The Ashdown Stuart Zender FUNK FACE is a bass pedal that combines an envelope filter with overdrive in one analog circuit. Ashdown describes it as a dedicated bass twin dynamic filter, designed in collaboration with Stuart Zender, the bassist known for his work with Jamiroquai. according to RockBoard's PedalPedia, it captures the essence of those signature "Virtual Insanity" basslines, where a filter opening and closing on the playing dynamics does much of the expressive work.1
What it does
An envelope filter, sometimes called an autowah, sweeps a filter in response to how hard you play, producing the vowel-like "wah" character associated with funk bass without needing to rock a pedal. The FUNK FACE adds an overdrive stage alongside that filter, so a player can push the tone into grit while the filter tracks their dynamics. Ashdown positions it squarely at bass players: RockBoard's PedalPedia calls it a dedicated bass twin dynamic filter rather than a guitar effect adapted for bass.1
The pedal is analog throughout, which matters for players who prefer to keep their board free of digital conversion or latency concerns. It runs on a 9V DC center negative supply and draws 45mA, so a standard pedalboard power supply handles it, though it is worth checking that a shared output has 45mA or more available.1
Where it came from
The FUNK FACE launched in September 20231. It is a Stuart Zender signature pedal from Ashdown, described by the maker as a dedicated bass twin dynamic filter that combines an envelope filter with overdrive in an analog circuit. RockBoard's PedalPedia says it captures the essence of those signature "Virtual Insanity" basslines1.
For players exploring Ashdown's bass pedal range, the company also makes the Lomenzo Mega Drive distortion, the Triple Shot three-band overdrive, and the Geezer Butler Pedal of Doom, alongside a broader set of bass pedals. The FUNK FACE sits in the filter category, covered further on the Filter Pedals page, with its drive side related to Overdrive Pedals.
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Questions
Is the Ashdown Stuart Zender FUNK FACE analog or digital?
It is an analog pedal. Ashdown's product listing describes the circuit type as analog, and it runs on a 9V DC center negative supply drawing 45mA. There is no digital modeling involved: the envelope filter and overdrive are handled by the analog circuit itself.
What is the difference between the FUNK FACE and the Funk Face SZ?
Both are Stuart Zender signature Ashdown pedals built around an envelope filter for bass. The FUNK FACE, launched in September 2023, is described as a bass twin dynamic filter that pairs the envelope filter with overdrive. The earlier Funk Face SZ was announced in 2017 as a signature bass autowah with valve drive and twin footswitches.
When did the Ashdown Stuart Zender FUNK FACE come out?
The pedal launched in September 2023, according to Ashdown's product listing. It followed the 2017 Funk Face SZ, the first Stuart Zender signature autowah from the company.
Sources (1)
- Stuart Zender FUNK FACE by Ashdown, RockBoard (PedalPedia), 2026
