Overkill Effects makes the V7 Softek Era Fuzz, a compact fuzz built in the Big Muff style. Guitar Pedal X's Stefan Karlsson, reviewing the pedal at its announcement, called it "probably my favourite compact Muff to date"1. The circuit combines Triangle Muff aggression with Green Russian low-end, and Karlsson wrote that "It delivers rich, dynamic tones from scooped to boosted, including Gilmourish sounds"1.
Controls and the internal dip switches
The external controls are Volume, Sustain, Tone and Mids1. The Mids control is the addition that sets this layout apart from a stock three-knob Big Muff arrangement, giving direct control over the midrange that the classic scooped voicing tends to cut.
Inside, the pedal goes further than most compact Muffs. Karlsson wrote that "Overkill Effects goes one step further with these Internal Dip-switches - which allow you to bypass one or both pair" of diodes1. The dip switch settings work like this:
| Dip switches | Mode |
|---|---|
| Both up (default) | Classic Big Muff |
| One pair bypassed | One clipping stage opened up |
| Both pairs bypassed | Both clipping stages opened up |
With both pairs engaged the pedal runs as a Classic Big Muff, which is the default setting1. Bypassing diode pairs changes how the circuit clips, so a player can move between the full Muff compression and more open, less clipped settings without opening the case beyond flipping the switches.
Parts and circuit lineage
The V7 uses NOS KT3012E transistors and KD521V diodes, the same parts as in original Sovtek Muffs1. That choice of period-correct components is what ties the pedal to the Sovtek-era sound rather than a modern reissue voicing, and it pairs with the circuit's blend of Triangle Muff aggression and Green Russian low-end1.
The Softek Era version and the earlier units
The current version differs from the first V7 units in its hardware. Karlsson received his first V7 unit at the end of May 2026, and that unit came with DM 1510 knobs1. In the Softek Era version, "Nikola's mini orange amp knobs replaced DM 1510 knobs, complementing the symmetrical PCB"1. The reviewer also noted that "his pristine symmetrical component arrangement elevates its interior"1, so the knob change is part of a broader visual tidy-up of the pedal inside and out.
The price was given at the announcement date as £146 GBP, which the reviewer described as the equivalent to $193 or $146 USD, equivalent to €169,991. The two dollar figures appear in the source as stated.
Videos
Overkill Effects
Alberto Barrero
Questions
Who designed the Overkill Effects V7 Softek Era Fuzz?
The V7 Softek Era Fuzz is designed by Nikola of Overkill Effects. Guitar Pedal X's Stefan Karlsson, reviewing the pedal at its September 2026 announcement, noted that Nikola's pristine symmetrical component arrangement elevates the pedal's interior, and that Nikola's mini orange amp knobs replaced the DM 1510 knobs used on earlier units, complementing the symmetrical PCB.
What transistors does the V7 Softek Era Fuzz use?
The V7 uses NOS KT3012E transistors and KD521V diodes, the same parts as in original Sovtek Muffs, according to Guitar Pedal X. The circuit combines Triangle Muff aggression with Green Russian low-end, and the pedal delivers rich, dynamic tones from scooped to boosted, including Gilmourish sounds.
What are the dip switches inside the V7 for?
The internal dip switches allow you to bypass one or both pairs of diodes in the clipping stages. With both pairs engaged the pedal runs as a Classic Big Muff, which is the default setting, so the switches let you open up the circuit and change how the fuzz clips.
How does the V7 differ from the earlier V7 units with DM 1510 knobs?
The earlier V7 units, which Guitar Pedal X's reviewer received at the end of May 2026, came with DM 1510 knobs. In the current Softek Era version those were replaced by Nikola's mini orange amp knobs, which complement the symmetrical PCB. The circuit itself is the compact Big Muff-style design.
Sources (1)
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2026-09-25
