The Mr. Black SludgeMaster is a high-gain fuzz pedal, described by the maker as a "Classic 100% analog, high-gain fuzz". It takes its circuit from what Mr. Black calls the classic IC (integrated circuit) distortion-sustainer of the late 1970s, a design the maker says few can claim "the esteem, recording history and power of". The SludgeMaster reworks that idea: Mr. Black says it set out to "expand the ferocity, reduce the noise and sweeten up this literal classic", so the pedal aims for the character of the original circuit with less hiss and more aggression.1
What it does to your sound
Mr. Black describes the SludgeMaster as adding "heaps of powerful, saturated intensity" to guitar, fattening single-coils and driving humbuckers into a wall of sound. The maker also says it "absolutely RIPS on bass too", which puts it among fuzzes that hold up on bass guitar as well as six strings. As with any maker's description, that is how Mr. Black characterizes the pedal rather than an independent verdict.1
Power and bypass
The pedal runs on either an internal 9V battery (not included) or "industry standard" 2.1mm negative center-pin 9VDC pedal power, with a current draw under 9mA. Switching is true bypass, so the fuzz circuit is fully out of the signal path when the pedal is off.1
Mr. Black sells the SludgeMaster with all sales final: "NO RETURNS/EXCHANGES/REFUNDS." There is no return window on this pedal.1
Build
The SludgeMaster is housed in a powder-coated genuine Hammond enclosure.1
Where it sits in the Mr. Black range
The SludgeMaster is one of Mr. Black's fuzz designs. The maker's catalog also includes the Mr Black Doomstick and the Mr. Black Black LTD. Darling Fuzz, both covered on their own pages. For the wider category, see Fuzz Pedals, or the neighboring Distortion Pedals and Overdrive Pedals pages.
Videos
Jack Deville
Questions
Is the Mr. Black SludgeMaster true bypass?
Yes. Mr. Black lists the SludgeMaster as true bypass, so when the pedal is off, your guitar's signal passes straight through without loading from the fuzz circuit. That matters on a pedalboard where fuzzes and other color pedals can otherwise dull your clean tone when switched out.
Does the Mr. Black SludgeMaster take a battery?
Yes. The SludgeMaster can run from an internal 9V battery, though Mr. Black notes the battery is not included with the pedal. If you would rather not open the enclosure to swap batteries, it also accepts standard 2.1mm negative center-pin 9VDC pedal power.
What power supply does the SludgeMaster need?
The SludgeMaster needs 9VDC through a 2.1mm negative center-pin connector, which Mr. Black calls the industry standard for pedal power. Current draw is under 9mA, so it is light enough for most pedalboard power supplies and daisy chains.
Is the SludgeMaster analog or digital?
It is fully analog. Mr. Black describes it as a classic 100% analog, high-gain fuzz, with no digital processing in the signal path.
Can the SludgeMaster be returned?
No. Mr. Black sells the SludgeMaster with all sales final: no returns, exchanges or refunds. It is worth being sure of the purchase before ordering, since the maker will not take it back.
Sources (1)
- SludgeMaster, Mr. Black
