Wampler Pedals Unleashes The Cryptic Fuzz

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An all-new circuit designed to blend the best of vintage fuzz character with modern flexibility, offering guitarists a shape-shifting fuzz experience.

Features:

The Character Control (Bias Knob) – the heart of the Cryptic Fuzz, this knob redefines your fuzz tone. 

  • Turn it down for a smooth, distortion-like fuzz with warm sustain.
  • Crank it up for gated, Velcro, glitchy chaos inspired by the Fuzz Factory and experimental fuzz sounds.

Chime & Tight Switches

  • The Chime switch adds three levels of harmonic sparkle without making your tone harsh
  • The Tight switch sculpts three levels of low-end response, getting you dial in a thick, heavy fuzz, or a sharper, punchier tone that cuts through any mix.

Fuzz That Cleans Up – Like the best vintage fuzz pedals, the Cryptid Fuzz reacts dynamically to your guitar’s volume and tone knobs. Roll back the fuzz control for glassy cleans or turn it up for full-throttle fuzz intensity.

More than Just A Fuzz – With Volume, Tone, Fuzz, and Character controls, the Cryptid isn’t limited to one sound — it goes from gnarly, woolly sustain to tight, distortion tones, making it entire usable as an overdrive as well.

A Unique Circuit, Not Just a Clone – The Cryptid Fuzz is a blend of transistors, FETs, an an op-amp stage, designed from the ground up to provide a brand-new fuzz experience — this isn’t yet another copy of any other existing fuzz pedal.

Brian Wampler posted the following on his Wampler Pedals site:

I love a good fuzz pedal. There’s just something about how they transform your guitar’s sound, and each one doe sit in its own way. A Fuzz Face has that fat lead tone that responds to every touch. The Tone Bender circuit took things a stage further (literally) and added even more grunt. The “Big Muffin” style circuit is a legendary successor to both of these. The Wampler Velvet Fuzz was one of my early takes on an improved fuzz circuit but with a twist — it was designed to be easy to dial in for folk who just didn’t get on with regular fuzz pedals.

I wanted to put all of those classic tones into a single compact guitar pedal. I wanted the ability to dial in glassy cleans by backing off your guitar’s volume like a Fuzz Face while also retaining the sparking tonality and usability of the Velvet Fuzz. I wanted to create something that could be stacked with other pedals or played on its own, something that wasn’t just another clone. 

So I designed the Cryptid. It is a unique circuit designed to give you my favorite aspects of all those classics while also offering up unique tones and inspiring you to find your new sound.

Tweaking your tone is easy. The Cryptid’s Volume, Tone, and Fuzz are pretty self-explanatory. The Character (bias) control goes from distorted fuzz sounds, similar to what we did with the Velvet Fuzz, all the way through other classic tones, including muff, bender, and even steps into “Fuzz Factor” territory. The 3-position Tight switch shapes the pedal’s low end for anything from doom-approved sub-sonics to a tight, distortion-esque vibe. Finally the Chime toggle adds a bit of extra harmonic air on top without any harshness.

The Cryptic Fuzz pedal is $199.97.

Introducing Polaroid Now & Now+ Generation 3

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The Polaroid Now Generation 3 Instant camera is the classic analog instant camera, optimized for sharper pictures in more lighting conditions. Featuring a better light meter position, improved ranging sensor, upgraded two-lens autofocus system, built-in tripod mount, filter compatibility and even self-timer and double-exposure modes. All in a classic Polaroid look made with 40% recycled materials.

Available in six new colors, rechargeable with USB-C and compatible with Polaroid I-Type Film to capture real life in iconic, full-sized Polaroid pictures.

Optimized exposures to take sharper pictures in bright lighting. Thanks to ranging sensor, flash and autofocus upgrades, the Gen 3 Now camera takes cleared pictures -even on sunny days.

Shoots original full-size Polaroid film. Capture modern life in the original Polaroid aesthetic. And see every detail of each picture on our iconic full-sized i-Type.

Iconic Polaroid Design. The classic Polaroid look that generations have come to know and love, now made from more future-friendly materials.

