The Acorn Amplifiers Epstein Didn't Kill Himself Fuzz is a three-transistor silicon fuzz pedal, a design that uses three silicon transistors in the gain stages rather than the germanium transistors of older fuzz designs1. Acorn Amplifiers unveiled it in February 2024, and Guitar.com reported it as the maker's latest pedal, priced at $125.00 USD21.
What it does
Acorn describes the pedal as "a real fuzz pedal" and says it is sonically similar to the company's now discontinued Bweep Fuzz1. Guitar.com reported the same claim from the maker, that the Epstein Didn't Kill Himself Fuzz is sonically similar to the discontinued Bweep Fuzz2. For a player who knew the Bweep, that is the closest published reference point for the sound.
The pedal is also built around its graphics. Guitar.com reported that it is fitted with neon lighting which lights up when the fuzz is engaged, with a glowing "N'T" alongside the word "DID", changing the wording to "EPSTEIN DIDN'T KILL HIMSELF", while also triggering a pair of red devil horns to appear above the drawing of Jeffrey Epstein on the enclosure2.
The controls
The pedal keeps its control layout to two knobs and one toggle switch1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Fuzzy Recollection knob | Controls the amount of fuzz, sweeping between slightly gritty boost all the way to heavy fuzz crunch1 |
| Erase Footage knob | Controls the overall signal volume of the effect1 |
| Security Camera toggle switch | Lets you keep the "N'T" illuminated letters in "DIDN'T" always on, or switchable with the bypass of the effect1 |
Guitar.com's report of the Fuzzy Recollection control matches the maker's description: it "controls the amount of fuzz, allowing users to go from a slightly gritty tone to a full-blown frazzled crunch"2. At the low end of its travel it works as a slightly gritty boost, and at the top it delivers heavy fuzz crunch1.
Power and bypass
The pedal is true bypass and runs on 9VDC pedal power, consuming less than 30mA of current1. Guitar.com's report gives the same figures: the pedal runs on 9VDC pedal power and consumes less than 30mA of current2. A draw under 30mA is modest, and the 9VDC requirement means it runs from a standard pedalboard power supply output.
The maker specifies 9VDC pedal power with true bypass1. The facts published for this pedal do not include a battery option or a center-negative polarity statement, so power it from a 9VDC pedal power supply output.
Where it sits in Acorn's range
The Epstein Didn't Kill Himself Fuzz joined a line of fuzz pedals from Acorn Amplifiers that includes the TMA-1, a four-stage transistor fuzz with selectable diode clipping, and the F#%k Face, a triple-gain-stage Fuzz Face-based fuzz. The maker has since opened preorders for the Huge Vagina Muff Fuzz, a second batch shipping in November 2026 after the first sold out. For the wider category, see the site's Fuzz Pedals page.
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Questions
Is the Acorn Epstein Didn't Kill Himself Fuzz true bypass?
Yes. Acorn Amplifiers lists the pedal as true bypass, running on 9VDC pedal power. That means the guitar's signal passes through the pedal untouched when the effect is off, and the pedal is powered from a standard 9VDC pedal power supply rather than a battery.
What power supply does the Acorn Epstein Didn't Kill Himself Fuzz need?
The pedal runs on 9VDC pedal power and consumes less than 30mA of current, according to Acorn Amplifiers. That is a light draw by pedalboard standards, so it sits comfortably on a standard 9VDC daisy-chain or isolated supply with typical headroom to spare.
What does the Security Camera switch do?
The Security Camera toggle switch controls the pedal's illuminated lettering. It lets you keep the "N'T" illuminated letters in "DIDN'T" always on, or have them switch on and off along with the bypass of the effect.
Is the Epstein Didn't Kill Himself Fuzz silicon or germanium?
Silicon. Acorn Amplifiers describes it as a three transistor silicon fuzz pedal. Silicon transistors are the other main family used in fuzz circuits alongside germanium, and the maker's specification here is silicon throughout.
What is the Acorn Bweep Fuzz?
The Bweep Fuzz is an earlier fuzz pedal from Acorn Amplifiers that the maker has now discontinued. Acorn says the Epstein Didn't Kill Himself Fuzz is sonically similar to the Bweep Fuzz, so players who knew that pedal have a reference point for this one's sound.
Sources (2)
- Epstein Didn't Kill Himself Fuzz Pedal, Acorn Amplifiers
- Acorn Amps reveals the Epstein Didn’t Kill Himself Fuzz, Guitar.com, 2024-02-22
