DOD Carcosa Fuzz

Product Overview

The DOD Carcosa Fuzz is a guitar effects pedal designed to deliver a wide spectrum of fuzz tones. Its unique design and versatile controls allow for exploration from subtle overdrive-like textures to aggressive, saturated fuzz sounds.

Visually, the pedal features a striking yellow and black design, prominently displaying the DOD logo and the "CARCOSA FUZZ" name. A central graphic includes a stylized skull and intricate patterns.

Controls

• 1. BEFORE: Adjusts the amount of fuzz effect.
• 2. OUTPUT: Controls the overall output level, which can also be used as a boost.
• 3. AFTER (Bias Control): This knob shapes the texture of the fuzz. Turning it counter-clockwise produces "glassy" soft tones that clean up well with your guitar's volume knob. Turning it clockwise results in "splattering" broken tones and "horn-like" vowel sounds with increased sustain. The mid-range can span from classic to modern "wall of sound" fuzz tones.
• 4. HI-CUT: Reduces high-frequency content. Start at the 9:00 position and adjust counter-clockwise for brighter tones or clockwise for darker tones. Experiment with extreme settings, as changes to the bias control can also affect the tone. Higher gain or stage settings might require HI-CUT adjustments.
• 5. IN: Connect your instrument (guitar, bass) here.
• 6. DEMHE/HALI (Toggle Switch): This switch offers two voicing options:
  • DEMHE (Up Toggle Position): Provides bass and low-mid boost, excellent for clean amplifier channels.
  • HALI (Down Toggle Position): Cuts low-end frequencies, ideal for use with dirty or overdriven amplifier channels.
• 7. FOOTSWITCH: Engages or disengages the effect.
• 8. LED: Illuminates when the effect is active.
• 9. OUT: Connect to the input of your next pedal or your amplifier.

Using the Carcosa Fuzz

The DOD Carcosa Fuzz offers a transition into an alternative fuzz universe, blending classic legendary tones with abstract sonic textures. Its wide-ranging AFTER bias control, combined with the two voicing toggle positions, creates tones from thick and woolly to gritty and broken. This versatility makes the Carcosa Fuzz a suitable companion for both clean and dirty amplifiers.

The pedal features pronounced mid and high-frequency character, helping it cut through a mix. It is designed to slice through dense and heavy rhythm sections while maintaining excellent note articulation for chords. Extreme bias settings (AFTER) can produce wild and over-the-top sounds.

When using a clean amplifier, the DEMHE mode enhances low-mid frequencies, pairing well with American-style dual-channel amplifiers. DEMHE also sounds great with British amps on the verge of breakup, allowing the Carcosa to thicken and push the amp into saturation.

With dirty amplifiers, the HALI mode preserves low-end frequencies, while the HI-CUT control allows for more high-frequency detail, making it effective as a lead boost. The pedal responds well to changes in guitar volume and picking dynamics, offering a clean-up characteristic similar to classic overdrive pedals at lower AFTER settings. At higher AFTER bias settings, the gain and attack become less responsive to volume changes, yielding more aggressive tones, including unusual synthetic, horn-like sounds.

Control Range Descriptions:

For most users, the HI-CUT control rarely needs to be set past noon. The remaining travel on the HI-CUT is intended to compensate for the loss of attack and extreme sag/gate caused by higher bias (AFTER) settings.

A general guideline is that adjusting the PRED (BEFORE) and POTEM (AFTER) controls in opposite directions can yield a wide palette of immediately controllable tones. For example, try setting the PRED control to 3:00 and the POTEM control to 9:00, or vice versa. Experimentation is encouraged to find unique sounds.

Most guitarists and bassists prefer placing the Carcosa at the beginning of their effects chain. A typical effects chain might start with distortion and fuzz pedals, followed by modulation effects (Chorus, Flanger, Phaser, Tremolo), and finally time-based effects (Delay, Reverb). Placing the Carcosa early in the chain helps preserve its character regardless of the subsequent pedals.

