We can get behind any good fuzz pedal around here, so we were pretty stoked when the cats over at Way Huge Electronics sent over their Havalina™ Germanium Fuzz for us to check out. Featuring a basic three-knob control configuration, this fuzz does what a good fuzz pedal should do: produce copious amounts of fuzz. With a hint of old-school Tone Bender fuzz sound found within it, this is a fun fuzz that will get you groovin’ with...
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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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Fuzz pedals just put a big smile on your face, don’t they? If not, you need to work on that, but for the rest of us, there are fuzzy gems like today’s featured pedal, the Supamodel MkIII Fuzz from DAG Pedals on the Island of Mallorca. Tall and slender, but beefy and tough just the same, this pedal exudes a tremendous amount of fuzz with ease, and will slip onto any pedalboard with ease as well. Three controls make up this...
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Multi-effects pedals can be tricky to write reviews about, as there is so much going on, and so many different options to choose from that it makes it hard to narrow the writing down and focus on a few things to discuss in detail. Such is the case with today’s featured pedal, the M5 Stompbox Modeler from Line 6 – and if the regular functionality of this pedal wasn’t overwhelming enough, this model has been modded by...
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Fuzz. There are a ton of killer fuzz pedals out in the world, and we are all privy enough to be around to witness them in all their glory. That said, there are many, many different types of fuzz to experiment with, but sometimes you just want a ton of options in one pedal that you can easily access and use to your advantage, right? If that’s the case, the Clusterfuzz from Function f(x) might be just the pedal you’ve been...
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A little while back, we reviewed a sweet, nostalgia-filled pedal called the Outatime Drive, from some friends of ours across the pond, MM Effects. While that is a killer drive in and of itself, they sent another little electronics box for us to check out, today’s featured pedal, simply titled Fuzz. A bare bones, no frills dirt box, this thing looks simple, but will liven up both your playing and your amp in a hurry. Featuring...
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We love discovering pedal companies that we have never heard of before, no matter how long they may have been around, and seeing out-of-the-ordinary, innovative and exciting new pedals, ones that really break the traditional pedal molds, and offer something completely new and adventurous. If there was ever a pedal to do that, it’s the Chaosmic Fuzz from Rabbit Hole FX, so let’s see what she’s all about! On the top...
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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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Last fall, we reviewed an incredible fuzz pedal from Retro Mechanical Labs, the Electron Fuzz Custom, and it really rocked our faces. Recently, Johnathan at RML made a special, potentially one-off version of this pedal called the Mini, featuring a gorgeous wooden enclosure and a rare, vintage voltage meter. We knew we had to have it, and the result is one of the most beautiful pedals we’ve had the pleasure to lay our eyes on....
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One of my guitar heroes, Nels Cline, is a super effects junkie, like many of us, and I always liked how diverse and cool his rigs have been over the years. He’s also gotten me to try out numerous pedals, and today’s featured pedal is one that I wanted to get my hands on as soon I could after seeing his Rig Rundown. Having reviewed the Stardust from Crazy Tube Circuits, I wanted something a bit heavier and crunchier, and...
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The Big Muff. Chances are, you own at least one album that has this classic fuzz sound featured prominently on it, but you probably have more like 50 or 100. A classic sound that has stood the test of time, and has been showcased expertly through guitarists ranging from Jack White to David Gilmour to J. Mascis to Billy Corgan to Carlos Santana to Dan Auerbach, as well as countless others. Today’s pedal is a brilliant take on a...
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Having reviewed such classic Selah Effects’ pedals as the Feather Drive and Scarlett Love, we were excited to check out their first foray into the world of fuzz, and were not disappointed. Exemplifying a broad range of sounds, from thick and driven to glitchy and wacky, the Misty Mountain Fuzz offers something for everyone who digs this genre of pedal, and with simple controls in a gorgeous enclosure, dialing in a distinct but...
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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...
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The gang at Fairfield Circuitry are well-known for creating new and exciting pedals, so we were super-stoked when we teamed up with them and they sent us our first pedal for review, the Four Eyes Fuzz. Having reviewed their Barbershop Overdrive and Meet Maude Analog Delay pedals so far, we were excited to test out their take on a fuzz pedal, and it did not disappoint. Containing three parallel JFET fuzz circuits driven by a voltage...
