If a tree falls in the woods...
Spring is in the air. The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, it's the perfect time to stay inside and obsess over the newest effect from our friends over at Farm Pedals. While inside may have air conditioning, high-speed internet connection, and MIDI clock sync integration, we've all got to go outside eventually. Today, we're taking a nature walk with Farm's latest in a long line of intriguing dirt pedals – hope you didn't forget your canteen.
This is the Farm Pedals Forest Floor Fuzz.
Shop the Farm Pedals Forest Floor
Farm-Raised Fuzz
Introducing the Farm Pedals Forest Floor Fuzz
If you're new to the Farm life, welcome. Casco, Maine's very own Farm Pedals is a very small, very seasonal operation run by the Hancock family on their vegetable farm. Things tend to slow down a little bit around the Hancock farm in the winter months, so that's when they pivot to taking on their seasonal role of making some of the most charming and musical effects we have the pleasure of playing.
The Farm Pedals line spans a pretty impressive spectrum of drives and modulations. Some savvy readers may be familiar with Farm's Boost of the Dead or Samson '76 pedals – based off the guitarwork of Jerry Garcia – or even the Fly Agaric phaser or Landau Density Matrix fuzz. Again, if you're new to all of this, welcome! The gist of this story is that Farm Pedals has a knack for unique and inventive effects with a distinct unifying style and sound. Did we mention these are all completely handmade?
Fans of Farm Pedals are certainly on no shortage of drives. Today, Farm's Forest Floor Fuzz drops in for yet another charming excursion into the driven and distorted wilderness. You might not need a "This Car Climbed Mt. Rainier" bumper sticker after this fuzz, but you may very well want one. Let's talk some specifics.
Into the Wild
Farm Pedals Forest Floor Fuzz Controls and Tones
The Farm Pedals Forest Floor Fuzz is already a classic among the Farm Pedals line – I mean, just look at it. With a circuit and graphic designed by Farm's very own Emilee Mathieu, the Forest Floor Fuzz comes fitted, like all Farm Pedals, with a custom-designed and hand-stamped casing. Alluding to the earthy fuzz tones held within, this pedal is sure to feel right at home for Farm followers.
This Farm creation establishes its fuzzy identity as a dual gain stage germanium and silicon fuzz. Opting to balance these two archetypes of fuzz, the Forest Floor takes on a life of its own with a distinctly homegrown and dirty character. Onboard this pedal, we have a three-dial control scheme and one footswitch, with those, we have:
- Volume: Pretty straightforward, here. Clockwise for more, counterclockwise for less.
- Fuzz: The amount of distortion present in the signal. Once again, clockwise for more, counter for less.
- Bias: Perhaps the "heart" of this circuit altogether, we have a dedicated bias control for the fuzz. Bias melds and molds the fuzz signal to come to new interesting mixes. The more clockwise this dial is turned, the more clear and consistent the character and fidelity of the fuzz will be. Turn this counterclockwise and the fuzz will begin to sputter and choke for a more gated and messier experience.
All three of these controls are very interactive with one another as each turn can uncover a new tonal conclusion. Fanning the Fuzz control's flame while starving the Bias control can result in a monstrous and unpredictable fuzz that bursts with amorphous distorted character. One thing to note is that the Forest Floor's Bias control actually has a pretty notable turning point at noon. Roll through the range of the Bias control and you'll hear a pretty big lift (or drop) in fidelity at the noon position. This can be used as general compass for finding your tonal sweet spots along the various fuzzy trails Farm invites you to trek.
In addition, the Forest Floor Fuzz operates very well as a fairly reserved (yet positively dirty) drive. Pushing the Bias up to preserve the signal's fidelity and pulling back on the Fuzz control allows for the Forest Floor to play it more safely as a warm, tube-friendly drive. If you've got a vintage amp laying around that's prone to teeter on the edge of breakup when pushed, the Forest Floor is a great pick for going over that cliff. It would be pertinent to mention that, like many other Farm effects, the Forest Floor absolutely stands on its own and acts as a great companion for you, your guitar, and your amp. If you need to breathe some open air or refresh yourself through nature, we don't need to insist any further – the Forest Floor is a delight.
Farm Pedals Forest Floor Fuzz Final Thoughts
We're always psyched to see something new from our favorite farmers. The Forest Floor Fuzz is a great addition to any sonic venturer's toolkit for a versatile and interactive effect experience. However you take on this Farm creation, it definitely plays familiarly to many other of their effects, so established fans are sure to find something to love about it. Newcomers to the Farm fam have plenty to be excited about, also. With a pedal that is dynamic, expressive, and absolutely outdoorsy, has spring finally sprung? We can only hope.
