The Double Feature is a dual fuzz and fixed wah pedal from Magnetic Effects, released July 29, 2015. It puts two circuits in one enclosure: a Russian germanium transistor fuzz and a parked wah, meaning a wah filter that holds at a set frequency rather than rocking with your foot. The two circuits are independently selectable, so each can be switched on its own or run together1.
What it does to your sound
The fuzz side is built around a pair of vintage Russian germanium transistors, driven into fuzz by a specially selected and slew rate limited opamp. Magnetic Effects describes the result as "a loud, fantastic fuzz with plenty of output volume and sustain"1. Germanium fuzzes are known for being touchy, and the maker's use of the opamp stage is aimed at keeping the transistors stable.
The filter side is the twist. Rob H., reviewing for Pedal of the Day, described the pedal as "a Russian germanium based transistor fuzz box with a twist!"2, and the twist is the parked wah: a fixed filter tone you can stomp in and out. It is a different idea from a rocking wah pedal, and closer in spirit to a fixed filter block.
Controls and switching
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Gain | Sets the fuzz amount, from thick overdrive at low settings to full fuzz when cranked2 |
| Tone | Shapes the fuzz tone; the reviewer found it "nice and responsive"2 |
| Volume | Controls output level2 |
| Sweep frequency | Sets the parked wah frequency2 |
The two footswitches split the work: the left switch engages the fuzz, and the right switch engages the parked wah sound2. The Filter footswitch turns the parked wah tone on and off independently of the fuzz1.
With the gain knob set low, around 8 o'clock, the reviewer found you can dial in "a thick and growling overdrive"2, so the fuzz side covers ground beyond full fuzz. Players looking at that end of the range may also want to compare it against dedicated overdrive pedals and other fuzz pedals.
Buffers, wireless and signal chains
Germanium fuzzes are notorious for misbehaving after a buffer, but Magnetic Effects addressed that directly. The maker designed the fuzz with a high input impedance and low output impedance, so it plays nice with modern boards using buffer pedals, wireless units and switching devices1.
What reviewers said
Rob H. tested it with an MIJ Tele custom loaded with Bareknuckle Piledrivers, through a Fender tube amp on the clean channel2. On the fuzz he wrote that stomping the left switch "kicks in a filthy, raunchy and quite a unique voiced fuzz"2. His verdict on the circuit's stability is the kind of claim germanium players rarely hear:
"It's probably the most reliable and stable germanium based fuzz I've played on"
Price
Premier Guitar's July 2015 release listed the Double Feature at $195 street1. The Pedal of the Day review the following year gave a UK retail price of £1252.
Videos
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Brett Kingman
Eirik Stordrange
Questions
What does the Magnetic Effects Double Feature do?
It is a dual fuzz and fixed wah pedal: a Russian germanium transistor fuzz and a parked wah filter in one enclosure. Premier Guitar's press release describes it as a loud fuzz with plenty of output volume and sustain, and the filter side holds a wah tone at a frequency you set with the sweep knob. The two circuits can be switched independently.
Can you use the fuzz and the wah separately on the Double Feature?
Yes. Premier Guitar's release notes that the pedal has independently selectable fuzz and filter circuits, and the reviewer at Pedal of the Day describes a left footswitch for the fuzz and a right footswitch for the parked wah sound. That means you can run either circuit on its own or stack them.
What transistors does the Double Feature use?
It uses a pair of vintage Russian germanium transistors. According to Premier Guitar, they are driven into fuzz by a specially selected and slew rate limited opamp, which the maker credits for the transistors staying stable.
How much does the Magnetic Effects Double Feature cost?
Premier Guitar's July 2015 release listed it at $195 street. The Pedal of the Day review in June 2016 gave a UK retail price of £125. The two figures come from different markets and dates, so both are given here as stated.
What does the sweep frequency knob control?
The sweep frequency control knob sets the frequency of the parked wah. Instead of rocking a wah pedal back and forth, you dial in the filter frequency you want and the pedal holds it there, which you can then switch in and out with the Filter footswitch.
Does the Double Feature work with buffered pedals and wireless systems?
According to Premier Guitar, the fuzz side has a high input impedance and low output impedance, which the maker says makes it play nice with buffered signal chains, wireless units and switching devices. That is unusual for a germanium fuzz, which often interacts badly with buffers.
Sources (2)
- Magnetic Effects Unveils the Double Feature, Premier Guitar, 2015-07-29
- Guest Reviewer Fridays: Magnetic Effects Double Feature Fuzz Wah, Pedal of the Day (pedal-of-the-day.com), 2016-06-24
