Ashdown launches Stuart Zender Funk Face bass pedal

September 1, 2023 · 2 sources

Ashdown launched the Stuart Zender Funk Face, a bass pedal designed with Stuart Zender of Jamiroquai, in September 2023¹. The pedal is listed among bass pedals¹.

The Funk Face is described as a dedicated bass twin dynamic filter that "captures the essence of those signature 'Virtual Insanity' basslines"¹. MusicRadar reports that it combines valve drive and wah effects through a twin filter setup, with a 12Ax7 valve in its drive stage². A selector switch on the side of the chassis lets the player place the wah effect before or after the valve, which MusicRadar says has "a dramatic effect on the sounds"².

Controls are Output, for the overall level, Drive, and Sensitivity, which sets how the envelope filter responds to the instrument's output and playing style². The 'SZ' display on the pedal lights red when the Valve option is selected, blue for the twin dynamic filters of the wah effect, and almost purple with both engaged².

Specifications as listed by PedalPedia¹:

MusicRadar's review called it "A well thought-out pedal that surpasses expectations," listing "Great unit for funk fans" as a reason to buy and "Pricey" as a reason to avoid². The review said the drive is warm and richly colored and that fingerstyle and pick tones ring out with a passive bass².

PedalPedia gives no dimensions or weight, listing those fields as zeros¹. No US price was given in either source.