The ThorpyFX Six Zero is an analog fuzz and tremolo pedal in one box, made in the UK. The fuzz side is ThorpyFX's take on the MkI Tone Bender, built with silicon diodes rather than the germanium parts of the original, and the tremolo section is a modified version of a discrete circuit designed by Dan Coggins12. The two effects can each be used on their own, but the pedal was designed around using them together: Guitar World's writers found it "can stand alone as a fuzz or tremolo, but is much sweeter when combined"3.
The pedal began as a limited edition. ThorpyFX built the first run of 200 units with the UK store Andertons to celebrate the store's 60th anniversary in 2024, and it sold out almost immediately on announcement24. ThorpyFX then brought it back as a main-line run in a new color scheme, with the same circuit, opening it up to everyone14.
What the fuzz does
The fuzz is based on what ThorpyFX calls "the venerable MKI TB", made silicon1. Delicious Audio describes the choice in practical terms: the circuit uses "Silicon diodes instead of the unstable Germanium ones" of the original Tone Bender, and the circuit compensates for that switch "by producing a tone faithful to the vintage unit"2. For a player, that means vintage-style fuzz behavior without the temperature drift and biasing quirks germanium transistors are known for.
ThorpyFX says the pedal operates "with a fundamentally vintage sound at its core", designed to look back to the 1960s while using modern build standards1.
What the tremolo does
The tremolo is a modified version of the discrete tremolo circuit designed by Dan Coggins1. Guitar World's reviewer, Trevor Curwen, describes it as "an early design by Dan Coggins"4. It sits after the fuzz in the signal path, so it modulates the volume of the fuzzed signal rather than feeding a wobbling signal into the fuzz.
Controls and power
ThorpyFX keeps the control set to four knobs, which the maker says keeps the pedal "functionally simple whilst being deceptively feature packed"1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Depth | Sets how deep the tremolo's volume modulation goes1 |
| Rate | Sets the speed of the tremolo1 |
| Attack | Shapes the fuzz's response1 |
| Level | Sets the output level1 |
Power comes from 9-volt operation and a standard DC input, with a maximum current draw of 35mA1. The pedal is true bypass, with a standard input and a standard output4.
ThorpyFX states in capital letters on the product page: "THIS IS A VINTAGE STYLE PEDAL IT NEEDS TO HAVE NO BUFFERS IN FRONT OF IT TO WORK CORRECTLY"1. Like other vintage-style fuzz circuits, it expects to see the guitar's pickups directly. Any buffer earlier in the chain, including buffered bypass pedals, should come after the Six Zero, not before it.
Effect order
The signal path is fixed: fuzz first, then tremolo. Guitar World's review notes "The pedal places fuzz before tremolo, with no option to reverse the effect order"4. Players who want the reverse order, tremolo driving a fuzz, would need separate pedals.
Versions and history
The Six Zero has gone through two runs:
- Limited edition (summer 2024): 200 units made with Andertons to celebrate the store's 60th anniversary, sold out almost immediately on announcement24.
- Main-line run (from January 2025): Reissued in a new color scheme with an identical circuit, at the same price, and opened to everyone124.
The current version comes in what ThorpyFX describes as "a beautiful laser cut black anodised enclosure wrapped in a silver sparkle powder coat base"1. The maker's product page lists the price at £249.99, with a launch price of £229.99 also shown1; Guitar World's review lists it at £2494.
What reviewers said
Guitar World's Trevor Curwen reviewed the pedal and summed it up in his overall verdict4:
"Quirky in a very good way, the Six Zero puts two effects in one box that, while both excellent for individual use, are greater than the sum of the parts when combined."4
Guitar World's fuzz buying guide, written by Daryl Robertson, Ross Holder, Trevor Curwen and Matt McCracken, made the same point about the two halves working together: "What they've created is a pedal that can stand alone as a fuzz or tremolo, but is much sweeter when combined"3.
Videos
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Questions
Is the ThorpyFX Six Zero analog?
Yes. ThorpyFX describes it as an analog pedal with a functionally simple control set. The fuzz side recreates the sounds of the MKI Tone Bender circuit but built with silicon diodes instead of the less stable germanium parts, and the tremolo is a discrete analog circuit designed by Dan Coggins.
Can the tremolo go before the fuzz on the Six Zero?
No. The pedal places fuzz before tremolo, with no option to reverse the effect order. The two effects can each be used on their own, but the fixed order means the tremolo always modulates the fuzz output rather than driving the fuzz input.
Is the ThorpyFX Six Zero true bypass?
Yes. Guitar World's review lists true bypass among the pedal's features. It also has a standard input and a standard output, and runs on 9-volt power through a standard DC input with a maximum current draw of 35mA.
Who designed the ThorpyFX Six Zero?
The pedal is a ThorpyFX design. The tremolo section is a modified version of a discrete circuit designed by Dan Coggins, which Guitar World's reviewer describes as an early Coggins design. The first run was made as a collaboration with the UK store Andertons.
Can I put a buffer before the ThorpyFX Six Zero?
No. ThorpyFX states plainly that this is a vintage style pedal and it needs to have no buffers in front of it to work correctly. If your board uses buffered bypass pedals or a buffer earlier in the chain, place the Six Zero before them.
Is the ThorpyFX Six Zero still a limited edition?
No. The original 200-unit limited edition, made with Andertons for the store's 60th anniversary in 2024, sold out almost immediately. ThorpyFX then reissued the pedal as a main-line run in a new colour scheme with an identical circuit, opening it up to everyone.
Sources (4)
- SIX ZERO, ThorpyFX
- Not Limited Anymore: Thorpy FX Six Zero Fuzz + Trem, Delicious Audio, 2025-01-14
- Best fuzz pedals 2026: add some filth to your sound with these essential pedalboard effects, Guitar World, 2022-06-09
- ThorpyFX Six Zero review, Guitar World, 2025-07-01