Specifications

• Input: 1/4" TS Unbalanced - 500 kΩ
• Output: 1/4" TS Unbalanced - 1 kΩ
• Current Draw: 4 mA
• Bypass: True Bypass
• Power: 9VDC alkaline battery (not included) or PS0913DC power adapter (optional)
• Warranty: 1 Year

Safety and Compliance Information

This product is designed for use at low altitudes. Do not operate above 2000 meters (approx. 6560 feet).

The following symbols are internationally recognized warnings for electrical products:

• Lightning bolt symbol within a triangle: Indicates the presence of hazardous voltages within the unit.
• Exclamation mark within a triangle: Alerts the user to consult the user manual for important operating instructions.

General Safety Warnings:

• This unit contains no user-serviceable parts. Do not open the unit or attempt self-service. Refer all servicing to qualified personnel. Opening the chassis for any reason will void the manufacturer's warranty.
• Do not expose the unit to moisture or liquids. If liquid is spilled on the unit, unplug it immediately and take it for service.
• During thunderstorms, unplug the unit to prevent damage.

Power Cord and Plug Safety:

• Do not use a damaged or cut power cord. Dispose of it properly.
• Never insert a damaged or cut power plug into a 13-Amp socket.
• Always use the power plug with the fuse cover in place. Replacement fuse covers can be obtained from your local dealer. Replacement fuses are 13 Amps and must be ASTA approved to BS1362 standards.

Electrical Wiring (if applicable):

If your unit is equipped with a power cord, it will be connected to a mains socket with protective earthing. The wire cores in the mains cable are color-coded as follows:

• Green and Yellow: Earth / Ground
• Blue: Neutral
• Brown: Live

If the wire colors in the cable do not match the colored markings in your plug, follow these instructions:

• The Green/Yellow wire must be connected to the terminal marked 'E' or with the earth symbol, or colored Green or Green/Yellow.
• The Blue wire must be connected to the terminal marked 'N' or colored Black.
• The Brown wire must be connected to the terminal marked 'L' or colored Red.

Caution: If the chassis is earthed, any fault in the unit or system to which it is connected could result in a live chassis. Touching the chassis and earth simultaneously could cause severe injury or death.

This equipment may require a different electrical cable, plug, or both, depending on the power source available at installation. If the plug needs changing, consult qualified service personnel. The Green/Yellow wire will be connected directly to the unit's chassis.

Disposal Information:

Do not dispose of this product with general household waste. For used electronic products, there is a separate collection system according to legislation requiring proper treatment, recovery, and recycling. Private households in EU member states, Switzerland, and Norway can return their used electronic products free of charge to designated collection points or to a retailer (if purchasing a similar new product). For countries not mentioned above, please contact local authorities for correct disposal procedures. This ensures that your discarded product undergoes the necessary treatment, recovery, and recycling, preventing potential negative impacts on human health and the environment.

General Usage Precautions:

• Read and save these instructions.
• Heed all warnings and follow all instructions.
• Do not use this apparatus near water.
• Clean only with a dry cloth.
• For indoor use only.
• Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
• Do not install near heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat.
• Use only attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.
• Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods.
• Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has two blades, one wider than the other. A grounding-type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong. The wide blade or the third prong are for your safety. If the provided plug does not fit your outlet, consult an electrician to replace the obsolete outlet.
• Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched, especially at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the apparatus.
• Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specified by the manufacturer, or sold with the apparatus. When a cart is used, use caution when moving the cart/apparatus combination to avoid injury from tip-over.
• Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as power-supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.
• The ON/OFF switch used in this equipment does not disconnect the unit from the mains.
• For installation in a rack or cabinet where the plug is inaccessible, a main-disconnect switch must be incorporated into the cabinet's wiring. This switch must have a contact separation of at least 3 mm on all poles.
• If connected to a 240V supply, an appropriate CSA/UL certified power cord must be used.