It’s honestly hard to believe there are still guitarists who don’t like fuzz effects – they’re loud, sometimes unpredictable, and add a certain pizazz to your tone that you just can’t get anywhere else. Who wouldn’t like that? To those folks, we say “More For Us!” and quickly find a fuzz to rock out with. Like today’s featured pedal, for example: the Fuzz-Arka from Veri-Tone is...
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Once again, Chris and the crew at JPTR FX have managed to outdo themselves with today’s featured pedal. The Silbermaschine Fuzz combines two gain stages in a parallel circuit, resulting in an unrefined and unbuffered vintage fuzz conquest. This LARGE pedal has the look and feel of a classic unit, but somehow brings a bit of modern touch along for the ride. Not for the weak or faint of heart, let’s check out this effect in...
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Innovation, inspiration and next-level thinking have become key aspects of the effects pedal industry. With a HUGE wave of companies popping up over the last number of years, you really need to have your gear stand out from the rest to avoid being sucked into the abyss of oversaturation that can present itself. Today’s pedal is not just three different effects in one, it is a complete work of art. The Black Hole Symmetry from...
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We’ve had the pleasure of checking out a couple of pedals from StoneFly Effects up in Canada, so we were pretty stoked when we heard that Marc-Eric was unleashing a new beast on the world. Even better, he was teaming up for this release with our friend Eric Calvert of Frost Giant Electronics and Switchblade Jesus fame, which peaked out interest that much more. The result is today’s complete monster of a fuzz, a RAT that...
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The Jupiter Fuzz has been a staple in the lineup of Walrus Audio’s effects lineup for years now, and today we’re going to take a look at the newest incarnation of this monster of a fuzz. This gritty, thick and loud beast comes roaring right out of the gates, with enough gruff and gusto to put fear into any amplifier, while also remaining adjustable and useable in many different musical scenarios. With new artwork and a...
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Today’s Guest reviewer is Brian Johnston – you can find him and more demo videos he’s done on his YouTube channel, CoolGuitarGear – click now! Thanks again, Brian, looking forward to more! SOUND: The 2 SA 202 model (named after the type of transistors used) of Vintage Fuzz II replicates the famous Fuzz Face sound of Jimi Hendrix. However, unlike older models of fuzz (and even some current ones), this fuzz is...
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With the weekend rapidly approaching, many of you will be exploring new gear and trying to figure out which new, tasty pedal to order while you relax on your off days. If you’re in the mood for something that will warp your mind, bend your soul and spark outrage in your neighbors, then you have definitely come to the right place. The Super Weirdo from our noise-happy German neighbors across the pond, JPTR FX, is the ultimate in...
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Chris and the crew at Haunted Labs are making some crazy pedals these days, if you haven’t had the chance to check them out. We were fortunate enough to get blistered with ambience by their Dark Aura Reverb a little while back, and thus were stoked for today’s featured gem. The Paranormal Fuzz V2 builds on the original version of this monster, with a cleaner, quieter circuit design, more gain and improved construction....
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Unleashing a fury of dirty fuzz tones that cover a large range, today’s featured pedal comes to us all the way from New Zealand. Apparently, they know how to make a pretty decent pedal down there, as the Caustic Fuzz from Pepers’ Pedals is a true powerhouse in the world of effects. While we’ve had a couple of guest reviews for Tony Pepers and his lineup, this is the first one we’ve gotten our hands on, and...
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When the crew at Pelican NoiseWorks released the Pelitaur Fuzz a couple years ago, it took the effects community by storm, and we were lucky enough to get our hands on one to check out (review and demo here). Since then, they’ve decided that one of the sides of that crazy creature needed to branch out on its own, in the form of the Half Horse Fuzz, which we’re going to take a look at today. A dynamic JFET fuzz circuit that...
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Since this will be our last review and demo of the year, we wanted to go out with a BANG!, and boy, does today’s pedal deliver on all fronts. The Camper Fuzz is a creation developed by CroyTone Audio, based in St. Louis, Missouri, and produces gain, volume and tone that will shake your walls and mystify your very soul. With enough settings and options to make it almost four different fuzzes in one, this seemingly simple beauty...
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The elusive Harmonic Percolator. Part distortion, part fuzz, all legend and pure myth, the original from Interfax has been a source of discussion to collectors and aficionados for years. We have had the opportunity to check out a few different copy versions here at Pedal of the Day, each is its own beast, with no two being alike, and none being a precise recreation of the original, either. Until, perhaps, today. The controls on the...
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We recently had the opportunity to check out the Distortion 1 from LunaStone Pedals, and were more than impressed with its build, layout and incredible sound quality. Following in those exact footsteps, today’s pedal from LunaStone is a different animal overall, but retains the quality that these guys are putting out in their effects. The Red Fuzz 1 gives you the feel and power of a true Marshall stack in a small box that will...
