If you play guitar, chances are you have wanted or still do want to emulate the amazing tones of David Gilmour from Pink Floyd. Even if their music isn’t your jam, it’s hard to deny the affect he has had on the guitar as an instrument, and his tone from the 70’s is the stuff of legend. One of the main pieces of said tone was the Colorsound Power Boost, later renamed the Overdriver, which is where today’s pedal...
Read More
The Legends of Fuzz series from JHS Pedals is a tribute to the world’s most historic, rare, and sought after fuzz circuits. Since the originals are extremely hard-to-find, extremely expensive when you do and prone to the problems electronics might have after 50 years, this series brings these sounds and tones to the masses, for all to enjoy. There are four pedals in all, and we’re going to run through each one, what they...
Read More
We’ve been checking out effects pedals from our friend Pat Garland down in Houston, Texas since 2014 (HTX Active Drive, Pink Drive, Dos Armas Combo, etc), and we’re excited to bring you another one of his concoctions today. The Garland FX Zero Distortion combines all your favorite dirt sounds in one aesthetically-pleasing, bright enclosure. With hints of Tone Bender, Big Muff and wild, fuzzy abandon, there’s a lot to...
Read More
We were recently fortunate to acquire a tasty little morsel of a guitar from our new friends at Eastwood Guitars, the Classic AC, and knew immediately that it should be paired up with today’s pedal. The Eastwood VALCO BloodBuzz Fuzz Overdrive takes two of our (and probably your) favorite effects, houses them into a monster enclosure, gives you a bunch of bells and whistles and lets the games begin. A tribute to the now legendary...
Read More
Looking back, it seems we should have featured today’s pedal yesterday, as you can clearly see from the artwork (Happy Belated 4/20, all!). No matter, we’re still gonna crush some faces with the Blazed Fuzz, another killer effects from our friends Kink Guitar Pedals down in Cranbourne, Australia. The clearly Jamaican-influenced graphics are a stark contrast to the down-and-dirty sounds this pedal creates, but in absolutely...
Read More
Recently, we had the privilege and honor reviewing and demoing another pedal from our friends at KMA Machines, the Wurm, a killer distortion pedal full of great tones and offering loads of options. We get to look at another KMA machine today, one along the same lines as the Wurm, but with a couple differing twists and turns. The Dead Stag is a Distortion, yes, but it’s also a Fuzz, so you get the best of those two worlds in one...
Read More
Here at Pedal of the Day, we love a good Big Muff. Especially the Russian ones. The really, dirty, nasty Russian ones. Get your head out of the gutter, people, we’re talking about FUZZ. Since their inception in late 60’s, Big Muffs have been heard on countless recordings, and are key ingredients to some of the favorite guitar players and bands around: David Gilmour, Thin Lizzy, Kiss, Santana, Smashing Pumpkins, Frank Zappa...
Read More
Big Muff. You know the name, you know the pedals, you know (some of) the records that they have appeared on. Thankfully, since the originals are fairly rare and expensive when you can find them, there are many companies who produce their individual takes on these excellent fuzz/distortions, and we’ve got a new member of the group to tell you about today. Siren Pedals, out of Nashville, TN, brings another take on the Muff, in the...
Read More
There are certain pedals that carry with them an elusive aura, a majestic, impossible-to-achieve-anywhere-else type of hype and fuss. The Big Cheese from Lovetone, produced for a short period in the mid-to-late 1990’s, is one of these pedals: hard to find, crazy expensive when you do and is used by some of the most recognizable names in the biz, thus enshrining it in the Effects Pedal Hall of Fame. But wait! If you’ve been...
Read More
The Big Muff. You’ve heard it, you know it, you love it….but, can you afford an original, 1970’s-era model? Probably not, plus there’s the maintenance, reliability, etc. that goes along with owning any piece of vintage gear. Thankfully, we’re super-spoiled in the effects pedal community, and have companies like D-Sound Effects, all the way from Russia, to help us with these bumps in the road. Today...
Read More
The Russian Big Muff from Electro-Harmonix is about as classic a distortion/fuzz sound as you’re going to find in the effects pedal world, but sometimes, you may find yourself wanting more options than its 3-knob configuration will allow. Enter D-Sound Effects and their Orion Distortion Fuzz. Utilizing a six-parameter control section, and using modern, sophisticated circuitry and build techniques, this pedal is a Russian Big...
