The Spun Loud Effects Shuksan Fuzz is a hand-made, three-knob, discrete high-gain fuzz pedal built in Bellingham, Washington. It uses three gain stages, each cascading into the next, which the maker says delivers a wide range of tones, and its output can run above unity gain to push an amp's front end into breakup. It launched in March 2022 at a list price of $16312.
How it works and what it does
The Shuksan is built around three gain stages that feed one another in sequence. Delicious Audio's Paolo De Gregorio described the design this way1:
"Shuksan uses three gain stages, each cascading into the next, to push a gnarly, to-the-hilt fuzz effect"
Because the stages stack, the Input and Sustain controls shape different parts of the cascade rather than repeating the same job, which is where the pedal's range of tones comes from. The sound is described as smooth, articulate, responsive and at times "Velcro-y"1. The Output can deliver above-unity levels, so the pedal can act as much like a gain stage for the amp as a standalone fuzz1.
Controls
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Input | Controls the guitar signal entering the gain stages. It can take the place of the guitar's volume knob, or work with it for different levels and tones.1 |
| Sustain | Controls the gain level on the middle gain stage.1 |
| Volume | Controls the overall output level of the effect. Unity gain is about 11 o'clock, with plenty of range above it to push the volume dramatically higher.1 |
MusicRadar's Jonathan Horsley confirmed the headroom in his launch coverage: "With unity gain to be found around the 11 o'clock mark, there is plenty of juice in this to pump the front-end of your [amp]"2. Premier Guitar's news piece likewise noted a final volume control "which includes plenty of extra to push tubes right into breakup"3.
Power and build
The Shuksan runs on a standard center-negative 9V power supply only1.
There is no battery option: the pedal takes a standard center-negative 9V supply only, so plan for a dedicated supply or an isolated output on a power brick.
The build uses what MusicRadar called high-quality components: Wima, TDK and Wurth capacitors, Gorva Design 3PDT switches, and Lumberg or Neutrik jacks2.
Where it came from
Spun Loud Effects sells the Shuksan Fuzz as a retail pedal, listed at $1632. The maker describes it as an all-analog original circuit design with a voice that is smooth, articulate, responsive and at times "Velcro-y," offering players what it calls unique and exciting sounds1. It runs on a standard center-negative 9V power supply only1.
What reviewers said
Premier Guitar's reviewer found the pedal versatile across a wide range of gear4:
"whether it was paired with Fender single-coils, P-90s, Marshall-style amps, or Fender combos, the Shuksan demonstrated great versatility on top of power, and the capacity for a surprising range of moods."
That review's verdict was great versatility on top of power, with a surprising range of moods across single-coils, P-90s, Marshall-style amps and Fender combos4.
Videos
collector//emitter
Demos In The Dark
Pedal Scopic Sounds
Questions
Is the Spun Loud Shuksan Fuzz analog?
Yes. Delicious Audio describes the Shuksan as an all-analog original circuit design. It is a discrete high-gain fuzz built around three gain stages that cascade into one another, with no digital processing anywhere in the signal path.
Does the Shuksan Fuzz use silicon transistors?
Yes. MusicRadar's Jonathan Horsley described the Shuksan as a three-knob silicon fuzz pedal when it launched in March 2022, distinguishing it from germanium-based fuzz designs.
Where is unity gain on the Shuksan Fuzz Volume knob?
Unity gain sits at about the 11 o'clock position on the Volume knob, according to Delicious Audio and MusicRadar. That leaves a good deal of travel above it, so the pedal can push its output level dramatically higher than the guitar's clean signal.
Can the Shuksan Fuzz run on a battery?
No. Delicious Audio states that the Shuksan runs on a standard center-negative 9V power supply only, so it needs a dedicated supply or an isolated output on a pedalboard power brick rather than a battery.
Where is the Shuksan Fuzz made?
The Shuksan Fuzz is handmade in Bellingham, Washington, in the United States. Delicious Audio's product page describes it as a US hand-made pedal, and MusicRadar's launch coverage notes the same Bellingham origin.
What pedal came before the Shuksan Fuzz from Spun Loud?
Premier Guitar's launch coverage notes that the Shuksan came off the success of the Litigator Overdrive, a transistor-based overdrive Spun Loud Effects launched in February 2021 with a fuzz-like voice.
Sources (4)
- Spun Loud Shuksan Fuzz, Delicious Audio, 2022-03-18
- Spun Loud Effects promises “mild gated drive to screaming octave fuzz” from its newly launched Shuksan Fuzz, MusicRadar, 2022-03-22
- Spun Loud Effects Launches the Shuksan Fuzz, Premier Guitar, 2022-03-21
- Spun Loud Effects Shuksan Fuzz-No Tone Control, No Problem, Premier Guitar, 2022-09-20