Two-lens autofocus = twice the clarity. The Generation 3 Polaroid Now’s twin-lens autofocusing system chooses which lens is right for the shot. Capturing the moment is as simple as clicking the big red shutter button.

Price: $119.99 / €129.99 / £119.99 

Polaroid Now+ Generation 3 Instant Camera

The Polaroid Now+ Generation 3 Instant Camera is unlocking new creative possibilities  by being paired with the Polaroid app. Access aperture priority, remote controls, double-exposure, self-timer, manual mode and more. This takes sharper pictures in bright lighting, results in a classic-look camera packed with modern tech.

Available in four new colors, made with 40% recycled materials and compatible with iconic, full-sized Polaroid i-Type Film.

Available from March 4th on polaroid.com and select retailers worldwide.

Walrus Audio Introduces The Walrus Audio Canvas Clock

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Sync all of your time-based devices, seamlessly move through preset setlists, and simplify tempo matching with the Canvas Clock! Designed for any kind of rig you through at it and deeply customizable, users can put their full trust in the Clock to be an all-in-one tempo solution for their board.

The Canvas Clock can interface to any device in your rig that accepts clock signal, whether MIDI (via the 1/8 in or 5-pin MIDI ports) or analog (via the 1/4in jacks). Clock will send time signals for both MIDI and analog devices, and will continue to do so as you move through your song list or manually adjust the tempo. As you edit, save, and recall songs in real-time or via the online editor at walrus audio.io, Clock will send your specific settings for whichever song you are currently on out to all of the time-based devices you are connected to.

Customize your Clock

The four 1/4 in jacks aren’t just for ending tempo. They can be assigned one of four functions: 

Tempo Out: Connect to any pedal of device that accepts external tap inputs or analog time controls (ex: our Arp-87 Delay or Monument Tremolo). Canvas Clock can send analog clock and MIDI clock at the same time. No more relying on your feet to keep perfect time.

CV (Control Voltage) Out: Control any device that accepts CV. Good for Analog Synths, Drum Machines, or similar devices.

Switch Input: Each jack can be configured to receive input from two external footswitch controls. The switches are connected to the Tip (left) and Ring (right) of the associated 1/4 jack. These can be assigned to many functions available on the pedal with the ability to add more options via a software update.

Expression In:

Connect an expression pedal, and use it to send a MIDI CC message out to a pedal connected to the Clock. The “Toe Down” and “Heel Down” values can be adjusted to fine-tune the controlled parameter range. Use this to adjust the mix of a reverb or the depth of a tremolo (via MIDI out).

Footswitches

Footswitches for the Clock are customizable. Eliminate the “bending over between songs to make adjustments portion of a set” by assigning one of the onboard functions to the A and B switches:

  • Advance to the next song
  • Go back to the previous song
  • Advance to the next setlist
  • Go back to the previous setlist
  • Toggle the metronome start and stop
  • Global tap tempo

Sync

The “Sync” jack found on the top of the pedal can be set in two ways:

  • Input – Great for accepting BPM from an external source
  • Output – Great for syncing external devices, such as a Eurorack device, a Roland Volca Synth, and many other devices.

Some external devices send/receive clock signals that are “double” the standard timing signals, so we included the option to send/receive a 1x or 2x signal, depending on the specific device’s needs. Users can also determine the subdivision of the BPM to send out.

New From Great Eastern FX – The OC201 Preamp

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Great Eastern FX Co. has released the limited-edition OC201Preamp, featuring vintage Mullard OC201 transistors for a unique fuzz sound. Part of the ‘Obsolete Devices’ series, this pedal combines classic circuits with modern components for optimal tone and reliability.

Boutique British pedal designers GreatEastern FX Co. have released a new pedal. Limited to just 50 units, the OC201 Preamp is an intriguing twist on the familiar two-transistor fuzz circuit, built around a part of new-old-new Mullard OC 201 transistors. 

“The OC201 is a very early silicon transistor,” company founder David Greeves explains. “It was actually the first silicon transistor made by Mullard, using the same method as their germanium devices. It’s pretty crude by modern standards, with very low gain and limited bandwidth, but that’s exactly what makes it so great in a fuzz pedal.”

