The Escape Plan Pedals Butch Fuzz/Overdrive/Boost is a pedal that combines three effect types in one enclosure: fuzz, overdrive and boost1. Pedal of the Day's reviewer, Mike B, described it as "basically a 3-In-1 pedal," with a toggle switch that selects between two distinct modes, Balls and Bones, and a Bark control that sets how much drive or fuzz is in the effect2.
Controls and modes
The Butch keeps its control layout simple. Howl is the volume control, and the reviewer noted there is "plenty of [level] on tap here." Bark regulates the amount of drive or fuzz present in the effect2.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Howl | Volume, with plenty of level on tap2 |
| Bark | Regulates the amount of drive or fuzz present in the effect2 |
| Toggle switch | Selects between the Balls and Bones modes2 |
The two modes behave differently:
- Balls is the smoother side. The reviewer found it able to produce "warm and tender, crunchy overdrive sounds," and said it can also perform as a clean boost when Bark is rolled back2.
- Bones moves the pedal into diode clipping, which the reviewer called "an awesome fuzz sound," pushing the limits of distortion depending on how much Bark is added2.
What reviewers said
Pedal of the Day's review came away with a positive view of the pedal's range. Mike B wrote2:
"There are a lot of differing and useful settings to be had on this pedal, and 3 distinct but equally useful mode options"2
He summed the Butch up as versatile and unique, with many differing and useful settings and three distinct but equally useful mode options2.
For context on the effect types the Butch covers, see the site's pages on Fuzz Pedals, Overdrive Pedals and Boost Pedals.
Videos
Escape Plan Pedals
Stu Weinberg
Pedal of the Day
Questions
What are the Balls and Bones modes on the Butch?
The Butch's lone toggle switch selects between two distinct modes. Balls is the smoother side, able to produce warm and tender, crunchy overdrive sounds, and it can also perform as a clean boost when the Bark control is rolled back. Bones moves the pedal into diode clipping for a fuzz sound, pushing the limits of distortion depending on how much Bark is added.
Can the Escape Plan Butch be used as a clean boost?
Yes. In Balls mode, the reviewer at Pedal of the Day found the pedal able to perform as a clean boost when the Bark control is rolled back, alongside its warm, crunchy overdrive sounds.
What does the Bark control do on the Butch?
Bark regulates the amount of drive or fuzz present in the effect. Rolling it back in Balls mode gives a clean boost character, while adding Bark in Bones mode pushes the fuzz toward the limits of distortion.
Does the Butch use diode clipping?
Yes, in Bones mode. According to Pedal of the Day's review, the Bones selection moves the pedal into diode clipping, which produces its fuzz sound.
Sources (2)
- Escape Plan Pedals Butch Fuzz/Overdrive/Boost, Pedal of the Day, 2015-05-11
- Escape Plan Pedals Butch Fuzz/Overdrive/Boost, Pedal of the Day, 2015-05-17