FuzzPup Crusher

This is part of our FuzzPup range of circuits designed for 1590A builds. Please read the general build doc available here and ensure you're happy with what's involved. They're not especially difficult, but working in a confined space can be fiddly. Take heed.

Of course there's nothing stopping you using these PCBs for 'standard' builds. They're Direct Connect compatible.

PCB and kit also available as a standard build for 1590B - see related products below.

Some people strive to nail that Gimour tone. Some yearn for Eddie's sound on the first VH album.

....and others want to mess with their shiz. This one's for you.

Most 'bit crushers' are digital affairs, downsampling your lovely sine waves into binary mush before shoving it out the other side. This little puppy avoids the 1s and 0s, employing some Op-Amp and FET fiddling to emulate that downsampling effect. The results are a bit haphazard but can be very rewarding.

Based on the circuit designed by Colin Raffel of experimentalists anonymous, but with some tweaking of components to make it work more consistently. Colin describes it as 'a sample and hold circuit, which is an analog sample rate reducer'.

Caution: This is not a clean, quiet effect. Due to the woo-waaahs and doodads in the circuit that produce the effect there is a whining noise which is very clear when no signal is being put into it. The frequency of the whine changes when you turn the knob, and is actually good for ascertaining which key the effect will work best with at which setting. Part and parcel of messing up your sound. Embrace it or don't use this pedal.

Partial kit: PCB, all board-mounted components, pots.

Full kit: As above, plus footswitch and appropriate daughterboard/components for your selected bypass type (see Downloads section for details of those), jack sockets, DC socket, battery snap, hook-up wire, LED.

1590A Enclosure (pre-drilled) is only available with full kits, and will not take a battery. Knobs are not included.

Builds are only available with full kits including enclosure. Please choose appropriate knobs.

Supplied with 16mm pot

Inspired by: Experimentalists Anonymous Bit Crusher

Difficulty: Hard

PCB size: 25 x 45mm

Knobs required: 1

Enclosure: 1590A

Direct-Connect compatible (6-way)

If you want the kit pre-built you must add the enclosure option below and select your knobs in the Components section. Check Enclosures section for powder-coated enclosure availability.

Download the INSTRUCTION PDF

Please also read this general guide to FuzzPup builds.