Catalinbread V8 Fuzz

Easy to use, only two knobs. You just have to be aware that there is LOTS of volume on tap, and with the fuzz over halfway, it will squeal.

Manual is simple but it's a simple pedal . . .

I use this with a Strat and Tele, into a Sovtek MIG50 head and Mesa 4x10 cab.
It's a big powerful fuzz sound. On it's own it's pretty aggresive and snarly, but I run mine in front of a TS style overdrive.
This compresses most of the nastyness out of it, and leaves just smooth, warm, singing sustain. Great for lead.
Bypass the OD and it's a good bright rythmn fuzz. Cleans up pretty good too.

Seems well made. I don't use fuzz a lot, so I would (and do) gig it with out a backup.

I've emailed Catalinbread a couple of time and got prompt replies. Also the local dealer (Ryan at Custom Audio Boutique) is friendly and very good to deal with.

Great little pedal. I love how small it is - but sounds HUGE. I'm thinking seriously of getting the Valcoder mini Tremolo pedal to keep it company.

Doesn't get any more simple than this.... "Volume" and "Fuzz." Runs on a standard 9V adapter with no 9V battery clip (the pedal itself isn't much bigger than a 9V battery, so that's understandable... besides... who still uses 9V batteries anyways?)

Start with the knobs at zero, push the volume up until it's where you want it, then push the fuzz up until it's where you want it. Seems to play nice with other pedals... I'd put it in line after your overdrive, but before you modulation effects.

Love it... Love it... LOVE IT. I've bought fuzz pedals before, built fuzz pedals before, borrowed fuzz pedals before... and none were as versatile as this one. Every other fuzz I've used has had a drawback. The Fuzz Face is too big. The Keeley Fuzz Head is too expensive. Tonebender remakes are too thin and don't really let you dial the fuzz down... etc. etc. This thing kicks. When you get the fuzz controls past about 10 o'clock, it goes psycho on you.... which is fun, but I haven't found much musical use for it yet. Be that as it may, there's really no reason for me to go above 10. This thing is great for hendrixy classic fuzz... and it's LOUD. almost too loud... I never run the volume past about 9 o'clock.

I build pedals... so of course I took a peek inside. Quality build, quality components. The switch is solid and sturdy, the jacks are high quality... the enclosure is a standard hammond, built like a tank. I wouldn't foresee any problems with it. I do gig regularly with it without a backup. There's not much to a fuzz circuit, and the bypass is mechanical true bypass, so there's really nothing to break unless you give it the wrong voltage, or manage to break the switch.

Haven't dealt with them, but I've heard great things about their support. As with most smaller companies, I would imagine they appreciate and take care of their customers.

I play everything from classic rock, to punk, to blues, to pop... Fuzz is a very subjective thing, and I definitely don't use it on every song (not because of the quality, just because it's a very specified effect.) I've been searching for a fuzz pedal that does what I want it to, and this is THE ONLY one I've found in my price range that will do it. I say in my price range because.... if you can swing the extra money, the keeley fuzz head is a great pedal. This thing has a lot in it's corner though... TINY size, quality build, true bypass, and all under $130 bucks.

If this thing got ripped off of my board, I'd have another one on the way the same day. True story.

It's easy, just plug and go. Doesnt even come with manual, just volume and fuzz knobs. But do remember to start with the 2 knobs at 0, and go up from there. The oscillator effect can be difficult to control the first day! And its a loud pedal, very loud.

That's a fuzz! I love the sound i get from this pedal.

It has 2 different sides. One is the warm and very deep fuzz tone you get until noon, the other one is the crazy side you get from there. At the knob's lower position you have a mild fuzz (and you can back it quite well with the guitar volume). From there it's up to you, and how far you want to fuzz things around..

I want to try it with other effects in line, maybe some delay, chorus or other modulation, to experiment with the oscillation. I did try to connect an OD pedal before and after it, but it didn't work well. Maybe the OD pedal is not good, or maybe the V8 doesn't make friends that easily.

It feels solid and dependable, but it's small, very small.. I really would like to have it in a bigger (normal) case, because when I step on it it disappears under my feet!. This pedal would be a problem for someone with a "the bigger the better" approach to stompboxes.

A bigger enclosure would have allowed an optional 9v battery supply. It only works with a DC adaptor, which means that without it, or a nearby plug, the V8 is useless.

I have seen the guy/s from catalinbread posting into internet gear forums, and it gives the impression that they are generally appreciated over there.

If you like fu manchu you would like the V8.

Its a very nice fuzz. But it's a fuzz, not an overdrive. I like a lot the sound I get, but you should try it before you buy it, or at least check some internet videos, maybe its not the sound you are looking for.

Despite the small size it has a beast of volume and fuzz inside, and its devil side is very interesting, it gives you some extra textures and new noises that other fuzz pedals doesn't deliver. This little thing can get very wild!.

Volume knob and fuzz knob. Although the volume knob on mine doesn't do a thing. I'd give it a 10 if the volume knob worked.

Sounds sick with my strat thru a fender amp clean. Couldn't tame it with my Paul.

Looks well built. Sturdy and compact.

I should contact them about the volume knob just haven't.

This thing is frickin loud. Great boost to cut over loud band. I can get the same guitar sound on that song " never met a girl like you before"- don't know the name of the band or song but you know what song I'm talkin bout. I'd give it a 10 if the volume knob worked.

Right off the bat it's easy to get a good tone. Two knobs, one for fuzz, the other for volume. Take the fuzz to noon and adjust the volume to taste (this is a very loud pedal) and there is some very punchy tone. As is warned on the website taking this past noon is where it takes some tweaking, it generates an over (or under) tone that goes from verryyy high to oh so low, tune the frequency lower by turning the knob clockwise.

Without the theramin tone engaged, there is a big, powerful, loud fuzz with lots of clarity. I haven't tried backing it off much yet because it's just so impressive, but there is definitely room in it for some milder timbre. But for the curious the theramin oscillator is just stupefying, so be warned, it is a continuos tone that is produced. For example, I put it through a reverb and a volume pedal and turned the amp up and made it sound like a tornado siren was going through the house. Trust me, it's loud. Playing over the tone will make mush if you try to hard, articulating notes will bring out some interesting harmonics depending on how you have the pitch tuned.

I bought this used, and the guy mailed it in a paper envelope with no packaging, half way across the country (thanks). This might have something to do with my problem, but it's obviously made sturdy. However, the fuzz cuts out occasionally and I'm left with a very nice clean boost and the oscillator. It seems to cut out after I have put some other loud fuzz in front of it and sent the signal through, not entirely sure yet. This has happened about three times, I have yet to decide to get it fixed or not.

I emailed Nick, and he offered to fix it as long as I covered shipping. And I didn't even buy the pedal from him, which I think is really nice of him. As the problem has been rarely happening and I use it a lot I haven't done so yet.

I have about five different fuzzes now and this one really stands out. It's the size of a matchbox car and has exceptional tone and clarity. Put this next to a popular commercial pedal and there is no comparison, the organic sound is so unique and raw. This could be used for a lot of applications, and certainly has it's experimental values cut out for it when you turn the knob to, well, I suppose, REEEEEEEEEEuuuuuuuuuuuUHHHHHHhhhhhhhhhbbboooOOOOoooooo!!!!!!!!