Current Pedals

This is our current, standard edition line of pedals. We try to keep them in stock at all times, but demand occasionally outpaces supply and it takes a few days to catch up. If there's a pedal listed here that's sold-out or not listed in the store, or if you'd like to specify a custom color and/or knob configuration, please contact us. We're always happy to accept custom builds. Lead time is usually 1-2 weeks.

Unless otherwise noted, all Dying Sun pedals feature high-quality, low-noise components, all of which are tested individually for tolerance. Each pedal is hand-built and hand-lettered in California.

Avern

The Avern is a full-range germanium boost, based on the classic Dallas Rangemaster circuit. Where the Rangemaster effectively shelves the lower guitar frequencies, however, the Avern offers a separate range control that progressively allows more lows to pass through the gain stage (boosted) and out to the amplifier. It CAN do the classic treble booster tone with the range set fully counter-clockwise, but that's only where it begins.

While not as effective when paired with a clean amp, the Avern excels at pushing an amp that's already clipping into beautiful, grinding saturation across the entire frequency range. Couple it with a non-master-volume British tube amp for one of the greatest guitar tones of all time. Or use it to boost your favorite overdrive pedal.

As with certain other of our pedals, the Avern uses a NOS germanium transistor. These are occasionally difficult to source, and each pedal is slightly different as a result. We look for European- and American-made transistors with a very specific gain range and individually test each one for leakage and noise. The specific make/type (Mullard OC76, for example) will be listed in the store description.

We also occasionally build Averns with NOS silicon transistors that impart a brighter, more modern tone.

NOTE: Like most pedals derived from the Rangemaster circuit, the Avern does NOT like being positioned after a buffer in the signal chain. It functions as intended when it "sees" an impedance load directly from a guitar's pickups, and benefits from the added capacitance of a long instrument cable. Ideally, the Avern should be positioned at the very front of the pedal chain.

Autarch MkII

A completely revamped Autarch; essentially a three-knob Deimos adapted for high-volume doom amps. Full description coming soon!

Furball

The Furball is a kinda-serious/kinda-silly thing I've been working on for a while. Nothing revolutionary or groundbreaking; more of a personal challenge. Basically, I wanted a vintage-voiced fuzz (circa late 60s) without spending... well, the top tier boutique fuzz pedals sell for ridiculous prices on Reverb, when you can find them.

Of the two families of 60s fuzz, I thought I’d start with a Fuzz Face circuit (the other being the Tone Bender). It’s relatively simple, with only a few components and two transistors, either silicon or germanium. Because it’s so simple, however, EVERYTHING matters. Wiring, layout, component values/materials, transistor selection, biasing, etc... It all has noticeable impact on tone and feel.

The Furball captures that elusive je nes sais quoi of a perfectly-tuned vintage fuzz: chewy low-mids, thick saturation, harmonic overtones, note bloom, picking dynamics, and responsiveness to the guitar's volume knob.

To make the pedal more versatile, I added a voicing switch to the silicon Furball that optionally tightens the response a bit, so that it feels more like a Tone Bender (mid-focused crunch, lows somewhat shelved). The germanium version comes with an external bias knob for dialing in the perfect tone regardless of external temperature.

On that note, the Furball comes in three flavors: BC108 (silicon), BC183 (also silicon), and germanium (depends on stock; usually AC125, CV7112, NKT275, GT308B/V, etc...). Generally speaking, silicon is more biting and higher in gain than germanium, which is warmer and squishier. Of the two silicon varieties, the BC183 is warmer than the BC108, but not by much. Germanium tends to clean-up better than silicon, but doesn't reach quite the same level of saturation.

Regardless of the transistor type, start with both knobs cranked and use the guitar's volume knob to adjust the gain. These classic fuzz circuits tend to sound best with both controls wide open. It can be useful to dial them back a bit, however, depending on how much the amp itself is already clipping.

NOTE: I don't use an LED for these pedals unless explicitly requested, because they typically sound better when run on a 9V battery. The LED draws more current than the fuzz circuit itself, so the battery drains more quickly with an LED. The germanium version also doesn't include an external power connector (battery only). This is because I mostly use PNP transistors that require reverse polarity power. If you plan to use the germanium Furball on a pedal board, I will happily add a switch to disengage the battery when not in use.

