When the folks at EarthQuaker Devices teamed up with Lee Kiernan, the mastermind behind the crushing, genre-defining band IDLES, they didn’t just create another fuzz pedal—they created something unique, dynamic, and downright destructive. Enter the EarthQuaker Devices Gary Fuzz, a pedal that redefines what fuzz can be.
Originally born out of a simple request to create a compact version of the Gary Channel®—a staple on Lee's pedalboard and a key part of his signature drive tone—Gary quickly became something more. While the Gray Channel was certainly a fan favourite, Gary demanded a deeper exploration into his dark, pulse-width-modulated fuzz side. EarthQuaker Devices didn’t just stop there, they unleashed the full potential of this pedal, resulting in a sonic beast that blends aggressive fuzz with a natural overdrive, making it one of the most versatile and thrilling fuzz pedals available today.
Gary’s Dark Side: A Fuzz Like No Other
The right side of Gary Fuzz introduces us to its truly dynamic and destructive pulse-width-modulated fuzz. This side is all about interaction and control, giving you the ability to shape your fuzz tone based on your pick attack. The heart of this fuzz is a square wave tone that reacts to how hard you hit the strings, making Gary feel like an amp coming to life—or potentially exploding.
At its lowest settings, the fuzz becomes a thick, heavy, and saturated sound that sustains for days. It’s thick enough to shake the walls, yet it goes dead silent the moment you stop playing. As you increase the Yes! control (a.k.a. the envelope control), things get more interesting. The more you crank it, the more interactive the fuzz becomes. The pulse width narrows as you hit the strings harder, and the tone morphs from a smooth, heavy fuzz to a more nasal, biting sound. In its extreme, Gary can even "disappear" completely—creating a transient-like effect as the fuzz fluctuates in and out of existence. This dynamic interaction between your playing and the fuzz is what gives Gary its personality and character, letting you explore sonic territories that are both unusual and captivating.
Gary’s Soft Side: The Natural Overdrive
But Gary isn’t all chaos and destruction. The left side of the pedal reveals his softer, more natural overdrive tone. This overdrive is a tribute to the legendary green channel of the Gray Channel pedal, which is EarthQuaker's take on the classic little yellow overdrive that started the overdrive revolution.
This side delivers an op-amp driven distortion that’s both smooth and full-bodied, and Lee Kiernan himself used this configuration with the clipping switch set to the middle position—removing diodes to allow for a pure, unadulterated overdrive tone with plenty of volume and clarity. The Go knob controls the op-amp drive, giving you everything from a clean boost to a smooth, natural distortion. Alongside the That’s It master volume, you can easily use Gary’s softer side as a clean boost to push your amp into overdrive, or dial up the Go for a more driven, intense sound that cuts through the mix.
Why You Need Gary Fuzz
If you’re after a fuzz pedal that can deliver everything from explosive, high-energy tones to smooth, natural overdrive, the EarthQuaker Devices Gary Fuzz is your ticket to sonic nirvana. The beauty of Gary lies in its versatility—you can dive into the dark and gnarly world of pulse width-modulated fuzz, or you can gently ease into the realm of natural overdrive that responds to your playing with finesse and character.
Whether you’re an IDLES fan or simply a fuzz enthusiast looking for a pedal that can offer both vicious distortion and clean, organic overdrive, Gary has it all. It’s a pedal that rewards dynamic playing, allowing you to tap into a whole new world of tones that evolve as you interact with them. The Yes! control, the Go knob, and the That’s It master volume combine to offer nearly endless tonal possibilities, making Gary one of the most fun and engaging fuzz pedals on the market.
Conclusion: Is Gary the Best Fuzz Pedal for You?
If you crave a fuzz pedal that offers both a dynamic and interactive fuzz tone as well as a natural overdrive that doesn’t compromise on punch or clarity, then the EarthQuaker Devices Gary Fuzz is definitely worth considering. It’s perfect for musicians who want to explore new sonic realms without compromising on classic overdrive tones or diving deep into overly complex setups.
At Colemans Music in Melbourne, we’re proud to carry the EarthQuaker Devices Gary Fuzz, which combines rich history, amazing versatility, and superb build quality into one pedal. Whether you’re looking for that IDLES-style aggression or a more refined overdrive, Gary will give you everything you need—and more.