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There are a lot of speculative stories surrounding the Umibōzu, a mythical sea creature hailing from lore in the Far East. Today’s pedal takes not only that beast’s name, but the mystery, terror and power that engulf it, and force it outwards, via your amplifier. The Umibōzu Fuzz from Rougarou Pedals has a simple setup, but the tones this monster puts out are far from easy, ordinary or even sometimes logical. BEWARE! The...
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After the powerhouse of a pedal we witnessed last month in the American Geek from Zander Circuitry, we couldn’t wait to delve into their next offering, a rare THREE-IN-ONE pedal that has more options than you’ll know what to do with. The Avalanche is described as a “Harmonic Clipping Trifecta,” and it certainly gives you three completely different sounds to concoct your next sonic meal with. Fuzz, Boost,...
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Whenever a crazy, noise-laden, free form piece of musical equipment comes into the office, we tend to get fairly excited. When the Erratic Clutch Deluxe arrived, we had no idea what we were in for, as it doesn’t really tell you what it is on the outside. However, once we plugged it in, we were treated to a sonic explosion, the likes of which we don’t witness very often around here. You’re all in for a treat today,...
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Let’s face it: Ring Modulators are not for everyone. They’re quirky, weird, loud, uncontrollable and will sometimes do damage to your other gear. Which are all reasons why we love ’em here at Pedal of the Day, and why we were wicked excited about today’s featured pedal arriving in the mail. The Optical Ring V2 is a complete ring modulation and fuzz system, wrapped in a giant enclosure to let everyone know you...
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Pink Floyd. I mean, c’mon, what else do you have to say? David Gilmour is well-known for one of the greatest all-around tones on the planet, especially in the fuzz/soloing department, and we’re going to take a look at a pedal that aims to recreate that today. The aptly-named Floyd Fuzz graces us with its presence, coming from Tru-Fi Pedals in Falmouth, Maine (the next fuzz capital of the world, apparently). With FIVE...
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Mixing it up in the effects pedal department has become almost the standard these days – adding clever options, combining effects and trying to change the overall soundscape of what we all use on our pedalboards. Today’s pedal addresses this in dramatic fashion, producing elements of fuzz, distortion, oscillation and overall weirdness with ease. The Guardian Fuzz from Hologram FX seeks to destroy everything you thought you...
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If you’re a fuzz lover, when you hear the words “Tone Bender,” an instant smile creeps over your face. Used on countless classic rock recordings and live shows by everyone from Pete Townshend to Jeff Beck to Paul McCartney and more, these gray boxes from Sola Sound defined the latter half of the 1960’s. The MkII Professional version of the Tone Bender was made popular by Jimmy Page, having used it on the first...
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Continuing our week of powerful distortion effects, we’ve got another monster fuzz pedal for you to check out today. The American Geek is a high-gain fuzz machine from Zander Circuitry, one with a spread out tone section, a ton of drive and a super-charged footswitchable option to send your sound into the metal stratosphere. Level and Gain set the output volume and amount of crunch the American Geek produces, as they should, but...
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Now fully established as a fuzz and distortion-producing powerhouse of a company, we are always happy to get new effects in the office from our friends at Wren & Cuff, and we’ve got another mammoth for you today. The Super Russian is a potent fuzz pedal, plus a buffer/boost as well, a well-rounded machine that works wonderfully with bass and guitar alike. Featuring loud, boisterous, Muff-y tones and distortion, plus a...
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We have been really lucky as of late to have some incredible fuzz pedals coming through the shop, from all different sizes of effects-building companies, each one with a distinct flavor and sound. The Serpent Fuzz from Mistweaver Effects is no different, featuring a simple control section and a toggle to spice things up ever so slightly. Inspired by a classic, sought-after green fuzz pedal, this thing brings your tone to life, rocking...
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Tattoos and music have gone hand in hand for decades, so it only makes sense to add effects pedals in and make a killer trio, right? Our new pal Joe Halliday from across the pond in the UK has managed to successfully fuse all three of these things together, to create a company offering reasonably-priced effects that look and sound great, perfect for the working musician and up-and-coming bands throughout the globe. Today, we look at...
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Strange, unusual, sonically inventive, eardrum pummeling….we love pedals like these, and have a great one for you today. The Dream Reaper is a fuzzy modulation machine from Adventure Audio, and while that description might not tell you EXACTLY what this pedal is all about, it’s a good thing. Exploration and experimenting are what you do with a pedal like this, and we did just that many times over, trying to coax out new...
