The AfterLife Distortion Fuzz from VVco Pedals is an analog pedal that packs four separate circuits into one box: two distortions and two fuzzes. Pedal of the Day's 2021 review described it as "FOUR different internal analog circuits that provide 2 distortions and 2 fuzzes," with the four selections covering, in the reviewer's words, "all the distorted ground you've got."1 For a player, that means one pedal that can move between distortion and fuzz territory without swapping boxes on the board.
Controls and internal trimpots
The outside of the pedal keeps things simple. Pedal of the Day noted that "the outside boasts a lone Mode selection knob" along with "a Volume control," so the Mode knob picks which of the four circuits is active and the Volume knob sets output level.1
The deeper adjustments live inside. Each of the four modes has its own adjustable trimpots, with parameters including overall Volume, Bias, Gain and Filter, so each distortion and fuzz circuit can be voiced independently.1 That makes the AfterLife a set-and-forget pedal on stage: the player picks the mode externally and dials in the character of each mode beforehand with a screwdriver.
Build and finishes
The enclosure is machined from 100% solid aircraft aluminum and shaped as a mini coffin, a look consistent with VVco's themed designs such as the Dark Knight Distortion, which was housed in a die-cast Batmobile.12 Two anodized finishes are offered, Black Space or Gray Night, with the anodizing chosen for durability.1
Pedal of the Day's reviewer was struck by the construction: "Built like an absolute tank (this thing is HEAVY), the AfterLife Distortion Fuzz from VVco Pedals can take any road abuse."1
What reviewers said
On sound, Pedal of the Day described the pedal as "Providing plenty of headroom and a ton of gain," positioning it as a pedal that can go from cleaner boosted tones into heavy distortion and fuzz without running out of room.1
"these four selections will cover all the distorted ground you've got"
VVco offered the AfterLife in two anodized colors, Black Space or Gray Night, with the company describing the anodizing as being "for more durability."1
Videos
VVco Pedals
Pedal of the Day
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Questions
Is the VVco AfterLife analog or digital?
Analog. Pedal of the Day's review describes the AfterLife as containing four different internal analog circuits, two distortions and two fuzzes, selected with a single Mode knob on the outside of the pedal. There is no digital processing involved in the effect itself.
What finishes does the VVco AfterLife come in?
The AfterLife comes in two anodized colors, which VVco says makes the finish more durable: Black Space or Grey Night. The enclosure itself is machined from solid aircraft aluminum, and Pedal of the Day described the pedal as built like an absolute tank and heavy enough to take road abuse.
What can the internal trimpots adjust on the AfterLife?
Each of the four modes has its own adjustable trimpots inside the pedal. The parameters include overall Volume, Bias, Gain and Filter, so each distortion and fuzz circuit can be dialed in independently of the external controls.
What shape is the VVco Afterlife enclosure?
The AfterLife is shaped as a mini coffin. Guitar.com noted the coffin-shaped enclosure when covering VVco's later Dark Father preamp, and the pedal's machined aluminum body is part of what earned it a reputation for rugged construction.
How many modes does the AfterLife have?
Four. A single Mode selection knob on the outside of the pedal switches between two distortion circuits and two fuzz circuits, all of which are analog and independently adjustable via internal trimpots.
Sources (2)
- VVco Pedals AfterLife Distortion Fuzz, Pedal of the Day, 2021-08-13
- The force is strong with VVco’s Dark Father preamp pedal, Guitar.com, 2022-09-01
