The GUPtech Cornichon Fuzz is a fuzz pedal built in Saguenay, Quebec, Canada, where the company makes all of its pedals by hand1. It is based on the Cornish NG-2, which GUPtech describes as one of John Mayer's favorite fuzzes1. The maker's own description of the tone pulls no punches: the pedal is described as "imminent tube amp death", with a tone that is "completely crazy"1.
Controls
The Cornichon keeps things simple on the outside, with two knobs and one internal adjustment1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Volume | Base output level control1 |
| Tone | Base tone control1 |
| Sustain | Pushes the distorted signal into what GUPtech calls a weird Sub/Up octave tone1 |
| Balance trim pot (internal) | Normally adjusted on the edge of being noisy; turn counter-clockwise for more gain and sustain, at the risk of being noisy at idle1 |
The Sustain control is the one to watch: past a certain point it stops behaving like a normal fuzz sustain knob and drives the distorted signal into an octave character1. Players who want more gain from the circuit reach for the internal trim pot rather than turning Sustain further1.
Power
The pedal runs on 9Vdc with a negative center pin and draws 3mA1. That is a light load by pedalboard standards, so a standard 9V supply or a daisy-chained output handles it without trouble.
Versions and colors
The standard Cornichon Fuzz comes in Gray and Purple1. GUPtech has also offered a separate variant, the GUP Tech Cornichon Douche Edition, which is likewise based on the Cornish NG-2 and comes in Gold and Purple2.
The Cornichon Douche Edition is a distinct product page and colorway from the standard Cornichon Fuzz, not a different circuit: both are based on the Cornish NG-212.
The name and the circuit it follows
In French, a pickle is called a cornichon, and GUPtech says that is where the name came from; the company also calls the pedal a dying pickle fuzz1. Under the name, the circuit traces back to Pete Cornish's NG-2. Aion FX, which has published a tracing journal on the Cornish NG-2, groups it with the N.G. Fuzz and NG-3 as part of that Cornish fuzz line3.
Videos
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John Mayer Gear
Questions
What does the GUPtech Cornichon Fuzz copy?
It is based on the Cornish NG-2 fuzz. GUPtech describes the NG-2 as one of John Mayer's favorite fuzzes, and the Cornichon is the company's take on that circuit. Aion FX, which has traced the Cornish NG-2 circuit, classifies the NG-2 alongside the N.G. Fuzz and NG-3 as part of that Cornish fuzz family.
What does the internal balance trim pot do?
Inside the pedal there is a balance trim pot that GUPtech says is normally adjusted to sit on the edge of being noisy. Turning it counter-clockwise gives more gain and sustain, at the risk of the pedal being noisy at idle. It is an internal control, so the pedal has to be opened to reach it.
What power does the Cornichon Fuzz need?
It runs on 9Vdc with a negative center pin and draws 3mA. That low draw means a standard 9V pedal power supply or daisy chain is no problem.
Where is the Cornichon Fuzz made?
GUPtech builds all of its pedals itself in Saguenay, Quebec, Canada, and the Cornichon Fuzz is made there.
What colors does the Cornichon Fuzz come in?
The standard Cornichon Fuzz is offered in Gray and Purple. GUPtech has also made a separate Cornichon Douche Edition variant, offered in Gold and Purple.
Why is it called Cornichon?
In French, a pickle is called a cornichon, and GUPtech says that is where the name came from. The company also describes the pedal as a dying pickle fuzz.
Sources (3)
- GUPtech Cornichon Fuzz, GUPtech
- Cornichon, GUP Tech (guptech.ca), 2022-09-21
- Tracing Journal: Cornish NG-2, Aion FX, 2024-11-29
