The Bardic Audio Devices Berzerker Fuzz is a handmade fuzz pedal built on the Russian Big Muff circuit. Pedal of the Day, reviewing it in March 2021, called it "the next evolution of the famous Russian Big Muff", and described it as "a truly versatile fuzz and distortion machine"1. The Russian Big Muff, sold by Electro-Harmonix as the Green Russian Big Muff, is a fuzz/distortion pedal whose original green version one bassist on the Guitar FX Layouts blog described as massive, with "smooth and creamy" fuzz23.
Controls
The Berzerker keeps the standard Big Muff arrangement of Sustain, Tone and Level controls, then adds a Clean level control and two switches on top1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Sustain | Standard Big Muff sustain control1 |
| Tone | Standard Big Muff tone control1 |
| Level | Standard Big Muff level control1 |
| Clean level | Boosts the clean signal in level to better mix the fuzz and clean signals1 |
| Shift | Alters how deep the mid scoop is, which can help fill out the fuzz without losing the high end1 |
| Clip switch | Changes the clipping configurations from classic silicon, to Red LEDs, and to silicon mixed with Red LEDs1 |
| Attack switch | Alters which frequencies are clipped through the fuzz stages, which can change the entire sound of the muff1 |
The Clean level control is the practical addition for players who run fuzz alongside a dry signal: rather than losing definition under the fuzz, you can raise the clean signal until the two sit together. The Shift knob addresses the Big Muff's well-known mid scoop, letting you shallow it out to fill out the fuzz while keeping the high end1.
The two switches work on the clipping itself. The Clip switch selects between silicon diodes, Red LEDs, or a mix of the two, three clipping types that each shape the fuzz differently. The Attack switch goes further, changing which frequencies are clipped through the fuzz stages, which Pedal of the Day notes can change the entire sound of the muff1. Together, the reviewer found, "the combinations are seemingly endless"1.
Power and connections
The Berzerker Fuzz runs from a 9V center-negative DC power jack and uses true bypass switching1. Its input impedance is 1Mohms and its output impedance is 100ohms1.
Availability
Bardic Audio Devices built the Berzerker Fuzz alongside a small range of dirt pedals, including The Beast, the Rival distortion, and the HM Demon. The maker has ceased trading, so players looking for the Berzerker today would be searching the used market.
Videos
Pedal of the Day
Questions
Is the Bardic Audio Devices Berzerker Fuzz true bypass?
Yes. Pedal of the Day lists the Berzerker Fuzz as having true bypass switching, so when the pedal is off, your guitar's signal passes through without loading from the fuzz circuit. The pedal also has a 1Mohm input impedance and a 100ohm output impedance, figures that matter if you plan to place it among other pedals on a board.
What Big Muff is the Berzerker Fuzz based on?
Pedal of the Day describes the Berzerker Fuzz as the next evolution of the famous Russian Big Muff, the Sovtek-built fuzz/distortion that Electro-Harmonix sold as the Green Russian. That circuit is known for a massive, smooth and creamy fuzz, and the Berzerker adds blending and clipping options on top of it.
What does the Clip switch do on the Berzerker?
The Clip switch changes the clipping configurations from classic silicon, to Red LEDs, and to silicon mixed with Red LEDs. Different clipping devices shape the fuzz differently, so the switch gives you three distinct distortion characters from the same circuit.
What are the input and output impedances of the Berzerker Fuzz?
Pedal of the Day lists the input impedance at 1Mohms and the output impedance at 100ohms. A 1Mohm input is high enough to preserve your guitar's natural tone, and the low 100ohm output helps the pedal drive the rest of a signal chain.
Is Bardic Audio Devices still making pedals?
No. A Guitar Pedal X roundup from November 2025 notes that Bardic Audio Devices has ceased trading, with the maker's HM Demon pedal now only available second-hand. The Berzerker Fuzz is therefore a discontinued, handmade pedal that players would need to find used.
Where was the Berzerker Fuzz built?
The Berzerker Fuzz was handmade in Dundee, Michigan, according to Pedal of the Day's 2021 review of the pedal.
Sources (3)
- Bardic Audio Devices Berzerker Fuzz, Pedal of the Day, 2021-03-27
- David Gilmour Tone Building, Kit Rae (kitrae.net), 2022-05
- Guitar FX Layouts: Mojo Hand Colossus Fuzz, Guitar FX Layouts (tagboardeffects.blogspot.com), 2015-11-18
