The JHS Berkeley is a fuzz pedal from JHS Pedals, part of the maker's Legends of Fuzz series. It is a replica of the Seamoon Fresh Fuzz, and specifically a tribute to the rarer single op-amp 741 version, Version 1, of that circuit1. Where many fuzzes push hard into saturated, splatty territory, the Berkeley recreates the lower gain and smooth crunch of the original, which makes it closer in spirit to a drive pedal than to a full-on distortion box2.
JHS describes the series as its tribute to the most important fuzz circuits ever made1. The company notes that the Berkeley is in no way affiliated with or endorsed by Seamoon Inc.1
A lower-gain op-amp fuzz
The original Seamoon Fresh Fuzz was built in more than one version, and JHS chose the rarer one to copy: the single op-amp 741 circuit known as Version 11. Guitar.com reported the same lineage when the pedal was announced, calling it "the rarer single op-amp 741 version," according to JHS5.
For a player, the practical difference is in the gain. Delicious Audio's write-up describes the pedal as one that "recreates the lower gain and smooth crunch of the original"2. That puts the Berkeley in a different slot from high-gain fuzzes like the JHS Bender or the JHS Supreme: it is a fuzz you can sit on top of, with a crunch character rather than a wall of saturation.
Controls and the side switch
The control set is minimal, matching the rest of the series. There are two knobs, for Gain and Bite, just like the original2. A Mode switch on the side of the pedal offers a more trebly version of the same tone, effectively giving you two voicings without touching the knobs2.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Gain | Sets the fuzz amount, as on the original circuit2 |
| Bite | Shapes the tone, as on the original circuit2 |
| Mode switch (side) | Selects a more trebly version of the same tone2 |
Power and battery
The Berkeley runs on 9V DC with a negative center, and draws only 4mA1. That low current draw means it is easy on a pedalboard power supply. It also allows battery operation via a single 9V battery, installed on a battery clip under the backplate1.
JHS warns not to use more than 9V DC with the Berkeley, or the warranty will be voided1.
The Legends of Fuzz series
Price and buying notes
At the time of writing, JHS lists the Berkeley at $89.50 USD1. When the pedal was announced in February 2023, Gearnews reported an MSRP of $179 USD for the Berkeley, Plugin and Mary-K, with EU store pricing of 239 euros and a Thomann listing at $98.00 / £86.00 / 99.00 euros4. The current maker price is the newer figure.
JHS lists the Berkeley as a final sale item: no cancels, no returns, no exchanges, and it is excluded from the WELCOME15 and SMS/text discounts1.
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Questions
Can the JHS Berkeley run on a battery?
Yes. The pedal allows battery operation via a single 9V battery, installed on a battery clip under the backplate. It also runs on a 9V DC center-negative power supply, drawing about 4mA, so a battery lasts a long time at that current.
Is the JHS Berkeley analog?
Yes. The Berkeley is an analog fuzz pedal built as a tribute to the rarer single op-amp 741 version, Version 1, of the Seamoon Fresh Fuzz, a circuit from the early 1970s.
What does the side switch on the JHS Berkeley do?
The Mode switch on the side of the pedal offers a more trebly version of the same tone, giving you two voicings of the fuzz without changing the main Gain and Bite control settings.
Which pedals are in the JHS Legends of Fuzz series?
The Legends of Fuzz series is JHS Pedals' tribute to what the maker calls the most important fuzz circuits ever made. Alongside the Berkeley, the series includes the Mary-K and the Plugin, which were announced at the same time in early 2023.
Sources (5)
- BERKELEY, JHS Pedals
- New Pedal: JHS Berkeley (Legends Of Fuzz Fresh Fuzz Replica), Delicious Audio, 2023-06-06
- Berkeley by JHS, RockBoard PedalPedia, 2026
- JHS Legends of Fuzz Effect Pedals: Mary-K, Plugin and Berkeley, www.gearnews.com, 2023-02-28
- JHS gets fuzztastic with three new pedals to its Legends of Fuzz lineup, guitar.com, 2023-02-27
