The Spaceman Effects Sputnik Germanium Fuzz is a limited-run fuzz pedal from Portland builder Spaceman Effects. Its controls center on a Calibrate knob, which Spaceman describes as handling the overall tone, and a Filter toggle that engages a second level of tone-circuit variation, which enables a whole new slew of fuzzy tones to come forward1. Reviewers praised its construction: Pedal of the Day called the inside "just as gorgeous, with the most perfect attention to detail you will find in any pedal, ever"1. The circuit went on to appear in later versions, the Sputnik II Deluxe Germanium Fuzz and the Sputnik III Germanium Fuzz.
The pedal's identity is built on germanium. The later versions of the circuit are described as all-germanium fuzzes using vintage Soviet transistors and high-spec vintage components from around the world23. What sets the Sputnik apart from a straightforward fuzz box is its Drift mode, a second personality that pushes the pedal into oscillation, octave effects and synthesizer-like territory rather than just more gain.
The controls
Spaceman gave the Sputnik control names that fit its space-program theme, but each maps to a familiar job. On the original pedal, reviewed in 2014:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Signal | The Level or Volume knob, controlling overall output volume1 |
| Range | Explores what the pedal can do, from a sweet, crisp clean boost to some of the most outlandish fuzz sounds1 |
| Calibrate | The overall Tone control1 |
| Filter toggle | Engages a second level of tone-circuit variation, bringing forward a whole new slew of fuzzy tones1 |
| Sync/Drift toggle | Sync keeps the pedal's relatively calm normal settings; Drift opens up the strange sounds1 |
The Drift position is where the original Sputnik earned its reputation. In the reviewer's words, "the real fun lies in the Drift function of this switch, effectively turning your pedal into an array of strange and unexplored sounds, including vintage synthesizer, huge oscillations, vast crazy octaves and more"1.
The Sputnik II Deluxe kept this control set and added to it. Its Range knob controls the fuzz gain amount, Calibrate acts as a wide-ranging tonal control, and a High Filter switch provides three distinct tone options focused on the High and Mid-range frequencies. It also added a Scan knob, which only works when Drift mode is activated and controls how much or how little of that powerhouse noise is added to the signal2.
The Sputnik III carries the same core controls forward: Range dials in fuzz gain, Signal sets overall output volume, and Calibrate works with the Filter toggle to select differing frequency rolloff slopes3.
Drift mode across the versions
Drift is the constant thread through the Sputnik line, and it evolved with each version321:
- Sputnik (original): Drift is a toggle position, turning the pedal into vintage synthesizer sounds, huge oscillations and vast crazy octaves1.
- Sputnik II Deluxe: Drift mode gained the Scan knob, controlling how much of the noise is blended in2.
- Sputnik III: Drift became a footswitch with momentary functionality upgraded from the Sputnik II version, allowing further corruption of the signal with the Scan control5.
Pedal of the Day summed up the Sputnik III's Drift mode bluntly: "Engage the Drift footswitch, and enter into a world so full of sonic corruption it should be illegal"3.
What a reviewer said
The original Sputnik impressed Pedal of the Day as much inside as out. On build quality, reviewer Mike B wrote1:
"The inside is just as gorgeous, with the most perfect attention to detail you will find in any pedal, ever, I'm quite sure"1
On the Sputnik II Deluxe, Pedal of the Day called it "a fuzz lovers' dream pedal" and concluded that "if you happen upon one and can shell out the dough, we highly recommend picking one of these machines up"2. That recommendation comes with a practical catch: about 125 Sputnik II Deluxe pedals were made, and they sold out in a hurry2.
For the Sputnik III, Spaceman itself described the pedal as an "homage to the golden era of electronics" and "brimming with vintage soul"5. Gearnews noted that the Sputnik III has the same transformer based pickup simulation as the Sputnik II, which should ensure the pedal behaves nicely anywhere in the signal chain5.
Where the line went next
The Sputnik line continued beyond the original pedal with the Sputnik II Deluxe Germanium Fuzz and the Sputnik III Germanium Fuzz. Across the line, the control approach established on the original carries through: a Calibrate knob for the overall tone and a Filter toggle that engages a second level of tone-circuit variation, which enables a whole new slew of fuzzy tones to come forward1. The build standard set by the original also held, with its interior drawing praise for "the most perfect attention to detail you will find in any pedal, ever"1.
Videos
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FiveStarGuitars
Pedal of the Day
Questions
Is the Spaceman Sputnik a germanium fuzz?
Yes. The Sputnik is a germanium fuzz pedal from Spaceman Effects, and the later Sputnik II Deluxe and Sputnik III versions are described as all-germanium fuzzes built with vintage Soviet transistors and high-spec vintage components. Germanium transistors are part of what gives the pedal its vintage character.
What does the Drift position do on the Sputnik?
Drift is the second position of the Sputnik's toggle switch. Instead of the pedal's relatively calm normal settings, Drift turns the pedal into an array of strange and unexplored sounds, including vintage synthesizer textures, huge oscillations and vast crazy octaves. On the Sputnik III, Drift became a footswitch with momentary functionality.
How many original Sputnik Germanium Fuzz pedals were made?
The original Sputnik Germanium Fuzz was a rare, limited pedal. Pedal of the Day reported in 2014 that only a couple hundred exist in total. The follow-up Sputnik II Deluxe was also limited, with about 125 made, and those sold out quickly.
What is the difference between the Sputnik II and Sputnik III?
The Sputnik III is the third version of the line, following the Sputnik and Sputnik II. It keeps the transformer based pickup simulation of the Sputnik II, so it behaves well anywhere in the signal chain, and upgrades Drift mode's momentary functionality so the Scan control can corrupt the signal further. It is also hand-wired.
Is the Sputnik III hand-wired?
Yes. Gearnews reported that the Sputnik III is hand-wired, and it uses vintage Soviet germanium transistors. It also has soft-switches for silent and easy switching, and a Drift footswitch with upgraded momentary functionality compared with the Sputnik II.
Sources (5)
- Spaceman Effects Sputnik Germanium Fuzz, Pedal of the Day, 2014-08-19
- Spaceman Effects Sputnik II Deluxe Germanium Fuzz, Pedal of the Day (www.pedal-of-the-day.com), 2017-06-30
- Spaceman Effects Sputnik III Germanium Fuzz, Pedal of the Day, 2020-05-21
- Spaceman Effects Sputnik Germanium Fuzz, Pedal of the Day, 2014-07-28
- Spaceman Effects launches the new Sputnik III Germanium Fuzz, gearnews.com, 2020-04-22
