The Ritual Devices EVOL is a two-stage fuzz that uses both germanium and silicon transistors, giving it two distinct fuzz voicings in one fuzz pedal. Guitar Pedal X describes it as a "Primal Hybrid 2-Stage Fuzz", and it sits in the maker's etched Flagship Series alongside the Grimalkin1. It is listed at £195, which the March 2025 review put at the equivalent of around $250 US2.
The two stages
The heart of the EVOL is its pair of gain stages, selected by the Stage switch. Stage 1 is louder, more open and brighter in profile, while Stage 2 is darker, denser and more aggressive, with lower output1. In the reviewer's words:
"I typically prefer the more classic sounding Stage 1 option - which really delivers a killer classic fuzz voicing"
Guitar Pedal X characterizes the two stages this way: Stage 1 leans toward Tone Bender and Fuzz Face tones, while Stage 2 approaches Big Muff style fuzz2.
The controls
The EVOL's front panel carries six controls1:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Volume | Sets the output level2 |
| Stage : 1/2 | Selects between the Stage 1 and Stage 2 gain stages2 |
| Bleed/Gain | Sets the gain2 |
| Color : A/B | Switches between two EQ color profiles, left and right on the switch2 |
| Tone | Sets the tone2 |
| Mid | Mid control on the front panel1 |
Cleanup and enclosure
Guitar Pedal X found the EVOL responds well to the guitar's volume knob: "It has pretty decent guitar volume cleanup too - not quite fuzz face level, while it really works a treat!"2. The etched enclosure is finely crafted by Wub, the maker behind Ritual Devices2.
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Questions
What does the Stage switch do on the Ritual Devices EVOL?
The Stage switch selects between the EVOL's two gain stages. Stage 1 is the louder, more open and brighter of the two, and Guitar Pedal X's reviewer found it delivers a classic fuzz voicing leaning toward Tone Bender and Fuzz Face tones. Stage 2 is darker, denser and more aggressive, with lower output, and approaches Big Muff style fuzz.
What does the Colour switch do on the EVOL?
The Colour switch is part of the EVOL's EQ side and selects between two EQ colour profiles, one on the left of the switch and one on the right. It works alongside the Tone and Mid controls to shape the fuzz's overall tonal balance.
Which transistors does the EVOL use?
The EVOL carries five transistors: two Π416A germanium and three silicon, made up of two 2N2222A and one 2N3904. That mix of germanium and silicon is what gives the pedal its two distinct fuzz stages.
Does the EVOL clean up with the guitar volume?
Yes. Guitar Pedal X's reviewer found the EVOL has pretty decent guitar volume cleanup, though not quite at the level of a Fuzz Face, and noted that it really works a treat in practice.
How much does the Ritual Devices EVOL cost?
The EVOL is listed at £195. Guitar Pedal X's March 2025 review put that at the equivalent of around $250 US.
Sources (2)
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2026-02-11
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2025-03-07