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Plugging into a really loud, dirty effects pedal that just rocks your amplifier is one of the purest joys in life. When you get to it with a pedal that is a distortion AND a fuzz, that makes it even better. The Distorter from MidValleyFX says it all in its name, as it unleashes distortion fury, destroying everything in its path, and has a couple of different sonic options for days, weeks and years of fun. The simple control section on...
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Not that they need any introduction, but the crew at EarthQuaker Devices just keeps on crushing it, and although today’s pedal might not be their newest release, it’s on par with everything else in their vast catalog of effects pedals. The Spires is a double fuzz inspired by a classic fuzz pedal AND a now-discontinued piece of EarthQuaker gear. Easy to use, fun to play and inspiring to hear, let’s check out this...
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We love seeing effects arrive at the shop from smaller pedal companies who are up-and-coming in the game, and we are going to check out a scorcher of a fuzz today. Andrew and Tori from MidValleyFX have built the Go To Fuzz, and aptly-named distortion that could just be the one effect in your rig you rely on the most moving forward. Simple and powerful, this gated beauty can conjure up classic and distinguished tones, while...
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We get pedals coming through the office here from time to time that are so fun and so insane that they’re difficult to write about. The Tesla Oscilador (Oscillating Tesla, for you English-speakers) from Lee de Forest is a synthesizer-fuzz-envelope-filter-harmonizer-laser-maker of a pedal – again, difficult to write about. While you’ll get the best idea of what this thing can do from the demo video below, we’ll...
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Straight-up, no-frills, to-the-point effects pedals are becoming somewhat of a rarity in today’s crazy market, so we were pretty excited about today’s featured piece of gear, a simple-to-use and extremely easy to dial in fuzz pedal from across the way in Slovenia. The MindFuzz from Surfadelic Soundwaves has a bare minimum control section, but is absolutely jam-packed with tone, power and, of course, FUZZ. The little...
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Doom. Sludge. Stoner. Down and dirty, low-tuned and mellowly aggressive music has been around for decades, and has taken on many shapes, forms and monikers. There are certain effects pedal out there that instantly remind you of these types of musical genres, and today’s pedal does just that and more. The Golem Distortion from Deep Space Devices delivers all the low end you could want or need, but also manages to keep things from...
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The Narwhal Distortion Fuzz from PLBR Effects is one of the funnest fuzzes we’ve seen come through as of late, so we were pretty stoked to try out its bug brother, the Maritimus Distortion Fuzz as well. Taking similar controls from the Narwhal and expanding upon them, the Maritimus allows you to further shape your tone and create magnificent walls of distorted fuzz. There’s a lot to get to in this pedal, so let’s...
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As an online reviewer and demo-er of effects pedals, we really like stuff that’s a bit out of the ordinary. “Auditory Signal Disruptor” is one of those phrases that is immediately intriguing, and today’s pedal that happens to be attached to that tagline does not disappoint. The Mountain from our new pals at Frost Giant Electronics just ripped a hole (metaphorically) in our amp the first time we plugged it in,...
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The resurrection and resurgence of the new Shin-ei brand of pedals started off with the stellar Vibe-Bro (click here for our review and demo), and continues to build and build with more pedals from vintage eras. The Screaming Sister is an octave boost based on the Prescription Electronics’ Clean Octave Boost (COB), a now rare (and crazy expensive) effect used by Doyle Bramhall II, Jonny Lang and more. This simple three-knob box...
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Are you looking to get nuts with your sound? Tired of having 8 drive pedals that all sound fairly similar, and want to spice it up? Looking for a compact and easy way to create walls of noise and freak out your audience? Then the Downer from Malekko Heavy Industry is just what the doctor ordered. Part wavefolder, part saturator, part octave and part filter, these words vaguely describe what this grey monster is able to unleash. The...
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When we recently had the opportunity to review the DB-CL Dual Band Compressor Limiter from FEA Labs, we were blown away by what a compressor could truly be, and were excited to check out some more of their gear. Luckily, the Photon Fuzz II arrived and we were able to scratch that itch rather quickly. This fuzz is extremely versatile, with options and tones specifically designed for BOTH guitar and bass, and makes each of them sound...
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Man, the little guys have just been KILLING it lately! Today’s fantastic piece of gear represents how the smaller companies around the world are creating amazing effects, not just the ones here in the States. The Narwhal Distortion Fuzz from PLBR Effects comes to us all the way from Croatia, and apparently, there’s something in the water there, because this pedal is just incredible. Distortion and Fuzz are not usually...
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We love fuzz pedals around here, and the only thing better than a killer fuzz effect is….that’s right, TWO fuzzes in one pedal. The Bitoun is a Doubled Octave Fuzz from our friends in France Anasounds, and while looking seemingly simple from the bare bones control section, this guy is anything but. Based around the Shin-Ei Superfuzz pedal from the 60’s, the Bitoun Fuzz also incorporates aspects of Anasounds’...
