Dope Priest DP-77 ZD -the original sauce flavour, the one that started it all for me with the D*A*M Ram Head back in 2005. This was the Big Muff Pi circuit configuration commonly associated with 1976/77 circuit types - The last of the V2 Ram Heads and the first of black and red pioneer font type V3 Muff's, and also the OEM models from that time period, for example the Guild Foxey Lady. Personally, I have a great fondness for this circuit type more than others. The midrange projection is truly wondrous, having a tight and powerful sonic clout. It's both brutal in delivery and yet smooth and dynamic in its nature. The lows don't get sticky or too fudged up and the overall open voicing and massive vocal roar the fuzz tone is capable of if just simply, f*ckin' awesome.
Featuring vintage style wiring and assembly techniques that more resemble a product of the 1970s, but with modern day reliability and longevity. Component and hardware selection is that of high quality, many of which are from UK and European manufacturers. Polypropylene capacitors are used in place of parts commonly of ceramic construction in vintage units, this greatly reduces microphonics and RF noise. Audio grade high gain low noise BC549C epitaxial silicon transistors are deployed for circuit amplification, which have superior sonic performance over vintage types.
The enclosure is made of die-cast aluminium that has excellent shielding properties that is both extremely rugged and yet lightweight. The overall concept with this variant was to create an object that looked and felt like a vintage unit, but with the weak spots of performance and construction reliability ironed out from that of something made close to 50 years previously.
Simply put - vintage units are king but are often not the ideal choice for live or studio use due to reliability issues, electronic performance nor either the heavy money invested. Get smart. Be Dope. Buy a Priest.