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Sometimes when you review a particular pedal, you get to do a little research and discover another pedal in the process. The flavor of the day today focuses on the classic Shin-Ei Super-Fuzz FY-6 pedal, which was produced from 1968 until the late 1970s. Our featured pedal today not only made a long journey to us via India, it also has the innards and homage that make it an excellently-modified version of an awesome vintage effects...
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Sometimes, a package arrived at the shop and when you open it up, you’re both excited and completely baffled. Such was the case with today’s featured pedal, the Nitro Fuzz from Elta Electrolaboratory. These cats are based straight out of Moscow, Russia, and the graphics and text on the Nitro convey that clearly, as I could not read a word, and could only figure out a couple of the controls by eyeing it. Luckily, I got some...
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Sometimes, you want a fairly straight-forward, easy to manage fuzz, that just adds in enough power and oomph to your guitar tone to give it a little grit and gusto. Other times, you want a fuzz that is unpredictable, crazy, innovative and spectacular, one that opens up your mind and expands your musical library. Today’s pedal is most definitely the latter, a giant beautiful mess of blips, squawks and bleeps, complete with a...
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We were recently introduced to a pedal company in New Jersey called Pusher Pedals, and had the pleasure to review one of their first gear offerings, the Dirty Darling. In chatting with them some more, we came to find out that they were in the process of making a 2-In-1 pedal, combining their first two flagship pedals (the Dirty Darling plus the Leap of Faith Boost), and we could not have been more excited. The result is a fantastic...
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In reviewing so many pedals, there can be periods where a group of effects all seem really similar, and although they may have slight differences, they feel like pedals we might have already reviewed before. There are, however, some pedal production companies who really set themselves apart from the rest, in terms of innovation, creativity and all-out awesomeness. A couple that come to mind off the bat are Red Panda, Dwarfcraft...
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At first glance, the Fix’d Fuzz Deluxe from Blackout Effectors looks as though it might be a little tricky and complicated, with its vast array of knobs and switches. Turns out, it is, but in the best possible way. With all of these adjustable options, this brilliant fuzz truly allows the user to dial in a wide range of distorted and fuzzy sounds, and will take you from a simple, basic fuzz to sonic dementia that you may well...
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I knew not what I was getting myself into. I think, at some point, most of us buy some piece of gear because someone we admire uses it. For me, that was the MXR Blue Box. True Page uses it on “Fool In The Rain” but I became interested because Jesse Lacey of Brand New uses it. And on top of that, new it’s fairly cheap, as far as pedals go. The Blue Box also introduced me to some terrific noises. A fuzzy, synthy, sub-octavey box is how...
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Sometimes, in the review business, you come across a pedal that is so unique and so out-of-the-ordinary, you’re impressed that you were even able to locate it, ESPECIALLY when it turns out it is currently the only one in existence (or so I was told). The Rapture Bit Crushing Delay from Albey Inventions is a musical instrument all on its own, smashing sonic boundaries and speaker cabinets as it tears through the very existence of...
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Straight outta New Zealand, Red Witch Pedals have been producing some incredible guitar and bass gear since their inception in 2003, and their latest offering is nothing short of a sonic tsunami, raging through your amplifier like a bat out of hell. Marketed as a bass pedal, but fitting in comfortably in the guitar realm as well, the Zeus Bass Fuzz Suboctave is a pedal that’s sure to turn some heads, rattle some eardrums, and...
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Multi-effects units tend to be hit or miss, in my experience, while some can be the most fantastic thing you’ve ever experienced. Today’s pedal, the Holy Stain from Electro-Harmonix, falls somewhere in the middle. Not the best at some functions, but really good at others, the Holy Stain is definitely a pedal worth checking out, even if you might not be using all of its functions all the time. Mix, Amount, Volume and Tone...
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Having reviewed a number of their pedals, I think it’s safe to say that the crew over at Infanem (Instruments For A New Electric Music) make some of my favorite pedals ever. Wildly inventive and a lot of time out-of-this-world, they take on fuzzes, phasers, delays and more, much to the delight of myself and many others throughout the pedal-playing community. Today’s pedal is the 141G, a tough monster of a fuzz, with fairly...
