The Cherry Fuzz 'Stainer is a fuzz pedal from Vaderin Pedals, described by Delicious Audio as giving guitarists "a fuzz full of sustain that cuts through a dense mix"1. It is the second custom audio machine from the maker, and it runs a two-transistor circuit inspired by a late '60s Muff Pi1. Pedal of the Day, reviewing it in January 2021, heard it as "a more stable and unique Fuzz Face sound"2.
Controls
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Fuzz | Turning clockwise increases the fuzz presence, adding more and more grunge to the mix, from a tight square wave attack to a completely blown out fuzz tone12 |
| Hi-Boost | Progressively adds presence and a mid hump, opening up the sound for a more in-your-face wall of fuzz1 |
| Volume | Pushes enough decibels to get your amp to break up1 |
The Fuzz knob is the main character control: at low settings the attack stays tight and square-wave-like, and as it turns clockwise the tone builds into fully blown-out fuzz12. The Hi-Boost knob shapes how the pedal sits in a band mix. Delicious Audio's Paolo De Gregorio summed it up:
"Finally a fuzz that cuts through! Equally as heavy as it is tart, the Cherry Fuzz 'Stainer can rip right through the mix"
Cleaning up and pedalboard use
Like many two-transistor fuzzes, the Cherry Fuzz 'Stainer responds to the guitar's volume control. Delicious Audio reports that it "cleans up nicely at low guitar level, producing usable lighter tones," so players can keep the pedal on and dial back for lighter parts1. With the Volume control able to push an amp into breakup, it can also work as a gain stage into a cranked amplifier1.
Pedal of the Day noted that the pedal "will fit in ANYWHERE on your board," pointing to flexible placement on a pedalboard2.
The Cherry Fuzz 'Stainer runs on a standard 9V center negative power supply1.
Where it sits in the Vaderin range
Vaderin Pedals builds a family of fuzz-oriented pedals covered by Delicious Audio, including the Vaporizer octave-up fuzz and the Radio Dirtman fuzz/drive. The Cherry Fuzz 'Stainer is the maker's second custom audio machine1.
Videos
Noise Generator
Pedal of the Day
Noise Generator
Questions
What does the Hi-Boost knob do on the Cherry Fuzz 'Stainer?
The Hi-Boost knob opens up the sound by progressively adding presence and a mid hump, which Delicious Audio describes as producing a more in-your-face wall of fuzz. At higher settings it articulates the top end so the pedal cuts through the mix while staying heavy and tart.
What circuit is the Vaderin Cherry Fuzz 'Stainer based on?
Delicious Audio describes it as a two-transistor circuit inspired by a late '60s Muff Pi. Pedal of the Day compared its sound to a Fuzz Face, calling it a more stable and unique take on that character.
Does the Cherry Fuzz 'Stainer clean up with the guitar volume?
Yes. Delicious Audio reports that the pedal cleans up nicely at low guitar level, producing usable lighter tones, so rolling back the guitar's volume control takes it from full fuzz into quieter, cleaner territory.
What power does the Vaderin Cherry Fuzz 'Stainer use?
It runs on a standard 9V center negative power supply, the same standard used by most pedalboard power supplies.
How many transistors does the Cherry Fuzz 'Stainer have?
Two. Delicious Audio describes it as driven by a two-transistor circuit inspired by a late '60s Muff Pi.
Sources (2)
- Vaderin Pedals Cherry Fuzz 'Stainer, Delicious Audio, 2021-11-16
- Vaderin Pedals Cherry Fuzz 'Stainer, Pedal of the Day, 2021-01-06
