards.
Product Lines
| Product Line | Positioning | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Distortion Pedals | High-gain overdrive and distortion effects | $150 - $250 |
| Delay Pedals | Digital delay with extended delay times | $180 - $280 |
| Phaser Pedals | Analog phase shifting effects | $140 - $200 |
| Compressor Pedals | Dynamic compression and sustain | $120 - $200 |
Manufacturing
CMAT Mods produces hand-built pedals with military-grade wiring and circuit boards. The company emphasizes component quality including hand-matched JFETs and premium powder coating finishes. Manufacturing details regarding in-house versus outsourced production are not publicly documented in available sources.
Notable Products
- The Ratified - Distortion pedal built on LM308n chip with gain, level, and tone controls
- Deeelay - Digital delay pedal with up to 600ms delay time and PT2399 chip
- Analog Phaser Pedal - Phase shifter featuring hand-matched JFETs and military-grade construction
Reputation
CMAT Mods is recognized in the boutique effects community for producing high-quality, hand-built pedals with meticulous attention to component selection and circuit refinement. The brand's approach of creating tweaked versions of established circuits rather than entirely original designs appeals to players seeking proven topologies with premium construction. The company maintains a reputation for solid build quality and reliability, though it operates as a smaller boutique maker without the widespread brand recognition of larger effect pedal manufacturers.