The Nova is a fuzz pedal from Daredevil Pedals, a maker known for compact, hand-built effects. Vintage Guitar magazine reported in June 2014 that the Nova is a silicon fuzz based on an original design, not a clone of a vintage circuit, and that it is hand-wired with a true-bypass circuit1. Silicon fuzz uses silicon transistors for the clipping stage, a design approach associated with a firmer, more consistent response than germanium designs.
Controls and what they do
The Nova keeps things simple with two controls. Vintage Guitar reported that the company says they offer a range of tones that retain distinction and clarity, even at high gain settings1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Volume | Sets the pedal's output level |
| Saturation | Sets the amount of fuzz gain |
Size and power
The pedal is built in a small box that, in Vintage Guitar's words, "uses minimal pedalboard space"1, which matters for players squeezing a fuzz onto a crowded board. It runs on a 9-volt adapter1.
Related Daredevil fuzzes
Daredevil Pedals has built a name around fuzz designs. Premier Guitar's review of the Nova grouped it with "the tones of the Nova and the L.S.D. pedals" in a 2023 review2, placing the Nova alongside the company's other fuzz offerings.
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Questions
What kind of fuzz is the Daredevil Pedals Nova?
The Nova is a silicon fuzz pedal built on an original design rather than a copy of a classic circuit. Vintage Guitar magazine reported in June 2014 that it is hand-wired with a true-bypass circuit, and that its Volume and Saturation controls are said to offer a range of tones that keep distinction and clarity even at high gain settings.
How is the Daredevil Pedals Nova powered?
According to Vintage Guitar's 2014 news item on the pedal, the Nova can be powered with a 9-volt adapter. No battery option or current draw figure was given in that report, so players planning a pedalboard power setup should plan around a standard 9-volt adapter supply.
Sources (2)
- Daredevil Pedals Introduces Nova, Vintage Guitar magazine, 2014-06-25
- Daredevil Red Light District Review, Premier Guitar, 2017-02-09
