There are a lot of effects pedals out there shrouded in mystery – vintage units that have little public info about them, pedals only made for a short time, or reclusive builders who keep their secrets, well, secret. The HP-1 Harmonic Percolator is most definitely one of these pedals, a weird fuzzy distortion creation that creates an extremely unique sound. The effect we’re looking at today is a Harmonic Percolator Clone,...
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HAPPY HALLOWEEN!! Well, almost, but it’s close enough, right? Today’s spooky, end-of-October-themed pedal comes in the form of a vintage circuit, modernized for today’s differing climates. The Vaderin Pedals HP-X Harmonic Percolator takes after the original unit from Interfax, but with a couple differences to ensure years, maybe decades, of wonderful, fuzzy playability… The HP-X has been designed to capture the...
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The Harmonic Percolator. Is it a fuzz? Is it a distortion? Is it its own entity entirely? We’ve had the pleasure to check out a couple pedals based on the revered Interfax model, and we’ve got another for you today. The Malaise Forever Clubber Lang is a love letter to the original unit, with a couple of changes and additions to bring it into the modern world…let’s check it out! The Clubber Lang features a...
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The InterFax Harmonic Percolator has a weird story. A distortion/fuzz pedal made in the fabulous city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in the 70’s, it has become a mystical unit of legend. Probably made most famous by Steve Albini of Big Black and Shellac, these rather bland-looking boxes have a wide range of tones to investigate. Since originals are relatively scarce and spendy, it’s nice when a re-creation comes our way, and...
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Looking for a heavy, bone-crushing, fuzz-riffic distortion pedal? ARE YOU? Well, today’s scorcher might be right up your alley, then. The Headache Harmonic Percolator from Nine of Swords will give you a little bit of hurt, or a lot, depending on what you need or want. Actually sporting great range with just two controls, this is one dirt box that means serious business. A take on the classic circuit made popular by the rare and...
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Today, we’re going all in, taking a look at not ONE, not TWO, but THREE new effect boxes from our friends at Sundance Electric. The Cassidy Drive + Boost, Clean Fuzz V2 and Harmonic Incubator each bring a different flavor of unique dirt sounds to your pedalboard, featuring wide-ranging sounds easily conjured up by simple control sections. Lots to explore, let’s see what they’re all about… The Cassidy Drive +...
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Well, it’s time once again for everyone’s favorite game, Try to Describe the Pedal. While there are many versions of the classic Harmonic Percolator circuit, it has always been an effect that hasn’t been the easiest to classify, as it contains elements of fuzz, filter, distortion and more, all produced in a very eclectic and specific way. Today’s pedal, the Emerald Ox FX Chimeric Percolator, asks the question...
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The effects we’ve checked out so far from Malaise Forever have been glorious, starting with the magnificent Clubber Lang Harmonic Percolator Fuzz, and continuing with the Rage Monster Germanium Gain Stage. For Pedal #3 today, we’re helping with the release of the brand new Iron Fistula JFET Preamp Drive, a swiss army knife of incredible tones and dialed-in dirt for days – let’s see what’s in store, shall...
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Our pal James Bowman started Bowman Audio Endeavors a couple years back, and each new pedal release brings his unique spin on effects to the forefront. Today, we’re taking a look at the Satan’s Fingers Fuzz, a sinister and opaque piece of gear that has two knobs and a ton of noise. This one crushes from the moment it’s turned on – let’s see what it’s all about… Satan’s Fingers is a...
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The Clubber Lang Harmonic Percolator Fuzz from Malaise Forever was one of our Top Pedals of 2021, and we were stoked to check out more gear from this fine company out of Columbus, OH. Luckily, we didn’t have to wait too long – today, we’re helping with the Brand New Release for their next creation, the Rage Monster Germanium Gain Stage. Packing some classic and modern boost sounds into one pedalboard-friendly...
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We love working with new, up-and-coming pedal companies, and today’s effect comes from one that we’re stoked about. Coming out of Lake Forest, CA, the Sundance Electronics HI-1 Fuzz has just one knob, along with three toggle switches. This minimalist setup actually has a lot of range, and the circuit is a take on the infamous Interfax Harmonic Percolator. Loud, gritty and raucous, this pedal is a beast from the west…...
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So, our friend James Bowman, who happens to be the guitarist for Against Me!, decided he wanted to build some guitar pedals (as Bowman Audio Endeavors). He sent them over to us to check out, and we’ve got the second one in the lineup today for you. After the wild and dirty Harmonic Percolator, the Fortune and Glory Boost might seem a little tame. However, this one-knob wonder can get down right DIRTY if you want it to…...
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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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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...
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A while back, we reviewed a pedal from a company whose pedal designs are as unique as the graphics on their enclosures – that pedal was the Blinding VOIP! Boost from Jellyfish Electronics. Today, we’re going to take a look at one of their overdrives, the Girthquake (great names, don’t you think?) and see what it has in store for us! The control section of the Girthquake features your basic overdrive controls: Volume,...
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Today’s featured pedal is a modern take on a classic distortion effect. Based on the famous Interfax Harmonic Percolator, the Harmonik Germanium Fuzz from Dubrek Audio Boutique boasts the same type of fuzzy distorted sounds as the vintage unit, but with a couple of modern upgrades. Level and Gain are the only two control knobs present on the Harmonik, alongside a lone toggle switch. Both knobs feature a broad range, with plenty...
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The Coffee Grinder Fuzz from Blue Dinosaur Electronics is a distant relative of the ancient and mysterious Interfax Harmonic Percolator, especially when both the Gain and Hi-Fi knobs are pushed to the max (although this is in no way a clone of that pedal). This is a fuzz like no other. With the Gain knob up full blast, the Coffee Grinder emits a warm, smooth, bold fuzz that’s not tinny or harsh on your ear holes. Use the Hi-Fi...
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