This little-known low-gain silicon transistor is responsible for the OC201 Preamp’s palette of sounds, which GreatEastern FX say ranges from dirty boosts and garage rock drive sounds up to a raw and richly textured fuzz, all with the excellent volume knob clean-up characteristics this style of fuzz is famous for. The circuit has also been tweaked to delver a healthy kick of volume to your amp.

This limited-edition pedal is the first in a new series that GreatEastern FX are calling ‘Obsolete Devices’. According to the company, the Obsolete Devices series will feature the company’s take on a range of classic circuits, constructed using a mixture of vintage and modern components. It’s a distinct departure from GreatEastern FX’s main range of pedals.

“With pedals like the Design-a-drive and the XO Variable Crossover, we’re really committed to developing original designs that bring something new to the table,” founder David Greeves explains.

“I’m always very conscious of choosing part that aren’t going to go obsolete so we can go on making the pedals for as long as people want to buy them. But I also love messing around with old parts and classic circuits, which is a totally different mentality. The Obsolete Devices series is basically a way for me to have fun modifying these classic circuits and experimenting with my stash of NOS components, then share the results.

“The name is a little bit of an inside joke,” he continues. “I think what gets labelled as ‘obsolete” is very subjective. As pedal designers and guitar players, we obsess over obsolete components and what, in any other field would be considered outdated designed. So the name is a nod to that. I also loved the thought of us coming out with some brand-new Obsolete Devices of our own!”

Alongside the pedal’s new-old-stock Mullard OC201 transistors — which are the reason only 50 of them are being made — the OC201 Preamp uses quality modern components, including high-tolerance Dale metal film resistors and WIMA capacitors. GreatEastern FX say that this hybrid approach, using vintage parts where they make the most difference sonically and low-noise modern parts elsewhere, will deliver the best combination of tone and reliability while also keeping the price from spiraling out of control.

The OC201 Preamp will cost £249 in the UK, $299 in the US and €299 in the EU. It’s available now direct from GreatEastern FX Co. and from the following dealers:

UK – Andertons

Europe – pedaltown.nl

USA – Sound Shoppe NYC

Canada – Electric Mojo Guitars

Gibson Introduces The Firebird Platypus

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In early 1965, the original Firebird design transitioned through several different iterations. One of the significant transitions that occurred flipped the headstock to the Non-Reverse shape. Unlike the original Reverse Firebird headstock design, which featured a two-layer headstock with holly veneer, the new headstock was flat, like the bill of a platypus.

The Platypus-style Firebird featured six-in-line tuners rather than the banjo-style tuners that were used on previous Firebird models. The Firebird Platypus pays tribute to those rare transitional models.

It features a mahogany body with a glued-in, set neck and the appearance of a traditional neck-through Reverse Firebird body. The mahogany neck has a fast-playing SlimTaper profile and a rosewood fretboard with a 12” radius, 22 medium jumbo frets, and acrylic trapezoid inlays and sports the Platypus-style headstock with a Graph Tech nut and Grover Mini Rotomatic tuners.

The Platypus-style headstock features the flat, traditional style “platypus” headstock has been slightly modified to provide straight string pull for less friction and improved tuning stability. The other ends of the strings are routed over a Nashville Tune-O-Matic bridge for precise intonation and solidly anchored with an aluminum Stop Bar tailpiece for outstation sustain.

The Firebird is one of the most distinctive-looking guitar designs ever, and the Firebird Platypus takes this legendary guitar a step further with its unique appearance. It’s tone is just as unique due to its two articulate, historically accurate Firebird mini humbucker pickups.

They are equipped with Alinco 5 magnets and can deliver tones with a nearly bell-like chime when played clean and great rock and blues tones that easily cut through the mix when pushed. Individual volume and tone controls allow you to tailor the sound even further, and of course, the pickguard features the legendary hot-stamped Firebird graphic. A Gibson hardshell case is also included.

