The Squatch Stank Fuzz is a fuzz pedal from Kinnatone Effects built around a single knob and a set of Telefunken transistors. Pedal of the Day reviewed it in July 2016 and described it as handwired and hand built, with true bypass switching and Neutrik jacks1. It is a small-batch, builder-made pedal rather than a mass-produced one, and its whole approach is simplicity: one control, one sound, dialed in by feel.
The one knob
The Squatch Stank has a single control, and the reviewer summed it up plainly: "The more you turn it to the right, the louder and heavier it gets."1 That is the entire operating manual. There is no tone control, no bias knob and no internal trimmers mentioned, so shaping the sound happens on the knob, on your guitar's volume control, or at the amp.
What the knob does across its travel is where the pedal earns its keep. Pedal of the Day described the range like this:
"Ease it back a bit to get an almost overdriven sound, and then crank it for an explosion of fuzz."
Backed off, it sits in territory closer to what you would find among overdrive pedals or distortion pedals; wide open, it is full fuzz. Players who like a fuzz that cleans up with the knob rather than a switch will find that layout familiar1.
Build and hardware
The construction details are what you would expect from a hand-built pedal, and the reviewer called them out specifically1:
- Handwired and hand built1
- Screen printed and powdercoated enclosure1
- Telefunken transistors in the circuit1
- Neutrik jacks for input and output1
- 2.1mm style power jack1
- True bypass switching1
Neutrik jacks are a known name in connectors, and a 2.1mm power jack is the standard barrel size used by most pedalboard power supplies, so it should slot into an existing setup without adapters1.
Size and where it fits on a board
The pedal is small, and the reviewer made a point of it: "The small size of the Squatch Stank is great, too, for fitting easily onto the tiniest or hugest pedalboards out there."1 With one knob and a compact footprint, it suits a minimal board as easily as a crowded one, and true bypass keeps it out of the signal path when it is off.
What reviewers said
Pedal of the Day's reviewer came to it looking for a simple fuzz and found one: "Today's pedal, the Squatch Stank from Kinnatone, provided that very thing, and ended up producing some fat fuzz sounds."1 The review framed it as a one-knob pedal that produces fat fuzz sounds and is easy to use without a manual, which is about as concise a verdict as a pedal like this can get. No other published reviews are covered here.
Videos
Kinnatone Music
Kinnatone Music
Pedal of the Day
Questions
Is the Squatch Stank Fuzz true bypass?
Yes. Pedal of the Day's 2016 review lists the Squatch Stank Fuzz as true bypass, so when the pedal is off your guitar's signal passes straight through to the amp without going through the fuzz circuit. That matters if you run it on a board with other pedals and want your clean tone untouched when the fuzz is switched out.
What power jack does the Squatch Stank Fuzz use?
The Squatch Stank Fuzz uses a 2.1mm style power jack, the common center-negative barrel connector used by most pedal power supplies, along with Neutrik jacks for the input and output. Pedal of the Day's review notes both details. As with any pedal, match your supply to the maker's stated power requirements before plugging in.
Does the Squatch Stank Fuzz run on a battery?
The published review of the Squatch Stank Fuzz describes a 2.1mm style power jack and Neutrik jacks, but does not mention battery operation. If running on a battery is important to you, that is a detail to settle with the maker directly, since the pedal is hand built in small numbers.
Is the Squatch Stank Fuzz handwired?
Yes. Pedal of the Day's review describes the Squatch Stank Fuzz as handwired and hand built, with a screen printed and powdercoated enclosure. That kind of construction is typical of small-batch builders and is one of the things that sets it apart from mass-produced fuzz pedals.
Will the Squatch Stank Fuzz fit on a small pedalboard?
According to Pedal of the Day's review, the small size of the Squatch Stank makes it easy to fit onto the tiniest or hugest pedalboards. With only one knob and a straightforward footswitch footprint, it takes up little space, which helps on crowded boards or minimal setups.
Sources (1)
- Kinnatone Effects Squatch Stank Fuzz, Pedal of the Day, 2016-07-07