Read More
In The Whale Denver, CO Eric Riley – drums/vocals Nate Valdez – guitar/lead vocals inthewhale.com instagram.com/in_the_whale twitter.com/inthewhale facebook.com/inthewhale How long have you been musicians? How did you get into it in the first place? ERIC: I started playing percussion in the school band in junior high. I got a drum kit for Christmas when I was 13 and never looked back. I continued to play in school band throughout high...
Read More
Sometimes, pedals come through our office that are fairly loud. Sometimes, we get pedals that are REALLY loud. Today’s pedal might just be the loudest one we’ve ever encountered, and let us tell you, loud doesn’t even really begin to describe it. The Black Drone Wasp from Jext Telez is an absolute monster of a fuzz, and, while it can get extremely high in the volume department, it never gets shrill or too...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
Chris Traynor Topanga, California Bush bushofficial.com www.instagram.com/ct3guitar/ twitter.com/CT3GUITAR How long have you been a musician? How did you get into it in the first place? I feel like I’ve been a musician since birth. My parents took me to Suzuki method when I was a toddler, and although I don’t remember much from those days I feel like it really gave me an interest in communicating through music from a very young age. I...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
The Big Muff Pi “Ram’s Head” fuzz circuit is one of the most well-known, coveted and revered sounds in the history of guitar effects, heard on countless classic albums and in live shows over the past 4+ decades. While the original pedals are expensive and difficult to obtain, there are a number of companies who make tasty recreations of this type of sound, emulating that specific fuzz tone to a T. The M-1 Ram’s...
Read More
If you are looking for a fuzz pedal that not only sounds great, but also has more output volume available than just about any pedal that’s come through our office, today’s effect creation is for you. The White Wave from Frana Effects is a Fuzz and a Boost, and has enough power trapped inside to take down a small building, if your amp’s speakers don’t blow first. Inspired by some classic fuzz tones from some...
Read More
Hand made and hand painted pedals just have something special about them – you can really see how much time and effort goes into each creation, and how dedicated those folks making these effects really are. The Fat Gett Suboctave Fuzz is the first pedal from Champion Leccy that we’ve had the chance to check out, and it did not disappoint. A fuzz with an octave twist, this thing will open your eyes and ears instantly, and...
Read More![Hungry Robot Pedals [fz] Fuzz](https://www.pedal-of-the-day.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/HungryRobotPedals_fzFuzz-640x280.jpg)
Let’s face it: there are a LOT of Big Muff-types of fuzz pedals floating around today, along with the true originals, for a whole lotta muff (hehe). So, when we get a pedal in that bucks convention and tries to forage a musical path of its own, we get pretty damn excited. Today’s featured pedal, the [fz] Fuzz from Hungry Robot Pedals, does just that, utilizing a totally unique fuzz circuit that isn’t based on...
Read More
Unleashing a fury of new and much-anticipated effects over the course of the last couple of years, the crew at Way Huge continues to excite and defy convention with their effects. Today we’re going to take a gander at one of the newest, the Russian-Pickle Fuzz, a dirt pedal that harkens back to the sweet distorted sounds of the mid-nineties’ BC183C Russian Big Muff, for all the grunge and angst you can handle. Easy to use...
Read More
We have been fortunate enough over the last few years to have reviewed the entire lineup of effects from Ninevolt Pedals, and the crew behind those affordable and excellent-sounding pedals are back with another lineup and a different name. The Rust Rod Fuzz from Animals Pedal is the first of 5 pedals from this company that we will be reviewing and demoing, and this one started off the tour with a bang! Designed by Skreddy Pedals, this...
Read More
In an effects world full of clones and “borrowed” circuits, there’s a want, maybe even a NEED, for fresh pedals, new ideas and incredible music-making machines. A company that absolutely adheres to this mantra in Dr. Scientist, who continually reinvests the proverbial sonic wheel, creating unique design after design, some of which we’ve had the pleasure to review. Today’s pedal, the Frazz Dazzler Fuzz,...
Read More
Sometimes, in our wonderful world of effects pedals, one knob is all you need to produce spectacular sounds. Such is the case with today’s featured piece of gear, the Dream Left Behind Fuzz from our new friends at Life Is Unfair. Coming to us all the way from the city of Cardiff in southern Wales, this bright orange tone machine has fuzz sounds you might not expect from such a simple pedal. Much Muff-y research was done to...