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In this crazy world of pedal reviewing, I have been extremely fortunate enough to come across some incredible pedals from smaller manufacturers that I probably wouldn’t have even heard of otherwise. Since the market is so competitive, I’m lucky to be able to befriend these builders, and help try to get the word out about their pedals to as many musicians as possible, through all the avenues that are available for Pedal of...
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We love seeing a new company burst onto the scene, fresh with new ideas and full of gusto about their new adventures, and today’s pedal comes to us from one such company. Ohm Made Electronics, located in Leavenworth, Washington, is a small company just getting off the ground, and their first production model is today’s featured pedal, the Fuzz Out! At first glance, this pedal looks really simple…and it is, to an...
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Sometimes, it’s hard to come up with a ton of words to describe a pedal and how it sounds, or makes you feel, or brings an immediate smile to your face. That said, I’ll try to do my best to try and describe the Hammer Distortion Fuzz from Greer Amps. Another in our recent lineup of 3-knob pedals, this one has got gusto, oomph and rock and roll ensconced into its DNA, and that is evident after you turn it on and hit the...
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I had heard of Crimsontone Amps before, but until recently, was unaware that they also made pedals. Needless to say I was super-stoked when they sent a couple of pedals over to review – the amps look so incredible, I’m sure the pedals are no slouches, either. Well, my assumptions were all confirmed the minute I sat down and plugged in the Rosso Fuzz, the first of two pedals that arrived that day. The Rosso is a...
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There have been a lot of fuzz pedals floating around the office as of late, and one of the ones I was most excited about playing is today’s featured pedal, the White Atom Fuzz from Magnetic Effects. I’d seen this pedal around on different sites online, and was extremely delighted when we both decided to collaborate on a review for the newest model, the MkII. Anticipation was high as I waited for the pedal to arrive from...
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There are certain times in every effect freak’s life, when you sit down with a pedal, any type of pedal, really, and once you hit that bypass switch, your ears, eyes and fingers instantly perk up, and your brain sort of says “Whoa!”, maybe even with a little Keanu Reeves overtone. Now, while there are many, many brilliant pedals out there to explore, as we know, there are those rare gems that just have IT, whatever...
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The Big Muff Family of Fuzzes has many, many members, in various forms, models and creations, and should, after being around for more close to 50 years. One of these family subdivisions it the Russian Green Muff, which was made from 1994-2000 or so, and is one of many highly collectable and sought-after versions of this incredible fuzz. The crew at McCaffrey Audio decided it was time to take on the project of developing their own...
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I’m always on the lookout for pedals that not only present themselves in a unique way, but offer unique sound options, too. Today’s pedal, the 1954 Transparent Fuzz from ScreaminFX, covers both of these criteria with ease, as you can see just by looking at the design of this bright orange beauty. Hand-made and built like a tank in Austin, Texas, with a clear shield that lets you peer directly into this fuzz’s soul, I...
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It just so happens that I love fuzz pedals, but I ALSO love sandwiches, so today’s pedal celebrates 2 of my favorite things at once! The Big Muff Fuzz has a ridiculous cult following, especially a few choice models from the 1970s, but if you can even find them, they’re pricey and usually need repair and maintenance to keep them alive and going strong. Well, thanks to JHS Pedals and circuitry wizard Jon Cusack, there now...
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Design and individuality are keys in today’s oversaturated guitar pedal market, and the folks at Amptweaker have certainly utilized both of those concepts, crafting unique and innovative pedals around every turn. Today’s pedal is just another in their lineup of great-sounding and option-packed pedals, and can add so much depth and dimension to your tone, you’ll be blown away by the TightFuzz Distortion. As with other...
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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...
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Have you always been kind of jealous of the keyboardist or bass player in your band? The ones who get to make a ton of funky, low-end, synthesizer sounds that harken back to the 70s, that you just can’t seem to reproduce just using a guitar and amp? Well, now you can be the funk master, thanks to the Octasynth Octave Synthesizer pedal from SubDecay. This little box produces buzzy, funk-filled sub-octave notes and glitches,...
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There are a lot of great fuzz pedals in the world, and it seems like more and more keep coming every year, something that I am most definitely NOT opposed to. Varying in degrees of control knobs and sonic options, some simpler and others more complex, there are a ton of setups to choose from. The Static Fuzz from IdiotBox Effects is kinda in the middle, with simple controls, plus one awesome added bonus, and features a huge range of...
