The Blank Electronics Wizard Sleeve Distortion Fuzz is a distortion and fuzz pedal with a built-in boost circuit, covering territory that players usually split across a distortion pedal, a fuzz pedal and a boost pedal. Pedal of the Day, reviewing it in September 2024, described a sonic range that "can go from a mild overdriven effect and transform into a massive wave folding wall of noisy fuzz," and called it "a powerhouse effect with a ton of range and a glorious boost section."1
Controls and layout
The front panel carries five knobs, one toggle switch and two footswitches, a layout Pedal of the Day summed up as "Five knobs, one toggle, two footswitches and a TON of power."1
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Body knob | Controls the mid frequencies, for a tone tailored to what you need1 |
| Mass switch (toggle) | Three differing options to subtly tailor the low end frequencies at the input stage1 |
| Boost footswitch | Activates the selectable boost circuit that amplifies the input before the main circuit's gain stage1 |
The published review names the Body knob and the Mass switch among the controls; it does not give the function of every one of the five knobs, so the table above covers what is documented1.
The boost stage
The Boost footswitch is where the pedal's character lives. Pedal of the Day put it plainly: "The key here is the Boost footswitch, which activates the selectable boost circuit that amplifies the input before the main circuit's gain stage."1
Because the boost sits before the gain stage rather than after it, kicking it in pushes the distortion or fuzz harder, the way hitting an overdrive pedal in front of an amp does. That arrangement, with two footswitches, means the boost can be switched in and out on its own while the main effect stays engaged.1
What reviewers said
Pedal of the Day's review of 19 September 2024 is the published verdict on record for this pedal. Its reviewer framed the Wizard Sleeve as a highly versatile distortion and fuzz, praising the range between its mildest and heaviest settings and singling out the boost section as a highlight.1
Videos
Pedal of the Day
Questions
What does the Mass switch do on the Wizard Sleeve?
The Mass switch gives you three differing options to subtly tailor the low end frequencies at the input stage. In practice it lets you shape how much low end feeds the gain circuit, which matters on a distortion and fuzz pedal, since too much bass can turn a heavy sound muddy. It sits alongside the five knobs as one of the pedal's tone-shaping controls.
How many footswitches does the Wizard Sleeve have?
The Wizard Sleeve has two footswitches, along with five knobs and one toggle switch. One of the two is the Boost footswitch, which activates the pedal's selectable boost circuit. The second footswitch handles the main effect, so you can bring the boost in and out independently while the distortion or fuzz stays engaged.
Where does the boost sit in the signal path?
The boost sits before the main gain stage. The Boost footswitch activates a selectable boost circuit that amplifies the input before the main circuit's gain stage, so hitting it drives the distortion or fuzz harder rather than adding a separate layer of volume after the effect. That is the key to the pedal's range, according to Pedal of the Day.
What does the Body knob control?
The Body knob lets you control the mid frequencies, for a tone that is tailored to what you need. Mids are where a distorted or fuzzed guitar sits in a band mix, so having a dedicated mid control means you can thin the sound out for cutting leads or fatten it for rhythm work without touching the other knobs.
Sources (1)
- Blank Electronics Wizard Sleeve Distortion Fuzz, Pedal of the Day, 2024-09-19