Euthymia Crucible Ge

A very straightforward design, with fuzz and volume controls. The Euthymia website has a "manual" for this, which is sort of an extended meditation on fuzz with suggestions for use. I found it well written and helpful.

Wonderful, compelling, full throated, thick, dark, stinging, musical, attention-grabbing, big... how's that? I've used it with single coils and humbuckers, solid and semi-hollow bodies, always with tube amps and some other basic effects. I've loved it without reservation at all times. An "old-school" fuzz sound, not metal-esque or tube screamer-ish. Although it actually can get a nice overdrive sound, even a fairly clean boost sound if you simply turn the fuzz way down. But heaping gobs of distortion are sort of what the pedal is about, although it always remains "musical" and usable. I'm giving it a 9+, which to me is a very high grade.

So far so good! I've used it on a number of gigs with no problems. I've only had it for a bout six weeks, but I don't anticipate any issues. It's a sturdy little metal box.

Euthymia Electronics is, as far as I know, a one man operation based in my area, the San Francisco Bay Area. The few interactions I've had with Erik - I bought the pedal at a brick and mortar store - have been friendly and helpful (along the lines of "where can I get the pedal?" "would you modify my wah-wah?"). I like buying from small start-ups and local ones if possible.

I don't feel like assigning number values to my comments here. If I gave everything a 10 - which is pretty much what I would do in this case, it seems sort of pointless. I was looking for something that would really shake the bandstand, rock the room, startle the band, etc. I have a Maxon overdrive and a Drudge Tone overdrive for more subtle shades; this does what I wanted it to: pour on the fuzz for Hendrix-style textures and delirium tremors. But I feel it retains crucial details of the guitar I'm playing too, as well as my particular attack and touch. I love it!!!

It's very easy to use: 2 knobs, Fuzz and Volume. There's lots of gain on tap, and the Fuzz knob will take you from relatively tame (very responsive to dynamics) fuzz to off-the-wall massive germanium madness. Very versatile tonal possibilities, especially through a decent tube amp.

I play the Crucible GE with a humbucker-equipped guitar (Gibson Les Paul) through a tube amp (small class-A type V-series 1512). The pedal is amazingly quiet, even with the Fuzz knob turned way up. You can get vintage Fuzz-face-type goodness if you want (without the noise) but you can crank this pedal to get total sonic mayhem if you like. Although I don't have tons of experience with fuzz pedals, I've been playing music and guitar more than long enough to know righteous tone when I hear it, and this pedal makes some beautiful sounds.

The build quality certainly seems excellent. I have no doubt that the pedal will easily last through many years of being stomped on.

Extremely satisfied with customer service from both the designer/builder Erik at euthymia.org, and also Brad from Tonefactor.com, from whom I ordered the pedal. Very friendly and quick responses to emails, you can tell that both Erik and Brad are really committed to customer relations and service.

I am extremely enthusiastic about this pedal; it is a fantastic-sounding, eminently musical piece of gear which is worth every penny.

Two knobs, volume and fuzz. Can't be any easier.

This is the Germanium version of the original Silicon Crucible Fuzz. A bit fuzzier than your traditional Fuzz Face clone and brighter. For those looking for a Fuzz Face that cuts through a mix better, the Crucible Ge is an excellent choice. A bit darker than the Si version as would be expected, but has a looser sound, especially on chords. Great for 60's Garage tones. I'm giving it an 8, just because I prefer a darker fuzz tone, but it's a fabulous sounding fuzz. I prefer my Si version, but this one's awesome too.

I don't gig, but Erik's pedals look very well built and roadworthy!

Erik is very cool to deal with.

I love this pedal. Erik's Crucible Fuzzes are awesome looking and awesome sounding. I think his pedals are terribly under-rated and under-appreciated. I thought about selling both Crucibles due to financial woes, but just can't bring myself to part with these beautiful pedals.