Very Special & Quite Rare this is the N-1 Germanium Carrier Rocket Fuzz, a boutique hand built very limited production Fuzz Box. These were built between 2022 - 2023.
A musical instrument in and of itself, this fuzz has to be "played". This is an extreme fuzz that wants to run out of control and in fact has a dedicated switch to send it into beautiful oscillation. Into a tube amp this fuzz becomes a serious sonic weapon that rewards the players control. That said it can be dialed back to a lighter side while still being harmonically rich. Incredibly responsive to pickup type and guitar volume knob. I've really never played anything else like it at all, and I play a lot of fuzz. It will not disappoint you & will likely surprise you quite a bit.
Beautifully built & YES, that needle gauge (it's an old Soviet ammeter) actually works and moves around based on settings. Includes original box. The manual (which was a printed paper that talks about the pedal) is "somewhere" in my studio. I will continue to search for it while this listing is up, but at this time it is not included.
I pulled the below information from the builder's website, which is the information that appears in the "manual".
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The Soviets rushed the N-1 moon rocket, with its 30 separate nk-15 rocket engines!! onto the launch pad as the Americans were preparing for the manned Saturn V launch. They hadn’t had the time to even test the individual stages of the rocket. They just built the whole thing and launched it. And due to “pogo oscillation”, it exploded 100 meters off the launch pad. Back to the drawing board for some rushed modifications, supervisors silencing engineers’ concerns, and another hurried launch attempt. This launch led to the biggest man-made non-nuclear explosion in world history! After 4 failed launch attempts, the N-1 program was eventually disbanded.
In the tradition of its namesake, the N-1 Germanium Signal Carrier uses an array of vintage (NOS) low gain, Soviet-built, germanium transistors to power its fuzz tone. The American Fuzz Face used 2 med to high gain germanium transistors? Then the N-1 will use 4 low gain Russian-made ones! And we arrange them in Darlington fashion to multiply their gain! “We will bury you!!” With single coil guitars you have access to everything from a really great medium gain overdrive to a classic fuzz sound. Put some humbuckers, or, heaven help us, P-90s in front of the N-1, and now you’re into some heavy, saggy, fuzz tones.
“So, what’s the “Pogo Oscillation” switch do?” Thanks for asking: just like its namesake, it sends the circuit into chaotic oscillation. You can manipulate the oscillation sound with your guitar volume and tone controls for lots of weird sounds that will totally turn your audience off. Or…if you manage the amount of Thrust and the amount of Oscillation (side knob), you can actually add just the right amount of positive feedback to your signal to get an amazingly harmonically rich drive sound. But that’s for people who have “self-discipline”.
The NOS ammeter on the face of the pedal, like the transistors, is also Soviet built. But that is where we leave the Cold war theme and use a top of the line DeMont smooth-click footswitch for the main switch, Taiway miniature switch for the oscillation switch, US made PCB, original design aluminum enclosures laser cut in Minneapolis, MN and folded in the Wrought Iron shop. The graphics are all acid etched and the finish is powdercoated with some vintage wear in “Cold War Red”.
Also from the builder:
The N-1 is a 4 stage germanium transistor fuzz with a crazy oscillation switch. It features NOS Soviet transistors and a working Ammeter display with acid etched graphics on a medium weathered "Cold War Red" powder coated enclosure.
Each N-1 is almost completely hand-built. I start with laser cut aluminum plate, but from there I do everything myself in the Wrought Iron shop. Metal prep, acid etching of graphics, powder coating, bending the plates to shape, sanding the graphics, polishing, waxing, building & wiring the circuits, pedal assembly and final testing & tweaking. These are truly hand-built pedals.
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Please check some of my reviews and ask any questions you may have. I pack things with extreme care and attention to detail so that my buyers get their gear in solid as listed condition. I record a test play of everything I sell right before I pack it for the buyer. I endeavor to ship same or next business day whenever possible and will always communicate with you promptly after your purchase to let you know the status of your order. I use Reverb's Safe shipping option which requires signature on delivery. Thank you for looking and hope to do business with you.
This item is sold As-Described
This item is sold As-Described and cannot be returned unless it arrives in a condition different from how it was described or photographed. Items must be returned in original, as-shipped condition with all original packaging.Learn More.
| Listed | 7 days ago |
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| Condition | Very Good (Used) Very Good items may show a few slight marks or scratches but are fully functional and in overall great shape.Learn more |
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