The Dr. Acid Effects SkateFuzz TRIP BALLS is a big fuzz pedal built around the "Violet Ram's Head" circuit, designed using a select stash of "Tin Can" BC109 transistors combined with NOS Russian clipping diodes (KD522B). Pedal of the Day says that combination makes for a really fat-sounding fuzz, and calls it "an incredibly bold and powerful fuzz, which we also can't get enough of."1
The controls
The TRIP BALLS keeps a familiar fuzz layout and adds a midrange option on top1:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Volume | Output level |
| Tone | Tonal shaping |
| Gain | Fuzz amount |
| Mids (3-way switch) | Mounted up top, providing even more tonal flexibility1 |
The bypass footswitch is unusual: the pedal actually has a skateboard wheel for the bypass switch, fitting the SkateFuzz name.1
Availability and build
Pedal of the Day reports that the pedal is made in small batches, by hand, in Gold Coast, Queensland in Australia, and that players have to be quick on the draw to snag one.1 The enclosure goes through a special and very time consuming process to get it to look how it does, which the reviewer says ensures that no two enclosures look the same.1
The pedal carries the tagline "Give Your Brain The Weekend Off."1
For where a fuzz like this sits among other dirt pedals, see Fuzz Pedals, Overdrive Pedals and Distortion Pedals.
Videos
Pedal of the Day
Questions
What circuit is the SkateFuzz TRIP BALLS based on?
Pedal of the Day describes the SkateFuzz TRIP BALLS as a big fuzz based around the Violet Ram's Head circuit. Dr. Acid Effects pairs that circuit with a select stash of Tin Can BC109 transistors and NOS Russian KD522B clipping diodes, which the reviewer says makes for a really fat-sounding fuzz.
What does the Mids switch do on the TRIP BALLS?
The TRIP BALLS carries a 3-way Mids switch mounted up top, alongside its Volume, Tone and Gain controls. Pedal of the Day describes it as providing even more tonal flexibility, giving players three midrange options on top of the standard fuzz control set.
Where is the Dr. Acid Effects SkateFuzz made?
Pedal of the Day reports that the SkateFuzz TRIP BALLS is made by hand, in small batches, in Gold Coast, Queensland in Australia. Because the batches are small, the reviewer notes that players have to be quick to snag one.
Does the SkateFuzz TRIP BALLS use silicon or germanium transistors?
The SkateFuzz TRIP BALLS uses BC109 transistors, described by Pedal of the Day as a select stash of Tin Can BC109s. These are silicon transistors, paired in the circuit with NOS Russian KD522B clipping diodes.
Is the SkateFuzz TRIP BALLS a limited-run pedal?
Yes. Pedal of the Day reports that the pedal is made in small batches by hand in Gold Coast, Queensland in Australia, and that availability is limited, with the reviewer advising players to be quick on the draw to snag one. Each enclosure also goes through a special, very time consuming process, so no two look the same.
Sources (1)
- Dr. Acid Effects SkateFuzz TRIP BALLS, Pedal of the Day, 2021-05-01
