Them's the bends
Sometimes it isn't about how many pedals you can fit on your board. Sometimes it isn't about what you got, but how you use it. Sometimes you go big, but other times, you shrink it down. However you go about putting together your ideal board, you can't deny the use and utility of tidying up every now and again.
We're talking about all these things and more today with a groundbreaking, new development from Akron, Ohio's premier effect wizards. Let's get into it.
This is the EarthQuaker Devices Barrows Fuzz Attacker.
Point of Attack
Introducing the EarthQuaker Devices Barrows Fuzz Attacker
When it comes to breathing new life into classic effect archetypes, few do it quite like EarthQuaker Devices. One of the proudest pillars of the effect pedal community, EarthQuaker Devices has quite the knack for reinventing and revitalizing some of the standbys of the guitar effect canon. EQD's lineup of effects spans far and wide with plenty of interesting pedals found at every turn.
EarthQuaker Devices touches down today with the latest addition to their storied lineup, the Barrows Fuzz Attacker. The Barrows Fuzz Attacker is an innovative step not only with the effect pedal space, but in EQD's own personal repertoire. EQD's newest addition sets out to capture the tones of the great Tone Bender MkII. A historic fuzz effect favored by so many guitarists across the decades for its full body and searing sustain, the Tone Bender MkII is a bona fide classic among fuzz fanatics.
Today's Barrows is a faithful encapsulation of the Tone Bender MkII design with three germanium transistors and a streamlined two-dial control configuration. In addition to its authentic representation of a highly coveted effect, the Barrows acts as a step in a new direction for EarthQuaker Devices as their first small-scaled effect pedal. The Barrows minimizes on space in its design to fit seamlessly into any pedalboard as it gets right down to brass tacks in summoning its formidable, fuzzy voice.
Attack and Release
EarthQuaker Devices Barrows Fuzz Attacker Design and Tones
The EarthQuaker Devices Barrows Fuzz Attacker is, at its core, simply a legendary fuzz circuit shrunk down and delivered with EQD's trademark resourcefulness and reliability. For any player seeking out some savory, sonic splendor and Tone Bender MkII tonality, we probably don't have to say it too many times that you're in good hands with EQD. It's not hard to see that, with Barrows, the effect recipe formulated is simple, streamlined, and ready to be called on at a moment's notice.
For players who are seeking out a no-frills, headache-less way to summon fierce, fuzzy fire, Barrows is the answer. The pedal's two control dials simplify the effect crafting experience while ensuring an expressive effect at every turn of the dial. Something to be mentioned at this juncture is that, while the Barrows' control scheme is admittedly slimmer than those you might find in other EQD pedals, the Barrows is capable of producing an authentic and useable Tone Bender tone no matter where the dials land. The baseline effect experience at hand is inspirational as the Barrows effectively cuts to the chase once the effect is engaged.
Between the two controls, Level and Attack, you have a highly responsive effect interface on your hands. Where Level harnesses the overall volume of the effect*, Attack is where the Barrows truly gets saucy. Spanning from zero to max on the Attack dial, the Barrows beefs up pretty substantially as it gets more distorted, more heated, more buzzy. The Barrows' particular fuzzy profile subdues as Attack is rolled back. Decreasing the Attack setting quiets a few of the spots in the signal where smaller pockets of distortion form as the effect gets a little more concise without losing out on its harmonic-rich sustain and singing distortion.
Which, by the way, can get up there pretty quickly due to the pedal's buffered output
EarthQuaker Devices Barrows Fuzz Attacker Further Features
Though small, the Barrows is a mighty little marvel of effect pedal design. Along with its three germanium transistors, EarthQuaker Devices took the liberty to pack in a couple more player-friendly features to best serve the effect. First, the Barrows features a phase-corrected and buffered output connection that ensures a reliable source of volume on tap that keeps the effect present in the signal as it moves downstream in your chain. Second, true bypass footswitching brings that all-important signal preservation EarthQuaker Devices effects are known for when bringing the Barrows to the stage or studio. The Barrows does just about everything you could need for a modern fuzz with vintage sensibilities.
EarthQuaker Devices Barrows Fuzz Attacker Final Thoughts
With the Barrows, EarthQuaker Devices reminds us of the beauty in simplicity and the serenity in playing a vintage-style fuzz that delivers reliably every time. The Barrows is definitely is a step forward for fuzz effect pedals of its size as it roars with a fiery fuzz voice and slips seamlessly into even the most compact of pedalboards. Does the Barrows hint at maybe more bite-sized EQDs to come? Whatever it hints at, it is quite unambiguous in its powerful, unapologetic fuzz tone primed for even more generations in the limelight – and for that, we're grateful.
