Crazy Tube Circuits seeks to recreate and reinvigorate classic tones with the Constellation fuzz and Memphis vibrato/preamp

Crazy Tube Circuits Constellation and Memphis
(Image credit: Crazy Tube Circuits)

Fat fuzz and vintage vibrato sounds are among the most sought-after guitar tones – and with its new Memphis and Constellation pedals, Crazy Tube Circuits hopes to take these sounds and give guitar players new tonal possibilities by combining tried-and-tested circuitry with new approaches to pedal construction.

The Constellation CV700s – a limited edition, hand-built fuzz pedal – offers five voicings that encompass sonic recreations of fuzz circuits which “shaped the tone of the electric guitar” and a unique, tailor-made circuit, which vows to be a future classic.

Made using hand-sourced and hand-selected military-spec OC44 NOS germanium CV7003 transistors, these modes include a tribute to the most-copied fuzz circuit of all in ‘FF’; a mythical mk1.5 inspired circuit in ‘3/2’; a 3-way transistor fuzz circuit in ‘2’; an ‘RM’ treble boosted; and a ‘VTB’ mode inspired by the Italian made fuzz circuit known for its thick, dirty fuzz and its warm sustain.

Also included is an ‘RMFF’ mode – a pioneering ‘RM’ and ‘FF’ combination which offers a new, refreshing take on vintage fuzz sounds, with the aim of of being a future classic.

Crazy Tube Circuits Constellation CV7003 Fuzz - YouTube Crazy Tube Circuits Constellation CV7003 Fuzz - YouTube
Watch On

The Constellation comes in a sustainable wooden box and features a laser-etched aluminum enclosure. Each pedal in the limited run is built by hand, one at a time, in the Crazy Tube Circuits Workshop.

CTC has also unveiled the Memphis – a pitch-shifting amp-style vibrato that harkens back to the Magnatone amps of yesteryear.

Described as a ‘smaller brother’ to the Killer V – losing its big bro's drive section – the Memphis offers a versatile, hands-on approach to dialing in delicate shimmers and curating classic vibrato sounds using the intensity and speed knobs, nodding to the tones of Lonnie Mack and Robert Ward.

Crazy Tube Circuits MEMPHIS Vibrato pedal - Pitch Shifting Vibrato & Phaser - YouTube Crazy Tube Circuits MEMPHIS Vibrato pedal - Pitch Shifting Vibrato & Phaser - YouTube
Watch On

Featuring a clean preamp with up to 20dB boost and an ‘all-wet / dry’ toggle switch, the Memphis aims to take players back to the ‘50s and ’60s with bright, warm tones and allows you to choose between a 100% modulated signal or opt for a dry unmodulated signal running in parallel with the modulation.

The Constellation and the Memphis are available now for €299 and €155, respectively. Visit Crazy Tube Circuits to find out more.

Matt Owen
Senior Staff Writer, GuitarWorld.com

Matt is a Senior Staff Writer, writing for Guitar World, Guitarist and Total Guitar. He has a Masters in the guitar, a degree in history, and has spent the last 16 years playing everything from blues and jazz to indie and pop. When he’s not combining his passion for writing and music during his day job, Matt records for a number of UK-based bands and songwriters as a session musician.