The Wren and Cuff White Elk Small Foot is a compact fuzz pedal that recreates the Elk "Elk Super Fuzz Sustainar", a cheap Big Muff "Triangle" copy from Japan. Wren and Cuff first built the circuit in 2013 at the request of a large Japanese distributor, and the maker says the USA White Elk is finally here after many requests.1
What it is based on
The original ELK Sustainar was a vintage Japanese fuzz distortion pedal, and Pedal of the Day describes it as a Japanese variant of the "Triangle" Big Muff Pi. Guitar.com's Cillian Breathnach called it a rare Japanese variant of the Triangle Big Muff Pi.23
JHS Pedals, in a buying guide, described the White Elk as "a really cool version of a weird Big Muff clone that existed back in the day".4 Wren and Cuff has built a name on Big Muff variants: the range includes the Tall Font Russian, the Caprid Small Foot, the Tri Pie '70 and the Eye See '78, each aimed at a different era of the circuit.
What it sounds like
Wren and Cuff describes the White Elk's voice in its own words:
"A wonderfully uneven rumbling low-end, an odd feeling tone knob with more mids than most muffs, and a unique snarl unlike any other muffer made."
The maker's description points to two things a player should expect: a low end that rumbles unevenly rather than sitting tight, and a tone control that carries more mids than most Big Muff style pedals, which tend to scoop them1.
Size, power and practical details
The Small Foot enclosure measures 4.8" x 2.6" x 1.6" and weighs 9.5 oz, so it fits a crowded board without taking a full pedal's footprint.1
Power is straightforward: a 9V battery or a 2.1mm, 9VDC negative tip adapter, drawing 5mA. That low draw means it shares a power supply easily with other pedals.1
The pedal uses a 2.1mm center negative connector, the common standard for effects pedals. A 9V battery also works if you run it without a supply.1
Other practical points from the maker: true hard-wire bypass, a lifetime warranty, and construction in the USA.1
Videos
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Questions
Is the White Elk Small Foot true bypass?
Yes. Wren and Cuff lists the White Elk Small Foot as having true hard-wire bypass, so when the pedal is off, your guitar signal passes through the switching directly to your amp without going through the fuzz circuit. That keeps the pedal out of your signal path entirely when disengaged, which matters on a crowded board where several effects can stack up and dull your clean tone.
What power adapter does the White Elk Small Foot need?
The pedal runs on a 9VDC negative tip adapter with a 2.1mm connector, or a 9V battery. Its current draw is low at 5mA, so it sits comfortably on a shared power supply with other pedals. As with any negative tip pedal, make sure your adapter or daisy chain is center negative before plugging in.
Where is the White Elk Small Foot made?
Wren and Cuff builds the White Elk Small Foot in the USA. The original version of the pedal was made in 2013 at the request of a large Japanese distributor, and the USA release came later after many requests, according to the maker's product page.
How big is the White Elk Small Foot?
The enclosure measures 4.8 inches by 2.6 inches by 1.6 inches and weighs 9.5 oz. That is small enough to fit between other pedals on a tight board, and light enough that it will not weigh down a pedalboard bag much.
Does the White Elk Small Foot have a warranty?
Yes. Wren and Cuff covers the White Elk Small Foot with a lifetime warranty, according to the maker's product page. That applies to the pedal as sold by the company, so the circuit and build are backed for as long as you own it.
Sources (4)
- White Elk Small Foot, Wren and Cuff
- EarthQuaker Devices Hizumitas Fuzz Sustainer, Pedal of the Day, 2022-12-02
- Earthquaker Devices and Boris launch the Hizumitas Fuzz Sustainar, Guitar.com, 2021-11-04
- HOW TO STACK PEDALS, JHS Pedals
