New Deep Sea Diver Fuzz-Echo, by Benson Amp in collab’ with Jessica Dobson

American brand Benson Amps, in collaboration with Jessica Dobson of Deep Sea Diver, recently unveiled the Deep Sea Diver Fuzz-Echo pedal. This new effect combines versatile fuzz and analog echo.

Genesis of the project

Jessica Dobson, renowned for her innovative guitar playing with Deep Sea Diverwanted a pedal that combined her favorite vintage fuzz and echo sounds. She expressed a desire for a fuzz capable of producing both rough and smooth sounds , while incorporating textures reminiscent of My Bloody Valentine. After three years of joint development with Benson Amps, the Deep Sea Diver Fuzz-Echo was born.

Inspired by the Tone Bender

The pedal is based on a 3-transistor silicon fuzz circuit , inspired by the Tone Bender MK1.5 and MK2 models. The “Bias” and “Gate” controls let you explore a wide range of tones, from an aggressive treble boost to a thick, textured fuzz. These settings are interactive, altering the EQ and distortion profile according to the adjustments made.

The echo is based on a modified PT2399 chip, perfectly suited to the fuzz section. The “Time”, “Feedback” and “Level” controls offer precise control of the effect. Prolonged pressure on the footswitch triggers sustained feedback, creating the oscillations characteristic of the Deep Sea Diver sound.

A notable feature of this pedal is the ability to reverse the order of the fuzz and echo effects. By holding down the footswitch when switched on, the user can choose between fuzz before echo (green LED) or echo before fuzz (orange LED), offering additional sonic flexibility.

Versatility and application

The Deep Sea Diver Fuzz-Echo adapts to a variety of configurations, whether with guitars, basses or even synthesizers. It can be placed at any position in the signal chain, guaranteeing easy integration into different setups. Although the pedal can generate a slight hiss, even on “cleaner” settings, this is part of its unique character.

Please note that the pedal works exclusively with a 9V DC Boss negative-center power supply and has no battery compartment.

Retail price: €299
More information on the Benson Amps website.