Catalinbread StarCrash '70s Collection StarCrash Fuzz Guitar Effect Pedal

Introducing the StarCrash '70s Collection, where we invite you to bring your vintage tonal dreams into the present from the time when the majority of rock ‘n’ roll’s most iconic and sought-after tones were forged, the 1970s. Several of our most iconic ‘70s inspired boxes have been given a paint job that wouldn’t look out of place on the side of a bitchin’ panel van. Whichever type of rock you associate with the ‘70s, the StarCrash '70s Collection has you covered no matter what.

The StarCrash isn't an exact recreation of the venerable '70s "Face" circuit, but one refined to truly explore the boundaries of the circuit. Featuring a gooey saturated fuzz circuit with a voltage starve circuit to gently increase harmonic content, you can dial in the transistor voltage that best suits your playing. We've also installed a Low-Cut knob to tighten up the flubbiness that plagues some silicon fuzz circuits, extending the range up into the low-mids to sit in the mix nicely.

The Fuzz Face debuted in 1966 as a germanium-equipped model, and by the ‘70s, all Fuzz Faces being made featured silicon componentry for circuit stability reasons. However, the powers that be barely adapted the circuit to its new semiconductors, only a single part was changed to reflect this. In light of this, the StarCrash is the ‘70s fuzz you wish they would have made from the beginning. For starters, we got rid of that goofy Fuzz knob. We know that 95 percent of all players run it dimed, and the remaining five percent use their guitar’s volume knob to rein it in. Secondly, we installed a handy Bias control, also known as a “dying battery simulator.” This starves the second transistor of voltage and lets you dial in the right amount of texture, from raw and brawny to lean and harmonically rich. The Low-Cut control enacts a tastefully executed filter circuit that cuts the bass frequencies from 40Hz to 500Hz with the turn of a knob. While bias and filter controls cut volume, we’ve compensated by giving the StarCrash a little more volume than the typical “Face” circuit, so you can still push your amp regardless of knob settings.

You can use a variety of power sources to power your StarCrash. It supports a standard DC power supply of 9 Volts. DO NOT give the StarCrash AC or a center-positive supply, you will void the warranty. Bad move.