The Analog Alien Fuzzbubble-45 is the first pedal from Cloud 9 Audio, a dual overdrive/fuzz pedal that puts a dedicated overdrive on one channel and a Fuzz Face clone on the other1. Premier Guitar described it as "a versatile, dual overdrive/fuzz pedal with modern features," while noting that the concept itself "isn't revolutionary"1. It sold at a street price of $180 at the time of the review1.
Two channels: Pete and Jimi
The pedal's two sections carry names that point at their inspirations. As Premier Guitar put it, "the overdrive section is named Pete (you can guess at the inspiration) and the fuzz is called Jimi (duh)"1. The Jimi channel is a Fuzz Face clone, the classic two-transistor fuzz circuit1.
The Pete overdrive side carries two controls:
| Control | Function |
|---|---|
| Out | Output level for the Pete channel1 |
| Year | Distortion amount for the Pete channel1 |
Running the channels together
The two channels can be merged, and Premier Guitar's reviewer found the arrangement worked well as a single gain ladder: "It's incredibly cool how moving from clean to crunch to lead was always just a stomp away"1. Two stomp switches handle this from the front of the pedal: a Bypass switch on the bottom left and an Effect selector switch on the right1.
What reviewers said
Premier Guitar's reviewer was warm on the Pete channel in particular: "This is a great overdrive." At low settings it added grit and bite to a cutting P-90 tone, and pushed harder it delivered what the reviewer called "some pretty mighty Page and Townsend tones, beautiful for chords or leads," with power chords barking with attitude, grit, and clarity at the sweet spot. At maximum the Pete channel reached wailing lead tones1.
"The FB-45 is housed in a 5 3/4" x 4 3/4" x 1 1/2" purple-sparkle box that you're not likely to miss on a cluttered pedalboard."
Videos
ProGuitarShopDemos
Brett Kingman
Brett Kingman
Questions
What are the two channels on the Analog Alien Fuzzbubble-45?
The Fuzzbubble-45 carries two named channels: Pete, an overdrive section with Out (output level) and Year (distortion amount) controls, and Jimi, a fuzz section. Premier Guitar's reviewer called the Pete side a great overdrive, pulling mighty Page and Townsend tones with power chords barking with attitude, grit, and clarity at its sweet spot.
Can both channels of the Fuzzbubble-45 run at once?
Yes. Premier Guitar's review notes that the two channels can be merged, and that moving from clean to crunch to lead was always just a stomp away. An Effect selector stomp switch on the right of the pedal handles channel selection, with a Bypass stomp switch on the bottom left.
Which fuzz circuit is the Jimi channel based on?
The Jimi fuzz channel is a Fuzz Face clone. Premier Guitar describes the concept as a dedicated overdrive on one channel and a Fuzz Face clone on another, a pairing the reviewer noted is not revolutionary but is carried out with modern features.
Is the Fuzzbubble-45 the first pedal from Cloud 9 Audio?
Yes. Premier Guitar's 2023 review identifies the Analog Alien Fuzz Bubble-45, abbreviated FB-45, as the company's first pedal, describing it as a versatile, dual overdrive/fuzz pedal with modern features.
How big is the Fuzzbubble-45?
The FB-45 is housed in a 5 3/4" x 4 3/4" x 1 1/2" purple-sparkle box. Premier Guitar's reviewer noted it is an enclosure you're not likely to miss on a cluttered pedalboard.
Sources (1)
- Cloud 9 Audio Analog Alien Fuzzbubble-45 Pedal Review, Premier Guitar, 2011-04-19