Key Features

Mahogany Body with the Appearance of a Traditional Neck-Through Firebird Body

Glued In Mahogany Neck with a SlimTape Profile

Rosewood Fretboard with 12” Radius, 22 Medium Jumbo Frets, and Acrylic Trapezoid Inlays

Platypus-style Headstock with Six Grover Mini Rotomatic Tuners

Two Firebird Humbucker Pickups

A Gibson Hardshell Case is Included

Reverend Guitars Releases New Guitars For NAMM 2025

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Reverend introduces new signatures, in addition to its Sensei line, and a 5-string bass. Ryan Malicsi is the lead guitar player of the Lansing, MI emo band, Hot Mulligan. With three full-length albums, a fistful of EPs and near-constant touring with other big-name Emo bands, Hot Mulligan has become the #1 Hot New Band they proclaimed on their socials. 

The Reverend Ryan Malicisi Signature is now available through any Reverend Authorized Dealer.

Sensei H90

Reverend Guitars is proud to bring its popular Humbucker/P90 pickup setup to the Sensei guitar series. This versatile combination lets player easily switch between powerful and smooth tones or blend the pickups for a unique crunchy and twangy sound. Now available through any Reverend Authorized Dealer, the Reverend Sensei H90 is a must-have for any serious guitar collection.

Reverend Bob Balch Floyd

When Bob Balch asked for a new trem model, Reverend Guitars equipped the guitar with the Floyd Rose 1000 Series Pro. The new guitar offers players enhanced performance, versatility, and exceptional tuning stability — even during divebombs.  Adding the Floyd’s metallic mass enhances the sparkle and harmonic richness to the tone. Reverend Guitar’s Joe Naylor designed this guitar for uncompromising performance that’s ready to meet the demands of any player.

Bob Balch is the lead guitarist for fuzz rock Fu Manchu. He also pioneered a successful guitar education website called playthisriff.com, where he invites metal, punk, and other heavy guitarists to tach a few songs to his subscribers. This guitar is the second signature model with Bob Balch from Reverend Guitars.

The Reverend Bob Balch Floyd is now available through any Reverend Authorized Dealer.

Reverend Pete Anderson Eastsider E

Reverend Guitars announces the Reverend Pete Anderson Eastsider E. The single-pickup version of the popular Eastsider is a streamlined tone machine. With the versatile Telbucker pickup at the bridge, players can choose between three distinct tones using the 3-way Voice Selector circuit:

  • bright percussive twang
  • Full hot humbucker
  • Fat round warmth

The Eastsider E is the fifth model in the Eastsider series, developed in collaboration with acclaimed guitarist and producer Pete Anderson. The other models include the Eastsider T, Eastsider S, Eastsider Baritone, and the set-neck Eastsider Custom.

You can now find the Reverend Pete Anderson Eastquire at any Reverend Authorized Dealer.

Triad-5

Reverend Guitars is excited to introduce the 5-string version of the renowned Triad bass. Featuring three Jazz Bomb pickups and a 5-way selector, it provides easy access to five distinct tones. The block inlays add a touch of elegance to its design, ensuring the instrument looks as great as it sounds. For those seeking a highly versatile 5-string bass, the Triad 5 is the perfect choice.

The Reverend Triad-5 is now available through any Reverend Authorized Dealer.

 

Walrus Audio Announced The Qi Etheralizer

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The Qi Etherealizer (pronounced “chee ethereal-izer), a collaborative creation with Yvette Young, is a multi-effects pedal that combines Chorus, Delay, Granular effects, and, of course, Reverb, into a creative playground for atmospheric exploration.

Known for her innovative and explorative fingerstyle playing technique, love of guitar pedals, and leadership of the math rock band Covet, the Qi reflects her approach to creating lush, evolving soundscapes. Named after the vital life energy that flows through all living things, the Qi is designed to deliver cutting-edge texture, expansive atmospheres, and dynamic layers. By blending Yvette’s artistic vision with cutting-edge design, the Qi opens the door to immersive, otherworldly sounds.