Read More
A lot of times, you can tell if you and a pedal are going to gel from the first minute or so of playing it. Today’s featured pedal took us about 8 seconds before we knew it was a keeper. The White Widow Silicon Fuzz comes to us all the way from Brazil, and it was well worth the wait. Based on a special version of the Big Muff Pi from the late ’70s, this one has a couple more options and tones than its classic predecessor....
Read More
Those of us that love fuzz can’t help but dig those old, vintage effects pedals of said genre. Problem is, more often than not, they’re hard to maintain, and modern improvements on their original components and design are as tempting as ever. Which brings us to today’s featured pedal – the 1861 Fuzz. Modeled after the Civil War-era fuzzes of the early ’90s, the crew at Vick Audio has made a delicious nod...
Read More
Jeremy DePoyster Chicago, IL The Devil Wears Prada www.tdwpband.com How long have you been a musician? How did you get into it in the first place? I got my first acoustic at 10, and have played ever since. I took a quick interest in keyboards, synths, and sequencers and have been making music with them since around the same time. I started with a KORG Polysix running a curly cable into a Fender Champ Amp. Who have been some of your...
Read More
*SURPRISE SATURDAY REVIEW* We sure have had a fun time reviewing and demoing the lineup of pedals from our friends across the sea in Japan, Ninevolt Pedals, and today we’re going to take a look at another one of their classic effects. Now, if the name Fishing Is As Fun As Fuzz doesn’t make you smile a little bit, maybe you should rethink your life and how you can be happier. Inspired (apparently) by the completion of the...
Read More
For those of you who don’t already know, we’re crazy Star Wars fans here at Pedal of the Day, so when the chance arose to check out a pedal with an semi-iconic robot plastered on its enclosure, we knew we’d be in for a treat, regardless of how it sounded. Fortunately, it didn’t disappoint in the sonic category, either, making it a definite Win-Win for us, and really for anyone who plays this pedal, if they like...
Read More
The band Mastodon has been one of our favorites for years, so we were super-stoked to check out a signature pedal from their bass player, Troy Sanders. Working with the crew from Wren and Cuff, the Elephant Skin Distortion was born, and havoc was unleashed on metal fans everywhere. Featuring a well-known Wren and Cuff pedal on one side and a boost on the other, this is one piece of gear that’s sure to find it’s way onto...
Read More
Tim Bluhm San Anselmo, CA The Mother Hips www.motherhips.com/ How long have you been a musician? How did you get into it in the first place? I’ve been singing since I was a kid, in church choirs and in school choruses. I started playing guitar right after high school. In my second year of college I started the Mother Hips with Greg Loiacono and we started getting gigs really quickly. Who have been some of your major musical...
Read More
The first couple of pedals from McCaffrey Audio that we reviewed, the Zero to Sixty Drive and Green Vodka Muff Fuzz, were just plain awesome, and we couldn’t wait to see what their next creation was going to be. Taking a turn towards the unexpected, they have now released the Run Rabbit Run, which is their take on a Vibrato-type pedal, but with so much more going on than you’d think. Designed to give you that classic...
Read More
Today’s guest review comes to us from Scott W. – find him on Instagram (@honey.power) and Facebook (Scott Willems). There are copious amounts of pedals based on the revered Big Muff Pi, but the Swollen Pickle Jumbo Fuzz by Way Huge Electronics proves itself as a very versatile fuzz. Packed in the typical Way Huge anodized aluminum housing, it features three knobs for loudness, filter and sustain, and two external trim pots...
Read More
Joe and Dom over at Celestial Effects are some of the biggest supporters of Pedal of the Day, and they’re also making some pretty incredible pedals as well. Today’s moose of a beast is actually a FOUR-In-1 pedal, trying to outwit the usual 3-In-1 lackeys (just kidding, you guys all rock, too). The Cancer Wah The Fuzz? features Fixed Wah, Octave Fuzz, Muscle Fuzz and Tube Overdrive, all in one relatively-space-saving pedal...
Read More
It’s been a while since we reviewed a pedal from our friends at Vick Audio – they were one of our first pedal donators and supporters of the site two and a half years ago, and we’d like to thank them and acknowledge that once again. Their style, designs and pedals have become more sophisticated and versatile since the one-knob Fuzz Box we reviewed so long ago (as have our reviews, thankfully!), as evidenced by...
