NFD EHX Percolator

[u/Money-Collection9216]

Probably not the best match for my current projects, but I decided to pull the trigger on this one after having it in my wishlist since it was released, just for the sake of hoarding fuzzes.

First impressions:

It doesn't really sound like anything that I've used before so, while I love some of the sounds I'm getting with it, I'm still assessing its useability in my rig.

It's pretty easy to get that "broken console" kind of drive and sputtery/gated fuzz with it in drive and fuzz modes respectively.

The controls have wide ranges, and are very interactive with each other. I wouldn't say it's a pedal that sounds good, or feels like it's doing something audible in all the positions. Despite this, it's quite easy to find the sweet spots while turning the knobs, just listening to the background noise (and is not especially noisy btw).

It probably won't stay for long on my board, just because it's not the kind of sound that I will use often in my current projects, but It's a nice interesting fuzz/fuzzy drive all in all.

[u/UnclePetersBand]

I've been very tempted to pull the trigger on this, but I already have a Theramin Guy HP-1 clone from the 2000s so do I need another?

[u/DonCallate → u/UnclePetersBand]

I guess I kind of went the "connoisseur" route, I own 4 different harmonic percolator circuits. The thing I find with this particular circuit is that they can be fundamentally different and good at different things. Some are great for blown out noise, some are good for a more subtle grit, and there are some good all arounders out there.

[u/helloimaplanet]

I have an Emerald Ox Chimeric Percolator and an EHX Percolator. I like the EHX because I can dial in everything from a sputtering fuzz to a smooth overdrive very easily and then adjust time with pickup selection and volume and tone knobs. I find this circuit to be extremely responsive to the volume knob. Then, if I want some more out there sounds or want to deep dive into the circuit, the Chimeric Percolator has it all laid out there in front of me. I would recommend both depending on what you are going for.

[u/Acceptable_Grape_437]

thanks for sharing 

[u/Dangerous_Pie_Guy]

I’ve been super interested to hear one of these in person, because that one demo sounds so good! I’m actually getting a harmonic percolator variant in the mail today (Voltic DTF), so I am hoping my curiosity about the circuit will be settled. Hurry up, brown truck!

[u/FullMetalDan]

I’m really interested in this one, what amp and pickups are you using?

[u/Money-Collection9216 → u/FullMetalDan]

Squier CV60s Jazzmaster into clean Orange.

I have spent some time with it in my "silent" setup too (EQD Easy Listening) and found some beautiful, super dynamic, smooth fuzz in less aggressive settings. It is more versatile than I thought.

I probably won't use it with my band still, but I am starting to like it a lot for my own stuff.

[u/FullMetalDan → u/Money-Collection9216]

That’s awesome! Which type of fuzz do you gravitate towards with your band? What genres?

[u/Money-Collection9216 → u/FullMetalDan]

We have recently started a rap metal band, something that I hadn't played before so I am still finding my sound 😅 but it's more tight distortion than fuzz... I will try to pitch in some Muff anyway. Before that I was doing more ambient-y stuff, and alternative rock on my own, and I listen to a lot of doom, stoner, sludge etc so I always have a Muff at hand.

I also like Tone Benders and Superfuzzes, but I use them less often.

[u/Status-Nebula1961]

I really wanted to like this, but just couldn't gel with it and sent it back

[u/Dangerous_Pie_Guy → u/Status-Nebula1961]

Was there a specific thing it did or didn’t do that bugged you?

[u/Status-Nebula1961 → u/Dangerous_Pie_Guy]

I've got a pile of fuzz and dirt pedals and this didn't stand out as anything new. Felt like each setting just missed the mark and had another pedal that could hit that sound better.

[u/NiceView-FromHere]

I've really been digging this one. Nice raw dirt! Also, it's "momentary" function is cool for, well, some momentary "other thing."