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Most pedal builders boast about a versatile drive, but JHS’ Kilt is truly worthy of the versatile praise. The Kilt’s toggle and knob controls allow for the player to dial in clean to full out gated fuzz and anything in between. And while most pedals that claim to be versatile have maybe one or two “sweet spots,” the Kilt is special all the way through. Based off of the old Expandora fuzz, the Kilt takes a...
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Sometimes during this crazy pedal review hobby I have, I come across a pedal that is super-unique and unlike anything I’ve yet come across, and today’s review is for a pedal of just that nature. Retro Mechanical Labs are known for the crazy awesome fuzz and drive pedals they produce, but the Electron Fuzz Custom is an entirely different beast than most fuzzes I’ve heard to this point. Boasting numerous control knobs...
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Last summer, we reviewed a truly unique phaser pedal from a company that (at the time) was unfamiliar to us here at Pedal of the Day. The company is called Infanem (Instruments For A New Electric Music), and the pedal was the Compact Faye Sing Phaser. As we looked into their line of gear further, things started to get very interesting, as they are known for producing some very interesting and sonically incredible pedals. Today’s...
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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...
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Since I started up this little review adventure, I have reviewed a couple pieces of gear from EC Pedals, and they keep surprising me with each new encounter. These guys don’t make pedals for the weak-hearted or yacht-rockers, they are built for loud clubs and loud guitars, and today’s pedal is on par with that philosophy as well. The Angry Ape is a big, bold, distorted fuzz pedal, and one that can perform a multitude of...
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Retro Mechanical Labs was first brought to my attention by a friend who asked me “Hey, have you seen that company making pedals that look like they’re off a WWII Russian submarine?” My interest was peaked from that moment on. I began researching their website, scouring the internet for deals, and seeking out demos immediately. Admittedly, it took some time to get my hands on one because I was nervous. I come from a punk background,...
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The pedals being made by Graig over at Recovery Effects look rad. Plain and simple. That said, today’s reviewed pedal also sounds pretty rad, too, which usually makes for an excellent combination. The Grizzled Mighty Fuzz was originally created for the band of the same name, and is now available for us all to enjoy. This fuzz has some relatively simple controls, but a ton of differing tones, and a big, fat low end, which makes...
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Gimmie a one-knob pedal with maybe one toggle switch, and I’m usually pretty happy. No exception here, as we’re going to take a look at a small company (they don’t even have a website yet) with a great name, American Wizard Toneworks, and their flagship pedal, the Hive Fuzz. As soon as I clicked the bypass switch, my guitar came alive and my amp started yelling at me, in a great way. With only one knob to worry...
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The first version of the Silver Rose Mega-Fuzz from Devi Ever garnered much attention from fuzzheads everywhere, and has been a sought-after pedal for some time, especially due to its ties to Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins. With a couple tweaks and an updated design/layout, the new version of the Silver Rose is a mammoth of a fuzz, and is able to create basically any fuzz sound you could want, plus some you haven’t even...
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Way back when we first started Pedal of the Day, one of our first pedal donators was Happy Valley Analog out of Chattanooga, Tennessee. I loved the simplicity of the first incarnation of their Jurassic Fuzz pedal: simple controls, a great space-saver for your pedalboard, but it didn’t lack the balls that you want a good fuzz to have. Well, they took that schematic and beefed it up a bit, adding another control for more sonic...
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There are space-saving pedals for your pedalboard, and then there are the pedals from Henretta Engineering. How they even got inside this box to wire up the Bluebird Fuzz is beyond me, but the result is fairly astonishing. To be able to pack this much sound and dirt into an enclosure that measures 2″ x 2″ is an incredible feat, and one that I thoroughly enjoyed reviewing. The controls are simple: none. Well, that’s...
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Some pedal companies (well, a lot of them, actually) are small, unique and hail from a different country. I always like to see what other countries and cultures are doing in the massive pedal world, to see what influences they are using, and how their ideas about pedal building differ from the ones here in the U.S.A. I’ve recently been in contact with Fuse Electronics, all the way from Chile in South America, and they sent a...
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