The Red Witch Zeus is a bass fuzz and suboctave pedal in one enclosure: a silicon fuzz circuit on one side and an analog lower-octave circuit on the other. Each effect has its own true bypass footswitch, so you can run the fuzz alone, the suboctave alone, or both stacked for a huge low-end sound1. Red Witch describes the result as "capable of generating anything from a distant rumble to an all out subterranean cataclysm"1.
The fuzz side is built from key features of the company's earlier Fuzz God II, and the pedal was announced in October 2015 as the second addition to the Red Witch bass range, following the Factotum2. It is aimed squarely at bass players, with a full frequency response and no low-end roll-off2.
Two pedals in one: silicon fuzz and analog suboctave
The Zeus is effectively two independent pedals sharing a box. The fuzz side is a silicon design that Red Witch says comprises key features of the much-loved Fuzz God II1, and the 2015 launch announcement described it as "Independent Fuzz for bass, 100% analog"2. The suboctave side generates a note one octave below what you play, and because it is analog rather than digital, Red Witch says it has "a fantastic, tactile springyness with extremely good tracking"1. MusicRadar's launch coverage called it "gnarly analogue tracking"3.
The two sides are completely independent. As Pedal of the Day put it in their review, the controls "only come into play when the designated side is activated via the left or right footswitch, but you can use them both" at once4. That means the fuzz can sit clean-bypassed while the suboctave runs on its own, or the two can be layered for a thick, doubled low end.
Controls and how to dial it in
The Zeus keeps its control set simple, with two mix knobs doing most of the work and a pair of internal trimmers for set-and-forget level matching123.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Fuzz mix knob | Blends in as much or as little of the fuzz effect as you want3 |
| Octave mix knob | Blends in as much or as little of the suboctave as you want3 |
| Fuzz knob | Adjusts the tone of the fuzz, alongside the sputter control3 |
| Internal Fuzz master volume trimmer | Sets the overall output level of the fuzz side2 |
| Internal Octave master volume trimmer | Sets the overall output level of the suboctave side2 |
The two mix controls let you dial in anything from a hint of each effect to the full dose1. Pedal of the Day also noted that the Fuzz control "adds in or takes away fuzz from the output, but also works in conjunction" with your instrument's volume knob, so rolling back the volume on the bass cleans up the fuzz, in the way players of vintage fuzz circuits will recognize4.
Where it came from
Red Witch announced the Zeus from New Zealand on October 1, 2015, as the second pedal in its bass range after the Factotum2. MusicRadar's launch story framed it the same way: "Building on the success of Red Witch's Factotum comes the Zeus Bass Fuzz and Suboctave, an all-analogue silicon fuzz with lower octave"3. At launch it was available in the UK for £2493; the maker's current list price is 190 USD1.
What reviewers said
Pedal of the Day reviewed the Zeus in December 2015 and was enthusiastic about its flexibility, concluding4:
"you'll be hard-pressed to find a more versatile, accessible and sonically pleasing octave pedal out there"4
Pedal of the Day, December 20154
The review highlighted the independent, simultaneously usable fuzz and suboctave sections and the true bypass switching as the pedal's core strengths4.
Availability today
The Zeus is listed as sold out on the Red Witch Pedals website as of October 2026, at a list price of 190 USD1. Players hunting one may need to look at the used market. Red Witch also notes that all its pedals ship in 100% recycled packaging1.
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Questions
Can you use the fuzz and suboctave on the Red Witch Zeus at the same time?
Yes. The Zeus has two footswitches, one for the fuzz side and one for the suboctave, and each effect can be used independently or simultaneously. Each side has its own true bypass stomp switch, so either effect can also be switched off completely.
Is the Red Witch Zeus true bypass?
Yes. Red Witch lists true bypass switching for the Zeus, and each of the two effects has its own true bypass stomp switch, so the fuzz and suboctave can be engaged or bypassed independently.
Is the Red Witch Zeus suboctave analog or digital?
It is analog. Red Witch describes the suboctave as analog rather than digital, with what the maker calls a tactile springiness and extremely good tracking. The 2015 launch announcement also described both the fuzz and the suboctave sections as 100 percent analog.
How much current does the Red Witch Zeus draw?
Red Witch lists the Zeus current draw as 43 mA. That is modest by modern standards, but it is worth checking against a small power supply's budget if you run several pedals from one unit.
Is the Red Witch Zeus still available?
As of late October 2026 the Zeus is listed as sold out on the Red Witch Pedals website, at a list price of 190 USD. It was launched in October 2015 as the second pedal in the Red Witch bass range.
Sources (4)
- Zeus - Bass Fuzz Suboctave - Red Witch Pedals, Red Witch Pedals
- Red Witch Unveils the Zeus Bass Fuzz Suboctave, Premier Guitar, 2015-10-01
- Red Witch launches Zeus Bass Fuzz and Suboctave pedal, MusicRadar, 2015-09-30
- Red Witch Pedals Zeus Bass Fuzz Suboctave, Pedal of the Day, 2015-12-06
