Catalinbread launches one-knob Elements fuzz, overdrive and distortion pedals

October 5, 2022 · 4 sources

Catalinbread has debuted its Elements effects pedal range, a series of stompboxes with one knob for a streamlined setup process¹. The hand-made family launched with three pedals: a fuzz, an overdrive and a distortion¹. Each Elements pedal is available now for $150¹, and MusicRadar reports the same $150 US price².

Each pedal comes equipped with a bypass switch and a sole volume knob¹. Catalinbread says each circuit has been designed and internally set so that all guitarists need to worry about is how much volume they require¹, and that the pedals suit a variety of amps and wattages¹. MusicRadar reports the volume dial has subtle detents in its action to help make exacting adjustments², and that the pedals are handmade in Portland, Oregon, using through-hole components and run on a 9V DC power supply². Guitar.com reports all three have top-mounted jacks³, and Gearnews reports the input, output and power jacks are all top-mounted, with a different colored LED for each pedal: red for Distortion, blue for Fuzz and green for Overdrive⁴.

The Fuzz uses a balanced silicon fuzz circuit that has been internally maxed out to offer a full-throttle fuzz experience¹. The Overdrive is internally fixed to "sit right in the mix," with amp-like breakup regardless of where the volume knob is situated¹. The Distortion is described as a dirt box "that sounds good on any amp, any volume, in any situation where some oomph is required," dialable down for "burly crunch" or up for more off-the-rail tones¹. Guitar.com reports the overdrive and distortion offer soft and hard clipping respectively³.

Gearnews' reviewer was less convinced, calling the paint job "way too busy" and writing that at the $150 price point Catalinbread "could have offered designs that are a little more flexible"⁴.