The Deadman Fuzz is a fuzz pedal from Lateral Phonics, listed at €1951. The maker's instruction materials are minimal: as Lateral Phonics puts it, "the instruction manuals are no more than black and white postcards"1.
Controls and features
The pedal carries three controls: fuzz, volume and low cut. The low cut control, per Guitar.com, "allows a degree of tone shaping without getting extreme"1. Visually it is distinctive: chicken head knobs for volume and low cut, while the fuzz control wears a silver-top witch's hat whose numbers are the closest indication of setting1.
Other features include side-mounted input and output jacks, an on/off LED and true bypass switching1.
Three holes are drilled into the top of the enclosure for cosmetic reasons, though a hole-free version of the pedal is also available1. Lateral Phonics augments custom paintwork with weird, mismatched knobs, scratches and seemingly random holes, so no two units look quite alike1.
What reviewers said
Guitar.com's Michael Watts reviewed the pedal in October 2020 and rated it 9 out of 10. On its sound, he found it "thrillingly gnarly while punchy enough to get through a mix intact," describing it at low-gain settings as a beautiful rhythm pedal and at higher settings as an excoriating wall of saw-toothed gain1.
His verdict: "More than just another Muff clone, the Deadman could be a future classic."1
He also noted one quirk: unusually for the breed, at low-gain settings it will sometimes allow a minor or major 3rd to be audible in the mix along with powerchords1.
Videos
Lateral Phonics
Lateral Phonics
Lateral Phonics
Questions
Is the Lateral Phonics Deadman Fuzz true bypass?
Yes. Guitar.com's review lists true bypass switching among the pedal's features, alongside side-mounted input and output jacks and an on/off LED. True bypass means the pedal is removed from the signal chain entirely when switched off, so it will not load down your guitar's signal when it is not in use.
What voltage does the Deadman Fuzz use?
The Deadman Fuzz runs on 9V mains power, according to Guitar.com's review. The review does not list a current draw or battery option, so plan your power supply accordingly and treat it like any 9V pedal on a board.
Is the Deadman Fuzz a Big Muff clone?
Guitar.com's reviewer, Michael Watts, describes it as an updated take on the classic Triangle Big Muff rather than a straight copy, with a silicon and germanium hybrid schematic using NOS parts. His verdict was that it is more than just another Muff clone, and he rated it 9 out of 10.
Where is the Lateral Phonics Deadman Fuzz made?
The Deadman Fuzz is made in Russia. Guitar.com describes it as a handwired silicon and germanium fuzz pedal, and notes that Lateral Phonics finishes each one with custom paintwork, mismatched knobs, scratches and seemingly random holes.
Does the Deadman Fuzz use germanium transistors?
Yes. Guitar.com's review describes a silicon and germanium hybrid schematic using NOS (new old stock) parts, so the circuit combines both transistor types rather than relying on germanium alone.
How big is the Deadman Fuzz?
Guitar.com lists the dimensions as 119.5mm x 94mm x 51mm, which keeps it compact enough for a crowded pedalboard. Note that the jacks are side-mounted, which affects how much width it takes up on a board.
Sources (1)
- Review: Lateral Phonics Deadman Fuzz, Guitar.com, 2020-10-06
