The Echopark F3 Chronic is a fuzz pedal released by Echopark Guitars in November 2016, available for $325 direct only or through select dealers1. Guitar World described it at release as influenced by several iconic circuits made popular in the mid-Sixties, and it arrived as part of a young pedal line: Echopark had launched its first pedals earlier that year, including the F-1 Dual Germanium fuzz1.
Two stages and a clipping toggle
The F3 Chronic is built in two stages. The first stage is a silicon-based fuzz circuit that, in Guitar World's words, is "tuned and designed to satisfy vintage fuzz freaks"1. On top of that, Echopark added a second set of "glass" clipping diodes, along with a selector toggle that switches between the first and second set of clipping1. That toggle is the pedal's main voicing control: it lets the player choose between the character of the first stage and the glassier clipping of the second.
Buffering and where it goes in the chain
Echopark says the F3 works best positioned first in the signal chain, or before any boosting pedal, because it also serves as a buffer when either side is engaged1. For a player running other boost or overdrive pedals, that makes the placement straightforward: fuzz first, everything that pushes it after.
Power and bypass
The pedal is operated by a single 9-volt battery, and it can also run on AC power and be daisy chained, though an adapter is not included1. Switching is true bypass1.
Questions
Does the Echopark F3 Chronic run on a battery?
Yes. Guitar World reported at the pedal's release that the F3 Chronic is operated by a single 9-volt battery. It can also run on AC power and can be daisy chained with other pedals, but an adapter is not included, so you would need to supply your own power supply if you do not want to use the battery.
Is the Echopark F3 Chronic true bypass?
Yes. The F3 Chronic uses true bypass switching, according to Guitar World's release coverage. The pedal also serves as a buffer when either side is engaged, which is one reason Echopark recommends placing it first in the signal chain or before any boosting pedal.
What does the clipping diode toggle do on the F3 Chronic?
Echopark added a second set of glass clipping diodes to the pedal, along with a selector toggle that switches between the first and second set of clipping. In practice, the toggle lets you choose between two different clipping characters from the pedal's second stage.
Where should the F3 Chronic go in a pedal chain?
Echopark says the F3 works best positioned first in the signal chain, or before any boosting pedal. The pedal also serves as a buffer when either side is engaged, which supports placing it early in the chain ahead of your other effects.
Is the F3 Chronic a silicon or germanium fuzz?
The first stage of the F3 Chronic is a silicon-based fuzz circuit, one that Echopark describes as tuned and designed to satisfy vintage fuzz fans. The pedal also carries a second set of glass clipping diodes that can be selected with a toggle, so it is not limited to its silicon first stage.
Sources (1)
- Echopark Guitars Releases F3 Chronic Fuzz Pedal, Guitar World, 2016-11-04
