The Stomp Under Foot Civil Unrest Vintage Mini is a fuzz pedal built around the classic Civil War circuit, a take on the Russian-made Big Muff style of fuzz known for heavy sustain and a scooped midrange. Stomp Under Foot's version adds a mids control to that formula, so the pedal can go from smooth and scooped to more forward and cutting while, in the maker's words, "still holding onto what made the original so good"1. It is a limited edition release, sold directly by the maker, and it is handmade in the U.S.A.1.
The circuit and where it came from
The Civil War name refers to a family of Russian Big Muff-style fuzzes prized for their burly low end. Premier Guitar, reviewing the full-size Civil Unrest, noted that "the SUF Civil War delivers burly heaps of fuzz and sustain at the expense of a certain midrange presence," and framed the pedal as Stomp Under Foot's attempt to deliver the oomph of a Sovtek with sharper mids2. The magazine's reviewer also found the tonal range wider than the name suggests: "It can deliver convincing triangle and ram's head tones, and cross over into Fuzz Face territory, too."2
"It can deliver convincing triangle and ram's head tones, and cross over into Fuzz Face territory, too."
The Vintage Mini carries that same idea into a smaller custom 4"x5" enclosure, built with NOS (new old stock) through-hole components1. Stomp Under Foot also builds related Big Muff-style pedals, including the Ram's Head, Green Russian, and Red Army Vintage Mini, each aimed at a different point in that fuzz lineage.
Controls
The Civil Unrest carries four knobs, which Premier Guitar described as "four black knobs for level, gain, mids, and tone"2.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Level | Sets the output level2 |
| Gain | Sets the amount of fuzz2 |
| Mids | Sets the midrange; around 9 o'clock is the signature Civil War tone12 |
| Tone | Shapes the treble response2 |
The mids control is what separates the Civil Unrest from a straight Civil War-style fuzz. Stomp Under Foot's guidance is to set the mids around 9 o'clock for the signature Civil War tone, then use the mids and tone knobs together to move through the range of Russian fuzz sounds1. The maker describes the sweep as going "from smooth and scooped to more forward and cutting"1.
Limited edition and condition
The Vintage Mini is a limited edition release1. At the time of the maker's listing it was offered at 11% off the regular price, and the listing notes blemishes in the finish, so units sold in this run are cosmetically imperfect rather than mint1.
Because this is a limited edition run with noted finish blemishes, availability and condition will vary from the maker's listing. Power is 9V battery or a 2.1mm 9V adapter only1.
Power
The pedal runs on a 9V battery or a 2.1mm 9V adapter only1. There is no specification for a higher voltage option, so it is a straightforward 9V pedal to place on a board with a standard supply.
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Questions
What is the Civil Unrest Vintage Mini based on?
It takes the classic Civil War circuit and builds on it. Stomp Under Foot describes the Civil Unrest as taking that circuit further, with a mids control added so the pedal can move from smooth and scooped fuzz to a more forward and cutting sound while keeping the character of the original. Premier Guitar described the Civil Unrest as the company's attempt to deliver the oomph of a Sovtek with sharper mids.
Is the Civil Unrest Vintage Mini true bypass?
Yes. Stomp Under Foot lists the Civil Unrest Vintage Mini as true bypass on its product page, so the pedal removes itself from the signal path when switched off.
Where is the Civil Unrest Vintage Mini made?
Stomp Under Foot states that the Civil Unrest Vintage Mini is handmade in the U.S.A. The company builds it in a custom 4 by 5 inch enclosure using NOS through-hole components.
What does the Mids knob do on the Civil Unrest?
The Mids knob sets the amount of midrange in the fuzz. Stomp Under Foot says setting it around 9 o'clock puts you right in the signature Civil War tone, and from there you can use the mids and tone knobs together to move through the range of Russian fuzz sounds, from smooth and scooped to more forward and cutting.
Sources (2)
- Civil Unrest, Stomp Under Foot
- Stomp Under Foot Civil Unrest Review, Premier Guitar, 2013-09-18