“I hope that it will inspire people to be exited to have colors and textures to play with. I think this is going to be a wonderful tool for people to create ambient sounds and add interest to their playing! … I want people to think about their melodies and how they can start to sound a little less guitar-y and more … magical! YY”

The Qi allows you to mix and match the chorus, and grain and run in series or parallel to create your own inspiring universe of possibility in a stereo file. With the ability to save presets and bypass the chorus, delay, and grain controls, you can quickly and instantly change settings by simultaneously pressing the Bypass and Freeze stomp switches. Go from a traditional chorus with a little bit of delay, or go all in and let the Qi take over with unexplainable washes and glitchy and lush ambiance. Whatever your style is, the Qi will give it a new life.

The Qi is the first creation to emerge from our groundbreaking proprietary digital processing platform MDSP. Designed in-house by our talented engineering team, MDSP sets a new benchmark for high-fidelity audio and innovative design, delivering decades of inspiration to creators seeking practical yet forward-thinking gear.

At the core of MDSP is the powerful ARM-based Cortex M7 processor, renowned as the highest-performing processor in its class. With a proven history in high-level electronics, the Cortex M7 has been meticulously tailored for advanced audio algorithm processing in the MDSP platform. This unique system integrates a microcontroller and a DSP into a single compact unit, enabling a smaller, modular design that can seamlessly adapt to a wide range of pedal formats.

This modular and “mini” approach empower Walrus Audio to push the boundaries of audio processing. The enhanced capabilities of Walrus’s MDSP allow for the development and execution of more sophisticated algorithms than ever before, delivering unparalleled creative possibilities for musicians and audio professionals alike.

The MDSP platform also boasts a superior audio codec, supporting faster sample rates, increased bit depth, greater headroom, and an exceptional signal-to-noise ratio. These enhancement ensure outstanding audio performance, setting a new standard in digital signal processing for the music industry.

The introduction of MDSP reflects Walrus Audio’s commitment to providing creators with cutting-edge tools that inspire innovation and creativity.

* Pre-Order Your Qi today! The first batch sold out. New orders will begin shipping Mid-February!

 

Dunlop Unveils Mick Ronson Cry Baby Wah

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The Mick Ronson Cry Baby Wah taps into the vibrant, melodic character of one of rock ’n’ roll’s most gifted songwriters.

Few guitar player have been able to combine a keen musical instinct with a profound grasp of composition like Mick Ronson. Laden with expressive resonance, his arrangements layered deliberately chosen tones and textures to build exquisite melodies and powerful riffs. 

The Cry Baby Wah, set in a fixed position to serve as a filter, was key to the tone-shaping vision that Ronson used to transform the face of popular music through his work with David Bowie and many others as both an artist and a producer.

We wanted to make that incredibly Cry Baby Wah sound available to all players, and legendary producer Bob Rock — a friend and collaborator of Ranson’s  — was there to help. He generously loaned us Ronson’s own Cry Baby Wah pedal, an early Italian-made model whose vintage components imbue it with a truly singular sound. 

Ronson recorded many tracks with this pedal, and Rock would go on to use it when recording numerous other artists. With matched specs, tightened tolerances, and a custom inductor, our engineers have recreated this truly special sound. 

“You place the wah,  and leave it there, and that’s the tone,” Rock says. “It’s all over every record he ever made, and I’ve used it on every record since I got it. Dunlop’s engineers spent the time and sent me the prototypes, and we nailed that sound.”

To capture all of the nuance and detail responsible for Ronson’s unique wah sound, our engineers created a custom inducer that replicates the higher frequency response and subtler peak of the original pedal. The resulting sound offers an exquisitely balanced sonic profile that’s bright and clear with peaks that stay musically smooth.

We want every player to get that same experience, so we tightened the inductor tolerance to ensure that the closest possible representation of Ronson’s Cry Baby Wah. We have likewise reproduced the fast initial sweep of the potentiometer, which offers an instant reactivity that’s like nothing from the modern era.

And it didn’t stop there — the engineering team even included period-accurate low-gain transistors and value-matched resistors that contribute to a truly distinctive EQ curve. This is a pedal that is literally tailor-made for Mr. Ronson’s Cry Baby Wah with a special finish inspired by his work. Dig into the signature tones of one of the greatest to ever pick up the guitar. Get the Mick Ronson Cry Baby Wah.