Tone Bender MKII

Level and Attack. The greatest fuzz circuit of all time. I build these in extremely limited numbers due to the increasing scarcity of NOS germanium transistors.

These aren't normally available in the online store. Please contact me to request a quote on a custom build, or keep an eye on our Instagram feed for the occasional one-off sale!

All Dying Sun Tone Benders are built with NOS Allen Bradley carbon comp resistors (in the signal path), NOS coupling capacitors, and the aforementioned NOS germanium transistors... usually European.

Phobos

The Phobos is a DOOM AF Big Muff circuit with a distinctly more midrange-focused voice and an additional “high” (actually high-mid) control that interacts with the traditional tone control in a very interesting way. With the tone control set fully counter-clockwise on a traditional Muff, the lows become massive but the highs disappear, along the the pick attack. The high control on the Phobos allows you to bring those high (-mid) frequencies back while still maintaining the thunderous lows that are so critical for certain doom applications.

This same principal applies to the opposite end of the spectrum as well. With the tone control set fully clockwise, the high control fills out some of the midrange response that gets cut out by the traditional tone stack. This makes the Phobos infinitely more versatile in application when compared to a traditional Muff pedal.

Credit for this approach to the legendary BAT Pharaoh, of course!

Adding to the versatility is a three-way clipping switch and (sometimes) a high/low input switch. Clipping options are symmetric silicon diodes (for the classic Muff tone), MOSFET, and none (diode lift). If your amp is already clipping a bit on its own, the diode lift setting is perfect for driving it even further into doomy saturation without sounding like a muddy wash of horrible tone. And, personally, I much prefer MOSFET clipping to standard silicon clipping. The former imparts a bit more tube-like crunch and somewhat higher headroom.

Tune down and drop out with the Phobos. Doom metal forever. \m/

DEIMOS

The Deimos is a brutally simple one-knob fuzz; an evolution of the older Eidolon circuit. It's more focused in the midrange (low mids, specifically) and the gain is configured so that it pairs better with a loud, already-clipping amplifier. The noise floor has been further lowered as well, making this already quiet fuzz even more so.

In the spirit of simplicity, the single knob controls the overall volume, with the amount of signal gain hard-coded for thick, doom-y saturation. Transistors are silicon, usually NOS... at least in the Q2 position. The Telefunken BC108 sounds particularly good in this circuit, but every now and then we stumble across something old and weird; perhaps not of this world. In those cases, the specific transistor combination will be mentioned in the store description... when possible to discern.

As with most one-knob fuzz variants, the Deimos sounds best when it's allowed to breathe. Push the volume well beyond noon for a slightly more "open" frequency response and punchier low-end. You'll feel it in your chest. Stand in front of a roaring 4x12 and you may actual disintegrate.

If the Phobos is a gateway to the afterlife, the Deimos is a portal to the hell dimension.

CONTACT

Email: dyingsuneffects@gmail.com
Facebook: @dyingsuneffects
Instagram: @dyingsuneffects

FAQ

Do you ship worldwide?

Not quite, but I will happily ship to the EU/UK in addition to Canada and the United States.

Do you accept returns?

Of course. If the pedal is damaged in transit or clearly not working on receipt, I will happily fix it and get it back to you as soon as possible. Shipping is on me in that case. If the pedal becomes non-functional at some point over the course of its life, I will fix it for free, but ask that you cover the shipping.

Do you take custom orders?

Sure! What do you have in mind? Click the Contact link up there and tell me what you're looking for. Certainly I can do custom colors/knobs/lettering; that's easy. Custom circuits or tweaks... again, get in touch.

Where can I try your pedals?

At California Guitars in Belmont, CA.

Where are the demo videos?

I'm working on that. Soon!

Why can't I use a 9V battery with your pedals?

I strongly suggest finding a decent power supply with properly isolated outputs. Strymon and Cioks are among the best out there, if you're not sure where to start. They're less expensive than many boutique pedals and definitely worth the investment.