Music

Portable tones in a pipe: The Pipe Amp from FuzzHugger

Portable tones in a pipe: The Pipe Amp from FuzzHugger
FuzzHugger has released a limited run of a new battery-powered overdrive/fuzz practice amp in a pipe
FuzzHugger has released a limited run of a new battery-powered overdrive/fuzz practice amp in a pipe
View 4 Images
Despite its small proportions, the Pipe Amp is said to belt out surprisingly loud overdrive or fuzz tones
1/4
Despite its small proportions, the Pipe Amp is said to belt out surprisingly loud overdrive or fuzz tones
Behind the grill is a 3-inch speaker surrounded by a 1-inch protection cone
2/4
Behind the grill is a 3-inch speaker surrounded by a 1-inch protection cone
FuzzHugger has released a limited run of a new battery-powered overdrive/fuzz practice amp in a pipe
3/4
FuzzHugger has released a limited run of a new battery-powered overdrive/fuzz practice amp in a pipe
Units have been made available in cream, black, pink and green
4/4
Units have been made available in cream, black, pink and green
View gallery - 4 images

FuzzHugger has just unleashed a portable, battery-powered amp that packs some serious volume and gorgeous 1960s fuzz tones into a pipe housing. The appropriately named Pipe Amp is about the size of a vintage effects pedal, doesn't have its own clean channel and can be used to drive a 4 x 12 cabinet. The fact that each one is hand-built and available in strictly limited quantities only adds to its must-have charm. Let the fuzz begin...

Hand-built in limited quantities by FuzzHugger's Tom Dalton – who undertakes all the wiring and construction, sandblasting and painting himself – the Pipe Amp is billed as "a big-sounding, super rugged, portable practice amp." It's powered by a 9-volt battery which is accessed via a cool twist wingnut to the side, and benefits from only being powered on when a guitar lead is plugged into the jack. Removing it turns the unit off.

Units have been made available in cream, black, pink and green
Units have been made available in cream, black, pink and green

The "surprising volume" comes courtesy of a 3-inch speaker surrounded by a 1-inch protection cone, and a red channel selector on top gives players push/pull access to just two modes. There's no clean option here, just overdrive or fuzz. The selector also acts as a trim feature that works with a guitar's volume control to determine output volume and tone. On the opposite side is a line out socket to drive an 8 ohm speaker or cabinet.

So far, Pipe Amps have been snapped up as quickly as Dalton can make them, by eager fuzz lovers keen to get at the promised nice fat tones. The units have been made in cream, black, green and pink and are available now for a special price of US$95.

Dalton put together the following video shortly after manufacturing the first Pipe Amp:

FuzzHugger Pipe Amp - small portable guitar amp with big fuzz!

View gallery - 4 images
6 comments
6 comments
Australian
Love the design but having no clean means no sale.
Michael Mantion
I didn\'t know what fuzz, once I listened to the video I realized why I don\'t know what fuzz is.... I also realized I hate fuzz..
1 question, the pictures show a white green and black.. Why did they make 3? Do they really think there are 3 people out there that are going to buy one?
Joe Sobotka
If you guys don\'t know what fuzz is or don\'t like it,, you must not be very old and or never heard of Rock N Roll. Personally I LOVE the little thing.
Facebook User
Good old 60s and 70s sounds, classic with rock n roll of that era.
Other than the fact it\'s made of home depot off the shelf oatey plastic drain parts, I think BTW is very creative, tho a little funny, it\'s a nice little bit of work, but should have a 3rd selection for clean sound too
Jeff Chernoff
You\'ll want to get the CleanHugger, then.
Phoghat
stick with my Pignose and Smokey