The Subdecay Flying Tomato Fuzz is an analog fuzz pedal and the successor to Subdecay's Birthday Fuzz. It keeps almost exactly the same circuit at its core as the Birthday Fuzz but adds a high and low tone control, a "squish" knob, and an input buffer in front of the effect, which RockBoard's PedalPedia says allows it to be used after virtually any pedal or with active pickups1.
Controls
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| High tone | High tone control added over the Birthday Fuzz circuit1 |
| Low tone | Low tone control added over the Birthday Fuzz circuit1 |
| Squish | Essentially lowers the voltage supply to the fuzz circuit1 |
The squish knob is the pedal's most distinctive control. By lowering the voltage supply to the fuzz circuit, it changes how the fuzz behaves, and Subdecay notes it can be especially useful for recording overdubs and background noises in the studio. Turning the knob can make minor scratching sounds1.
History and versions
The Flying Tomato is the successor to the Birthday Fuzz. Subdecay describes it as featuring "almost exactly the same circuit at its core, but with a few improvements, and some major additions." Those additions are the high and low tone controls and the squish knob1.
Unlike many fuzz circuits, the Flying Tomato has an input buffer in front of the effect. That makes it usable after virtually any pedal or with active pickups, where many fuzzes prefer to see a guitar's pickups directly.
Where it sits in a rig
Subdecay suggests that running an overdrive before the Flying Tomato, or delay or modulation effects after it, can produce some very interesting sounds1. The built-in input buffer means it can sit later in a chain after other pedals without the fuzz-to-buffer interaction problems typical of many fuzz designs1.
For players looking at Subdecay's wider fuzz range, the company has since released the Subdecay Noise Theory, a hybrid analog and digital multi-fuzz, and the Harmonic Antagonizer, a fuzz and oscillator pedal.
Videos
Guitar Gear
musictoyznetwork rasch
MrExcane
Questions
What does the squish knob do on the Subdecay Flying Tomato Fuzz?
The squish knob essentially lowers the voltage supply to the fuzz circuit. Subdecay notes this can be especially useful for recording overdubs and background noises in the studio. Turning the knob can make minor scratching sounds, which is part of how the starved-voltage effect behaves as you adjust it.
How is the Flying Tomato different from the Birthday Fuzz?
The Flying Tomato is the successor to the Birthday Fuzz. It features almost exactly the same circuit at its core, but with a few improvements and some major additions: a high and low tone control have been added, as well as the squish knob, and the pedal has an input buffer in front of the effect.
What power supply does the Flying Tomato Fuzz need?
The Flying Tomato Fuzz runs on 9V DC, center negative, and draws 10mA. A standard 9V center-negative supply is the usual choice for a pedalboard, and the modest current draw is well within what typical supplies provide.
Does the Flying Tomato Fuzz have an input buffer?
Yes. Unlike many fuzz circuits, the Flying Tomato has an input buffer in front of the effect. Subdecay says this allows you to use it after virtually any pedal or with active pickups, which addresses the interaction problems many fuzzes have with buffers and active electronics.
Is the Subdecay Flying Tomato Fuzz analog?
Yes, the Flying Tomato Fuzz is an analog circuit. It is a straightforward analog fuzz design rather than a digital or hybrid unit, in contrast to later Subdecay fuzzes such as the Noise Theory.
Can the Flying Tomato Fuzz be used with active pickups?
Yes. Because the Flying Tomato has an input buffer in front of the fuzz circuit, Subdecay states it can be used after virtually any pedal or with active pickups, unlike many fuzz circuits that behave poorly with buffered or active signals.
Sources (1)
- Flying Tomato Fuzz by Subdecay, RockBoard PedalPedia, 2026
