The BAE Audio Tonestack is a guitar pedal that combines two effects in one enclosure: a fuzz with an Attack control for the amount of distortion, and a Level control for output volume. BAE Audio announced it would showcase the pedal at NAMM 2018, and it was the company's second stompbox design, following the Hot Fuzz, which debuted at NAMM the year before1.
The pedal is a dual-stomp design, meaning it is composed of two separate sections with individual true-bypass stomp switches. The fuzz and the EQ can each be switched in and out on their own, so the EQ can be used without the fuzz if you want it that way1.
The fuzz section
The fuzz is a silicon-based circuit, and BAE Audio says its controls will be familiar to users of 70s silicon fuzzes. Two knobs set the character1:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Attack | Determines the amount of distortion applied, offering a range of distortion possibilities from a subtle bite to a raging fuzz1 |
| Level | Sets the desired output volume from the pedal1 |
As for the sound, BAE Audio's announcement describes it directly: "The Tonestack's fuzz imparts an instantly recognizable spitting, buzzy grit that cuts right through even the densest mix"1. The company positions the pedal for "fuzz lovers who love a good raging distortion but want that extra level of tonal control"1.
The EQ section
The second section is a three-band EQ circuit, which BAE Audio describes as allowing "unprecedented tone shaping"1. It has its own true-bypass footswitch, so it can be turned on and off independently of the fuzz. For a player, that means the EQ can act as a standalone tone-shaping tool on the board, or as a way to rein in and shape the fuzz's output, in the same enclosure. For more on this family of effects, see Equalization Pedals and Fuzz Pedals.
The Tonestack was announced as a new product at NAMM 2018. Details such as power requirements, list price and current draw were not part of the announcement covered here.
Background
BAE Audio describes itself as "a manufacturer of premium analog hardware built to vintage specifications"1, and the Tonestack is an analog design in that tradition. Mark Loughman, its designer, thought a fuzz with that classic 70s sound but a new level of tone control would make a good second stompbox offering for the company. The enclosure is bright yellow, which BAE Audio itself calls eye-catching1.
Questions
Is the BAE Audio Tonestack true bypass?
Yes. The Tonestack is composed of two separate sections, the fuzz and the EQ, and each has its own individual true-bypass stomp switch. That means the EQ can be switched in and out on its own footswitch, independently of the fuzz, and both sections bypass the signal completely when off.
Is the BAE Audio Tonestack analog?
Yes. BAE Audio describes itself as a manufacturer of premium analog hardware built to vintage specifications, and the Tonestack follows that approach: a silicon-based fuzz circuit paired with a three-band EQ, all in analog form.
Who designed the BAE Audio Tonestack?
The Tonestack was designed by Mark Loughman. It was the second stompbox designed by BAE Audio, following the Hot Fuzz, which debuted at NAMM the year before the Tonestack appeared at NAMM 2018.
What kind of clipping does the Tonestack fuzz use?
The Tonestack's fuzz section is a silicon-based circuit. BAE Audio notes that its controls will be familiar to users of 70s silicon fuzzes, and the Attack knob covers a range from a subtle bite to a raging fuzz.
Can you use the EQ on the Tonestack without the fuzz?
Yes. The pedal is made up of two separate sections with individual true-bypass stomp switches, and the EQ has the ability to be turned on and off with its own true-bypass footswitch, so it can be used independently of the fuzz.
What fuzz is the Tonestack based on?
BAE Audio describes the Tonestack's fuzz as a silicon fuzz circuit based on a classic fuzz of the 70s, with controls that will be familiar to users of 70s silicon fuzzes. The company does not name a specific original model in its announcement.
Sources (1)
- BAE Audio to Showcase New Tonestack Fuzz and EQ at NAMM 2018, MusicPlayers.com, 2018-01-25