Xploration • Curation • Recommendation
2 quirky and unique green circular enclosure superb sounding Mode-Switching Fuzzes - the Blue FX Devices Piluxx, and Talisman Audio GP7 Soviet Gas Mask Canister Fuzz
So I’ve reviewed both of these within the last fortnight - they were both picked up at the relatively recent Brighton Guitar Show, while I had ordered the Piluxx just a day or two after the Leeds Pedal Show which took place 3 months earlier!
I always see things in terms of patterns, and the Piluxx was already in the bank as such - when I spotted the GP7 - and had to have that one too!
Both of these have very unique and unusual re-purposed enclosures, and both are fantastic sounding Mode-Switching Fuzzes.
The GP7 is a little larger than the Piluxx which is around the same diameter as the typical compact enclosure.
I have an affinity for quirky enclosures - but they have to be practical too - not too large, easy to accommodate within your pedalboard, and easy to operate - which both of these are. There are of course all kinds of over-sized and odd-shaped pedals out there that aren’t particularly practical or pedalboard-friendly - while both of these most definitely are, and sound just as exotic as they look!
I feel very lucky to have snagged both of these - it’s so much about timing these days, as the second batch of Piluxx Fuzzes were in Silver Grey enclosures - which would not have fit this pattern!
I’m all for great sounding quirky pedals - but they have to be practical too - in order to enter my Reference Collection.
Props to Blue FX Devices and Talisman Audio for their creativity and superior engineering here - this sort of thing needs to be celebrated!
Blue FX Devices Piluxx 70's electrical switch Fuzz Fields Redux 2-Mode Fuzz - €185 (circa $210 / £160)
Controls - Central Knob Fuzz / Frequency, Volume Trim-pot on side, Hold Footswitch to engage and disable Frequency / Oscillation Mode.
A fantastic 2-Mode reduction of Blue FX's flagship Fuzz Fields pedal - featuring the Core and 4th Frequency Mode - which you engage / disable via press-holding the central footswitch.
Squeezed into a 1970's Greek Pilux Electrical Switch that Archie found in an Athens Antiques Shop!
It requires some delicacy on the dial in for the Frequency Mode - in particular if you want to be able to flip over modes on the fly - I find just a little to the left of centre for the master control works well for both Modes.
A fantastic, unique and really quite mighty fuzz - with a tonne of gain and volume!
You can read my full review - [HERE].
Talisman Audio Soviet GP7 Gas Mask Canister 2-Stage Ge/Si Transistor Switching Point-to-Point Fuzz - £250 ($337)
www.instagram.com/p/DNLTVbbMEeN/ [Instagram Demo]
www.instagram.com/talismanaudio/ [Website coming soon!]
Controls - Fuzz, Bias, Level, Bright Cap : Off / On, Ge/Si Switch : GE MP37B / SI KT3102EM.
A very Soviet-leaning fuzz, with all the key parts being Soviet components - including Enclosure, Transistors, and Capacitors.
It's a mostly Germanium 2-Stage Fuzz - with a switchable Q1 Stage - where you can alternate between GE MP37B and KT3102EM. Where Q2 is served by a Sziklai array Pair of Germanium Transistors - GT303D, and GT404B.
You have 3 variable controls including external Bias, and a Bright Cap switch - which I use fairly sparingly.
Fantastic sounding Soviet Fuzz Face, not quite as full-fat as the Talisman Deluxe Face Blender, but still searing with a glorious rich and harmonious texture.
You can read my full review - [THERE].