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There are times when you plug in a pedal and think, “Hey, this might be kinda cool” and are then absolutely blown away once you click that bypass switch. Today’s pedal was one of those for us, for sure: the Solar Eclipse Fuzz from Earthground Audio. Not only does it satisfy all of our fuzzy desires, it has options for days and tweakablity to fit into any musical scenario. Let’s check it out! Inspired by the Big...
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Do you need a little funk in your music, or your life, but don’t like things super-clean or proper? Have you always wanted to venture into the world of auto-wahs and filters, but never found just the right pedal to make the leap? The Cock Fight from Electro-Harmonix incorporates elements of wah, fuzz, and filters to create a uniquely-voiced effects pedal, one that’s certain to make your head turn and your body bust into a...
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Today’s guest review comes to us from Liam Stevens – you can find him on Instagram, and with his band Tainted on Facebook. Thanks again, Liam! Had Tony Pepers, of Pepers’ Pedals fame, knock me together this custom pedal a few years back. At its core, it’s a clone of a Big Muff, but he’s done a few neat little tricks to it to make it more versatile. On the front of it there is a switch that shifts the mid range. You...
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Today we’ve got another collaboration pedal from some friends in Japan and a pedal builder in Nevada, one with a heap of fuzz tones, as well as some overdrive and distortion thrown in just because. The Rover Fuzz comes to us from Animals Pedal, via Skreddy Pedals, easily creating big, fat and tone-filled walls of sound. Touch-sensitive and stable in any temperature, this pedal is gonna shock and surprise you, we promise…...
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When today’s pedal arrived on our doorstep all the way from Medor Amps in Australia, it was a beast to behold. Seriously, this thing is HUGE! We talk a lot about “Pedalboard friendly” here, and if there’s one thing the Hurt Circuit Fuzz is NOT, it’s that. However, once you plug it in and get to know how it works, you’ll throw that “size matters” theory right out the window. Wait…....
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Anyone who knows Lone Wolf Audio and its proprietor, Joe Anastasio, knows that they don’t mess around when it comes to effects pedals geared (pun intended) towards the heavier side of music. Today’s featured pedal, the Outer Heaven Fuzz, continues that staunch tradition by bringing a fury of fuzzy and distorted tones to the forefront, while taking your average fuzz pedal and flipping it upside down and around, as Joe has...
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This is the Number 23 Fuzz from our friends at Vaux Flores. Small, purple, full of tone and killer in any setup, this fuzz-based beauty features a splash of upper octave cream and heterodyned, atonal artifacts with a sound few compare to. Not overly complex, but with enough gusto and tonal range to get the job done, and done well, let’s put this guy through the ringer and see what comes out on the other side, shall we? Upon...
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With a long-standing tradition of being anything but traditional, Dwarfcraft Devices have been pushing, reshaping and demolishing the sonic envelopes that we are all used to, and show no signs of stopping that in the near future. A perfect example of the inventive and creative products they’re producing is today’s pedal, the Grazer, a bright orange behemoth that acts as a granular repeater, delay, sampler, and all out wack...
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Today’s featured effect not only showcases some incredible sonic prowess from the designers, it also gives a nod to one of our favorite television shows EVER. For those of you who marveled in ‘Stranger Things’ like most of the rest of the world, you’ll surely recognize the name Demogorgon, the moniker given to this insane pedal. Blending in elements of fuzz, tremolo and reverb, this beastly monster sounds...
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After being able to check out the revered White Pedal from Jext Telez, we were excited to see what dirty effect they had for us this go-round – color us impressed again. The Buzz Tone is a germanium fuzz that also has trace elements of overdrive packed right in, for an all-encompassing tonal spectrum of sounds. The easy controls hide a wide dimension of tones, and the secret weapon here really pushes the envelope on what a...
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After checking out the new Getaway Driver from our friends at Orange Amps a couple months ago, we were excited to plug in the Fur Coat, another new effect in their lineup. This monster is a vintage fuzz loosely based on the Foxx Tone Machine, with an added octave option, for full tonal control and all the dirt you can handle. User-friendly controls and aesthetically intriguing artwork make this one fuzz that’s sure to...
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We love a good dual effect pedal around these parts, and the pedal we’re taking a gander at today features two beloved tones in spades. The FuzzBubble 45 from Analog Alien is an overdrive and fuzz in one, combining a couple of classic sounds into one pretty purple box, and giving you all the dirt you can handle. Giving you multiple tonal options ranging through a lot of years past, this beast is sure to have you sounding like...
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