The Baldwin-Burns Buzzaround is a peculiar fuzz pedal, known for being used by King Crimson guitarist Robert Fripp, and also said to have been the fuzz pedal most commonly used by The Troggs.

It's a 3-transistor germanium fuzz with a circuit type similar (but not identical) to the Tonebender Mk3/4, although the Buzzaround predated it, believed to have been introduced in 1966 and discontinued in 1968.

It features Sustain, Timbre, and Balance controls. These are similar to the Fuzz/Tone/Volume controls, but the Balance control is not a typical volume control. The volume decreases to silence when turned counterclockwise, but this also affects the bias of the third transistor.

For this reason, in our version, we've added a modification that anyone who has tried an original Buzzaround has missed; a "Master Volume" at the end of the circuit, just before the output.

What do we get with this?

• We can use the "TIMBER" potentiometer for equalization and adjust the volume separately without altering the tone.
• It also allows us to lower the output level when using it with sensitive amplifiers or in a chain with other pedals.

Despite being a vintage-style circuit with N.O.S. components, the Royal Jelly is equipped with a voltage inverter so you can power it with a standard center-negative power supply.

This will allow you to connect it to your pedalboard's power supply with the rest of your pedals without ground issues. If you're one of those who likes to power your fuzz pedals with batteries, you also have this option.

How does it sound?

Well, it's not a typical fuzz. It's very aggressive and has incredible sustain. In fact, it's a very modern fuzz for its time.

SPECIFICATIONS

• N.O.S. NKT 214 F germanium transistors
• N.O.S. WIMA capacitors and Nichicon Electrolytics
• NOS Germanium Clipping Diode
• Carbon Resistors
• ALPHA Potentiometers
• True Bypass
• Hand-Wired
• Hand-Painted and UV-Printed enclosure.