The Earthbound Audio Centurion Fuzz is a two-transistor fuzz pedal built with BC108 and BC109 silicon transistors to pump out big and aggressive sounds1. Pedal of the Day's reviewer placed it in the "beast" category, but with more fuzz focus and wooly, gritty tones than the typical heavy fuzz1.
Controls
The Centurion keeps its face simple: two main controls, one extra control and a toggle switch, set into what the reviewer called a "flashy red enclosure" with "big, fat control knobs"1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Level | Along with Fuzz, dials in the main sounds, with loads of volume and gain on tap1 |
| Fuzz | Sets the amount of fuzz, with plenty of gain available1 |
| Mass | Takes the Centurion to another fuzzy level altogether, from a crisp and defined fuzz up to a monstrous, thick wall of fuzz, and everything in between1 |
| High Cut | Three-position filter toggle switch giving three separate filter modes1 |
The Mass control is the pedal's distinguishing feature. Where Level and Fuzz cover the basics, Mass sweeps the character of the fuzz itself, so the same circuit can sit at a defined, articulate end or pile up into a thick wall of fuzz1.
How it is built
Pedal of the Day's review describes the Centurion as hand wired with true bypass wiring, and calls it pedalboard friendly1. The reviewer's verdict:
"Great range, built with great components and pedalboard-friendly, this pedal has got it all."
The transistor question
The review states the Centurion is a two-transistor fuzz built using BC108 and BC109 silicon transistors1. The same review also refers to NOS BC109 transistors, and the two accounts are not reconciled, so the published descriptions differ slightly on the exact complement. Either way, the circuit is silicon based, which is where its aggressive character comes from according to the reviewer1.
Related Earthbound Audio fuzzes
Earthbound Audio's own page presents the Centurion Fuzz as a pedalboard-friendly fuzz, and Pedal of the Day's reviewer summed it up as a pedal with wide reach: "Great range, built with great components and pedalboard-friendly, this pedal has got it all."1
Videos
MrExcane
Dennis Kayzer
Pedal of the Day
Questions
Is the Earthbound Audio Centurion Fuzz true bypass?
Yes. Pedal of the Day's review lists true bypass wiring among the Centurion Fuzz's features, so the pedal takes itself fully out of the signal path when switched off. The review also notes the pedal is hand wired and pedalboard friendly, with a flashy red enclosure and large control knobs.
What does the Mass control do on the Centurion Fuzz?
According to Pedal of the Day, the Mass control takes the Centurion to another fuzzy level altogether, giving off tones from a crisp and defined fuzz all the way up to a monstrous, thick wall of fuzz, and everything in between. It works alongside the Level and Fuzz controls, which dial in the main sounds with plenty of volume and gain.
What does the High Cut switch do?
The Centurion Fuzz carries a three-position High Cut filter toggle switch. Pedal of the Day's review says it gives you three separate filter modes to work with, letting you darken or tame the top end of the fuzz in three distinct steps.
Is the Centurion Fuzz hand wired?
Yes. Pedal of the Day's 2016 review describes the Centurion Fuzz as hand wired, and notes it is built with BC108 and BC109 silicon transistors to pump out big and aggressive sounds.
What transistors are in the Earthbound Audio Centurion Fuzz?
Pedal of the Day's review says the Centurion is a two-transistor fuzz built using BC108 and BC109 silicon transistors. The same review elsewhere refers to NOS BC109 transistors, so the published accounts differ slightly on the exact transistor complement.
Sources (2)
- Earthbound Audio Centurion Fuzz, Pedal of the Day, 2016-09-14
- Earthbound Audio Centurion Fuzz, Pedal of the Day, 2016-09-13