The Redbeard Effects Hairy Squid is a fuzz pedal built around a simple idea: three different fuzz voicings in one box. A three-way toggle switch selects between Silicone, LED and Germanium clipping, and Delicious Audio's Paolo De Gregorio summed it up as "Three Fuzz Pedals in one"1. The circuit is 100% analog and true bypass1.
The three modes
The 3-way toggle switch is the heart of the pedal. Delicious Audio's product page describes each position this way1:
| Mode | Voicing |
|---|---|
| A: Silicone | "Think creamy, smoother vintage 'muff' sounds a la Gilmour" |
| B: LED | "Massive modern headroom, loud & crazy sustain" |
| C: Germanium | "Edgier, 'bender'-esque tone" |
Delicious Audio elaborates that LED Mode "offers a bigger, modern sound with more headroom and longer sustain," while "Germanium Mode distinguishes itself for an edgier tone reminiscent of the Tonebender"1. For players chasing that bender character, it is worth knowing the reputation: one MusicRadar contributor described his own Tone Bender as "just earpiercingly sharp"3, so the Germanium mode's edgier take sits within a family of famously aggressive fuzzes.
Where the circuit came from
Delicious Audio frames the Hairy Squid as "actually a lot more than a '70s fuzz clone/variant and more like a 3-mode fuzz voiced after some classic vintage pedals," expanding "the rather limited sonic palette of the original by adding three clipping modes"1. Guitar Pedal X's Stefan Karlsson traced the lineage further back, calling it "Massively evolved from the Barnes and Mullins 70's Fuzz Unit - a Colorsound manufactured variant of its 3-transistor Tone Bender Jumbo"2.
The design also had outside help: the Redbeard take on the circuit "benefited from the collaboration with Adrian from ThorpyFX"1.
Controls
The pedal keeps things simple: three knobs, described as very interactive and reflecting the Muff's controls. A "Gain" knob replaces the Muff's "Sustain" but essentially does the same thing1.
Karlsson's verdict on the format: "The 3 clipping options give you very different voicings - creating an amazingly versatile yet simple fuzz!"2
Built in the UK
Like all Redbeard pedals, the Hairy Squid was "dreamt up, designed, engineered, built, tested and packaged in the UK by hand"1. The box includes Redbeard's signature 'Coffee Bag' packaging, two Redbeard Effects stickers and a Redbeard Effects PCB keyring1.
The price on record is £200 GBP from Guitar Pedal X's December 2023 roundup2. No US dollar price is given.
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Questions
What are the three modes on the Redbeard Hairy Squid?
A three-way toggle switch selects between Silicone, LED and Germanium clipping. Silicone Mode is described as creamy, smoother vintage 'muff' sounds in the style of David Gilmour. LED Mode gives a bigger, modern sound with more headroom and longer sustain. Germanium Mode delivers an edgier tone reminiscent of the Tonebender.
Is the Hairy Squid based on a Big Muff?
Not directly. Guitar Pedal X's Stefan Karlsson described it as massively evolved from the Barnes and Mullins 70's Fuzz Unit, a Colorsound manufactured variant of its 3-transistor Tone Bender Jumbo. The three knobs do reflect the Muff's controls, with a Gain knob replacing the Muff's Sustain but essentially doing the same thing.
Is the Redbeard Hairy Squid true bypass?
Yes. The pedal's product page lists True Bypass switching, alongside its 100% analogue circuit.
Where is the Redbeard Hairy Squid made?
In the UK. Like all Redbeard Effects pedals, the Hairy Squid was dreamt up, designed, engineered, built, tested and packaged in the UK by hand, with the circuit benefiting from a collaboration with Adrian from ThorpyFX.
Does the Hairy Squid sound like a Tone Bender?
In its Germanium Mode, yes. Delicious Audio's write-up says the Germanium Mode distinguishes itself with an edgier tone reminiscent of the Tonebender. The other two modes head in different directions, toward vintage muff-style tones and a bigger modern fuzz with more headroom.
What comes in the box with the Hairy Squid?
The pedal ships in Redbeard's signature 'Coffee Bag' packaging and includes two Redbeard Effects stickers and a Redbeard Effects PCB keyring.
Sources (3)
- Readbeard Effects Hairy Squid, Delicious Audio, 2023-06-13
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2023-12-18
- 3 top guitar pedal makers on the secrets of truly great gain tone, MusicRadar, 2022-09-08
