The Bumble Buzz is a limited fuzz pedal introduced by Third Man Records in November 2013, designed by the Third Man Creative Hive and hand built by Chris Young of Vancouver-based Union Tube & Transistor1. It is modeled after the pedal Union Tube & Transistor made for Jack White to use while recording "I'm Shakin'"2. What sets it apart from nearly every other fuzz on the market is that it has no controls at all: no knobs, just an on/off octave fuzz3.
What it is and what it does
The Bumble Buzz is an octave fuzz, a type of fuzz that adds an octave-up component to the distorted signal, a sound associated with vintage Japanese fuzzes of the late 1960s. Independent circuit analysis of the pedal found the octave up to be "very prominent," with no sub octave3. The same analysis describes the pedal as "ready for buzzing around and stinging sounds"3, and Guitar World's Damian Fanelli similarly said it was "ready to crank out some stinging sounds"4.
The circuit is essentially a modified Kay F1 Fuzztone, which itself was a simplified Univox Super Fuzz3. JHS Pedals, writing about one-knob and no-knob fuzzes, traced it to "the original, no knob, single treadle Kay fuzz"5. The build uses 2N2222A transistors and 1N4007 diodes for clipping, with any 1N400x-series diode working as a substitute3.
Because there are no knobs, the pedal's character is fixed by the circuit itself. JHS Pedals summed up the appeal53:
"To reiterate, this pedal has no knobs, which is frankly the only thing better than one knob."
Where it came from
The Bumble Buzz grew out of a one-off pedal. Union Tube & Transistor built a buzz pedal for Jack White to use while recording "I'm Shakin'", and the Bumble Buzz was modeled after that unit2. Guitar World reported it as "modeled after the pedal they made for Jack White to use while recording 'I'm Shakin''"4. A later GuitarPlayer rig rundown of Jack White's pedalboard identified the Third Man Bumble Buzz as a fuzz pedal "produced in collaboration with Chris Young of Vancouver-based Union Tube & Transistor"6.
The pedal shipped in distinctive packaging: a wooden presentation box with a custom bandana1.
Limited editions and availability
At launch, the Bumble Buzz went on sale Friday, November 29, 2013, at 10am CT, and could only be bought in person at Third Man Records or through the official Third Man Records website1. Guitar World reported it would be available "online and in person at Third Man Records & Novelties"4.
A limited edition yellow Bumble Buzz, designed by Rob Jones and including a custom lapel pin, was offered only to Platinum Vault members of the Third Man Records website1.
Union Tube & Transistor now lists the pedal in three versions, available for direct purchase and through select dealers7:
| Version | Notes |
|---|---|
| Standard | Regular production version7 |
| Factory Second | Cosmetically imperfect units7 |
| Limited Edition White | Limited run7 |
On the used market, prices have ranged widely. One independent builder who traced the circuit reported seeing the pedal listed at $325 to $660 used, as of August 20203.
What reviewers said
Press coverage at launch was positive about the sound. MusicRadar called it "a ferocious little fuzz pedal" and offered a verdict on its tone14:
"If you ask us it sound like a fuzzy dream."
Guitar World's Damian Fanelli highlighted the same aggressive character, describing the pedal as "ready to crank out some stinging sounds"4. Later, JHS Pedals included it in a roundup of minimal-control fuzzes, noting its Kay fuzz lineage and its complete lack of knobs as its defining feature5.
Videos
Pete Thorn
OfficialTMR
Chicago Music Exchange
Questions
Does the Third Man Bumble Buzz have any controls?
No. The Bumble Buzz has no knobs at all. It is an on/off octave fuzz: you plug in, switch it on, and the circuit does the rest. JHS Pedals noted that having no knobs was, in their words, the only thing better than one knob.
Who designed the Bumble Buzz?
It was designed by the Third Man Creative Hive and hand made by Chris Young of Vancouver-based Union Tube & Transistor. The pedal is modeled after the one Union Tube & Transistor built for Jack White to use while recording his song I'm Shakin'.
Does the Bumble Buzz have a sub octave?
No. Independent circuit analysis of the Bumble Buzz found a very prominent octave up and no sub octave. It is an octave-up fuzz in the vein of the vintage fuzzes its circuit descends from, not a modern sub-octave synth pedal.
What circuit is the Bumble Buzz based on?
It is based on the original no-knob, single-treadle Kay fuzz, essentially a modified Kay F1 Fuzztone, which itself was a simplified Univox Super Fuzz. The build uses 2N2222A transistors and 1N4007 diodes for clipping.
Where was the Bumble Buzz sold?
At launch in November 2013 it could only be bought in person at Third Man Records or through the official Third Man Records website, starting Friday, November 29 at 10am CT. Union Tube & Transistor now lists it for direct purchase and through select dealers.
Sources (7)
- Jack White releases Bumble Buzz guitar pedal, MusicRadar, 2013-11-28
- Third Man Records launches new pedal made by Union Tube & Transistor, Union Tube & Transistor, 2013-11-29
- Guitar FX Layouts: Third Man Records Bumble Buzz, Guitar FX Layouts (tagboardeffects.blogspot.com), 2020-07-29
- Video: Jack White's Third Man Records Introduces Bumble Buzz Pedal, Guitar World, 2013-11-28
- 8 ONE KNOB FUZZ PEDALS YOU NEED TO TRY, JHS Pedals
- Take a Close Look at Jack White's Insanely Cool Pedalboard, GuitarPlayer (www.guitarplayer.com), 2022-06-09
- Bumble Buzz, Union Tube & Transistor
