The Ashdown Funk Face SZ is a signature bass autowah built with Stuart Zender, the bassist known for his work with Jamiroquai. It combines two effects in one pedal: an envelope filter (an autowah that opens and closes with your playing dynamics) and a valve overdrive stage built around a single 12AX7 preamp tube. gearnews.com reported the pedal in May 2017 with an RRP of GBP 2991. RockBoard's PedalPedia describes the related Stuart Zender FUNK FACE design as a dedicated bass twin dynamic filter2.
An autowah with a valve drive stage
The two effects can be used separately or together. gearnews.com's report called the auto wah "the real star of the show," noting that it "reacts to how dynamic your playing is"1. The drive stage uses a single 12AX7 preamp tube, which the same report says adds "some warmth and gain as well as harmonic overtones"1.
A selector switch on the side of the chassis lets the player choose whether the wah effect comes before or after the valve stage, so the filter can shape a clean signal or the overdrive can push the filter3. The pedal's display shows which mode is active: blue signifies the twin dynamic filters of the wah effect being called into operation, selecting the Valve option turns the 'SZ' display red, and with both selected the display turns almost purple with both colors combined3.
"The price is pretty high for a single pedal, but if you're scouting around for tight, funky autowah for your bass tone,"
MusicRadar's review was briefer on value, with a one-word verdict on the price: "Pricey."3
The controls and footswitches
The layout is simple: twin footswitches and three knobs.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Output | Sets the overall level of the pedal3 |
| Drive | Drive adjustment, from tasteful drive to snarling, wall-levelling grit3 |
| Sensitivity | Affects the sensitivity of the envelope filter in response to the instrument's output and playing style3 |
The pedal uses a true-bypass switching system that, as gearnews.com put it, "won't colour your tone when it's not engaged"1.
Power figures differ slightly between reports: gearnews.com says the SZ runs off either a 9V or 18V supply1, while RockBoard's PedalPedia entry for the Stuart Zender FUNK FACE lists 9V DC center negative at 45mA2. At 45mA, a standard daisy chain may not carry the pedal comfortably alongside others.
Stuart Zender's signature pedal
Stuart Zender is no stranger to MusicRadar's pages, and the site described the Funk Face as his pedal collaboration with Ashdown3. RockBoard's PedalPedia says the design was made "in collaboration with bass virtuoso Stuart Zender, known for his work with Jamiroquai"2. The pedal was announced in May 2017 as the Stuart Zender signature bass autowah1.
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Questions
Is the Ashdown Funk Face SZ true bypass?
Yes. gearnews.com's report on the pedal describes a true-bypass switching system that will not colour your tone when the pedal is not engaged. That means the pedal sits out of the signal path entirely when switched off, which matters on a bass board where preserving low-end clarity is often the priority.
What tube does the Funk Face SZ use?
The drive stage is built around a single 12AX7 preamp tube. According to gearnews.com, it adds warmth and gain as well as harmonic overtones. The Drive control sets how hard that stage is pushed, from what MusicRadar's reviewer called tasteful drive up to snarling, wall-levelling grit.
What voltage does the Ashdown Funk Face SZ run on?
gearnews.com reports the pedal can run off either a 9V or an 18V power supply, making it pedalboard-friendly. RockBoard's PedalPedia entry for the related Stuart Zender FUNK FACE lists 9V DC center negative with a current draw of 45mA, so plan your supply accordingly.
Who is the Funk Face SZ designed for?
It is a signature pedal designed in collaboration with bassist Stuart Zender, known for his work with Jamiroquai. RockBoard's PedalPedia describes the design as a dedicated bass twin dynamic filter, so it is aimed at bass players looking for a dynamic autowah with a valve drive option.
How much does the Ashdown Funk Face SZ cost?
At the time of the 2017 announcement, gearnews.com listed an RRP of GBP 299. The same report noted the price is pretty high for a single pedal, but suggested it could be worth it for a tight, funky bass autowah.
Sources (3)
- 'Virtual Insanity': Ashdown Funk Face Stuart Zender signature bass autowah, gearnews.com, 2017-05-17
- Stuart Zender FUNK FACE by Ashdown, RockBoard (PedalPedia), 2026
- Ashdown SZ Funk Face Twin Dynamic Filter review, MusicRadar, 2018-04-06
