The Chase Tone Roadster Fuzz is a four-knob fuzz pedal built around Germanium Sounding Silicon Transistors, cherry picked to what the maker calls cream-of-the-crop specs. Chase Tone describes its character as "Sweet Germanium Warmth, Singing Silicon Sustain, Hot Rodded Gain," and the FEEL knob sweeps the pedal through a range of classic fuzz voicings, from 1960s Germanium Tonebender territory to 1970s Silicon Fuzz Face tones1. It sits alongside Chase Tone's other fuzz designs, such as the Chase Tone Fuzz Fella and the Chase Tone '68 Red Velvet Fuzz, in the maker's range of fuzz pedals.
Chase Tone lists the Roadster Fuzz as SOLD OUT and no longer available on its product page1.
Controls
The Roadster Fuzz has four knobs, each shaping a different part of the fuzz voice1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| FUZZ | Adjusts fuzz content. Chase Tone says the improved design produces thicker, fatter and warmer fuzz tones at lower settings and reduces background noise. |
| RPM | Adjusts treble EQ and output as it is cranked. Settings higher than noon act like a treble booster. |
| FEEL | Adjusts the feel and character of the fuzz tone. Counter-clockwise simulates a dying battery and fuzzy Germanium Tonebenders, noon produces Germanium Fuzz Face and cranked JTM45 era Marshall "Plexi" tones, and clockwise produces glassy, singing Silicon Fuzz Face tones. |
| BASS | Adjusts bass and input gain. Full clockwise removes the circuit from the path; counter-clockwise cuts bass and input gain for humbuckers and doubles as a setting for use with a wah without squealing. |
The FEEL knob is the widest ranging of the four. Chase Tone lists the voicings it covers as1:
- 1960s Germanium Tonebender
- 1960s EJ BC183 Fuzz Face
- Cranked JTM era Plexi
- 1960s Germanium NKT275 Fuzz Face
- 1970s BC108C/BC109C Silicon Fuzz Face
- And more
Build, power and noise
The pedal is housed in a high quality 1970s style aluminum enclosure measuring 4" long x 2.4" wide x 1.5" high. Chase Tone describes it as a retro tall MXR style box with rear mount jacks that takes up half the space and is pedalboard friendly. The jacks are high quality Switchcraft, handwired and rear mounted "for Ultimate On-The-Road" use1.
Power is standard 9V DC, center negative polarity, or a 9 volt battery1. Bypass is true bypass, wired through a high quality epoxy reinforced 3PDT footswitch1.
For noise, Chase Tone specifies a professional low-noise PCB design in which a full PCB ground plane provides enhanced noise reduction and rejection1.
Price, shipping and guarantee
Before it sold out, the Roadster Fuzz was listed at $199.98 USD as new player pricing1. Chase Tone's purchase terms on the product page were1:
- USA shipping: $10 USPS Priority Mail with tracking, 3 to 5 business days for delivery from shipment date
- International shipping (Canada, Europe, Asia, UK, Australia): $20 USPS First Class Mail with tracking, 7 to 14 business days for delivery from shipment date
- 30 day satisfaction guarantee for USA buyers
- 5% purchase price discount for United States Veterans with free USA shipping
Videos
The Riff w Nik Sevigny
Questions
Is the Chase Tone Roadster Fuzz true bypass?
Yes. Chase Tone wired the Roadster Fuzz with an epoxy reinforced 3PDT footswitch for true bypass, so the pedal takes itself fully out of the signal chain when it is off. The jacks are Switchcraft, handwired and rear mounted, which keeps the pedal's footprint small on a pedalboard.
Does the Chase Tone Roadster Fuzz take a battery?
Yes. The Roadster Fuzz runs on standard 9V DC center negative power or a 9 volt battery, so it can be used with a standard pedalboard supply or on its own with a battery inside the enclosure.
Is the Chase Tone Roadster Fuzz still available?
No. Chase Tone lists the Roadster Fuzz as sold out and no longer available on its product page. The pedal was offered at a new player price of $199.98 USD before it sold out.
What does the Feel knob do on the Roadster?
The FEEL knob adjusts the feel and character of the fuzz tone. Counter-clockwise it simulates a dying battery and fuzzy Germanium Tonebenders, at noon it produces Germanium Fuzz Face and cranked JTM45 era Marshall Plexi tones, and clockwise it produces glassy, singing Silicon Fuzz Face tones.
What are the dimensions of the Chase Tone Roadster Fuzz?
The Roadster Fuzz is built in a high quality 1970s style aluminum enclosure measuring 4 inches long by 2.4 inches wide by 1.5 inches high. Chase Tone describes it as a retro tall MXR style box with rear mount jacks that takes up half the space and is pedalboard friendly.
Sources (1)
- CHASE TONE™ Roadster Fuzz™, Chase Tone
