The BLAMMO! Electronics Fuzz Banger is a fuzz pedal built as a tribute to the Sam Ash Fuzz-Stainer MK II, a vintage gated fuzz. BLAMMO! describes it as a "primitive gated fuzz with a unique spit profile and mid-frequency focus," and the maker's own account of the sound is blunt: the initial pick attack creates a splatty tone that quickly smooths out as the note sustains, which the maker compares to "a dirty window sill; grimy."1
A gated fuzz cuts off sharply once the note decays, leaving space between phrases rather than a wash of hiss, which is what gives designs like this their spitty, stop-start character. The Fuzz Banger was announced in January 2025, with Delicious Audio describing it as a reimagining of the Sam Ash Fuzz-Stainer MK II hand built in Portland, Oregon.2
The circuit it comes from
The Fuzz-Stainer has a place in fuzz lore. In a Stompbox Book interview, Matt Wright recalled the moment he encountered one: "I got this crazy fuzz pedal, a Sam Ash Fuzz-Stainer."3
BLAMMO! is specific about which version of the circuit it followed. The maker states that its tribute is based on the mark II version, and not the GERMS schematic that is readily available online, a distinction that matters to players who know the different Fuzz-Stainer variants.1
Footswitch, jacks and power
The Fuzz Banger is laid out for tight pedalboard use:
- Top-mounted jacks for the input, output and DC power, so cables run behind the pedal rather than out the sides12
- A no-click footswitch that works as a regular latching switch or, if held and released, functions momentarily1
- True bypass switching1
- An added LED indicator1
The tone control sits in a different place than on the original design. BLAMMO! explains that it moved the tone control to make top mounting the in/out and DC jacks possible, and Delicious Audio adds that the repositioned tone control is easier to reach.12
The pedal runs on standard 9V power and draws 35mA. Check your power supply's per-output rating before adding it to a daisy chain, since some outputs supply less than 35mA.12
Where it sits in the BLAMMO! range
The Fuzz Banger is one of several fuzzes in the Portland maker's lineup, alongside the Jordan Bosstone, the Fuzz Detonator, the Total Garbage and the Tomb Sender. Its gated, spitty character sets it apart from smoother or more open fuzz designs on a board.12
Videos
Harsh Tones, Inc.
Brock Davisson
Questions
Is the Blammo Fuzz Banger true bypass?
Yes. BLAMMO! Electronics lists the Fuzz Banger as true bypass, so when the pedal is off, your guitar signal passes through without the fuzz circuit loading it. The pedal also uses a no-click footswitch that can work as a regular latching switch or momentarily: hold it and release, and the effect engages only while held.
What is the Sam Ash Fuzz Stainer?
The Sam Ash Fuzz-Stainer is a vintage fuzz pedal that the Fuzz Banger pays tribute to. In a Stompbox Book interview, Matt Wright recalled coming across one, describing it as a crazy fuzz pedal. BLAMMO! Electronics notes that its tribute is based on the mark II version of the Fuzz-Stainer, not the GERMS schematic that circulates online.
How much current does the Fuzz Banger draw?
BLAMMO! Electronics lists the Fuzz Banger's current draw as 35mA at 9V power. That is modest by modern pedal standards, but it is worth keeping in mind if you power several pedals from one supply, since some daisy-chain outputs are rated below that figure.
Where is the Blammo Fuzz Banger made?
The Fuzz Banger is handmade in Portland, Oregon. BLAMMO! Electronics describes it on its product page as handmade with care in Portland, and Delicious Audio's launch coverage likewise describes the pedal as hand built in Portland, OR.
Why is the tone control moved on the Fuzz Banger?
BLAMMO! Electronics moved the tone control so the in/out and DC jacks could be top mounted, which keeps the pedal's footprint tight on a pedalboard. The maker also added an LED indicator at the same time. Delicious Audio adds that the repositioned tone control makes it easier to reach.
Sources (3)
- Fuzz Banger, BLAMMO! Electronics
- New Pedal: BLAMMO! Electronics Fuzz Banger, Delicious Audio, 2025-01-10
- Wrightsounds, Stompbox Book, 2018-11-09
