The ThorpyFX Field Marshal is a fuzz pedal made in the UK, built on the Lovetone Big Cheese circuit designed by Dan Coggins in the early 90s1. Adrian Thorpy enlisted Coggins for the collaboration, and the pedal launched at Winter NAMM 2020, reaching players toward the end of March that year23. ThorpyFX describes it as a MKII version of the Big Cheese: smaller, louder and more tonally flexible than the original, in a pedalboard-friendly format4.
Guitar World's reviewer placed its character between two familiar references: "This flavour of fuzz falls somewhere between a Big Muff and a Fuzz Face"1. The pedal runs on three BC549C silicon transistors345, and its tonal flexibility comes from a tone stack bypass footswitch that gives you two different fuzz sounds from one pedal4.
A modern take on the Lovetone Big Cheese
The Lovetone Big Cheese, designed by Dan Coggins in the early 90s, is the circuit underneath the Field Marshal1. Guitar.com called the Big Cheese an all-time classic fuzz, and the Field Marshal a take on it8. Where the original was a large 90s unit, the Field Marshal packages the circuit in a compact, rugged enclosure, with additional ranges of sound and function beyond the original1.
The original Big Cheese had a four-way selector; the Field Marshal replaces it with a three-way toggle1. Guitar Pedal X called the pedal "a superb modern evolution of the Lovetone Big Cheese"9. In classic ThorpyFX military naming style, the name comes from "the biggest cheese in the army"1.
The controls: Volume, Fuzz, Tone, Balance and the mode toggle
The pedal has four knobs, two footswitches and a three-way mode toggle1:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Volume | Sets the output level4 |
| Fuzz | Sets the fuzz amount; in gated mode it acts as a threshold control7 |
| Tone | Shapes the fuzz through the tone stack5 |
| Balance | Sets the level of the tone-stack-bypassed (Cheese) sound relative to the core sound5 |
| Mode toggle | Three positions: gated fuzz, flat mids, midrange hump (top to bottom)1 |
| Bypass footswitch | On/off4 |
| Cheese footswitch | Tone stack bypass4 |
The Balance control is linked to the tone stack bypass: set it to the same volume as your core sound, or higher for a boosted fuzz for solos5. Guitar Pedal X's reviewer found a lot of additional headroom on the Balance knob, with unity volume somewhere around 10 to 10:30 o'clock in his setup3.
The Cheese footswitch and the gated mode
The right-hand footswitch, labeled Cheese, is a tone stack bypass9. Guitar World describes it as usable as a solo boost and/or to switch between two distinct fuzz sounds1. Because the Balance control sets the bypassed level, you can match your core volume or dial in a gain and volume jump for leads5.
The gated mode is a voltage-starvation effect that gates the fuzz as notes fade10. With the fuzz knob acting as a threshold control, Guitar.com's reviewer found it possible to dial in just as much pinch as you want7. The second footswitch interacts with the gating too: depending on the pedal's settings, it either un-gates the fuzz on top of a tone stack bypass, or triggers the tone bypass while preserving the gated effect11.
Versions: the original and the MKII Artwork Edition
In May 2025 ThorpyFX released MKII Artwork Editions, with the Field Marshal among them6. These are the exact same circuits with only the outward appearance changed: new "Big Cheese" landscape artwork on the main fascia and decorated side panels, at an unchanged £219.996. Guitar Pedal X felt the new artwork was an aesthetic improvement, ushering in a more maximalist style6. The current enclosure is laser cut black anodised aluminum wrapped in a pearlised white base with graphics4.
If you find an earlier Field Marshal, it is the same circuit as the MKII Artwork Edition. Guitar Pedal X reports the sound, feel and function are identical to the predecessor6.
How it compares to other Big Cheese pedals
The Field Marshal is not the only modern Big Cheese derivative. JHS makes the Cheese Ball, and in a 2026 Guitar Pedal X comparison of Big Cheese-inspired pedals, the Field Marshal was described as quite a bit more vibrant and visceral than the Cheese Ball12. Guitar.com's 2026 fuzz buying guide named the Field Marshal its best fuzz for gated effects10.
The Field Marshal also has a sibling pedal, The Bunker, launched alongside it at Winter NAMM 20202.
What reviewers said
Guitar World's overall verdict was positive:
"An expanded range of fuzz sounds encompassing the unique feel and tonal character of its much-loved predecessor."1
Guitar.com reviewed the Field Marshal and The Bunker together in August 2020, praising their build: "These are both beautifully made pieces of kit that feel almost indestructible"7. The same reviewer noted the matt black finish makes the control-panel text much easier to read from a standing position than Thorpy's regular laser-etched typography and polished steel finish7. In Delicious Audio's best pedals of 2020 poll, the Field Marshal placed 26th with one point139.
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Questions
What does the Cheese footswitch do on the ThorpyFX Field Marshal?
The Cheese footswitch is a tone stack bypass. Pressing it removes the tone section from the circuit, giving a volume and gain boost that you can temper with the Balance control. Guitar World describes it as usable as a solo boost or as a way to switch between two distinct fuzz sounds from the same pedal.
What is the difference between the Field Marshal and the Field Marshal MKII?
The MKII Artwork Edition, released in May 2025, uses the exact same circuits as the original Field Marshal. Only the outward appearance changed, with new main artwork and decorated side panels. Guitar Pedal X reports that the sound, feel and function are identical to the predecessor, at the same £219.99 price.
What transistors are in the ThorpyFX Field Marshal?
The Field Marshal is powered by three BC549C transistors, according to Guitar Pedal X. It is a silicon fuzz, not germanium, and runs on a standard 9V DC supply.
How does the Field Marshal compare to the JHS Cheese Ball?
Both pedals trace back to the Lovetone Big Cheese. In a 2026 Guitar Pedal X comparison of Big Cheese derivatives, the Field Marshal was described as quite a bit more vibrant and visceral than the JHS Cheese Ball.
Is the ThorpyFX Field Marshal true bypass?
Yes. Guitar.com's review lists true bypass among the pedal's features. It is powered by a 9-volt mains supply only, through a 2.1mm center negative barrel jack, with no adaptor supplied.
What is The Bunker from ThorpyFX?
The Bunker is the Field Marshal's sibling pedal, launched alongside it at Winter NAMM 2020. Guitar.com reviewed the two together, calling them beautifully made pieces of kit that feel almost indestructible.
Sources (13)
- ThorpyFX The Field Marshall review, Guitar World, 2020-07-20
- NAMM 2020: ThorpyFX Field Marshal & Bunker pedals, gearnews.com, 2020-01-19
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2020-06-11
- FIELD MARSHAL, ThorpyFX
- ThorpyFX Field Marshal Fuzz, Delicious Audio, 2022-04-26
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2025-05-08
- Review: ThorpyFX Field Marshal & The Bunker, Guitar.com, 2020-08-10
- Gear Of The Year: Best guitar effects pedal of 2020, Guitar.com, 2020-12-03
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2020-12-18
- The best fuzz pedals for all styles and budgets, Guitar.com, 2026-01-14
- Nine best effects pedals of NAMM 2020, Guitar.com, 2020-01-21
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2026-06-04
- The Best Guitar Pedals Of 2020 according To The Internet Experts, Delicious Audio, 2021-01-21
