Full Description
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Inspired by a legendary original
The EarthQuaker Chelsea Low End Fuzz Driver Pedal is a faithful recreation of a truly one-of-a-kind fuzz pedal with a rich history. Originally bought in 1989 from a guitar shop in Chelsea, New York, the battered pedal was used extensively by James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem. Over the years, it was taped back together, had parts swapped, and somehow survived to become a staple in their recordings and live shows. EarthQuaker Devices took on the ambitious task of capturing that unpredictable, unmistakable tone and transforming it into a reliable modern unit. Every Chelsea pedal delivers the distinctive sonic fingerprint of the original, making it more than just a fuzz—it's a piece of musical history, reborn.
Flexible tone shaping with unique bypass
What sets the Chelsea apart from standard fuzz pedals is its cleverly designed Tone On/Off switch. This feature allows you to bypass the tone circuit entirely, delivering a more focused midrange response ideal for cutting through a live mix. Leave the tone engaged, and you get access to a wide frequency sweep—from top-end bite to low-end rumble. Switch it off, and the pedal becomes a mid-heavy beast with raw attack and minimal filtering. This kind of tonal flexibility makes the Chelsea suitable for a wide range of instruments, from bass guitars to synthesisers, giving you full control over your sonic character in any situation.
Simple layout with powerful results
Despite its streamlined three-knob interface, the Chelsea offers an impressive range of distortion voices. The Sustain control adds not just sustain but also layers of harmonic richness, letting you shape everything from subtle saturation to massive fuzz walls. The Level knob gives you ample output to drive your amp or sit perfectly in your effects chain. Its intuitive design makes it easy to integrate into any setup, offering serious tonal variety without the learning curve. You can run it on its own or pair it with other pedals to explore more experimental textures with ease.
Built to last with boutique precision
Handmade in Akron, Ohio by EarthQuaker Devices, the Chelsea is crafted with attention to detail and reliability in mind. It uses relay-based true bypass switching, ensuring that your signal stays clean when the pedal is disengaged. The compact chassis is rugged enough for the road, yet light enough to fit easily onto any pedalboard. With a modest 10 mA current draw and standard 9V centre-negative power requirements, it integrates effortlessly into most modern rigs. EarthQuaker’s combination of robust build quality and boutique sound design means the Chelsea isn’t just a tribute to a classic fuzz—it’s a serious tool for any setup where tone and character matter.
Specifications
- Product Name: EarthQuaker Chelsea Low End Fuzz Driver Pedal
- Product Code: EQD-BUFP
- Controls: Sustain, Tone, Tone On/Off switch, Level
- Bypass: Relay-based true bypass (requires power to pass signal)
- Power Requirements: 9V DC centre-negative (2.1mm barrel)
- Current Draw: 10 mA
- Input Impedance: 50 kΩ
- Output Impedance: <10 kΩ
- Dimensions: 121 x 64 x 57 mm (4.75 x 2.50 x 2.25 in. with knobs)
- Construction: Handmade in Akron, Ohio, USA
- Recommended Power Supply: Pedal-specific, isolated 9V DC adapter
- Not Compatible With: Higher voltages, daisy chains, non-isolated supplies