The Wampler Cryptid Fuzz is a fuzz pedal from Wampler, released in March 2025. It is an all-original circuit, not a copy of any existing fuzz pedal, built from a blend of transistors, FETs and an op-amp stage1. Wampler describes it as a homage to Brian Wampler's favorite vintage fuzz pedals in one box, and says the beauty of the pedal is how it morphs seamlessly between so many great fuzz tones2.
Where it breaks from fuzz tradition, as Premier Guitar's editors noted, is in its ability to deliver overdrive and bright, near-clean tones as well as full fuzz3. Guitar Pedal X's review put its range as covering Tone Bender, Fuzz Face and Big Muff tones, plus Fuzz-Drive, gated and Velcro fuzz4.
The controls
The Cryptid has four knobs and two switches: Volume, Fuzz, Tone and Character knobs, plus Chime and Tight switches2.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Volume | Sets the output level2 |
| Fuzz | Sets the amount of fuzz2 |
| Tone | Shapes the frequency balance2 |
| Character | A bias control that sweeps from distorted fuzz sounds similar to the Velvet Fuzz, through muff and bender territory, into "Fuzz Factory" territory2 |
| Chime | Toggle that adds a bit of extra harmonic air on top without any harshness2 |
| Tight | 3-position switch that shapes the low end, from doom-approved sub-sonics to a tight, distortion-esque vibe2 |
The Character control is the heart of the pedal. Wampler says it goes from distorted fuzz sounds similar to what the company did with the Velvet Fuzz, all the way through muff and bender sounds, and Bass Magazine's launch coverage describes the cranked end of the control as gated, Velcro, glitchy chaos inspired by the Fuzz Factory and experimental fuzz sounds1. Premier Guitar's news coverage described the same territory7.
Top-mounted jacks make pedalboard placement effortless, according to Wampler2.
Power: 9V to 18V
The Cryptid runs on a 9V to 18V power jack and also has a battery connection, so it can run without a supply2. Power draw is 15 mA at 9V and 30 mA at 18V2, modest enough that it shares easily with other pedals on a typical isolated supply.
The Cryptid's power jack accepts 9V to 18V, and it also has a battery connection2. Current draw differs with voltage: 15 mA at 9V and 30 mA at 18V2. By comparison, the Velvet Fuzz draws 23 mA and runs on 9V only, with its LED flashing 3 times when battery power runs low8.
For comparison, the earlier Velvet Fuzz runs on 9V only, drawing 23 mA, with an LED that flashes three times when battery power is getting low8.
Designed by Brian Wampler
The Cryptid is a unique fuzz circuit by Brian Wampler, who describes it as the culmination of everything he has ever wanted in a fuzz pedal27.
"I've always felt something was missing from fuzz pedals"
Wampler describes the Cryptid Fuzz as the culmination of everything he has ever wanted in a fuzz pedal, and his earlier attempt at that goal was the Velvet Fuzz, which he also designed7. The Cryptid is not a return to that circuit, though: it is an entirely new fuzz circuit, built to give him his favorite aspects of Fuzz Face, Tone Bender, Big Muff style and Velvet Fuzz circuits while being a blend of transistors, FETs, and an op-amp stage designed from the ground up12.
The circuit was designed to give his favorite aspects of Fuzz Face, Tone Bender, Big Muff style and Velvet Fuzz circuits while being an entirely new circuit through and through2. Bass Magazine's launch coverage likewise stressed that this isn't yet another copy of any other existing fuzz pedal1, and Guitar World reported that the design was inspired by the vintage fuzz pedals used by players like Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton5.
Delicious Audio framed the Cryptid as building on the foundation of the earlier Velvet Fuzz while expanding its capabilities significantly9. The Velvet Fuzz, also designed by Brian Wampler, was released more than 10 years before the Cryptid18. Wampler's fuzz line also includes the Fuzztration octave fuzz and the Cryptid Multi-Fuzz variant reviewed by Guitar Pedal X4.
What reviewers said
Guitar Pedal X reviewed the Cryptid Multi-Fuzz in March 2025, praising its range of classic fuzz tones and calling it an essential buy4.
"it's an absolutely killer sounding fuzz - with such a beautifully rich, but still kind of articulate output until you lo"
In Guitar Pedal X's roundup of the best new fuzz pedals of 2025, Stefan Karlsson called it Brian's best fuzz to date, saying it covers all three main fuzz food groups, is particularly good for Fuzz Face and Tone Bender flavors and does a decent Muff sound, while noting that dial-in can be a little fiddly overall10.
At launch, gearnews.com's Jef wrote: "I've owned the Wampler Velvet Fuzz for years and if it is half as good as that circuit, it will be fantastic!"6. Premier Guitar's editors included the Cryptid in their best-guitar-gear coverage, highlighting its ability to deliver overdrive and bright, near-clean tones3.
Videos
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60 Cycle Hum
Kris Barocsi
News
Questions
Is the Wampler Cryptid a clone of the Velvet Fuzz?
No. Wampler says the Cryptid is an entirely new circuit, not a copy of any existing fuzz pedal. It was designed to give the designer's favorite aspects of Fuzz Face, Tone Bender, Big Muff style and Velvet Fuzz circuits, and the Character control can reach sounds similar to the Velvet Fuzz at one end of its range, but the circuit itself is new.
Is the Wampler Cryptid true bypass?
Yes. The Cryptid Fuzz uses true bypass switching, which keeps your signal path intact when the pedal is disengaged. The earlier Wampler Velvet Fuzz was also fully true bypass.
Can the Cryptid run on a battery?
Yes. The pedal has a battery connection as well as a 9V to 18V power jack, so it can run on a standard 9V battery or a power supply. Current draw is 15 mA at 9V and 30 mA at 18V.
How much does the Cryptid Fuzz cost?
The Wampler webstore lists the Cryptid Fuzz at $199.97 USD. At launch in March 2025 it carried a street price of $199.99, and UK pricing was £199. It is built in the USA and carries Wampler's limited 5-year warranty.
Sources (10)
- Wampler Pedals Unleashes the Cryptid Fuzz, Bass Magazine, 2025-03-05
- Cryptid Fuzz, Wampler Pedals, 2026-09-15
- The Year In Gear 2025, Premier Guitar, 2025-11-07
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2025-03-06
- Wampler's Cryptid fuzz pedal -a “classic in the making”?, Guitar World, 2025-03-05
- Wampler Cryptid Fuzz: The best of all vintage fuzz pedals is here!, gearnews.com, 2025-03-04
- Wampler's Cryptid Fuzz: Ultimate Fuzz, Premier Guitar, 2025-03-04
- Velvet Fuzz, Wampler Pedals, 2026-07-06
- New Pedal: Wampler Cryptid Fuzz, Delicious Audio, 2025-03-10
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2025-12-08
