DEATH BY AUDIO SUPERSONIC FUZZ GUN

A GREAT GUITAR EFFECT FOR OFF-THE-WALL INSPIRATION

RRP: $425

Distributor: Death By Audio

Topology: Transistor

EQ: Yes, treble filter

Bypass: True

Pros:

Unique sounds

Expressive controls

Cons:

Only really suited for noise-rock and shoegaze

The brainchild of Oliver Ackermann from noise-rock band A Place To Bury Strangers, Death By Audio make insane, off-the-wall pedals, from mind-bending reverbs and delays to oscillating fuzzes like this, which is how they made their name.

The Supersonic Fuzz Gun is their most recognisable and best fuzz pedal, and epitomises the early DBA circuit-design strategy of ‘throw parts at a breadboard until it sounds crazy.’ Like the Fuzz Factory, the labels on the controls only bear a slight relation to the effect they have on the sound of the pedal.

At least half the joy of the Supersonic Fuzz Gun is that it sounds completely unlike something a large manufacturer would make. It’s dirty, it’s punk, and its design is more about the artistic intent of the creator than anything as dull as engineering rules.