JHS adds Berkeley, Mary-K and Plugin fuzz pedals and Volture sag utility
February 27, 2023 · 2 sources
JHS announced on February 27, 2023, three new pedals in its Fuzz Pedals Legends of Fuzz line, the Berkeley, Mary-K and Plugin, along with the Volture sag utility1. The three fuzz pedals join the original four released in 20201.
The Berkeley is based on the Seamoon Inc. Fresh Fuzz from 1973, described by JHS as "the rarer single op-amp 741 version"1. Gearnews describes its op-amp circuit as dark and dense, with a JHS mode switch on the side acting as a bright switch2. The Mary-K is JHS's take on the Kay Fuzz Tone, which was marketed in the late 1960s as a low-cost alternative to the Shin-Ei/Univox Superfuzz1. Gearnews reports it is the first pedal in the series with an expression input and a JHS mode that adds parallel germanium diode clipping alongside silicon diode clipping, controllable via the expression2. The Plugin is an homage to the Jordan Electronics Boss Tone, a small box built to plug into a guitar's output jack; JHS put similar circuitry into a standard stompbox1. Its JHS mode adds more mids and less compression at the push of a button2.
The Volture mimics the effect of a dying 9V battery on fuzz pedals1. Gearnews reports it is switched in front of the power connection and continuously regulates the input voltage, which can add gating to the sound2. It requires a standard 9V battery1.
"All three pedals are retailing for $179"
Guitar.com gives $179 for each of the three fuzz pedals and $80 for the Volture1. Gearnews gives the same $179 MSRP for the fuzz pedals, with shipping and taxes on top, and lists the Volture at 109 euros2. Gearnews also states the Legends of Fuzz series was planned as a series of 10 pedals2.