The Crazy Tube Circuits Constellation CV700s is a limited edition, hand-built fuzz pedal built around a 3-way transistor fuzz circuit with six voicings. It uses hand-sourced and hand-selected military-spec OC44 NOS germanium CV7003 transistors, the kind of new old stock germanium parts that vintage-minded players chase in original fuzzes.1
The six modes
The CV700s covers six voicings from its 3-way transistor fuzz circuit: FF, 3/2, 2, RM, VTB and RMFF. Guitar World described the set as including "a tribute to the most-copied fuzz circuit of all in 'FF'", a reference to the Fuzz Face design that has been copied by pedal makers for decades.1
The RM mode name points to the Rangemaster, the treble booster whose midrange-pushing character is a staple of British-style fuzz and boost circuits. Between the Fuzz Face tribute and the Rangemaster-style voicing, the pedal gathers several classic germanium-era sounds in one box rather than asking a player to own several pedals.1
Build and hardware
Each pedal is built by hand, one at a time, in the Crazy Tube Circuits Workshop, and the Constellation ships in a sustainable wooden box. The enclosure is laser-etched aluminum.1
"Each pedal in the limited run is built by hand, one at a time, in the Crazy Tube Circuits Workshop."
The Constellation family
The CV700s is one of several Constellation variants, each named for the germanium transistor at its core. Sibling versions include the Constellation CV7003, the Constellation OC45, the Constellation OC41 and the original Constellation. All sit in the fuzz family, and the multi-mode approach carried forward into the later Triptychon1.
The CV700s was announced as available in December 2020 as a limited edition. As a limited run of hand-built pedals, it may not remain in production; the sibling Constellation variants are the related models to look at.
Price and availability
Guitar World reported the Constellation available now for EUR 299 at its December 2020 launch, alongside the company's Memphis vibrato/preamp pedal. That figure is the launch price as reported at the time, in euros as stated.1
Questions
What are the six modes on the Constellation CV700s?
The Constellation CV700s offers six modes: FF, 3/2, 2, RM, VTB and RMFF. The pedal is built as a 3-way transistor fuzz circuit, and the modes draw on different voicings, including a tribute to the most-copied fuzz circuit of all in the FF mode and a Rangemaster-style voicing in RM.
Which classic fuzz does the FF mode copy?
According to Guitar World, the FF mode is a tribute to the most-copied fuzz circuit of all, which is the Fuzz Face. It is one of six voicings on the pedal, all built on the same 3-way transistor fuzz circuit.
What transistors does the Constellation CV700s use?
The pedal uses hand-sourced and hand-selected military-spec OC44 NOS germanium CV7003 transistors. NOS means new old stock, so the transistors are original period parts rather than modern reproductions.
Is the Constellation CV700s a limited edition?
Yes. Guitar World described it as a limited edition, hand-built fuzz pedal, with each unit built by hand, one at a time, in the Crazy Tube Circuits Workshop. It ships in a sustainable wooden box.
How much does the Constellation CV700s cost?
At its December 2020 launch, Guitar World reported the Constellation available for 299 euros. No US dollar price was given at that time.