AVAILABLE 4/1/25

$299.99 street

The Data Is In: Cannon Claims #1 Spot in Multiple Camera and Lens Categories

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Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions is proud to announce that the EOS R6 Mark II was the top selling full-frame camera in the U.S. in 2024 and Canon has solidified the number one spot in multiple categories for cameras and lenses in the U.S. This includes:

  • #1 in Interchangeable Lens Cameras
  • #1 in Mirrorless Cameras
  • #1 in Full-Frame Mirrorless Cameras

In addition to the above, Canon is also number one in full-frame cameras, lenses and mirrorless lenses. Since the introduction of the EOS R system, Canon has continued its development of innovative products with cameras such as the EOS R1 and EOS R5 Mark II and lenses including the RF24mm F1.4 L VCM and RF50mm F1.4 VCM.

For the professional photographer on the sidelines of world-class sporting events, to portrait or wedding photographers looking to capture a moment of a lifetime and the family photographer who is documenting the hustle and bustle of everyday life — Canon cameras and lenses are a strong addition to the gear bags of any visual storyteller looking for high-quality images and video.

“Customers are Cannon’s greatest strength, and we strive to exceed their expectations — with hard work, quality products and innovation front and center, we’ve reached number one within the industry in the U.S.,” said Hiroto Kato, vice president, Business Planning & Strategy. “At the core of Cannon is our employees working have helped to achieve this great success while empowering our visual storytellers.”

About Cannon USA. Inc.

Cannon U.S.A., Inc. is a leading provider of consumer, business-to-business, and industrial digital imaging solutions to the United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean markets. With Approximately $29.4 billion in global revenue, it’s parent company, Cannon Inc., as of 2024 has ranked in the top-10 for U.S. patients granted for 41 consecutive years. Cannon U.S.A. is dedicated to its Kyosei philosophy of social and environmental responsibility. 

Taylor Announces Gold Label Guitar Collection

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Taylor’s all-new acoustic Gold Label Collection, developed by CEO Andy Powers, is designed to be unlike anything Taylor has ever offered.

GOLD LABEL: A bold new Taylor acoustic collection

Available in two models, each with an optional sunburst — Gold Label 814e (natural top), Gold Label 814e SB, Gold Label 814e Koa (natural top), and Gold Label 814e Koa SB — the collection blends traditional and modern elements in an inspiring new way and expands Taylor’s musical palette to appeal to an even more diverse range of players.

The Gold Label Collection draws inspiration from 1930’s and ’40’s flat top acoustic guitars, delivering a warmer, fuller tone that blends a heritage voice with a new version of Taylor’s award-winning V-Class bracing technology. 

The collection features several groundbreaking design elements, including the new Super Auditorium body style, a Fanned V-Class bracing pattern, and a long-tenon nest joint, all of which contribute to a richer, more resident, more muscular sound.

The collection also introduces two distinctive wood pairings: Honduran rosewood back sides with a terrified Sitka spruce top, producing exceptional harmonic richness, and figured Hawaiian koa coupled with terrified Sitka spruce, delivering a more balanced, rounded tone.

“The harder you play, the louder the guitar gets,” say Powers. “But it naturally starts to compress the sound into a more controlled focused tone rather than becoming mushy. Yet these guitars also respond to delicate articulation with a broadly rich voice. When you play a simple note softly, the guitar naturally amplifies it with surprising warmth and volume.”

With its unique sound and aesthetic, the Gold Label Collection sits apart from Taylor’s other premium lines, offering a guitar that combines the warmth and tonal character of traditional instruments with the playability and reliability Taylor is known for.

The collection’s craftsmanship extends beyond its sonic capabilities, with a fresh visual aesthetic that combines classic influences with modern artistry. The result is a guitar that will appeal to a broad range of players, offering a distinctive voice and performance that bring together the best of both old and new.

Whether for recording, live performance, or personal enjoyment, the Gold Label Collection provides musicians with a guitar that is visually striking as it is sonically impressive.