The Schaller Fuzz (-Sustain) Pedal is a vintage fuzz pedal made in Germany in 1972 by Schaller, a maker better known for guitar hardware than for effects. TONEHOME calls it a "nice fuzz pedal from the early '70s"1.
What it does
As a fuzz, the pedal produces what TONEHOME describes as a "very gritty and fuzzy sound, yet remaining articulate and compact"1. Two features set it apart from other fuzzes of its era:
- The distortion cleans up nicely with the pedal, meaning rolling back the guitar's volume tames the fuzz into a cleaner tone.
- In its off mode, the unit works as a volume pedal, so it does double duty on a board.
Circuit and documentation
The pedal is built with BC413C and BC293C transistors, a detail that matters to players and repairers of vintage Germanium-era designs1. An owner's manual for the pedal survives and is available as a PDF from TONEHOME1.
This is a vintage pedal from 1972 and is no longer in production. Power, bypass and control details vary among surviving units of this age, and the original owner's manual is a reference for original specifications.
Where it sits in Schaller's pedal history
The Fuzz (-Sustain) Pedal was made in Germany in 19721. Schaller describes its sound as "very gritty and fuzzy, yet remaining articulate and compact," and the circuit is built around BC413C and BC293C transistors1.
Questions
When was the Schaller Fuzz (-Sustain) Pedal made?
The pedal was made in Germany in 1972, placing it among the fuzz designs of the early 1970s. Schaller, better known for hardware, produced it as part of that era's wave of foot-operated fuzz and sustain units. Surviving examples are vintage pieces, and the pedal is no longer in production.
What does the Schaller Fuzz (-Sustain) Pedal sound like?
TONEHOME describes it as a very gritty and fuzzy sound that remains articulate and compact. The distortion also cleans up nicely when the pedal is backed off, and in its off mode the unit works as a volume pedal, which is an unusual combination for a fuzz of this period.
Sources (1)
- TONEHOME, TONEHOME - the World of Vintage Guitar Effect Pedals