5.68 X 3.62 X 2.0 INCHES, 0.85 LB
The "Legends Of Fuzz" series is a collection of the most historic, rare and sought-after circuits in the world.
At JHS, fuzz pedals have been part of our range for over a decade. We've designed original circuits, reproduced classics, and seen the trend of fuzz popularity come and go. The "Legends Of Fuzz" series is our homage to the most important fuzz circuits ever created. This is our way of making sure the stories of these effects live on in the music you make. From the early days of fuzz in the London scene of the mid-60s to the ex-Soviet military factories of the 90s that brought the Big Muff back to life, fuzz tells a story, and that story includes guitarists like you. There's nothing more primitive than plugging your guitar into a fuzz circuit; it's raw, wild and so pure that it pushes the limits of what your instrument can accomplish. Tune into some fuzz and tune into sixty years of beautifully broken sound.
In 1969, Electro Harmonix released the first "Triangle" version of the legendary Big Muff fuzz distortion. Throughout the 1970s we see various new revisions of this famous circuit such as the V2 "Rams Head" (1973), V3 "Pi" (1977), V4 "Op Amp" (1978), but in 1984 everything changed. stopped. Electro Harmonix filed its second bankruptcy, closed its doors, and the mighty Big Muff disappeared for nearly a decade.
In the early 90s, Mike Matthews noticed that his 70s Electro Harmonix pedals were selling for vintage/rare prices. In 1991, he entered into a manufacturing agreement with a former Soviet manufacturing company in St. Petersburg and brought the Big Muff back to life. This new version was technically the 7th version of the now famous Big Muff, but since Mike no longer owned his old brands, he named it "Mike Matthews Red Army Overdrive" by Sovtek*.
This is the very first Russian-made Big Muff ever produced and perhaps the rarest ever. Made only in small numbers from 1991 to 1992, very few examples still exist, making it almost impossible to find. It shares features with the famous Sovtek* “Civil War” version (late 1992), but it stands alone. Warmer, clearer and more defined than any of the Soviet Big Muffs that followed, Red Army delivers a unique flavor with a very familiar effect. The Crimson is an exact replica of my own Red Army Overdrive, allowing you to own a unique part of fuzz history.
The controls are Volume, Tone and Distortion. The volume sets the overall output level of the effect; go up and things get louder. Tone allows you to sweep between light and dark tones so the Crimson works well with a range of different amplifiers and guitars. Distort is the distortion control; The more you turn it clockwise, the more fuzz you create. On the side, you'll see a "Mode" button that lets you access a never-before-heard "JHS Mode." Press this button to boost the mid frequencies which forces your sound through the mix.
If you like the sounds of Smashing Pumpkins, Wilco, Sonic Youth, David Gilmour, White Stripes and Dinosaur Jr, then this pedal is for you.
USES CENTER NEGATIVE 9V DC. CONSUMPTION 4MA. DO NOT USE MORE THAN 9V DC, OR YOUR WARRANTY WILL BE VOID.
THE CRIMSON ALLOWS BATTERY OPERATION VIA A SINGLE 9V BATTERY. JUST LOOSEN THE TWO REAR SCREWS OF THE HOUSING AND THE BACK PLATE OPENS. INSIDE YOU WILL SEE A BATTERY CLIP TO INSTALL THE BATTERY.
CONTROLS
VOLUME - Controls the overall output volume. Left is less, right is more.
TONE - Controls the brightness of the sound. The left is darker, the right is lighter. DISTORT - Controls the amount of distortion or fuzz. Left is less, right is more.
SWITCHES
MODE - This is our modification of the circuit. It engages a slightly higher volume sound with more mids.
Mike Matthews Red Army Overdrive Replica
JACKS
INPUT - If you look at the jacks above the pedal, the input is on the right. OUTPUT - If you look at the jacks above the pedal, the output is on the left.
POWER
Uses center negative 9V DC. Consumption 4mA. Do not use more than 9V DC, or your warranty will be voided.
The Crimson allows battery operation via a single 9V battery. Simply loosen the two rear case screws and the back plate will open. Inside you will see a battery clip to install the battery into. Enjoy!
