The Ruby Fuzz is a fuzz pedal from Red Witch Pedals, part of the company's Seven Sisters line12. It is a deliberately simple fuzz, and the pedal is now sold out1. In a review of the Seven Sisters range, the Ruby Fuzz was found to work well as a texturizing tool, though not the best way to get an aggressive volume bump: "You just may need the help of a boost pedal (check out Sister Lily) if you're looking to really cut through a loud band"3.
What it does
The Ruby's controls are as plain as a fuzz gets. The maker's own descriptions are terse: "Fuzz controls....... the Fuzz" and "Volume controls....... The Volume"1. In practice, the two knobs set the amount of fuzz and the output level, and that is the whole circuit as far as the player is concerned14.
What the pedal delivers is not a polite fuzz. MusicRadar's reviewer described "raucous, spitty fuzz with an attitude. We like it."4. At its 2011 debut, Red Witch's press material said the pedal "can dance the line between silky-soft fuzz and an all-consuming tidal wave of sonic saturation"2.
How it sounds, by reviewers' accounts
Premier Guitar's review, dated 27 June 2023, gives the most detailed picture of the Ruby's character. The reviewer found the general character "quite close to a Big Muff, but without the rotund and flabbier qualities that some players asso[ciate]"3, producing a thick wall of fuzz and burning sustain that stays focused and clearer in the midrange3.
The Fuzz knob earned particular praise for its range: "The Fuzz control is remarkably responsive"3, going from a hot overdrive at halfway to aggressive bite at around 80 percent3.
"Ruby's not a polite lady; what she gives you is raucous, spitty fuzz with an attitude. We like it."
Where it sits on a board
Premier Guitar's reviewer found the Ruby strongest as a texturizing tool rather than a volume booster: it is not the best way to get an aggressive volume bump, and "You just may need the help of a boost pedal (check out Sister Lily) if you're looking to really cut through a loud band" mix3. Players chasing that kind of lift may want to look at a dedicated boost pedal alongside the Ruby.
The Ruby Fuzz is listed as Sold Out on Red Witch's product page as of 26 October 20261.
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Red Witch Pedals
Gearfacts
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Sources (4)
- Seven Sisters Ruby Fuzz, Red Witch Pedals
- NAMM 2011: Red Witch debut Seven Sisters pedals, MusicRadar, 2011-01-17
- Comprehensive Review of Red Witch Guitar Pedals, Premier Guitar, 2011-12-20
- Red Witch Seven Sisters Ruby review, MusicRadar, 2014-05-12
