The Haunted Labs Paranormal Fuzz V2 is a high-gain filtered silicon fuzz pedal1. It is an updated version of the original Paranormal Fuzz, and it ramps up the gain compared to the first version1. Haunted Labs describes it as having "an unworldly ability to unleash smooth low-end tones"1. It lists for $1592, with one report also putting it at $1592.
What sets the Paranormal Fuzz apart from most fuzz boxes is its Filter knob, a band pass filter that shapes which frequencies survive the fuzz. Premier Guitar describes the pedal as having "an unworldly ability to unleash smooth low-end tones"1, and Delicious Audio characterized the original as a fuzz built for heavy hitters into genres like stoner and shoegaze3.
A silicon fuzz with a band pass filter
The Paranormal Fuzz V2 is a silicon fuzz, which puts it in the tighter, more aggressive camp compared to germanium designs. Haunted Labs pitches it as a high-gain fuzz with a smooth low end, and the band pass Filter control is the feature that defines it: instead of a fixed tone stack, you dial in where the fuzz sits in the frequency spectrum13.
Delicious Audio described the original Paranormal Fuzz as "a high-gain filtered silicon fuzz with a smooth low-end, and it's built for heavy hitters into genres like stoner or shoegaze"3. That positioning carried into the V2, which keeps the character but tightens up the circuit324.
The band pass approach matters for players who find traditional fuzz either too muddy or too thin. Pedal of the Day's reviewer called the Filter knob "an unrivaled band pass filter, capable of twisting your tone into an unmistakeable fury of magnificent sustain"4.
The controls
The V2 keeps the same three knobs on the front as the original: Volume, Filter, and Fuzz1. Each is straightforward:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Volume | Sets your output level4 |
| Filter | A band pass filter that shapes which frequencies come through4 |
| Fuzz | Determines the severity of the gain structure4 |
Three knobs and true bypass switching keep the pedal simple to dial in14. The Fuzz control covers a wide range of gain, and Premier Guitar's launch coverage noted the V2 is "packed with more gain than you will ever need"1.
What changed from the original Paranormal Fuzz
The V2 is a revision rather than a redesign. It keeps the original's control layout and overall character, but updates the internals and the look142:
- Cleaner, quieter circuit: The V2 holds a cleaner and much quieter circuit design than the original13.
- More gain: Guitar.com reported that the V2 ramps up the gain compared to the original2, and Premier Guitar's launch coverage described it as packed with more gain than you would ever need1.
- Improved construction: The updated construction is described as delivering better tone and durability1.
- Updated graphics: The V2 features updated graphics compared to the original2.
Pedal of the Day summarized the change as the V2 building "on the original version of this monster, with a cleaner, quieter circuit design, more gain"4.
Power and practical notes
The pedal runs on 9V standard DC operation, with the power supply not included, and has no battery compartment, so it needs a spot on your power supply from day one1. At roughly 5mA of current draw it is a light load, easy to run from even a small multi-output supply1.
There is no battery compartment, so the Paranormal Fuzz V2 cannot run without an external 9V DC supply. Plan for a power outlet on your board rather than a battery.
On bass
Although it is a guitar fuzz, the Paranormal Fuzz V2 has drawn praise for bass use. Pedal of the Day's reviewer found that "this scary beast is incredible on bass as well, pumping out some serious but smooth low end for all to revel in"4. The band pass Filter knob is part of what makes that work, since it lets a bass player keep the low end in the mix rather than having it carved away by a fixed tone circuit. Players shopping for bass pedals who want fuzz on the low register have a workable option here.
Where it sits in the Haunted Labs range
The Paranormal Fuzz V2 was followed by other Haunted Labs fuzzes, including the Carolina Reaper, a dual overdrive/fuzz built with Cusack Music, and the Scorched Earth, a relic-style silicon fuzz. The Paranormal Fuzz V2 remains the maker's filtered take on high-gain silicon fuzz, distinct from those later pedals by its band pass Filter control134.
Videos
Mike Hermans
Questions
Is the Haunted Labs Paranormal Fuzz V2 true bypass?
Yes. The Paranormal Fuzz V2 uses true bypass switching, so when the pedal is off your signal passes through without the circuit coloring it. That makes it a safe fit for a pedalboard where you want the fuzz to disappear entirely when disengaged.
Does the Paranormal Fuzz V2 use a battery?
No. The pedal has no battery compartment, so it runs only on an external power supply, which is not included with the pedal. You will need a 9V DC supply on your board to run it.
How much current does the Paranormal Fuzz V2 draw?
The Paranormal Fuzz V2 draws approximately 5mA, which is very little. Even a small isolated power supply will run it easily alongside several other pedals, and it leaves plenty of headroom on a daisy chain or multi-output supply.
Does the Paranormal Fuzz V2 use silicon or germanium transistors?
It is a silicon fuzz. Haunted Labs describes it as a high-gain filtered silicon fuzz, which puts it in the tighter, more aggressive camp compared to germanium fuzzes, and it pairs that silicon gain structure with a band pass Filter control.
Where is the Paranormal Fuzz V2 made?
The Paranormal Fuzz V2 is engineered and manufactured in the USA by Haunted Labs. When it launched it was sold directly through the maker's own online store at hauntedlabs.com, and it listed for $159.
Does the Paranormal Fuzz V2 work with bass?
Yes. Pedal of the Day's reviewer found it incredible on bass, pumping out serious but smooth low end. The band pass Filter knob is a big part of that, since it lets you shape where the low end sits rather than losing it to a fixed tone stack.
Sources (4)
- Haunted Labs Unleashes the Paranormal Fuzz V2, Premier Guitar, 2018-07-31
- Haunted Labs conjures new fuzz pedal, Guitar.com, 2018-08-02
- Haunted Labs Paranormal Fuzz V2, Delicious Audio, 2018-05-08
- Haunted Labs Paranormal Fuzz V2, Pedal of the Day (www.pedal-of-the-day.com), 2019-01-30