Read More
Today’s guest review comes to us from Wesley S. – find him on Instagram (@wesleystuart1) and say Hi! Emerson Custom (though mostly known for their wiring kits) has also dipped their fit into the pedal making business; one of their two offerings being the Paramount Overdrive. I recently bought this pedal as I just wasn’t satisfied with the drive tone I’d been getting from my rig and hated how the pedal I was...
Read More
Andy Greene Escape Plan Pedals http://www.escapeplanpedals.com How long have you been a musician? How did you get into it in the first place? I’ve played music for pretty much my entire life. I got my first guitar, a miniature steel string acoustic, when I was 5. I learned simplified versions of most of the standard position major chords and a few minor chords and would try to put on concerts for my family. I really got interested in...
Read More
Today’s guest review comes to us from Rob H. – you can find him on Instagram (@studio.rh), Twitter (@Rob_Hildreth) or on his website (Studio RH). Magnetic Effects are a London (UK) based boutique pedal manufacturer. All of the effects are designed and built by Christian Livingstone, who also happens to be the riff monster from NZ garage rockers The Datsuns. You only need to listen to his guitar work to realise this guy...
Read More
Here at Pedal of the Day, we’ve had the pleasure to review a number of pedals by the always-entertaining and a bit off-the-cuff Paradox Effects, and we’re happy to have another of their enclosures on hand for today’s review. If you want fuzz, you checked out our website on the right day, to say the least. The Fuzz-E Cat pushes the limits of sound (and your eardrums), but in only the best ways possible. Let’s...
Read More
After the options-laden Aquarius Fuzz pedal we looked at last week, today’s featured piece of gear does a complete 180, and gets down and dirty with a stripped-down enclosure and bare minimum controls. Lone Wolf Audio is well-known for producing some of the most unique, complex noise machines in the industry, so it was both a shock and a welcome sight to see the Bulldozer Fuzz arrive in our mailbox. This one-knob pedal...
Read More
Ryan McCaffrey McCaffrey Audio Stevens Point, WI www.mccaffreyaudio.com How long have you been a musician? How did you get into it in the first place? I have been playing guitar since I was 6, so over 29 years ago. My dad, and a lot of his friends played guitar, which enticed me to observe and try to keep up with their playing. I began playing in a band when I was 12, and my buddy’s dad would let me play his 1966 Fender Jaguar in a...
Read More
Mike Gantzer Guitarist for Aqueous Buffalo, NY https://aqueousband.com/ https://www.facebook.com/aqueousband/ How long have you been a musician? How did you get into it in the first place? Incidentally, when I first started playing music was in the 3rd grade with the standard issue recorder they give out to everyone, and i HATED it. haha I picked up trumpet for awhile, but I recall being sort of turned off with the rigidity of the...
Read More
John Snyder Electronic Audio Experiments Boston, MA http://www.electronicaudioexperiments.com How long have you been a musician? How did you get into it in the first place? My first instrument was actually the violin, which I began playing at age six. I took private lessons for about twelve years, firmly establishing classical music as a big part of my musical DNA. I listened to all types of music growing up, but I only started...
Read More
Sometimes it just seems impossible to get just the right fuzz sound, and the harder you look the harder it gets to achieve it. As you keep looking the more peachy you become about it and suddenly you come to decide anything will fit your non realistic expectations and kinda led you into a big depression. That’s how I got to Vntage Tone (www.facebook.com/vntagetone), a Mexican custom pedal and pedalboard builder who seems to hit...
Read More
The Big Muff is considered to be not only one of the best batch of fuzz boxes ever built, but one of the best all-around pedal collections ever as well. Though the differing versions are too vast for this single review, today’s pedal takes a page from this fantastic collection of incredible fuzz boxes, and stands right up there with them. Specifically focusing on the Ram’s Head Big Muff version, Stomp Under Foot has...
Read More
All-in-one pedals can be great, and they can be terrible, as anyone who has ever tried a few out can attest to. The good ones, though, when they’re good, they are GOOOOD. Where to begin with a pedal like this, with so many options, tones, squeaks, sound and delights? With a long-standing reputation of making some of the finest musical gear around, the folks at Eventide have one-upped even themselves at this point, and released...
Read More
Any dirt pedal that adds in a Mid control to the EQ section is a plus and a winner in my book, and when it’s on a fuzz pedal, that just makes my day. The addition of this control seems to really open up the sonic possibilities immensely, and make for a much broader range of tones to play around with. Add to that some nice clipping options and a warm, fuzzy sound, and I’m in fuzzerated heaven. These words describe...
Read More
