EarthQuaker Devices has teamed up with James Murphy (LCD Soundsystem) to recreate a fuzz pedal with a distinctive sound. The Chelsea Low End Fuzz Driver is designed to provide saturation for instruments requiring distortion with a marked low-frequency presence.
EarthQuaker Devices Chelsea – Low End Fuzz Driver219 €Buy
A reinterpretation of vintage fuzz
The origins of the Chelsea go back to a pedal purchased in 1989 in a guitar store in New York’s Chelsea district. This model, used by LCD Soundsystem on several recordings and on tour, has seen the wear and tear of time: successive repairs, replaced parts, unintentional modifications. Yet its unique sound character has been preserved despite these alterations.
EarthQuaker Devices has sought to precisely reproduce the sound of this pedal, while guaranteeing even greater reliability. The Chelsea retains the sound identity of the original in a more robust format, adapted to modern requirements.
A simple interface, a wide range of possibilities
The pedal features three potentiometers and a switch, allowing several aspects of the sound to be adjusted:
– Sustain: sets saturation level and sustain duration.
– Tone: adjusts frequency response. By turning to the right, treble is emphasized; to the left, bass dominates.
– Tone On/Off: bypasses the tone setting for a more midrange-focused sound.
– Level: controls output volume.
This configuration allows you to achieve both light saturation and more pronounced distortion, while adapting to different types of instrument.
A balance of power and clarity
The Chelsea stands out for its ability to produce dense saturation without compromising playing definition. It offers a balance between pronounced grain and preserved articulation, enabling a massive sound to be achieved while remaining legible in a mix. This pedal is equally suited to bassists seeking a full-bodied, bass-driven saturation, or guitarists looking for a textured, versatile fuzz.
More information on the Earthquaker Devices website.
Retail price: €219
- EarthQuaker Devices Chelsea – Low End Fuzz Driver219 €Buy
