The Zander Circuitry Avalanche is a pedal that puts three dirt circuits in one box: a Fuzz channel, a Crunch channel and a Drive channel, each with its own footswitch. Pedal of the Day called it "a rare THREE-IN-ONE pedal that has more options than you'll know what to do with," and noted that it covers "Fuzz, Boost, Overdrive, even Distortion….this pedal checks them all off the list."1
Three channels: Fuzz, Crunch and Drive
The three channels are switched independently, and they can also be used together. As Pedal of the Day put it: "Use them individually, use them together, come up with new combinations….the choices here are seemingly endless."1
| Channel | What it does | Controls |
|---|---|---|
| Fuzz | High-gain fuzz, described as ideal for down tuned, stoner-y, doom rock riffs and heavy, sustained chords | Level knob working as a volume/gain combo; 3-position Fat toggle for variations of bass boost1 |
| Crunch | Low-to-mid gain overdrive that can double as a boost | Bright switch for variation in treble cutting, to work with your instrument and amplifier1 |
| Drive | More gain than Crunch, with a flatter EQ response and more saturated sounds | 2 Clip toggles choosing from combinations of Germanium, Silicon or No diodes1 |
The Fuzz channel keeps things simple with a single Level knob that acts as a combined volume and gain control, plus the 3-position Fat toggle, which offers a couple of different variations of bass boost to suit your pickups and amp.1
The Crunch channel is the mildest of the three, a low-to-mid gain overdrive that can also serve as a clean-ish boost. Its lone toggle is a Bright switch, giving some variation in treble cutting to sit right with your instrument and amplifier setup.1
The Drive channel is where the clipping options live. Two Clip toggles let you choose from a number of combinations of Germanium, Silicon or No diodes, which changes how the drive section compresses and clips. Pedal of the Day describes the channel as having more gain than Crunch, a flatter EQ response and more saturated sounds.1
Where it sits in the Zander Circuitry range
Zander Circuitry is a UK maker of dirt pedals, and the Avalanche's multi-circuit approach is one way the company covers a lot of ground in a single enclosure. If you want a single-purpose fuzz instead, the maker's range includes the American Geek high-gain fuzz and the Foxxton Woods upper octave fuzz generator. For more on the category, see Fuzz Pedals, Overdrive Pedals and Distortion Pedals.1
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Questions
Can the Zander Circuitry Avalanche channels be used together?
Yes. The Avalanche's three channels can be used individually or combined, and Pedal of the Day noted that mixing them opens up a wide range of combinations, writing that the choices are seemingly endless. With three separate footswitches, you can bring each mode in and out on its own and stack them in whatever order of engagement suits your rig.
What clipping diodes does the Avalanche Drive channel offer?
The Drive channel has two Clip toggles that let you choose from a number of combinations of Germanium, Silicon or No diodes. That gives the drive section a range of clipping flavors, from softer germanium-style compression to harder silicon clipping to an open, diode-less setting.
How many footswitches does the Avalanche have?
Three. Pedal of the Day describes three separate footswitches that activate the three differing modes on the Avalanche: Fuzz, Crunch and Drive. Each channel can be switched on its own, which is what makes stacking and combining the modes practical on the fly.
What does the Fat switch do on the Avalanche?
The Fat switch sits on the Fuzz channel and is a 3-position toggle. It offers a couple of different variations of bass boost, so you can tailor the low end of the fuzz to suit your pickups and amplifier.
Sources (1)
- Zander Circuitry Avalanche Harmonic Clipping Trifecta, Pedal of the Day, 2018-11-30
