The Fortin 3.33 Fredrik Thordendal Signature Dual Boost is a two-channel boost pedal built by Fortin Amps with Meshuggah guitarist Fredrik Thordendal. It takes the single-channel Fortin 33 Signature Boost and expands it into two independent channels of what Fortin calls "legendary Fortin grit", each with its own active bass and treble controls, plus a built-in Zuul noise gate and switching that can change channels on a compatible amplifier1. Fortin frames the relationship between the two pedals plainly: "The 33 was the foundation. The 3.33 is the future"1.
Two boost channels with active EQ
The 3.33 gives you two channels, each with its own row of knobs, and a CH 1/2 control that switches between them: CH 1 is the "3 channel" with a red LED and the top row of knobs, CH 2 is the "33 channel" with a green LED and the bottom row1. Each channel carries active EQ, meaning the BASS and TREBLE controls cut as well as boost, rather than a passive tilt1. A VOLUME control increases the output level of the pedal1.
The ZUUL control is the pedal's noise gate. Fortin describes it as "industry standard noise gate technology built right into the pedal"1, which matters here because the pedal is designed to drive high-gain amplifiers hard.
Two footswitches handle the switching. The ON switch is a relay-based soft footswitch with true bypass, and the pedal powers up in the same state it was powered off, so it returns exactly as you left it. The CHANNEL switch works alongside it, and the amp channel can be changed from either the ON stomp or the CHANNEL stomp1.
From the 33 boost to the dual-channel 3.33
Fortin bills the 3.33 as an "Evolution of a Legend", a Fredrik Thordendal signature pedal built by Fortin Amps1. Where the earlier 33 was a single boost, the 3.33 carries two channels: CH 1, the "3 channel" with its red LED and top row of knobs, and CH 2, the "33 channel" with its green LED and bottom row of knobs1. The pedal also builds in Zuul's noise gate technology, which Fortin calls the industry standard1.
Fortin describes Thordendal's signature 33 pedal as "a sonic detonation tool that transforms any gain-fueled amplifier into an unrelenting wrecking ball of metal"2. The 3.33 carries the family forward with amp channel switching built in: the amplifier's channel can be changed from the "ON" stomp or the "CHANNEL" stomp1, so the pedal can do more than boost on the way into a high-gain amp.
The 3.33 has no battery clip and draws 115mA at 9V1, so it needs its own regulated 9V DC center-negative supply output. A daisy chain shared with lower-draw pedals may not carry it.
Controls at a glance
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| CH 1/2 | Switches between CH 1 ("3 channel", red LED, top row of knobs) and CH 2 ("33 channel", green LED, bottom row)1 |
| BASS | Active EQ control for bass frequencies1 |
| TREBLE | Active EQ control for treble frequencies1 |
| VOLUME | Increases the output level of the pedal1 |
| ZUUL | Noise gate technology built into the pedal1 |
| ON | True bypass, relay-based soft footswitch; powers up in the same state it was powered off1 |
| CHANNEL | Amp channel can be changed from the ON stomp or the CHANNEL stomp1 |
Videos
FortinAmps and Greg Kubacki
FortinAmps and The Real Steven Ward
Ola Englund
Questions
What is the difference between the Fortin 33 and the 3.33?
The 33 is the original single-channel signature boost, released in 2017 and developed over two years with Fredrik Thordendal. The 3.33 doubles the format: two independent channels of Fortin grit, each with its own row of controls including active bass and treble, plus a built-in Zuul noise gate and amp channel switching. Fortin puts it simply: the 33 was the foundation, the 3.33 is the future.
Does the Fortin 3.33 take a battery?
No. Fortin states there is no battery clip in the pedal, so it runs only from a 9V DC center-pin negative, fully regulated external adapter or power supply, which is not included. It draws 115mA at 9V, so plan your pedalboard power supply accordingly.
Is the Fortin 3.33 true bypass?
Yes. Fortin describes the switching as industry standard DPDT relay true bypass. The ON footswitch is a relay-based soft footswitch, and the pedal powers up in the same state it was powered off, so it comes back exactly as you left it.
What does the ZUUL control do?
ZUUL is Fortin's name for the noise gate technology built into the pedal. Fortin calls it industry standard noise gate technology built right in, which matters for a boost designed to push high-gain amplifiers hard, where gating keeps the quiet passages clean.
Who designed the Fortin 3.33?
The pedal was born from a collaboration between Fredrik Thordendal, guitarist of Meshuggah, and Mike Fortin of Fortin Amplification, with the aim of perfecting the classic Integrated Pre-amp circuit. The two have worked together since Fortin built Thordendal's signature amplifier in late 2016.
Where is the Fortin 3.33 made?
Fortin states the pedal is built in the U.S.A. It carries Fortin's limited 1-year warranty.
Sources (2)
- 3.33® Fredrik Thordendal signature, Fortin Amps
- Artist Spotlight, Fortin Amps
