AKRON, OHIO, September 2025 – Barrows from EarthQuaker Devices pays homage to the iconic MKII circuit while adding modern refinements that would make even the most discerning vintage purist weep tears of harmonic joy. At its heart, Barrows features a trio of carefully matched germanium transistors nestled within finely tuned circuitry that has been lovingly coaxed to produce everything from light, singing distortion to crushing fuzz tones with nearly infinite harmonic-rich sustain.
The original MKII circuit was the secret weapon behind some of the most crushing riffs ever committed to tape. From dawn-of-metal caveman dirges to the wall-of-sound symphonies conjured by the highest tiers of shoegaze sorcerers, this legendary topology has been the foundation of countless sonic monuments. Now, with Barrows, you can channel that same lightning-in-a-bottle magic while enjoying the reliability and versatility that modern craftsmanship provides.
At its heart, Barrows features a trio of carefully matched germanium transistors nestled within finely tuned circuitry that has been lovingly coaxed to produce everything from light, singing distortion to crushing fuzz tones with nearly infinite harmonic-rich sustain. This isn’t just another fuzz box – it’s a portal to the fabled tones that have haunted the dreams of fuzz fanatics for decades.
Barrows delivers the signature cutting mid-focused tones with plenty of low-end authority and brilliant top-end grind that made the original MKII a studio legend. But unlike its temperamental ancestors, Barrows includes several modern upgrades that transform it from a vintage curiosity into a contemporary powerhouse.
The phase-corrected and buffered output ensures it plays nice with other pedals down the line, while the increased output volume and wide range of fuzz tones make it a versatile sonic weapon. All this power is packed into a compact footprint that saves precious real estate on your pedalboard, because every square inch matters when you’re building your sonic arsenal.
Each Barrows is lovingly assembled by shrimply the best helmspeople (and one obedient robot) on the high seas of Akron, Ohio, USA.
Tech Specs:
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Vintage three-transistor germanium fuzz circuit that is based on the Tone Bender MkII.
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Cutting, mid-range focused tones with loads of sustain and volume.
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Very responsive to playing dynamics and guitar volume control.
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Small form factor will fit on even the most cramped pedal boards.
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Mechanical true bypass switching
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Current Draw: 10 ma
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Input Impedance: 50 kΩ
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Output Impedance: <10 kΩ
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Limited lifetime warranty
Retail Price: $129.00
PRODUCT PAGE: https://www.earthquakerdevices.com/barrows
